SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1480, 5 September 1918, Page 10

SOUTHLAND.

Zarkoma to be Treated to a Spell— Latest Additions to J. Boyd’s Team —Pleasure Seeker Joins G. McLean’s String — Rorke’s Drift Recommissioned —Merrie Lad’s Prospects in the South Island — Staff Officer’s Improved Form —Kokowai Benefited by Lengthy Spell.

INVERCARGILL, August 30. Settled weather and firmer tracks have brought about steady training operations at Invercargill, Gore, Winton and Riverton, with the result that most of our leading trainers control strong teams. The steeplechaser Zarkoma was sent home to South Hillend during the past week to be spelled until the steeplechase season again approaches. J. Boyd now has a team of eight horses in work on the Southland R.C.’s tracks, the latest additions to his string being the full-brothers Gaberlunzie and Bonally. Mr. Ritchie, of Nightcaps, the owner of the geldings referred to, recently lost a two-year-old full sister to the sons of Sarto and Dinna Forget. She got into a ditch and died from her injuries on being restored to dry land. G. McLean’s team was lengthened last week by the inclusion of a three-year-old filly by Nautiform —Pleasure Seeker. When the old mare was brought to Southland some time back it was thought that she would not survive the season, but in due course she produced the 'filly referred to, and it is now hoped that the daughter of Nautiform will furnish into a worthy Winton Stakes candidate. She is a good-looking youngster. Rorke’s Drift, who has been somewhat on the easy list for him since the Dunedin J.C.’s June fixture, is in active commission again. The Calibre gelding will be entered for the New Zealand Cup in due course, and his admirers are quite prepared to find him at Riccarton in November next. It is understood that Merry Lad, who is now owned in Christchurch by Capt. J. S. Barrett, is to be raced between the flags in Otago and Southland when opportunity offers. There will be trouble in store for southern ’chasers when the son of Merriwee

competes over the shorter courses, as he can jump and gallop fast with the best in the land when not asked to extend his journeys too far. However, he will be asked to carry a fair amount of weight, and this will bring him back to his fields over the stiffer obstacles at Wingatui and Riverton. At Winton the disappointing Rokeby mare Matilda is being regularly exercised, and it is hoped that she will stay on better with age. At the present time she is lusty in condition and is looking bright and well. As far as appearances go, one of the most improved horses now in work at Riverton is said to be Staff Officer. When racing as a three-year-old last season the descendant of Rose Noble and Order was on the leggy side, but he has furnished out during the winter months and is now a sturdy animal, with every indication of developing into a horse capable of carrying welter weights in moderate company.

The Kilbroney mare Kilmeedy .is not being seriously persevered with at present, but it is anticipated that a course of regular moderate exercise will encourage her to build up for autumn racing. During her period of relaxation she is being attended to under the eye of one her owners at Winton.

W. Gardiner is busy with Mr. W. T. Hazlett’s select team, of which Dorien, by Martian, is the most prominent member. A novice by Danube —Directoire looks like being able to gallop when the day of actual test comes later on.

Fleetham has not been unduly extended since his return from the Grand National fixture, but he should soon freshen up again. Many people are inclined to put the imported horse down as an arrant failure, but they may presently awaken to the fact that they have been over hasty in forming such a judgment. The Picton —Flete stallion ran very well on the concluding day of the Grand National meeting, and, to the writer’s mind, it is only a matter of time when his owner will handle some Southland stake money. Several things were against him during his preparation for the big Riccarton fixture, but there may be another story to tell when it comes to training and racing at and around his home quarters.

The All Red —Kea mare Kokowai has been received into training quarters again after experiencing a very beneficial period of freedom. She is to join the horses in the private stable of her owner’s family and in future will be prepared in company with Palladio and Wharfinger by Geo. Hope. She could gallop fast enough last season, but appeared to lack stamina, not an unusual experience with a number of the progeny of All Red during their earlier years. The veteran of J. Boyd’s stable, Awahou, is doing fairly well in his light tasks and may prove hard to beat during the spring campaign in this part of the world. Highwater and her sister Martifors have settled down as inmates of A. D. Mclvor’s Riverton establishment. The former wintered satisfactorily, while Martifors, by Martian —Bravewater, furnished out to a considerable extent. The latter displayed galloping ability of no mean order on the tracks last season, but failed to get into the money when produced in public. However, she was never keyed up to concert pitch, and there are signs in evidence now that she will be found more worthy of consideration during the.current season.