SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1307, 13 May 1915, Page 11

SOUTHLAND.

Wharfinger Recovering from Serious Leg Injury—Clifden Racing Club — Lumsden Hack R.C.’s PositionSouthland Trotting Club is Unfairly Treatjed in not Receiving Totalisator Permit—Gelding Peter to be Treated to Spell—Cannonade also on Easy List—Mr. W. T. Hazlett’s Horses to Finish their Preparation for North Otago J.C.’s Meeting on Oamaru Tracks — Forbury Park T.C.’s Forthcoming Meeting —G. Hope’s Team at Winton.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

INVERCARGILL, May 8.

When Wharfinger slipped on the edge of the Southland R.C.’s plough track some time back he injured his fetlock joint so severely that it was thought his racing career had terminated. However, Mr. Miller, M.R.C.V.S., encased the injured member in plaster, and as the result of his efforts the horse is now able to put his foot to the ground again. The

sire of Treadmill is to be added to the list, prior to being placed in work again next season. The Charlemagne 11. gelding Champagne, who has been treated to a very long spell, was brought in again the other day and found to be sound and well. Mr. W. Baird has been very unfortunate with the two horses referred to. The news that the Clifden Racing Club is to be favoured with a totalisator permit will be received with pleasure in the Western District, as this genuine backblocks club caters strongly for jumping races, and this brings it a large measure of support from followers of the Birchwood Hunt. The Clifden people race on the same day as the Wyndham R.C., but their fixture is not likely tn interfere with the latter meeting, as the districts are widely separated and Clifden annually attracts a distinct following of its own.

It is reported that the Lumsden Hack R.C. is going to wind up its affairs, owing to its failure to obtain a totalisator permit. Many owners will regret this decision, as the Lumsden people invariably provided a pleasant outing and a track on which novice performers could be tried out with safety. Great disappointment was expressed in light harness circles w T hen it was found that the Southland Trotting Club was not to get a totalisator license. The granting ‘of the coveted permit to the Winton T.C. was probably influenced by the fact that the latter club is the elder of the two. It hardly seems a fair thing that Invercargill, the centre of one of the strongest trotting provinces in Maoriland, should be debarred from totalisator aid when the West Coast of the South Island fairly bristles with fixture of this class.

Somewhere about twenty South-land-owned horses have been nominated for the North Otago J.C.’s forthcoming meeting, and it is safe to say that the majority of his number, together with many -local ■ steeplechasers and hunters, will be entered for the D.J.C.’s June gathering. The name of Dorian has been claimed for Mr. W. T. Hazlett’s colt by Martian from Greek Maid. The local two-year-old will probably be given a race at the North Otago fixture.

Trainer A. D. Mclvor has returned Peter to his owner, and the gelding is to be treated to a spell. The Auckland-bred mare Bouquet, by Hotchkiss —Bridal Rose, recently died on the farm of Mr. F. Malcolm, at Heddon Bush. She was the dam of Peerless, by Peerage, and at least one good son who has yet to make his debut in public. Mr. E. Russell recently refused a substantial offer for his American colt Mowhawk, by Mexican —Maxine Elliott. The imported horse has recovered from a series of nasty injuries sustained as the result of becoming entangled in a barbwire fence, and will be hacked about until the spring season favours active training operations. Cannonade, by Canrobert —Follicle, is being treated to a spell. He was one of our most promising horses of last season, but has been practically untrainable for a considerable time past. A three-year-old brother to Cannonade was expected to race well this season, but an attack of strangles put him out of court. He has now recovered from this fell disease, and is building up again at Mr. R. Miller’s Oreti Stud.

It is reported that Soldier’s Chorus may not race again, as he was showing symptoms of lameness after the Riverton R.C.’s meeting. Quite a number of the mares mated with the son of Martian are now proving in foal, including the ancient Pleasure Seeker. Soldier’s Chorus served some of the best mares in the province last season, and the advent of his first crop of foals is eagerly awaited. Recharge, by Renown —Tomboy, is being qualified with the Birchwood Hunt in preparation for a race at the Otago Hunt Club’s meeting at the close of the hunting season. Owing to the heavy state of the Southland R.C.’s tracks, Mr. W. T. Hazlett is sending h’s team to Oamaru to finish off their preparation for the North Otago J.C.’s meeting. His horses under marching orders are Martian Maid, Vocation and Dorian. Mr. Hymers, of Riverton, is thinking of following suit with King Torrent, Lady Trent, and Grafton Laddie. The last-named, by the way, wears an improved appearance and may be found in racing humour when the D.J.C. June meeting comes round.

During the incoming week many Southern followers of the light harness sport will visit Dunedin to assist

at the winter meeting of the Forbury Park Trotting Club. A record number of horses from this end will be racing during the two days, and it is confidently expected that more than one stake will come to Southland. Annie K and Balnamoan are two square-gaited trotters from the south that are expected to perform with credit.

George Hope has settled down in his new home at Winton, and among other horses is to prepare Order Down (by Glenculloch—Order), My Order (Canrobert —Order), and a filly by Pallas from Order. The horses referred to are owned by Mr. F. Moore, who used to race the speedy Goldsail with success.