INTERPROVINCIAL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1262, 25 June 1914, Page 14

INTERPROVINCIAL.

“CLOVERLEA.” PALMERSTON NORTH. A VISIT TO MR. D. BUICK'S (M.P.) ESTABLISHMENT. During a run through the Manawatu recently a representative of the “Sporting and Dramatic Review ’ paid a visit to Mr. D. Buick’s (M.P.) wellknown place of residence, “Cloverlea,” situated on the Kairanga Road, distant about four miles from Palmerston North. The land, which consists of 450 acres, was acquired by Mr. Buick in 1881, when it was covered with virgin bush, and its appearance to-day is a marked tribute to the perseverance of Mr. Buick, who, from a sheer wilderness, has transformed the place into one of the best equipped farms to be found in this country. The property is subdivided into well grassed paddocks, and the sight of many Romney sheep and cattle grazing on the several areas bore out the fact that for fattening and other purposes the place was admirably adapted for the purposes for which it was utilised. Lying well to the sun with ample shel ter for the stock it was small wonder that the animals on the place all bore such a capital appearance, proving conclusively that stock reared on the place had every opportunity of arriving at maturity with a minimum of discomfort.

For years Mr. Buick has been an ardent sportsman, and many equines who have gained considerable prominence on the turf of this country first saw the light of day at “Cloverlea.” At present he has some horses in training, and it was this quest for information that prompted my calling at the homestead. Fortunately, Mr. Buick was at home, and no time was lost in looking over the inmates. In the management of the place Mr. Buick is assisted by his son Mr. J. Buick, who attends to the training of the horses and the supervision of the place generally.

The first inmate of the stable to come under review was Portraiture, a big upstanding four-year-old colt by Pupukaura—Miniature, and who ran exceedingly well at the recent Otaki meeting. Being well built, with capital bone and substance Portraiture should carry his owners’ popular colours with some distinction on the turf of New Zealand.

Kahu-Mangu, a rising three-year-old black colt by Papakura from Anser Anser, is a splendid type of the thoroughbred, and should assuredly have a prosperous career. The writer looked him over critically, and found it impossible to find a defect in his make up. Covering a lot of ground this handsome horse should in time occupy a proud position in the racing records of this country.

A rising two-year-old colt named Rangitero looked in rare trim when his coverings were removed, and gave the writer the impression that he would carry the dark blue and pink cap in a very creditable manner. The youngster, who is by Papakura from Elusive, is, therefore, a full brother to Rangiatua and Rangipapa, both of whom have some excellent races to their credit. The youngster under review is expected to gain some prominence on the turf and should emulate some of his illustrious relatives’ performances when the time arrives for him to sport silk.

An unnamed rising four-year-old brown mare by Papakura —Tauira gave the writer the imnression that she was possessed of galloping ability

judging by the manner in which she spurted around the enclosure. Being nicely put together, the horse named appears assured of a prosperous career.

Hinemoana, a three-year-old by Papakura from Tangimoana, is without a doubt the most aristocratic looking juvenile on the place. With capital bone and substance and a good centre piece, the mare may yet prove the sheet anchor of the establishment. She inherits some admirable galloping strains on the dam’s side, and her future prospects appear very bright indeed.

Tangimoana (San Fran —Wainongaro) has a nice chestnut filly foal at foot by Aberbrothock, and is in foal to Antagonist. The black mare Elusive (Vanguard —Eclar) has a brown filly foal at foot by Papakura, and is due to foal early next season to Antagonist. Austerlitz, a bay mare by Soult — Sappho, has a nice specimen of the thoroughbred in a chestnut filly foal at foot by Papakura, and is carrying a foal by California. An unnamed mare by Papakura— Ori Flame is in foal to Ngatarua (Sou’-wester —Undine). The sire is probably the only Sou’-wester horse in New Zealand and the result of the union is being awaited with interest.

With the splendid surroundings and well grassed and sheltered paddocks it was small wonder that the thoroughbreds all bore such a well kept appearance, and it will occasion no surprise if horses from “Cloverlea” play a prominent part in turf affairs in this country during the 1914-1915 season.

Danny Malley, the American jockey, has practically retired from racing, mainly on account of his poor health which has been poor since his illness at the beginning of the winter. Maher, who became a naturalised British subject last year, has bought a country estate near Nottingham, where he intends to live, breeding prize cattle and indulging in other rural pursuits. There is much speculation regarding Maher’s wealth. He is believed to have made about £lOO,OOO.

WELLINGTON. The Highden Youngsters—Sir Solo ..May Be Taken to Australia —Rangikapua Shapes Well Over Hurdles— F. S. Easton’s Team—Aratiatia, a Promising Hurdler. i Krom Our Own Correspondent.) MONDAY, June 22. The excellent opinion formed by your correspondent of Leapuki’s jumping ability was fully borne out by the gelding getting on the winning list in the Hack Hurdles at Hastings on Wednesday last. The dividend returned by the son of Lethe was out of all proportion to the capital work he had been getting through on the Feilding tracks. Since coming into Mr. E. Short’s possession, at an outlay of £175, Leapuki has scored on two occasions, and consequently the transaction has proved a happy one as far as the Feilding sportsman is concerned.

Monologue, who is having an easy time of it at present, has won £B7O in stake money during the present season. The chestnut son of Advance Epilogue appears assured of a successful career as a seven-year-old during the 1914-15 season. During G. Price’s absence in Australia, the “Highden” team at Awapuni are being looked after by J. Mitchell, who has had considerable training in the handling of the thoroughbred. At present Mitchell has in hand four budding equines for racing honours. They comprise five in number, and are made up with a two-year-old chestnut filly by Elevation —Waitemata, a filly of the same age and colour by Gold Reef Pursering, a bay two-year-old filly by Achilles—Vasa, a rising three-year-cld bay filly by Martian—Truce, and

a coming two-year-old filly by Elevation —Parera. The youngsters are all coming on nicely, and in the ordinary way should represent their Feilding owner with some success next season.

The many friends of Mr. W. E. Bidwill, the well-known Wairarapa sportsman, will be pleased to hear that he is again convalescent after an illness which necessitated him laying up for a few weeks. Mr. Bidwill is now on the high road to recovery, and should in the near future be sufficiently well to take a hand in his favourite pastime of a round of the links.

T. Pritchard, the local rider, has again struck trouble by being suspended for three months for allowing Mount Victoria to cross Ngarua in the Final Handicap at Hastings on Thursday last. Pritchard is having his full share of ill-luck, but he is looking forward to brighter prospects next season.

R. Edwards, who rode Leapuki to victory last week, is also the trainer of the gelding. Edwards rides with seme judgment, and in his hands Leapuki should fare well during the next few months.

Chatting with Mr. F. Dorset recently, he informed me that there is a probability of Sir Solo making a trip to Australia in the spring, with a view to competing in some of the weight-for-age events. Being a typical galloper, the gelding may fare well on the other side of the Tasman Sea.

Portraiture (Papakura—Miniature), belonging to Mr. D. Buick, M.P. and Son, got amongst the winners at Hastings on Thursday last. This brown four-year-old gives promise of developing into one of the best gallopers that has been reared at “Cloverlea” for some time past. J. Sceats recently tried Rangikapua over the small sticks, and the horse gave a very satisfactory display for a novice. With the opportunity, the full-brother to Tangimoana may develop into an ideal hurdler. Certainly his prospects appear very bright. W. G. Trask, who now acts as private trainer to Mr. F. S. Easton, is getting a nice little team in preparation for next season’s racing. With the excellent facilities for training provided on the Moutoa Estate, Trask will have every opportunity of bringing his team up to a state of perfection. The racecourse on Mr. Easton’s property, which is a mile in circumfernce, js probably the best of its kind in New Zealand. The track, which was formed regardless of cost, keeps in good order all the year round, it being possible to keep horses going right through the winter. Aratiatia, the five-year-old son of Achilles —Momokai, gives promise of developing into an ideal hurdler, judging by the manner in which he cleared the small sticks on the' Porirua beach recently. Mr. Prosser is under the impression that he has unearthed another horse as reliable as The Guard, who did yeoman service for the Porirua trainer in years gone by. A capital class of hurdlers will be seen in action this winter, and jumping events should create considerable interest during the next few months.

The local owner who races as “H. Whitney” intended being represented