CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 19 March 1914, Page 14

CANTERBURY.

Vice-Admiral Getting Into Good Shape —A Pair of Mr. G. B. Starkey’s Juveniles — Goldfinch Recommissioned by G. Fuller —Cherubini in Great Heart —Briar Patch Changes Hands —Sir Malt Probably Replace Vasco at Meadowbank Stud. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) MONDAY, March 16. Never at this time of the year have the tracks at Riccarton been so hard, and trainers are anxiously looking for rain, Autumnus does not appear to have quite, thrown off the knee lameness that lias been troubling him for some time past, and once or twice recently he appeared to be a trifle sore after working.

Vice-Admiral, who is a regular attendant on the tracks at Riccarton, is throwing off some of his superfluous condition, and should he keep sound, may yet return his owner, Mr. F. Pyne, with a winning bracket. M. Hobbs is keeping Rinaldo busy, but the Charlemagne 11. colt makes a slight noise when galloping and it is a matter of speculation whether his wind will permit him seeing out a strongly-run mile and a-half. So far this season Ringform has failed to re-produce in public the great things, he is credited with'peri jibing in private. Probably he favours his dam, Ringdove, who 1 was anything but reliable with the colours UP;

U ne of the first of Danube’s progeny, a yearling called Uncle Dan, has made his appearance' at Riccarton, andl is now an inmate of W. H. Thompson’s stable. Another addition to the same owner’s team is Varnish, by Vasco from Prudish. Both juvenile's. are owned by the Canterbury sportsman, Mr. G. B. Starkey. Vocation will not be a starter either in the Great Easter or Great Autumn Handicaps, the pen having been put through his name at 9 a.m. on Friday last. The well-known Ashburton owner and breeder, Mr. E. Gates, leaves shortly on a trip to England.

G'. Fuller has re-commissioned the Gold Reef —Miss Kalo gelding, Goldfinch. The old horse has not raced since he won the Flying Handicap at Otago 12 months ago, but, should he keep sound, may be given a run at the forthcoming Alford Forest meeting.

R. J. Mason has the three-year-old colt Cherubini in great heart at present. He looks well, and is bowling along freely in his tasks at Riccarton.

Hagerty is hacking a useful-looking four-year-old gelding about at Riccarton. He is by Boniform from Salaam, an Australian-bred mare, by Medallion from Salutation, by Segenhoe. CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday.

Briar Patch, the three-year-old sister to Heatherbrae, has been purchased by Mr. A. Hunt from Sir Geo. Clifford. The daughter of Treadmill and Bonnie Brae showed rather promising form last season, but this year her displays have been of a disappointing nature.

Since being recommissioned, ViceAdmiral has got through a lot of solid work, and up to a few days ago was looking well on it. At present he is having another enforced spell, as the result of contracting a severe cold. After working at Riccarton on Monday morning, Coroniform was bleeding from the nostrils, and I am afraid he is done, as a racing proposition. The two full-brothers, Quarantine and Stevedore, resumed work at Riccarton on Monday morning after their enforced idleness. The two West Coast representatives, Missile and

Mereton, were also seen out for the first time on Monday after having an easy time of it.

The Stepniak mare May Dalrymple has almost recovered from, the operation performed on her for roaring. At present she is turned out, and is not likely to race again till next season.

It is quite possible that Sir Malt, by Maltster—Graceton, will take the place of the defunct Varco at Mr. Harvey Patterson’s Meadowbank Stud. *

■ The yearling filly by FormativeGold Powder was purchased at Napier on Saturday by. Mr. A. W. Rutherford at lOOgns. She will probably go into A. McAulay’s stables at Riccarton to receive her early education.

The stallion Bonny Glen had a rather exciting adventure at Riccarton on Saturday afternoon. . By some means he broke out of his box and got into a paddock where a number of geldings were grazing. His presence was evidently not appreciated, and for a time it looked as if the son of Stdpniak was. in for a bad time. Fortunately he showed ability in looking after his safety, and eventually escaped with a few scratches.