SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1430, 20 September 1917, Page 10

SOUTHLAND.

H. G. Coker’s Team in Active Work— Winton J.C. Appoints New Handicajpper—Geraldine R.C.’s Meeting— W. Ratcliff’s Team Pleasing in Their Tasks—Golden Webb to be Retired. INVERCARGILL, September 14. Fine weather has prevailed during the past week, and favourable reports have been received from the training grounds at Invercargill, Riverton, Winton and Gore. The tracks, grass and plough alike, are in good order, and in many instances the first really fast work of the new season was indulged in during the per od referred to.

Mr. T. B. Mclntyre, owner of Buller and Spanish Princess, was called to the colours in the tenth ballot. It is only a few weeks since his brother, Major Mclntyre, a young man who won rapid promotion, died of wounds in France.

H. G. Coker has Aycliffei, Muzzle, Kauwhero and Giralda in active commission on the Southland R.C.’s tracks. Should Kauwhero improve on his form of last season, and there does not appear to be any reason why he should not, he will surely accomplish something to bring him into the limelight as a worthy half-brother to Clynelish, by Soult —Replete. Kauwhero is a son of All Red. There was a keen contest for the position of handicapper to the Winton Jockey Club, and Mr. A. J. Gibbs, of Gore, was selected from a field of four to 'fill the bill at a fee of £lO 10s. per day. The Eastern District weight adjuster now acts for the Gore, Wyndham, Southland, R’verton, Winton, and Wairio clubs, to say nothing of several turf institutions beyond the confines of Southland.

Having disposed of' his property at Fairfax, Mr. W. J. Marshall, one of the most enthusiastic sportsmen of the south, has taken his departure for Waihola, where he will in future reside. During his long sojourn in Southland, Mr. Marshall owned some useful horses, including Barmby, and of late raced Hot Air and Mine-

sweeper, the last-named having been bred by himself. The operatons of the' past season disclose the fact that both the Southland and Wyndham racing clubs have been farming their racecourse properties to advantage. This is very satisfactory news indeed, as it means that labour will always be available for the upkeep and supervision of training tracks in districts where the cost of providing working grounds for horses has hitherto been found a serious handicap. Three Southland-owned horses, Golden Rupee, Glenthorpe, and Redown, have been engaged at the Geraldine R.C.’s meeting. The firstnamed pair claim engagements in the Hurdle Race, while Redown has been entered for the Geraldine Cup. It is a long way from Riversdale where Glenthorpe is trained by his owner, to Geraldine, but the Gienapp gelding is also to race at Ashburton and thus there will be three races available to him on his trip -to Canterbury. News has been received from France that Private L. Lloyd was wounded there on August 8, having one of his arms shattered. Lloyd lived in this part of the world for some considerable time prior to enlisting and won quite a number of hurdle races and flat events.

The very contented Rorke’s Drift is fast getting into shape in readiness for the summer campaign. The Calibre gelding appears to revel in his work, in which he is acting as schoolmaster to the three-year-old colt, Centimetre, by Calibre —Fedalma. Mr. D. Kilkilly’s juvenile remains in the list for the Dunedin Guineas next month, but may not survive the next payment. However, the matter has not yet been finallj 7 considered, and the bay horse continues to gallop in an encouraging manner with the experienced Rorke’s Drift.

L. Smith has Hardshot looking strong and well and it is not too much to expect that he will win a good race this season. He has improved right along since passing into the hands of his present trainer. Another descendant of Calibre, viz., St. Hilary, has wintered well in P. T. Hogan’s care and looks like scoring in his turn later on. There is every prospect of Calibre being credited with a considerable amount of money as a sire in the south during the present racing term, as he has some promising progeny to represent him. W. Ratcliff’s team, Camaieu, Clothilde and Kokowai, are all getting through their tasks in a pleasing manner. The last-named has thickened out since last seen out in public and the owner of the All Red —Kia mare may win races with her later on.

Golden Queen, a full sister to Golden King, was galloping nicely for P. Hogan up to within a few days ago, when she developed soreness in front, but the trouble may be only a passing one. She is a rarely-shaped mare, and will make a handsome matron later on. So far she has not encouraged Mr. J. Graham by her public performances. The Wyndham R.C. report a very successful season during the turf session just closed, and hope to do even better in future. Last season the club effected a number of necessary improvements to the course and its appointments, and spent a considerable sum of money in developing the resources of their property from a farm’ng standpoint. The expense entailed by farming operations will be very much less from this period onwards. Mr. Traynor was re-elected president, and Mr. J. McGlinchey was also unopposed for the office of vicepresident. The W.R.C. will be sorry

to lose the services of their secretary, Mr. H. Hunter, who will shortly have to go on military service. The speedy little mare Golden Webb (by Captain Webb —Wild Daisy) has closed her turf career, and will probably be mated with Balboa, in the hope of getting something with pace and bone suitable for the jumping game. The cross-country gelding Edistone should, in the ordinary course of events, develop a fair amount of pace, as he was sired by Blackstone from Lulah, by St. Clair or Occident —Kathleen. Lulah is therefore either a fullsister or half-sister to a speedy racehorse of the past in St. Denis. Jockey J. Olsen, who seldom misses a Southland meeting, will not be available to owners this season, as he has passed his medical examination with flying colours and goes into military camp next month. Night Alarm, by Calibre —Midnight, rejoined P- Hogan’s team during the current week, after having undergone a beneficial spell. Of the two full-brothers in L. Smith’s local string, Bonnally has grown into a commanding horse during a somewhat lengthy absence from the turf, while Gaberlunzie has put on a very fair amount of condition since the autumn season. By Sarto from Dinna Forget, by Remembrance —Enchantress, both horses look fitted to become useful hurdlers in the days to come. Dinna Forget, the dam of the pair, was mated with Balboa during the past week.