SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1359, 11 May 1916, Page 12

SOUTHLAND.

Cause of Sombrero’s Death to be Inquired into — Offers for Rorke’s Drift Refused —Olga Kolmar not to be Persevered With—Otago Candidates for Oamaru Fixture —’Chaser Black Sea goes into J. Thistleton’s Stable —Forbury Park Trots. INVERCARGILL, May 5. It is understood that the profit in regard to the Riverton Racing Club’s Easter meeting will approach four figures. On Saturday last a post mortem examination was held into the cause of the death of the gelding Sombrero, who dropped dead during the race for the Farewell Handicap on the concluding day of the Riverton Racing Club’s annual gathering. It is understood that a report in connection with the happening is to be forwarded to the Racing Conference by the South Island stipendiary Mr. Curry. It transpires that offers of from £l2OO to £l5OO were made for the Calibre gelding Rorke’s Drift following on his forward running in the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton. It is understood that the intention of the wouldbe purchaser of the Invercargill horse was to send him across to Australia as a member of Mr. M. Hobbs’ team to race on the flat in the Commonwealth and subsequently to have him schooled in view of competing in the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race. In the meantime his owners have no intention of parting with the bay horse, and he has resumed work with P. T. Hogan’s team. It will be remembered that prior to his advent as a flat racer it was pointed out by the writer that Rorke’s Drift had shown jumping ability of no mean order in private. The Canrobert —St. Brigid mare Agreement was to be returned to her owner at Gore this week to undergo a spell. The winner of the Flying Handicap at Riverton was in the market at a modest price for a considerable period previously, but several prospective buyers have ascertained during the current week that her price has advanced beyond their ideas of value. It is probable that these worshippers of the rising sun are unaware of the fact that an Otautau owner has in his paddock another full sister to Daringdale, an untried and even more shapely filly than Agreement, which he secured cheaply at the dispersal sale of Mr. C. Affleck’s stud, where Canrobert ruled for so long as lord of the harem. The Auckland Trotting Cup winner Cathedral Chimes, after undergoing a spell in the Gore district, has returned to the care of J. Bryce, in Canterbury. Mr. J. B. Thomson, of Invercargill, now has Cathedral Chimes, Raeburn, Muricata and his recent purchase Antonio (half brother to Muricata) at work under the supervision of the Hornby mentor. The American-bred colt Mohawk is to be spelled during the winter months, and has already been returned to his owner. He is perfectly sound, but, as he is a big fellow, he is to be given every chance to mature, as he is undoubtedly a horse of good class, some recent defeats notwithstanding. The Stepniak—Lady Kolmar mare Olga Kolmar, who has been a failure on the turf, has gone into retirement, and is to be mated with a specially selected northern stallion in due course. The black mare displayed speed on the training tracks, but refused to exhibit her true form when submitted to the test of the racecourse. She has looks and breeding to recommend her, however, and may yet afford her owner some return as a successful matron. Quite a number of local horses have been engaged at the North Otago fixture at Oamaru, including Rorke’s Drift Magdala, Neuroma, Buller, Golden Runee and others. The meeting in the White Stone City is a favourite one with southern owners in the month of May, as it serves to keep horses up to concert pitch with a view to racing at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s June meeting later on. It is safe to say that Magdala will carry some Southland coin in the Oamaru Cup (one mile) if he is not unduly loaded by the weight ad juster.

The success of Red Charm at Riccarton was fully anticipated at this end, as by some means word was received here that the Charlemagne II. —Red Peony mare was the best of goods. Following on the Riverton Racing Club’s meeting the crack southern steeplechase mare Black Sea was transferred from A. D. Mclvor’s charge to J. Thistleton’s stable where she will have several other crosscountry horses to work and school with. She has been improving with every race of late, and should be in good shape by the time the big steeplechases of the D.J.C. winter fixture come up for decision. However, in the light of the recent improvement shown by some of the other local competitors between the flags, the daughter of Black and Red is due a let-up in weight. It is reported that the Martian — Greek Maid colt Dorian is to be added to the list this week. Several owners of flat racers are considering the advisability of qualifying their steeds for hunters’ races, as it is expected that the Birchwood Hunt meeting in September will again carry good stakes and hold the right to a totalisator license. Next week there will be an exodus of sportsmen from all parts of Southland to Otago’s capital, the attraction being the winter fixture of the Forbury Park Trotting Club. A large number of local trotters and pacers are under orders to journey north, and it is safe to say that some of the stake money on offer will be credited to owners of the home province. It is very interesting to note that the only square-gaited trotters entered for the big money races at Forbury, viz., Muricata and Annie K., are owned hereabouts. This district is rich in horses of the freelegged class, and, strange to say, the best of them are of the gentler sex, viz., the pair referred to above, Commander Belle, Bellflower and Gemma.