SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1325, 16 September 1915, Page 15

SOUTHLAND.

Otago Hi<nt Club’s Steeplechase Fixture—Notes on Intending Competitors—Dorian in Work Again— Directoire’s Racing Career Finished —Winton J.C.’s Contribution to V'ounded Soldiers’ Fund —'The N.Z. Cup Candidate, Palisade—Unique Sporting Event — The Birchwood Hunt Club’s Run. INVERCARGILL, September 9. A number of owners from the South intend being represented at the Otago Hunt Club’s steeplechase fixture on September 18, and judging from the handicaps issued by Mr. H. Gourley some of the stake money on offer should come our way. Despite the fact that he is somewhat deformed in front, little Recharge, by Renown — Tomboy, is expected to run well in the Hunters’ Hurdles and again in the Hunters’ Flat. Several of the progeny of the old Hawke’s Bay mare Tomboy, born since she was brought to Southland, display twisted limbs in

front, but this does not stop them galloping, and in the case of Recharge he has so far proved a good fencer. Another hurdle candidate from these parts will be found in Luigi, and if his condition has improved at all since the Birchwood Hunt fixture in July he can be depended upon to show a bold front. Royal Guard failed in his essays over fences at the Grand National meeting, but he may appear to better advantage at Wingatui. Canrobur, Canrobert —Tomboy, is one of the shapely descendants of his dam and may race well in his selected task, as he is a useful and sturdy gelding, well up to welter weights. The most forward among the unisual nrmber of novices now being trained on the Invercargill tracks appear to be Glensponse, by G'lenapp,

and Rorke’s Drift, by Calibre. The former is in G. McLean’s stable, while Rorke’s Drift is prepared from Sirius Lodge by P. T. Hogan. The Calibre gelding was intended to be schooled at the jumping game for Mr. J. C. N. Grigg, of Canterbury, but gives promise of racing well across the flat prior to having to rise into the air to earn his oats.

Dorian, the three-year-old brother to Martian Maid, by Martian—Greek Maid, is in work again from Mr. W. T. Hazlett’s stable. He appears to be a useful youngster, but will require some time to build up into the best of racing shapes. It is understood that Mr. Hazlett’s mare Directoire has finished her racing career, and will leave the post for the paddock as a consort to Martian’s good son, Danube.

The American-bred mare Eager Fyes, by Cesarion —Susie Bush, has gone wrong, and her owner is now seeking to mate her with Mr. J. B. Reid’s recent English purchase Sunny Lake, by Sundridge—Pearl of the Loch. Mr. Russell’s mare has so far had no superior as an exponent of extreme speed, as far as the S.R.C. tracks are concerned, and it is a misfortune to hep enthusiastic owner to have to place her on the retired list.

The three-year-old filly Testimonial, by Glenculloch, in W. Ratcliff’s stable, is to be turned out for a time, as she has been showing signs of soreness. It is reported that Neuroma, by De la Ray, is to be tried out as a longdistance handicap horse this season. Irainer A. D. Mcivor has a good opinion of the gelding owned by Gore’s well-known sporting medico, Dr. Rogers, and it is sincerely to be hoped -hat he will be able to lead him in the winner of a good race before the season i s far advanced. It is always a pleasure to true lovers of the turf to see sportsmen successful with horses of their own breeding. At a committee meeting of the Winton Jockey Club last week, the sum of £lOO was voted to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The contribution is a very substantial one for the oldest emb in the province, as its finances have not yet recovered from the strain of completing extensive improvements and other causes.

In consideration of the fact that Rie Clifden Racing Club has been saddled with unusual expense in order to prepare for its first totalisa.or meeting, Mr. A. Jones has offered to compile the handicaps for the St. Patrick’s Day fixture free of charge. Trotting trainer T. Tilson, who does not often handle ihoroughbreds, has been breaking in a youngster by Glenculloch of late, and, unfortunately, the animal fell with its rider one day this week. As a result, Tilson’s clever, youthful son is now an inmate of the Southland Hospital, which is a double misfortune, as his father has a long string of light harness horses in work and the boy and his elder sister are depended upon to steer them in their saddle tasks. Members of the Clifden Racing Club are earnestly looking for the completion of the Tuatapere—Clifden railway, as this will bring the iron road within a mile of their racecourse, which will mean an almost certain stepping s.one to success for the backblocks club. It seems to be a general belief among members of the sporting press and the general public that the New Zealand Cup candidate Palisade cannot stay, but it might be as well not to take this idea for granted. The son of Pallas is a descendant of the Red Rose, family on his dam’s side, and there is stout blood there, while another of the progeny of Pallas developed the ability to see out lengthy races as she got older. This is to say that Hesione, at one time known as a hack sprinter, can now be depended upon to race on fairly well at the end of a mile and a-half test. Should Pallisade lose some of his pace and gain in staying power like the mare referred to, there will be trouble ahead for some well-known bearers of substantial burdens in valuable handicaps distanced at over eight furlongs.

A unique sporting event was carried out here on Wednesday afternoon, when the Birchwood Hunt conducted a run of the hounds over a course specially laid out in the big ring on