SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1303, 15 April 1915, Page 11

SOUTHLAND.

Riverton R.C.’s Annual Meeting—Miss Kellerman Suffers Injury—Soldier’s Chorus Unlucky in Recent Starts: — Steeplechase Events at Riverton. (From Our Own Correspondent.* INVERCARGILL, April 10. The Winton Trotting Club’s annual fixture will be held next week without the aid of the totalisator, and it is interesting to note that the fields include some of the best horses in the province, including Annie K. and Yarraville. The fixture has been estab lished for many years, and generally attracts an excellent attendance of those intimately connected with the sport. For several days and nights previous to the Riverton R.C.’s annual meeting, which opened on Easter Monday, rain fell heavily, with only a few intervals between the downfalls, consequently many people were afraid to attend the seaside gathering in the face of a threatening sky. The railway returns from Invercargill and other centres fell off, but the gate receipts kept up wonderfully well. There was a serious drop in the totalisator figures of £5677, but it has to be remembered that the returns of last year, viz., £30,599, constituted an easy record as far as the Club was concerned. The privilege receipts were, however, better than usual, and it is safe to say that when all is said and done a handsome profit will result. There was a very keen desire to handle a substantial profit this season, as the Club will embark upon a very comprehensive scheme of improvements within a few weeks time, to include the erection of new stands and many minor improvements. The weather was fine but very cold on the second day, when the attendance was about up to the average. The Riverton R.C. have experienced favourable weather at many Easter fixtures, but have never yet presented a dry course. It is on record, however, that away back in the misty past the track used for racing purposes was firm and dry in the month of May. The Captain Webb—Edith mare, Miss Kellerman, was disposed of the other day to a resident of the Fortrose district, in order that she might be mated with Vice-Admiral in due course, but when she was sent for to the place where she was running out it was found that she had very seriously injured one of her hind legs. The injury had existed for a month prior to its discovery, and her would-be purchaser may not now take delivery. John Barleycorn was made a very hot favourite for the Riverton Cup, a considerable amount of money being forwarded for him from Oamaru and other southern centres, but when it came to racing for a mile and a-half in holding going with 9.10 on his back he was found wanting, and Hesione (Pallas—Antigone), 8.10, won easily in 2min. 45sec. from Wild Pilgrim (7.13) and Dlrectoire (7.8, including 141 b. over). Feodore and Rom ahere were of the beaten division, with the favourite last. Hesione (9.6) was made favourite for the Easter Handicap on the second day, but Wild Pilgrim (8.4) gave her no rest, and making his own running just beat her at the finish. The time, 2.13 for ten furlongs, was very good under the heavy course conditions prevailing. Bengali ere and Directoire were the beaten starters.

Soldier’s Chorus was produced twice at Riverton, but met with defeat on each occasion. The Flying Handicap, six furlongs, was his first call, but he could only get third place behind Golden King and Peter. The winner ran a good race, and seems to score impartially over long or short distances. On the second day Golden King was made favourite for the Aparima Handicap, seven furlongs, but third place was his portion. The winner turned up in Buller, by Canrobert- —Tugela, and Soldier’s Chorus followed him home at some distance. The connections of the second horse protested against the winner on the grounds of interference, but the objection was not sustained. Buller was ahead of Soldier’s Chorus throughout, and it is hard to see how he could have interfered with Mr. McNay’s horse, but the explanation may have been that another starter carrying similar colours to Buller was the cause of the trouble. During the past few weeks Soldier’s Chorus has finished second in four races, and on one occasion secured third money. He had a hard time of it at Riverton, and now that he has stood up to his work since the close of the stud season it is to be hoped that he will last long.enough to win a race.

The progeny of Canrobert had a good innings at the Riverton 'fixture. On Easter Monday Canrobur, out of Tomboy (dam of Office Girl), won the Trial Stakes, and the First County Handicap fell to Buller, out of Tugela, with Giralda, from Minaret (dam of Magdala) second. On the concluding day Buller came out in open company and won again, while Giralda defeated a good field in the Visitors’ Hack Race. The Canroberts referred to are all horses of size and substance, and with age are now coming into their own. This has always been the writer’s contention, and the proof is now apparent. The descendants of ihe Soult stallion are natural jumpers, and it is interesting to know that a number of his progeny are awaiting age to make their appearance between the flags. Several Southland horses are due to race at the South Canterbury J.C.’s autumn meeting, and it is quite likely that all will run fairly well, as they are getting to the top of their form. The ex-North Islander Vocation, by

Birkenhead —Stepfeldt, who let his backers down badly at the Southland R.C.’s meeting, ran very badly in the Flying Handicap at Riverton, and then came cut in the Farewell Handicap on the following day and never gave Feodor and Peerless a chance.

The public crowded to Riverton on the first two days of the current week to see the steeplechases, and they certainly obtained variety for their money. Falls and mishaps were unduly numerous, but, happily, all the riders concerned escaped unhurt. The Great Western Steeplechase, of SOOsovs., brought out nine starters, but all made more or less serious mistakes. Eventually the South Canterbury gelding Golden Grape, by Kulnine, came in alone, but he ran all sorts of risks at his fences, and, in the words of his rider, J. Boyd, he “had eleven lives.” The Riverton Steeplechase, of 200sovs., formed the drawing card of the second day, and after a good race Black Sea, by Black and Red from a Seaward mare, won from Golden Grape and The Brewer. The winner is owned by W. Ledingham, huntsman to the Birchwood Hunt. She is a fine jumper and can command some pace. Black Sea comes from Otautau, the headquarters of the Hunt, and two other scorers

between the flags hail from the same township. These were The Jew, a grey gelding of unknown breeding, winner of the Otaitai Steeplechase, and Te Tua, by Reflector (son of Lochiel) from Topsy, who secured the Waiau Steeplechase. It is curious to relate that both these horses are greys and are owned by Otautau bonifaces, rivals at the leaping game, while the second horse in each event was Ghent, yet another grey. This Ghent is a useful fencer, and was sired by Ted, a horse who had a narrow escape of becoming unsexed and whose turf career was limited to winning quite a number of races as a square-gaited trotter. The well-known fencer True Blue started in the Riverton Steeplechase on Tuesday, but fenced indifferently, and lost his rider at an early stage. One of the veterans of the steeplechasing game in Southland, C. J. Church, who has been riding to hounds, over hurdles and across country for very many years, won two contests between the flags at Riverton,

his successes being gained on The Jew and Black Sea. He , has ridden more races across the Riverton country than any other horseman, hence it was no surprise to see him finding his way home by the shortest route.