CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1540, 30 October 1919, Page 10

CANTERBURY.

Matters Quiet at Riccarton —Riccar-ton-trained N.Z. Cup Horses AH Doing Well —Wardancer in Pink of Condition —Gay. Lad Galloping Better Than Ever —Flight Commander Unlikely Starter in N.Z. Cup—Prospects of Stewards’ Handicap Candidates —Mr. J. B. Reid’s Team Arrives at Riccarton — Listening Pest Joins W. McDonald’s Team. CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. With so many trainers and horses away at Trentham matters have been somewhat quiet at Riccarton during the last week. The Yaldliurst mentor, R. ©’Donnell, had intended taking a team of six to Wellington and had engaged accommodation for them. After their poor showings at Dunedin he changed his mind, and decided to patronise the North Canterbury meeting on Labour Day. He has a couple of smart two-year olds in work, also several moderate handicap horses, including Orange Bitters, Bonetter, and Golden Crozier. His Cup candidate, Starland, looks in the best of racing trim, but on his d’splays at Wingatui can have little chance in - the big November handicap.

Of the other locally-trained Cup horses, Wardancer, Gay Lad, Heathercote, and Flight Commander, the best of reports can be recorded. Wandancer looks in the pink of condition, and has got through a fairly solid preparation. A few mornings ago he was extended over nine furlongs, which he cast behind pleasingly in Imin. 50 2-ssec. He finished really well, but little notice can be taken

of his track efforts as he is a sluggish worker. According to present intentions he will be a starter in the Cup, and may be ridden by T. Mussen. With everything in his favour it is hard to see the Martian gelding having more than rough outside prospects. The Chokebore representative, Heathercote, goes on entirely to his. trainer’s satisfaction. He has done a lot of useful work, and the race he had at Ashburton has sharpened him up a lot. A few mornings ago he made many friends amongst the Riccarton habitues by reeling off a mile and a-quarter on the trial grass in 2min. 10 3-ssec., having the assistance of Mac Duff to bring him home, Heathercote went evenly all through his task, and finished up as if another few furlongs would not have troubled him.

All other training efforts at Riccarton have been eclipsed by those of Gay Lad, who is again very much in the limelight. A few mornings ago he put up the best mile and a-quarter gallop that has been recorded at Riccarton this season. Jumping off from the ten-furlong disc on the plough he reeled off the first five furlongs tn Imin. 3 2-ssec., and was then picked up by a stable companion. Galloping very freely he reached the winning post in 2min. 9 2-ssec. —a splencjid