SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1433, 11 October 1917, Page 12

SOUTHLAND.

Redowa’s Failure at Geraldine Costly to Backers —Rorke’s Drift Runs Indifferently at Kurow — Official Appointments of Southland Racing Club—The Gore Racing Club’s Approaching Meeting —G. McLean’s Team — Addition to P. Hogan’s String.

INVERCARGILL, October 5. Favourable weather has again been experienced by trainers in all Southland centres during the past week, and the majority of the horses intended for early spring racing are in forward condition —an unusual experience at this period of the year.

Local backers were busy the other day when Redowa was heavily supported for the Geraldine Cup and her stable companion Rokelaine was consistently followed for a minor race at the same gathering. However, the rain came down heavily in South Canterbury and both mares, who are not built to act well in heavy going, were beaten. Redowa has apparently not got over her collision with a trestle on the Wingatui tracks at the end of last season, but Rokelaine is a very fair galloper, who should win recognition for her sire, Rokeby, in the near future. Many local followers of the turf were eager to see how Rorke’s Drift, would fare in his engagement in the big handicap at the Kurow meeting in view of his New Zealand Cup en-

gagement later on. The son of Calibre performed indifferently, finishing outside a place, and there was nothing about his performance to enhance h’s Cup prospects, which are held in high esteem in some quarters. Prior to the Kurow meeting the Calibre gelding had been moving well over short courses, and was looking particularly well, so that his showing was no small disappointment to his supporters. It is stated that trainer A. D. MeIvor will not be represented at the

Gore Racing Club’s spring meeting this month, which is a fact to be regretted, as his horses are always looked upon as likely to be capable of presenting a bold front to the invading force, and it is necessary to retain some of the stake money on offer here to keep the game alive at home.

Included in the final list of single men eligible for service with the First Division published this week are the names of two well-known Western District brothers, who breed and race horses. Mr. F. Boyle is known as the owner of Lady Buller, a full sister to the consistent Buller, and Mr. J. P. Boyle won many races across the flat as an amateur horseman, while of late he has found time from farm work to prepare Silver Spire, Edistone and other winners at the jumping game. At a meeting of the Southland Racing Club last week Mr. H. Thompson, of Christchurch, was appointed to act as starter to the galloping and jumping races at the local summer and autumn meetings, while Mr. W. Norman was again placed in the position of honorary starter for light harness events. It was decided to ask Mr. A. J. Gibbs, of Gore, to take over the handicapping for the summer meeting.

It was fully intended by her connections to nominate Highwater for the New Zealand Cup, but the daughter of Martian did not winter quite as well as her connections anticipated, and it was decided to prepare, her for home engagements in the meantime. She may be given a run at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring gathering next week. One of the soldiers injured in a railway accident in England recently, when a number of New Zealanders were unfortunately killed, was N. J. Gatley, a well-known Western District amateur rider of a few years

back and latterly trainer of Verdun and other horses, At latest advice the Southlander was progressing favourably in hospital. The connections of Silver Spire have engaged L. Hagerty, of Riccarton, to ride the Quicksilver gelding in the cross-country races at the Gore Racing Club’s spring meeting. Silver Spire is reported to be in fair sharrf) and is likely to be heard of at either the Gore or Winton gatherings. Redshire was showing signs of lameness behind at the latter end of last week, but appeared to have worked his trouble off when galloped on the Southland tracks on Tuesday last. P. T. Hogan has been treating Rongahere’s full brother Zarkoma to paddock training of late and he has undoubtedly benefited from this procedure. The Sarto gelding is looking very well and should race prominently between the flags at Gore or Winton. When produced at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting Zarkoma did not show his true form, as he fell at an early stage on both days of the gathering. Glenwood, a gelding by Glenculloch —Miss Collingwood, has joined G. McLean’s team. Glensponse, another of this mentor’s charges, is coming on nicely at present, and the same re-

mark applies to Miss Finland in a lesser degree. McLean is persevering with the ancient Benzowen, but, as the son of Benzoin has run into double figures as regards age, he is not likely to improve. One hard race generally causes him to lose confl.tion and compels a retirement to repair wastage. P. Hogan’s latest recruit is Prairie Fire and it is evident that he has not been neglected at home, as the son of Pilgrim’s Progress has been galloping with dash since he again became an inmate of a public training stable.

W. Ratcliffe’s Rokeby—Camille fillv and her elder half sister Camaieu continue to do all that is asked of them. Camaieu is slightly on the big side at present, but has developed into a most attractive mare.

As trainer H. G. Coker has taken out a jockey’s license it is evident that he purposes riding several of the horses under his care in their respective engagements. Of Coker's more forward charges Aycliffe has probably displayed the most marked improvement during the past few weeks, but Muzzle has also commenced to put on racing shape. As Mr. T. B. Mclntyre, owner of Buller and Spanish Princess, failed to pass the Military Medical Board, his horses will be placed in commission again in the near future. Mr. W. Swale, who was operated upon for appendicitis a few weeks back, is recovering fast and should be able to take up h's official duties next month, when the Winton Jockey Club hold their annual racing reunion. Mr. Swale is one of the strongest supporters of the Winton Jockey Club.

A veteran galloper in Fitzosborne is building up nicely and moving freely on the Southland Racing Club’s training ground, and he and a stable mate, Hardshot, are doing good work.