SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1533, 11 September 1919, Page 11

SOUTHLAND.

Rorke’s Drift Breaks Down—Wyndham J.C. increase Stakes—P. T. Hogan’s Grand National Team, With Additions, on Way Home— Southland R.C.’s Annual Meeting— Primum and Martial Dance Still at Riccarton—-Almoner Reappears on Tracks —Partisan Moving Attractively. (By Telegraph — Invercargill Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, Saturday. A complete week of inclement weather, with heavy rain and light snowfall, put an end to training operations. Now that the snow has cleared it will be some days before the local tracks dry sufficiently to permit of galloping. In a gollop on Saturday morning last Rorke’s Drift went wrong, and is unlikely to race again for some time. He was at once withdrawn from the New Zealand Cup, but it is noticeable that his stable companion, Eleus, still stands his ground. Rorke’s Drift met with a mishap at Wingatui when preparing for the Dunedin winter meeting, and it would now appear that the trouble is more serious than was at first supposed. Owners express entire approval of the fact that the Wyndham Racing Club has decided to raise the stakes for their annual one-day fixture on January 1 from £930 to £l4OO. With the valuable stakes on offer at Dunedin on Boxing Day and the day following, and also an increase at the Wyndham and the Southland Racing Club’s Invercargill Cup fixture (two days) to follow, a very attractive circuit has been established. The prospects thus held out should serve to attract visitors from Canterbury, as there is no racing in that quarter during the Christchurch New Year season. Musselman, who wintered in Invercargill, has been sent out to his owner’s property at Heddon Bush, where sons of the family will again try out the Pallas—Minaret stallion. He is a useful and fine-looking horse, but so far has failed to strike form in amateur hands. P. Hogan’s Grand National team, Kilkee, Wild Pilgrim, Glenshire, together with recent additions in Red Book, Marvelite, and the novice performers Vice-Grand and the two-year-

old by Solferino —Eager Eyes, reached Dunedin during the week on board the Mokoia, but it is not known yet when they will reach their home quarters. Red Book, it is understood, has been acquired by Hogan himself. The annual general meeting of members of the Southland Racing Club on Friday evening developed into an enthusiastic function, with the president (Mr. W. T. Hazlett) in the chair. The report disclosed the fact that the club had experienced a very successful season, while indications were not wanting to encourage the belief that the wave of prosperity which has set in for the local racing institution will continue during the current busy term. In a forceful address, Mr. Hazlett exhorted members to combat the efforts of “spoil sports” and lend assistance to the kindred pastime of trotting, followers of which helped the Racing Club consistently and materially in the days of adversity. Mr. Hazlett (president) and Mr. James Ritchie (vice-president) were re-elected unopposed. When the election of the committee came up for consideration it was announced that Mr. Frank Moffett, who was suffering from a severe illness, had withdrawn his nomination. Very sincere, regret was expressed at such action being necessary, as for a period of sixteen years Mr. Moffett had been generally looked upon as one of the most popular and enthusiastic officials of the club, with always a keen eye to the entertainment of visitors campaigning in a repeatedly dry land. So far the owner of Primum and Martial Dance has been unable to arrange for the return of his horses from Riccarton, but he has the satisfaction of.knowing that the pair are both doing well there in the meantime. The Nassau gelding Primum is still being exercised in the jumping ring at the Canterbury J.C.’s headquarters with the object of quietening him, probably with the idea of racing him over the hurdles in public when he reaches a more mature age. When Eleus goes galloping on working mornings his companion may be recognised as Almoner. The son of Boniform —Cassock is coming on nicely, but it will be some time before it can be definitely ascertained as to whether he will return to anything like his best form. In the meantime P. Hogan’s charge is doing very well. It is more than likely that Partisan will be hard to beat in events selected for her at the Birchwood Hunt fixture a fortnight hence. She has been very carefully exercised when wintered during the off season, and is now moving in a very encouraging manner. , The Riverton trainer F. H. Hill has just returned from Europe after four years’ active service. He may elect to set up as a public trainer in Invercargill. During his leave periods in England he visited some of the leading stables, and was made welcome at the establishffient of R. Wootton. It is expected that when Rorke’s Drift comes to hand again he will be schooled for hurdle racing, particularly in view of next year’s Grand National Hurdles.