TROTTING IN CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1307, 13 May 1915, Page 19

TROTTING IN CANTERBURY.

A VISIT TO W. J. DOYLE’S ESTABLISHMENT. (From Our Travelling Reporter.) LEESTON, May S. Whilst taking a motor tour through the South Island this week, a “Review” representative called a halt at the training quarters of Mr. W. J. Doyle, at Doyleston, situated about 25 miles from Christchurch, with a view to having a look over the property and incidentally to note particulars of some nice specimens of the light harness horse that premise to play a prominent part in trotting events to be decided during the next few months. This class of sport holds a high place amongst sportsmen in Canterbury, and some critics go the length of saying that trotting races will yet attain to a greater degree of popularity than is at present enjoyed by racing clubs in these parts. When one sees for himself the capital type of trotter tthat is being trained there seems a very reasonable degree of certainty that their high opinions for the future will be realised within the next few years.

On reaching Mr. Doyle's homestead the writer encountered J. McLennan, the trainer and successful rider of trotting races, and under the genial “Jack’s” guidance no time was lost in looking over the inmates, some of whom have capital performances to their credit, whilst others have yet to make a name for themselves on the trotting tracks. The first to catch the eye was Crown Prince, a six-year-old gelding by Prince Imperial—Dolly, who is recognised as the sheet anchor of the stable. A fine commanding horse with capital bone and substance, this gelding should keep his opponents busy during the running of trotting events to be decided in Canterbury during the next few months. Crown Prince should be in excellent form by the time the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting comes up for decision in August next.

Disappear, a five-year-old horse bv Willowwood from Mambrino Girl, looked very fit when his rugs were removed. With massive quarters, clean legs and a well developed muscular appearance one would select this trotter to turn out a top notcher. This horse's prospects for the future are very bright indeed. The four-year-old Maid of Darringall, who surprised the Nelson natives recently, looked in rare trim. The mare’s exploits at Richmond Park recently are fresh in our readers’ minds,

and she appears capable of repeating the performances at any time, so much has she improved since her visit north.

Bandy, the five-year-old filly by O.Y.M. from Besses-o’-the-Barn, stripped in capital trim. This aspirant for trotting honours has improved out of all knowledge since her appearance at the Nelson meeting, and is now an ideal type of the light harness horse. This trotter must be indexed to bring some prestige to Mr. Doyle’s establishment during the course of the next few months. A mare that struck the writer as sure to turn out a veritable flyer was Winiata, a four-year-old by Galindo — Myosotis. This mare filled the eye as a trotter that could muster up some pace, and a warm time should be in store for this trotter s opponents when the time arrives for her to face the starter.

Dayspring, an aged mare by California (imp.) from Daybreak, appears likely to earn something towards her upkeep in the near future, as her track work is of a very satisfactory nature. She must be indexed as a possible stake earner on the next occasion that she sports the colours. F. E. Bells, a bay horse by Abbey Bells from Effie, is coming on and should soon be ready to give a good account of himself. A nice actioned trotter with capital pace, this five-year-old should be heard of before the present season draws to a close.

Tn addition to the above, Mr. Doyle has about 50 young horses by Proud Child and Star Child running out in his paddocks, some of whom give great promise. Being bred from fashionable mares, there should be many winners concealed amongst such well bred stock. The whole of the horses on the place are being attended to by J. McLennan, who is recognised as one of the most experienced trotting horsemen to be found in New Zealand at the present time. Situated in close proximity to the above stables are the training quarters of Mr. F. Amor, a name wellknown in trotting circles in New Zealand. The gentleman named is recognised as the best amateur rider and driver of trotters to be found in this country at the present day, his horsemanship being undoubtedly of a very high standard.

Mr. Amor has two horses in work, but he has a large number of youngsters coming on by King Tracey, some of whom are destined to bring their sire into gre'nter prominence with trotting folk. Those that the writer saw all bore a capital appearance, and from their general build and massive looking appearance all appeared assured of a prosperous career.

Mr. Amor kindly removed the rugs from Frank Tracey, a five year-old chestnut gelding by King Tracey from an Electioneer mare, when a nice type of trotter was revealed. This horse was a winner at the last metropolitan meeting at Christchurch, when he won a mile race in the excellent time of 2min. 14 2-ssec., whilst on the concluding day he ran second to Our Aggie, a noted trotter, when he went 2min. 13 2-ssec. to the mile. Frank Tracey is a great favourite with lovers of the light harness horse, and one would select him to increase his winning account on the next occasion that he is on a good mark.

The four-year-old Rose Tracey, by King Tracey from a Victor mare, is a maiden, but, judging by her appearance. she should be breaking her status in the near future. A well developed trotter with ample bone and substance this mare should be carrying Mr. Amor’s colours with some success during the next few months.

Attached to the place is a well built two-year-old colt by King Tracey from a Lincoln Get mare, a maiden who has been timed to leave a mile behind in 2min 40sec. This youngster, who belongs to the stud groom, Mr. J. Plaitchie, is expected to develop into an ideal trotter. Running out in some well sheltered paddocks were a large number of young horses by King Tracey, some of whom give evidence of proving themselves veritable living machines amongst the trotting brigade. Mr. Amor is always pleased to show visitors over his stud, and one and all are always assured of a hearty welcome by notifying him of their arrival, when they will find plenty to interest them amongst the large number of trotters on the place.