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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1483, 26 September 1918, Page 11

to lose galloping privileges at the present time, with entries for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring fixture closing this week, and nomination day for the Gore spring gathering well in sight. The imported English horse, Fleetham, was lame after working on Tuesday morning, and it is surmised that he picked up a nail. He appears to be one of those gallopers who is always meeting with some kind of an unexpected check in his preparation.

It is reported from Wingatui that the two-year-old brother to Silent Way, the gelding Silent King, by Calibre—Golden Way, is progressing well with trainer J. Stewart. He is eating and galloping resolutely, and when measured this week was found to be 15.2. As he was reared and educated here and a local owner still has an interest in him his career is likely to furnish food for reflection with many local sportsmen. The Kilbroney gelding, Kilkee, is rounding up into racing shape under the tuition of H. G. Coker, and he may be given a run at Wingatui next month. He has proved an expensive disappointment to some generous sportsmen since his arrival in Southland, and the wish is generally expressed that he will prove equal to winning at least one stake on their behalf. It is understood that the wellknown Ashburton trotting owner and reinsman, Mr. A. Pringle, is sending the Finland—Misinform mare, Erroneous, down to Invercargill to be prepared by G. McLean, who holds quite a reputation for skill in dealing with highly-strung horses and delicate feeders.

The Varco —Ninon gelding recently purchased by the owner of Kilkee from Mr. M. Hobbs is being ridden about the streets. The bracing climate of Southland appears to suit the Australian importation, as he is building on condition and furnishing as a racehorse should.

The Kilbroney — Ena mare, Kilmeedy, who has been at Winton for some time past on the easy list, has

returned to the shelter of A. D. McIver's new establishment, the quarters until recently occupied by C. J. Heywood and disposed of by him when the call came to take up arms. Heywood, who is at present living in Invercargill with his wife and family, goes into camp in a fortnight’s time. Kilmeedy, by the way, disappointed her connections badly last season and failed to reproduce the form she displayed when she ran third to Fiery Cross and Wardancer in the Hazlett Memorial Stakes at Wingatui under weight for age, when record time was hoisted.

During the current week a local owner has been in negotiation with Mr. M. Hobbs for the purchase of the Australian-bred colt Anton, by St. Anton —Wonderland, who claims an engagement in the McLean Stakes at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting next month. The sturdy little “Aussie” can speed up when called upon and may have a very fair chance at Wingatui. At the time of writing the sale is still on the telegraph wires.

He did not win a race last season, but if Sir Malt keeps improving at the present rate he will be heard of in the near future. Like many other erratic horses, the son of Malster and Graceton has done particularly well with G. McLean. When he came here first it took a man all his time to control him on the tracks, but now a small boy can manage him, while he has settled down quietly and can stow a feed away with the best of them. He is big ajid fresh, and if his breathing valves

do not trouble him too much he will be. there or thereabouts in the shortest of races.

The Heddon Bush studmaster, Mr. H. Hubber, has left the stallion Pallas and his farm property in charge of one of his sons, and has sought retirement in Invercargill, bringing with him the four-year-old Mussulman, by Pallas — Minaret, and the colt’s elder sister. The Winton Stakes winner of last season, Mussulman, has proved somewhat hard to train, but he is to be tried out again on the Southland Racing Club’s tracks. Mr. Hubber may superintend the training of his own horses.

Interest in the Winton Stakes is growing, and at least three or four people are of the opinion that they hold the winner in their keeping. One of the owners referred to may do so, but the writer can tell of at least two candidates not generally spoken of which will take a power of beating in November. This is as it should be in connection with the only classic event of the Southland turf, and the Winton Jockey Club’s officials will be pleased to think that there is an interesting contest in prospect. Thoroughbreds are not often trained at Gore these days, but latest reports are to the effect that two or three gallopers are in work there this season.

Jockey W. Robinson has received official notice to report himself at the Cl camp in the North Island to be tested for military service. The steeplechaser, Palladio, who, by the way, is looking wonderfully well under G. Hope’s care, was schooled during the current week, and jumped in his usual accomplished manner. At Otautau last week Private C. Church, late whip to the Birchwood Hunt; when down on final leave, was entertained by followers of the local pack and presented with a case of Loewe pipes. Church has been associated with the Southland turf for many years past as a fearless crosscountry horseman and successful trainer of winners across the flat.