SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1355, 13 April 1916, Page 14

SOUTHLAND.

Gore R.C.’s Successful Fixture—Mishap to Pinnacle —Riverton R.C.’s Encouraging Entries — Rongahere Entered for Riverton Cup—Marginal a Regular Attendant on Southland Tracks. INVERCARGILL, March 7. It has already been recorded that the Gore R.C.’s summer fixture was very successful from several points of view, and it now remains to state that the gate receipts easily surpassed those of 1915. The increase of revenue from this source amounted to £62 13s. At a recent sale of trotters in Gore, Mr. J. B. Thomson (owner of Cathedral Chimes) purchased an iron grey filly foal which can claim to be a full-sister to that smart pacer of similar colour, Eccentric, by George M. Patchen —King Harold mare. The Invercargill owner last week sent the pacing gelding Raeburn to Christchurch to be trained by J. Bryce, who has already won for him with Cathedral Chimes and Soda. Raeburn, who is a Canterbury-bred son of Woodburn Chief and a Prince Imperial mare, is a clever horse and a five-year-old, who promises to develop into a very useful performer in the hopples.

On Saturday morning last Pinnacle, one of P. T. Hogan’s numerous charges, broke a small bone in his fetlock and now has the limb encased in plaster. Pinnacle, by Canrcbert--Minaret, ranks as a half-brother to Magdala, and it is very unfortunate for his owner, Mr. Boyle, that he should meet with such a serious mishap, as he gave premise of being a useful horse. He won tw’o races at the Southland R.C.’s summer meeting and subsequently ran second to Sir Malt on the opening day of the D.J.C. autumn 'fixture in a welter event, but pulled up somewhat sore and had not recovered when he sustained the injury referred to during an exercise canter.

The Riverton R.C. tave received very encouraging entries for their annual meeting at Easter time, the nominations totalling 337, as compared with 235 last year. The steeplechases have filled remarkally well, and the gallopers can be classed as of better all-round class than is usually to be met with at equine gatherings in the vicinity of Southland’s favourite seaside resort.

There was great disappointment when it became known that only four horses remained in the Southland Cup, the principal event of the S.R.C. autumn fixture. The withdrawal of Rorke’s Drift looks like a move being made to Riccarton to contest the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps on the part of the sen of Calibre, while Hesione and Daringdale evidently went to the rightabout by reason of infirmities. The fact that Hesione has not been engaged at the Riverton R.C. meeting lends strong colour to the report that all is not well with the game daughter of Pallas. The disappearance of Neuroma from the Cup list points to the promotion of the hack Gun rest, who is a galloper of more than average merit as far as southern form is concerned.

Rongahere, the hurdle racing hero of the South Canterbury R.C. fixture

of a fortnight back, has been entered for the Riverton Cup, a race which has already gone down to his credit, and it would not be at all surprising to find him again making a bold effort to score, as it will be decided over a mile and a-half, and the Sarto gelding is undoubtedly a stayer.

Included in Hogan’s team at present is Zarkoma, a younger brother to Rongahere, and it is noticeable that he has been extensively engaged at Riverton. He is a better turned horse than Rongahere, but, so far, has belied his looks as a galloper. However, he is just the stamp to make a success at the jumping game, and it is probable that he will be tested in this direction, as his owner, Mr. R. Railton, is an enthusiastic supporter of the Birchwood Hunt, and would dearly like to own a successful fencer. It is anticipated that the Riverton trainer A. D. Mclvor will make a prominent showing at the Southland and Riverton R.C. meetings, as he has Gunrest, Buller, Spanish Princess, Agreement, and Minesweeper (Canrobert—Marvilla, by Somnus —Blue Bell), to say nothing of the useful cross-country mare Black Sea, in very forward condition at the present time. The American-bred colt Mohawk was sharpened up by his two gallops in public at Gore, and he may race with some prospects of success at the S.R.C. gathering. He looks like a colt capable of racing over a distance, consequently his efforts at Riverton will command keen attention. In the event of Rorke’s Drift journeying to Christchurch, he will probably be accompanied by trainer Hogan, the remainder of whose team will go to the Riverton R.C. gathering under the care of jockey W. Robinson, who ranks as first lieutenant at Sirius Lodge. Provision appears to have been made in case the Dunedin Cup winner does not go to Riccarton, as he has been engaged in the Riverton Cup and the leading event of the second day at the R.R.C. fixture. The North Island-bred steeplechaser Grey Renown has been fully engaged to race over the trying Riverton course at Easter time, and it will be interesting to see how he fares with a consideraole extent of natural country in front of him, including road doubles, water, and farm land.

It is not often that a horse is to be found entered for the leading flat and steeplechase races at the same meeting, but this can be claimed for Peerless as far as the Riverton R.C.’s reunion is concerned. The promoted hurdler can hardly be expected to cross the Riverton country safely in the meantime, as he is toe new at the game, but he might be found in a place in a flat race, as he can gallop and stay fairly well. Mr. W. T. Hazlett’s recent purchase, Marginal, by Martian—Greek Maid, is working with Dorian on the S.R.C. tracks.