Training Notes.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 439, 22 December 1898, Page 11

Training Notes.

AT ELLERSLIE. There was not a very large attendance of touts on Thursday morning last at Ellerslie, and the heat of the morning caused trainers to hurry in their work so as to get it over before Old Sol’s rays made it too uncomfortable forjboth man and beast. All the tracks were in good order, and the course proper, with the hurdles out wide, was thrown open. Coronet was the first out, and was rattleci over a round in a trifle over 2min. lOsec, Dayntree bringing him home. It is questionable whether the Cup horse was ever in better condition, and it is only his previous disappointments that prevent him being better backed fur the Auckland Cup. Explosion and Acone were coupled for a mile and a half on the tan, with Miss Emmy to bring them home. Explosion had most to say at the finish, but it is hard to tell what the weights were. St. Paul, St. Ursula, and Conspirer were extended over a mile on the new plough, but they were kept together all the way. St. Paul walked off quite sound, but for all that he seems to have lost some of the dash that he exhibited before he went South in quest of the New Zealand Cup. He has a great heart, however, and tackles his work with resolute gameness. Old Panoply was coupled in sound work with Tim. Panoply is going along gaily; but although his win would b popular, the Auckland Cup seems to be a littl s too high game for him. Red Lancer, with Tommy Taylor up, extended himself nicely over a circuit on the course proper, covering the last quarter in good time. Adam Byers despatched Nestor for a mile and a half on the tan, the Cup horse, though usually not the best of track horses, travelling freely all the way. Djin-Djin brought him home the last five furlongs. A stable companion of Nestor’s, Regulus, did a circuit of the course, and is evidently on. the improve. Rex, looking well, knocked the stuffing out of Thelma in a six furlong bout. Hylas and Fair Nell were very nearly at top in a round of the course proper. Tirant d’Eau and Coeur de Lion broke away for a mile and a quarter gallop, which occupied them 2min 22sec. The gallop was a good one, both horses moving in fine style, Coeur de Lion being in front at the finish, but, of course, it was not known what the weights were, and it isjust possible the Cup favorite could have done better if he had been seriously asked the question. Merry Maid caused a mild surprise bybeating Waiorongomai and Admiral Hawke once round the tan. Bluejacket, who appears to be on the improve, gave his half-brother Canopus a dressing down in a mile and a quarter gallop on the course proper. Lady Marion moved freely over seven furlongs on the new plough. Wright’s two year-olds, Rosella, Hastings, and Letitia, finished in a bunch after a smart five furlongs. Porangi Potae seemed to have a slight advantage over Record Reign in a six furlong spin, executed in Imin 22sec. A number of others worked,, including Disturbance and Rainbow, who were schooled over the jumps. Disturbance did not shape too well. Magpie, looking very well, did long slow work on the tan. Notwithstanding heavy rain on Friday night the course was in splendid order on Saturday

morning, and those who wanted to have a go outside the hurdles on the course proper were not prevented. Peter Chaafe, following the good example of his dad —who is generally the early bird— was the first out with Mr Budge’s pair, Bluejacket and Canopus. The Derby colt was in front at the end of a mile and a half gallop, bub the time put up was only moderate. It was evident, however, that the pair were not out for a record-breaking performance. Bluejacket looks real well, and it may be that he will make up for some of his two-year-old disappointments. Nestor was sent along for two miles, with Regulus and Conspirer to assist, St. Leger’s big son moving freely. Panoply and Tim were not out to break the watches, but they cast two miles behind them at a sound pace. There would be joy in Vulcan Lane, as well as elsewhere, if Splendor s old gelded son got his head in front at the end of the Cup race. At the present time he is certainly in great condition. Explosion beat Acone rather badly over a mile and a half, Letitia bringing the pair home. St. Ursula and Auld Reekie finished together at the end of a seven furlong spin. Coronet was sent a two-mile journey with Mark Ryan up. He was assisted by Drum Major in the first part, with Eton to bring him home the last seven furlongs. Coronet went in beautiful style and finished as strong as a lion. If he gallops in the Cup in the same style he will give it a severe shake Donneraile and Hylas cleared out from Knight of Athol in a mile and a half. Miss Rose and Hastings negotiated a smart six furlongs. Rex had a slight call over Crusade in a seven-furlong gallop. There was not much between Waiorongomai and Merry Maid in a smartly run mile. Tirant d’Eau and Cceur de Lion were coupled for a mile and three quarters, the New Zealand Cup winner showing to most advantage. Oannongate and St. Peter performed well over three furlongs. - Record Reign and Porangi Potae went well over three furlongs. The Laborer, Seahorse, The Slave, and Dayntree put in sound work. The Afghan, Lady Harriet, and afterwards Rosella, spurted. Bed Lancer, with Taylor up, ran seven furlongs in taking style. Djin-Djin and Weary, both looking well, were treated to three-quarter-pace work, and a host of

■" others worked steadily. Tuesday morning was favorable for work, although the weather became too hot after breakfast. In the early morning the first tp show out were Panoply and Tim, who negotiated a couple of circuits on the tan at a sound pace. Bluejacket again finished in front of Canopus in a mile and a half stretch, and Donneraile had Hylas at his mercy at the end of a couple of circuits. Acone and Explosion jumped away together at the mile and a half post, and, after travelling half-a-mile, they were joined by Miss Emmy, who brought the pair home at a merry pace, Acone galloping better than on the previous Saturday morning, and altogether the gallop reflected credit on the trio. Tirant d’Eau and Cceur de Lion were coupled for a mile and ’ a half spin, and Tirant d’Eau seemed to bold his companion safe all the way and. finished up strongly two lengths in front. St. Peter and Cannongate strode over six furlongs in good style. Rex and Crusade were not asked to make a record over seven furlongs, but they galloped in an attractive manner. Coronet and Eton went once round, the former being anxious to go further at the finish. Waiorongomai finished a length in front of Merry Maid in once round. The Laborer and The Slave went freely over five furlongs, while their stable companion, Seahorse, negotiated six furlongs. Record Reign, Porangi Potae, • Chasseur, and Thelma all did sound work. Dayntree and Drum Major galloped six furlongs, the big colt just beating his companion. Conspirer had a little bit the best of St. Lawrence in a strong once round Admiral Hawke made Supplejack do his best to keep with him for a mile. Nantes and Screw Gun were associated in a sixfurlong spin, but the pace was only moderate. Screw Gun’s action pleased the touts much. Multiform and Altair were treated to a working gallop twice round. It was quite evident that Multiform is in great form, but Altair, on the other hand, is quite sore, and it is not likely that he will be seen to advantage during the coming meeting. The Afghan and Deadbeat did moderate ' work over five furlongs. Rosella had the best of Hastings over a similar distance. Nestor went twice round the tan, but was not properly extended. He pulled up sound and looked as if anxious to continue the journey. Dante, Cairo, Djh. Djin, St. Clements, Lufra, Milo, Magpie, Red Lancer, and a number of others, did good work.