SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1534, 18 September 1919, Page 11

SOUTHLAND.

Rorke’s Drift Goes Into Retirement — Fleetham Sought After by a Northern Buyer—Several of P. T. Hogan’s Horses at Present Located at Wingatui—Birchwood Hunt Steeplechase Meeting — Marvelite Gives Good Display Over the Big Country. INVERCARGILL, Saturday. While rain, hail and. stormy weather generally has been experienced in Otago and Canterbury during the past week, the weather here ruled highly favourable for training operations. A number of horses have been speeded up for the first time in the new season, with the dust flying from the plough tracks every morning. Rorke’s Drift has gone into private life, and will have for a companion in the paddock a two-year-old filly who is intended to compete in the Winton Stakes next year. She is a full-sister to Flag Lieutenant, and claims ViceAdmiral and Miss Signal (by Signalman) as her parents. Rorke’s Drift left for his owner’s property walking soundly enough, but there is no doubt that he displayed marked signs of lameness after galloping with Eleus last week. It is reported that inquiries were recently made here as to the price of the imported horse Fleetham, by Picton —Flete, but so far no business has resulted. It is understood that a Gisborne breeder was anxious to secure Mr. D. Kilkelly’s stallion. He is a big, strong animal, and might prove successful as a sire of jumpers. Mr. Grigg, of Ashburton, who brought the son of Picton out from England, is rearing some of his stock, all, strange to say, of masculine gender. Meanwhile Fleetham continues his racing preparation under P. Hogan. The steeplechase events which for some years have been a feature of the Gore Racing Club’s spring meeting have been eliminated from the programme for next month’s fixture. This has greatly disgusted several owners who had (intended starting novice cross-country horses at the meeting. The steeplechases have been replaced by hack races. The Winton Jockey Club estimate that now that it has been decided to alter the dates of their annual racing fixture in order not to clash with the New Zealand Cup gathering, the meeting will now be held the week following the big gathering at Riccarton. Some of P. Hogan’s horses are still located at Wingatui, having only reached that far on their way home

from the Grand National fixture. Several of the number will probably be entered for the Kurow meeting, which now will be held on the Oamaru racecourse, by special permission of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the railway curtailment having evidently proved a strong factor in securing this privilege for the second time of late years. The horses trained by Hogan remaining at the Dunedin Jockey Club headquarters have been away from home since the period prior to the railroad restrictions coming into force. Fair entries have been received for the Birchwood Hunt Steeplechase meeting, to be held at Winton on Dominion Day, but the two open flat races did not appeal to owners, as there are few horses ready to appear in public, and all competitors have to walk to the fixture. The events confined to qualified horses filled very well, and there is reason for satisfaction in the fact that a number of cross-country horses are down to make their first appearance between the flags. This is the first time the Birchwood Hunt have been privileged to hold a totalisator fixture at Winton. The local New Zealand Cup candidate Eleus has just completed a solid week’s preparation. For some time past Almoner has been h<s galloping attendant, but Glenshine, who has just returned from Christchurch and is working well, gave him a good tryout over six furlongs on Saturday. The mare had none the worst of the deal. Eleus is doing well, and his trainer is quite satisfied with his progress. News has been received from Wingatui that the Southland-owned Calauria (Demosthenes —Stresa) is doing well under C. Gieseler’s care. In conversation with Mr. W. Swale to-day, the Limehills sportsman said that he was quite prepared to start Calauria in the Dunedin Guineas provided his trainer was satisfied with him, but would prefer to see his representative competing at home. His first meeting in the south will be the Gore Racing Club’s spring meeting. Marvelite has joined the Rorke’s Drift Lodge from the north. He was schooled over the Southland Racing Club’s steeplechase course on Saturday morning, and gave a good display. He tackled the strange country like a veteran, fencing boldly, and there is every hope that he will prove successful during the autumn. In the meantime he will start at the Birchwood meeting.