SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1540, 30 October 1919, Page 11

SOUTHLAND.

Trainers Experiencing Hard Time Owing to State of Tracks —Eleus Now Recovered From His Cold — Lifebuoy to Join Rorke’s Drift Lodge — A Pair of Useful Winton Stakes Candidates — Cape Brett Now Member of P. T. Hogan’s Team — Red Diamond Drops Dead on Winton Tracks — Mussulman Meets With Fatal Injuries Whilst Running in Paddock. (Telegraph—lnvercargill Correspondent) INVERCARGILL, Saturday. With nearly two inches of rain falling in 24 in the week, it can be understood that local trainers have experienced a heartbreaking time in attempting to key up their charges not previously raced this season for the introductory meeting

of the racing year at Gore. Quite a number of southern gallopers and trotters will not be ready to race until the Winton . Jockey Club’s fixture next month.

The latest news regarding Eleus is that the son of Elysian has practically recovered from his cold, and it is expected that he will take his place in the New Zealand Cup field. However, the writer will not have him for a long race now, but will look to see him run forward in an event of less importance at Riccarton. Almoner and Eleus went on to Riccarton following on the Ashburton fixture under the care of J. McChesney, who will continue their preparations there pending the arrival of P. Hogan, when the Gore Racing Club’s meeting has been disposed of. Almoner is coming on fast, and may be found galloping in improved fashion during the currency of the New Zealand Cup gathering. He promises prove very dangerous in some of the minor races at the meeting. The Royal Step — Lady Seaward gelding Lifebuoy has been returned to his owner, Mr. W. Baird, Junr., and will presently become an inmate of the Rorke’s Drift Lodge, to be schooled in cross-country work later in the season. The human equine material is available in plenty at Hogan’s establishment to enable likely steeplechasers to be tried out, hence Lifebuoy may be heard of again, as he is a useful jumper and possesses pace. It is reported from Winton that Mr. H. Cunningham has two useful Winton Stakes candidates working under the care of A. Gerrard. Both are descendants of Buff Gauntlet, by Red Gauntlet (son of Lochiel), but the filly out of Rosene (by Stepniak)

is said to be the better of the pair. Winton sportsmen speak highly of the latter. The latest recruit to P. Hogan’s stable is a four-year-old gelding called Cape Brett, a son of Birkenhead —Caller Ou (by Swordfish II.). The gelding, who was recently acquired from Mr. R. Acton-Adams on behalf of a patron of the Rorke’s Drift Lodge, has been turned out for a long time past. He is rather a good looking animal, but very much in the rough at present. During the past week, A. D. McIvor has been filling in some of his spare time educating some of Mr. Stone’s horses at the barrier, viz., Anton and Bright Spot. But this does not mean that he is going to take up the burden of trainer life again. In the meantime, the Riverton mentor fully intends to adhere to his intention of keeping out of the game for 12 months, and had it not been for the difficulties experienced in procuring travelling accommodation he would probably have been out of Maoriland at the present juncture.

While working on the Winton tracks last week the four-year-old,

gelding Red Diamond, by All Red — Malita, dropped dead. The animal, who had not so far shown winning form, was owned by A. Gerrard. Although he is working well on the Southland Racing Club’s tracks Primum is not to be raced in the meantime until P. Hogan has had the opportunity of educating him at the barrier.

Mussulman, the five-year-old horse by Pallas — Minaret, while recently running out in a paddock attached to his owner’s training quarters by some means became impaled in a picket fence, the injuries received causing his death. The Winton Stakes winner of 1917 was owned and trained by his breeder, Mr. H. Hubber. He was a useful horse, ranking as a half brother to Magdala, Silverspire, Glenshine, Pinnacle and some other winning horses. He he not been left entire he would probably have trained on better, as he latterly became a very moodish animal.