A NEW PLYMOUTH TRAINING STABLE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1516, 15 May 1919, Page 18

A NEW PLYMOUTH TRAINING STABLE.

“RUSTIQUE LODGE.” W. F. MANTLE’S HEADQUARTERS. During a recent run through the Taranaki district a representative of the “Sporting Review” availed himself of the opportunity of a visit to the training stables of W. F. Mantle, at West Town, a suburb of New Plymouth, not far removed from the picturesque racecourse of the Taranaki Jockey Club. Luckily W. Mantle was at home, and the writer was enabled to inspect the boxes, boys’ rooms, etc., and enclosures, all of which, by the way, bore a clean, spick and span appearance, testifying to the strong belief entertained by W. Mantle that cleanliness in and about the stables is a strong factor in keeping the horses in good trim. The feed, too, is the best that can be procured in the country, the oats and dry material all being of excellent quality, a fact which no doubt has contributed in no small measure towards the robust appearance of the horses sheltered at Rustique Lodge, all of whom presented evidence of being well nourished and of strong constitution. In this direction W. Mantle spares nothing in the way of expense in the upkeep of the horses, and his strict adherence to this point has certainly been productive of excellent results. After looking around the shelter paddocks, an inspection of the horses was commenced. The first equine to come under review was Bisogne (Bezonian —St. Evangeline), who proved a very consistent stake earner for Mr. Alexander when the chestnut was in commission. The horse only reached home recently from Hastings, where he was fired and blistered and otherwise attended to by veterinary surgeon Mr. Brodie. After his seven months’ spell from activity Bisogne is now in fine fettle to go into training, and with ordinary luck should again carry his owner’s colours in a creditable manner. The horse’s legs are still a little enlarged, but hopes are entertained that this fine galloper will again stand a preparation.

Silver Link (Achilles — Secret Link), who, unfortunately, went lame on the eve of the re.cent Auckland Racing Club’s autumn meeting, necessitating her withdrawal from her Ellerslie engagements, looked in splendid, order, and the lameness, which was attributed to a prick from a nail while being shod, is quickly disappearing, so that this speedy three-year-old filly should again shortly be seen in action. But for the accident mentioned, Silver Link would in all probability have added to her winning account at Auckland, and her inability to start was very disappointing to Mr. Alexander, who always likes to be represented at Ellerslie.

By the way, Silver Link has a very creditable record. Out of four starts as a two-year-old she won three races and ran third in the other, a performance that would be hard to equal. As a three-year-old, she started on ten occasions, winning five races, and running a second, a third and being unplaced three times, after incidentally occupying a position in the lead in all events. So far she has won about £2700 in stakes in two seasons, which certainly stamps her as a bargain from the Waikanae Stud, when she was bought at the Auckland sales by Mr. Alexander for 80 guineas. Mimire, a three-year-old gelding by Hallowmas from Rau Ran (dam of Golden Eagle, Nicotine, Coronetted, Harbour Light and Welcome Nugget, all of whom were fair performers), looked well to the eye and carried a lot of condition. A big, upstanding sort, with massive quarters, the chestnut gives every indication that he is the makings of a typical galloper. Mimire’s future prospects are held in high esteem by well informed critics.

A three-yeart-old filly by Hallowmas from Vivandel (dam of Patronale), for which the name of Vivirini has been claimed, is quite an aristocrat. Possessed of clean legs, an excellent barrel and strong quarters, she certainly has all the characteristics that go to make an ideal racer. In Vivirini, Mr. Alexander unquestionably has a representative that should do well for himself in her efforts under silk.

Ao-te-Roa, which was the first name given to New Zealand by the Maoris when they were approaching this country in their canoes presumably after having come from the islands many years ago, is the name selected for a budding equine in the two-year-old gelding by Hallowmas from Vivandel, a younger full brother to Vivirini, very much impressed the writer. No fault could be found with his make up, and being possessed of absolute galloping ability this juvenile should earn considerable distinction on the turf. With the horses named, Mr. Alexander, who is a steward of the Taranaki Jockey Club and is known for his straight-going qualities, should play a very important part during next season’s racing. The thoroughbreds he owns are something to enthuse over, and they should all prove useful stake earners.

In addition to the horses mentioned above. Mantle also trains White Blaze and a maiden for Mr. W. J. Bowman. The former, fresh from his win at Feilding on Easter Monday, looked vefy fit, and there are evidently some other races concealed about this grey galloper, who is a useful performer over middle distances.

Mantle has a nice little team, and with his ability and uprightness in training matters he should find himself a very busy man during the next 12 months. He has the happy knack of getting his horses very fit, and this is thoroughly proved through the many wins he has secured with his team during the last few years.

The Provocation — Wailethe mare, Comment, formerly owned by Mr. W. Hume, has been sold and will in future race in the name of Mr. W. Bradford. The mare will be trained by J. McLaughlin.

Punka has proved a real investment at the SOgns. which Mr. J. B. Reid paid for her as a yearling in Australia (remarks “Sentinel” in the Otago “Times”). Mr. Reid has since refused as high as 1500gns. for the filly, and her recent success in the C.J.C. Great Autumn Handicap shows that she would not have been dear at the figure. Punka was bred at the late Mr. James Thompson’s stud in New South Wales, and the very aptlynamed filly was got by Cooltrim from Drowsy, by Ayr Laddie (son of Ayrshire) from Slumber, by Trenton— Nightmare, and so in tail female Punka belongs to the same family as the Melbourne Cup winner Revenue and other performers, such as Noctuiform, Nightfall, Wakeful, Mentor, and many more good winners. Cooltrim, the sire of Punka, is an imported horse, got by Flying Fox from Gallinaria, by Gallinule from Pierina, by Morgan—Balornock, by G'alopin from Sonsie Queen, by Musket. A writer in Sydney “Fairplay” states that B. Quinn, the trainer of Wolaroi, considers that this brilliant horse is better now than at any time in his career. The absence of Desert Gold and Gloaming has deprived Wolaroi of the opportunity of meeting the New Zealand cracks in his autumn engagements. It will be recollected that he met the cracks of Austalia and New Zealand last spring, but at the time he was not at his best, not having raced for eighteen months, while his preparation was too hurried. Even under those conditions he gave a good account of himself against the best of them, and it is to be hoped that his chance of proving himself champion will come in the spring (says the Sydney writer mentioned), when Biplane will probably be at his best, and Gloaming will be with us once again. All fit and well, I have not the slightest doubt Wolaroi would beat this pair at any distance, as he is more brilliant than either, and in addition has staying ability.

The New Brighton-trained trotting mare Reta Peter recently got her foot cut whilst working on the local track. The daughter of Petereta and Tot Huon is to be given a spell, and will not sport silk again until next season. A colt by Bismarck —Springheel, dam of Globe Derby, has been entered by Chas. White, of Bathurst, for the Auckland Trotting Derby (says the Sydney “Sportsman”). He would have been nominated for other Maoriland events had the owner been able to obtain information regarding the other races for young horses. Glendower, the five-year-old gelding by Gienapp—Ecarte, who won the C.J.C. Great Autumn Handicap in -1918, and last month at Riccarton ran second to Punka in the big mile and a-half event, fully repaid his owner, Mr. D. H. Roberts, for the journey north to compete in the principal handicaps at the Wellington R.C.’s autumn meeting at Trentham. On the opening day Glendower contested the Thompson Handicap, being elected third favourite, though Spanner and Sasanof carried nearly half the investments on the totalisator. He failed to run up to expectations, not being prominent at any stage of the race, the distance evidently not being far enough for him. When betting ceased on the Autumn Handicap (one mile and three furlongs) on the second day, Glendower was again found in third position in the estimation of backers, with over double the amount entrusted on his prospects on the opening day. The son of Gienapp showed to distinct advantage over the longer distance, and when challenged by Heathercote and Vagabond responded with his characteristic gameness, securing the judge’s verdict by a head after a memorable finish.