GISBORNE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1312, 17 June 1915, Page 11

GISBORNE.

Chortle’s Grand National Hurdles Engagement — A Local Dispute— Horses Leave for Hawke’s Bay Meeting—W. Rutl edge’s Team at Gisborne.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

GISBORNE, Saturday.

Chortle was schooled over six fences this week, and showed all his old aptitude in clearing them proficiently. As it is his connection’s intentions to start him in the forthcoming Grand National Hurdle Race at Riccarton in August, the meeting between El Gallo, the Great Northern double winner, and the son of Multifid should be worth going a long way to see.

Collectively speaking, it is a longtime since we have had a worse lot of horses in training than is the case at present. The best of the local lot seem to be those that have broken down at one time or another, and then patched up. Taken on the whole the future is anything but bright in the racing line locally. Owing to a dispute, The Chef, by San Remo, was removed from C. Hennessy s stables some time Tuesday night, and now the matter is to be ventilated in the local court. This precludes The Chef from competing at the local meeting, and will also probably cause the horse to miss the whole of the winter racing, as there is very little chance of the case being settled before the winter is over. The following horses have either left or are leaving within a day or so for Hawke’s Bay:—Player and Brunswick, in charge of trainer Hennessey (T. W. Jones will pilot both in their engagements); Ormoloid, in charge of W. Olive, trainer. (The last-named is very well at present, and should pick up a stake or two before returning. He will be ridden by Nesbitt, Loch Fyne’s old pilot.

Master Timi has resumed work after a short spell, caused through meeting with a slight mishap in the paddock. Faggot will be a runner in the steeplechase events here, and should run prominently, though at present he is a bit green at the game, and should be better served by time. The latest addition to W. Olive’s extensive team is a neat yearling filly by Gazeley, and, judging on appearance, she is a mass of quality. The July committee meeting of the Gisborne Racing Club will see many alterations in the club’s affairs, more so amongst the judicial members, who are probably of the same mind as the Cabinet Ministers in England. New blood will probably mean new energy and more business-like aptitude in dealing with matters connected with their duties.

Smilax is being trained by his owner now, and evidently it suits him, as on Tuesday morning he beat Birkline, another home trained candidate, over six furlongs very com fortably. Should he go on all right he might pick up a welter this winter.

Amongst the new owners in the “Bay” is a Mr. W. Rutledge, who has built a small stable of three boxes, and has quite a small and select string, comprising two fillies, one by Multifid —Amusement, therefore half sister to Chortle. The other is by Gazeley, rising two-year-old, half sister to the above, while Heather Mixture, by St. Serf —Sprig o’ Heather, is expected here this month, and joins the team.