SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1473, 18 July 1918, Page 11

SOUTHLAND.

Gunrest Changes Hands —P. J. Hogan's Herses Located at Riccar* ton Until After Grand National Fix* ture —Winton Stakes Increased in Value—-Gore R.C.’s Summer Meeting—Winton R.C.’s Prosperous Season— Rongahere Training on Satisfactorily. z INVERCARGILL, July 12. The Limphills sportsman, Mr. W. Swale, has disposed of Ciunrest, by Calibre —Tinwald Beauty, to “Mr. J. ,G. Emslie,” As the horses raced under the control of the latter are trained by A. D. Mclvor, at Riverton,, it is safe to say that Gunrest will soon be removed from Invercargill to the care of his old trainer. Mclvor was very successful with the Cahterburybred gelding. At the present time P. T. Hogan’s headquarters are situated at Riccarton, where W. McDonald is taking . care of ’Sylva until his mentor returns from Trentham with Giralda, Zarkoma and Fleetham. Hogan will then remain at Riccarton until after the Grand National meeting, with a trip to Timaru intervening. Sylva, Giralda and Fleetham will probably be raced at the South Canterbury Hunt Club meeting. Giralda has been entered for a welter AM event at Timaru, and it may be foiind that he can play a prominent part across the flat. It may be noted that the Winter Cup candidate John Barleycorn has also been engaged in the welter referred to. This may mean a race in public for the Sarto horse prior to the big winter gathering at Riccarton. The value of the Winton Stakes (six furlongs), our only southern race for three-year-olds, has been increased to £2OO and this amount is to be 3 distributed in a sporting manner which will appeal to local breeders and owners: —First horse, £l4O (including a trophy valued at £2O), breeder of winner £10; second horse £3O, third horse £2O. This allocation of stakes is somewhat unique in its way, but it will prove popular and there is no reason why it should not' continue for years to come with the amount of money to be distributed always increasing. In the event of permission being obtained from the Racing Conference, the Gore Racing Club intend holding their one-day summer fixture the week preceding the Southland Racing Club’s autumn meeting next season. This would mean'the establishment of a convenient full circuit in the south, with meetings at Gore, Invercargill, and Riverton at intervals of about a week, an arrangement which should meet northern owners. The only drawback to the writer’s mind is that the supply of steeplechases might run very low with cross-country events on five days’ cards, and this is a very important consideration With the Southland, and Riverton Clubs. Many local owners, riders, and lovers of steeplechasing are in Europe at present, and this fact must be kept steadily in view.

So far, the south has escaped the snowfalls common' to .Canterbury and elsewhere of late, but the tracks have been very hard at tithes, as the result of heavy frosts. However, H. G. Coker and J. Boyd have managed to exercise their horses regularly, and the former has been enabled: to keep Clynelish up to the collar with visits to Timaru and Riccarton in view. The annual report to be submitted to the. members of the Winton Jockey

Club shows that the country turf institution has had a prosperous season. At the beginning of the past year the total cash balance was £ll2 16s. 2d. This now amounts to £3Ol 12s. sd„ or an increase of £lBB 16s. 3d. on the season’s work. The Winton people have spent a large sum on improvements during the past five years, and have now a highly improved property under their

care —they carry out operations on a

racecourse reserve, and a very pretty place it is, too. During the season a totalisator record Qf £21,134 10s. was establised, while the Government taxes absorbed £1072 14s. The club

has contributed liberally to patriotic funds, and has also forwarded special parcels each year to members and friends serving under arms in the war zone. Quite a number of letters of thanks have been received at varij.ous times from? soldiers acknowledging the club’s special gift parcels, and

expressing pleasure at the fact that they haveA not been forgotten while racing Is being carried on in their absence from the home district. At the time of writing only bare re-

sults of the first day’s racing are available ’from Wellington, hence

little is known of the efforts of the southern representatives at Trentham. It was anticipated that Fleetham would run well, and the English horse was heavily supported in- the Trial Plate, only to meet with defeat from an outsider. Fleetham was fairly well when he left here', but there was room, for some improvement, hence he may reward his plucky owner with a decent stake round about Grand National time. Mr. Kilkelly has racing for several years now, and his colours have yet to be carried first past the post, although he has paid very fair prices for some of his representatives. Zarkoma does not appear to have made much of a showing in the Wellington Steeplechase, but may do better later on. To the writer’s mind he will be better suited by the tall timber at Riccarton next month.

It is understood that a fair price was given for Gunrest, while his first win in his new ownership will entail a further payment. , Giralda was not started on the opening day at Trentham, but if lie is amiss in any way nothing is known of the happening at this end. The son of Canrobert can jump big country if necessary, and will make a useful'steeplechaser for southern racing next season, as he is clever on his feet and has been faced with all sorts and conditions of obstacles. It is reported from Wingatui that Rongahere >is training on in a satisfactory manner to fulfil his Gradd National Steeplechase engagement, but most people who have seen him of late will agree that troubles will arise prior to the son of Sarto being delivered fit and well at the barrier. .He was actually purchased as a youngster with a Grand National performance in view, and for this reason alone it would be pleasing to see him win a good race.