RICCARTON

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 683, 9 April 1903, Page 15

RICCARTON

The tracks were very heavy on Saturday mOrning, owing to the heavy rains which fell since the previous Tuesday. Despite the unfavourable conditions some interesting work was done, but the times registered were slow. Deerstalker and Aherlow were the first pair out, and were sent a strong gallop over six furlongs. The filly moved very freely,' and should run well in her Northern engagement!; at Easter. To-morrow ran a similar distance in Imin 23min, while - Cannie Shiel traversed a mile and a-quarter, Windwhistle assisting him over the last mile, the last seven furlongs being left behind in Imin Treadmill accomplished a working gallop over six furlongs, which he ran in Imin Ragabrash put in sound pacing over five furlongs, while Tercelet negotiated two circuits on the cinders at half-speed. Golden Vein alone ran seven furlongs in Imin 36sec, going pleasingly, while Quarryman took Imin 25|sec to run six furlongs. Stepdancer had King Stork as companion in a gallop over the Autumn Handicap course. The pair broke away together, but before going half-a-mile King Stork began to drop back, evidently finding the pace too solid. Firebrand joined the mare at the seven furlongs mark, and the pair raced home together. Stepdancer finished very well, and pleased onlookers. The times for the various stages of the gallop were as follows : —First half mile, 55£sec ; mile, Imin 534 sec ; and the final

distance in 2min 52sec. 'This was from a' walking up start, and is considered a very fair gallop on heavy going. Ropa brushed over six furlongs in Imin 24|sec. After breakfast the weather cleared, and Holmes despatched Scylla for a couple of circuits, finishing over the last halfmile of each round at three-quarter speed. Kelburn ran the last half-mile of a steady circuit in 54sec, while Gladisla performed a similar task. Secret Society and Covenant Maid executed a working gallop over six furlongs, finishing together in Jm.n 25sec. The Easter Handicap horse, however, was going, Very well, and appeared as though he would have registered a good gallop had he been extended. Ordnance defeated Narcissus in a spin over seven furlongs, which was run in Imin 46sec. Lavalette galloped half-a-mile in 54sec, while Dirk dashed over six furlongs in imin 23 sec. Lady Lillian registered the best six furlongs gallop olj the morning, running the distance in Imin 21£sec, finishing up the task in a pleasing manner. Goldenmere brushed over five furlongs, the halfmile occupying 56sec. Pallas, Welbeck and Zealous had a spin over seven furlongs, but through Welbeck breaking away before the mark was reached, it was a very straggling sijart, of which Zealous and Pallas fared worse. However, the two soon got on equal terms, and half-way down the straight Welbeck was beaten, while the other pair were together when the post was reached, although they were not ridden, but they appeared to be fully extended. Pallas, who was slowest to move, ran the distance in Imin 35sec, a fair performance. Welbeck pulled up lame, and was led back to the sheds. He left the course very lame, so that he may be counted an unlikely starter at the Meeting. Cerise and Blue and Leonore ran five furlongs in Imin lOsec, but could have improved upon that time. Calibre, who went sorely, traversed a mile in Imin 55sec. Lollah galloped a mile, the last’ seven furlongs occupying Imin 38sec, while Nell Gwyne, Rosemere, Antigone, Bombardo, Kharki, Brave Heart and Cora Lynn were allotted steady pacing. All the money forthcoming about Orloff Pallas combination has been snapped up in Christchurch and elsewhere. Secret Society was backed from the right quarter for the Easter Handicap to-day, in doubles with General Symons and Pallas. Orloff will start a strong favorite for the Easter Handicap, while Pallas is almost certain to carry the bulk of the money in the Great Autumn. General Symons has come into favour for the Great Autumn Handicap during the last week.

April B'. The inside of the trial grass was opened this morning. This, coupled with the improved going, was responsible for the good times registered. Cannie Chiel arid Windwhistle galloped a miie, in which the latter showed to advantage, the time registered being Imin 48sec. Cannie Chiel disappointed the onlookers. Treadmill and Golden Vein dashed over the seven furlongs in Imin 32|- sec, finishing together. The former, who moved well, could have improved upon that time. Secret Society, looking in capital fettle, rar? a mile, Narcissus accompanying him the last seven furlongs, which was run in Imin 32 l-ssec. Secret Society tired towards the finish. Ragabrash defeated Deerstalker, over seven furlongs, the last six furlongs of which was run in Imin 19sec. Cora Linn, looking well, galloped half-a-mile up the back in 52|sec. Quarryman’s mission was five furlongs at three-quarter speed. Stepdancer and Firebrand were associated in the gallop over seven furlongs, which occupied Imin 33sec. The former, who was going well at the finish, showing 'to advantage. Scylla, Nell Gwyn, and Kelburne, after cantering once round, spurted half-a-mile in 50sec, finishing in the order named. Leonore defeated Cerise and Blue over, six furlongs in Imin 21 sec. Royal Standard compassed the circuit at half-speed. Bombardo, Clanburn, and King Stork were companions in a gallop over the one mile and a-quarter. The first-named appeared to advantage at the finish. The time registered was 2min 26Jscc, a fair performance. King Stork got away badly, but made up some of his leeway, and finished within a few lengths of the leader. Lolah and Ropu galloped seven furlongs in Imin 33sec, the former finishing in front. Lee Enfield defeated Roscommon and First Shot over half-a-mile, run in ,5.0£ sec, while De La Rev alone covered a similar distance in 514 sec. Pallas traversed a mile and a-quarter, being assisted by Lavalette over the last seven furlongs. Lavalette appeared to hold his companion safe at the finish. The times for the various stages of the gallop were as follows First two furlongs, 27sec ; six furlongs, Imin 19d-sec ; full distance, 2min 134 sec. From a flying start, Pallas moved freely, and is apparently in fine fettle. Lady Lillian and Zealous were companions over seven furlongs. On reach-

ing the post, the latter broke away, aod negotiated a circuit steadily before she was pulled up. At the second attempt the pair got away on even terms. Lady Lillian, who had the better of the gallop throughout, and finished hail a length to the good. The time registered, Imin 31 sec, was the fastest of the morning over this distance, but jEhe horses had a flying start. Lady Lillian also had the advantage of the inside running. After breakfast, Antigone defeated Ordnance over seven furlongs in Imin 33sec • from a standing start. Covenant Maid galloped six furlongs in Imin 18sec, moving pleasingly. Calibre traversed a mile and a-half at three-quarter speed. Kharki, who is looking well, compassed two circuits, brushing over the last halfmile of each round. Golden Mere finished in front of Dirk over five furlongs, which occupied imin 7|sec. Hypnotist ran half-a-mile in 52sec, while Gladisla, Merrymaker and a few others were allotted useful tasks. Motor arrived from Wellington yesterday.