INTERPROVINCIAL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1541, 6 November 1919, Page 10

INTERPROVINCIAL

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.)

WELLINGTON. Ashhurst - Pohangina Club Receive Excellent Entries —New Zealand Cup Fancies —Death of Brood Mare Brilliant Step—E. Murtagh’s Team at Hawera. WELLINGTON, Monday. Capital nominations have been received for the annual meeting of the Racing Club, that takes place on the 19th inst., and there is every prospect of a very successful meeting. Weights are due to-morrow (Tuesday), while acceptances close with Mr. A. W. Trass on Saturday next, at 8 p.m. Battle Song and Bonnie Maid still stand their ground in the New Zealand Cup, and there is every likelihood of the local medico and M.P. being strongly represented in the big two-mile race on Saturday next.’ Hurry Up came into the market for the New Zealand Cup last week, as also did Mascot. Both horses ran well enough at thfe recent Wellington meeting to cause their prospects at Riccarton to be viewed in a favourable light. Gay Lad is still a warm favourite for the New Zealand Cup, and there are a. number of shrewd critics who declare that the bay son of Cellini — Gaysome has only to face the starter to set his opponents an impossible task to defeat him under his handy impost. In his only two starts last season as a four-year-old Gay Lad ran a first and a recdnd. His prospects of adding to his winning account at Riccarton present a very promising outlook. Silver Link ran well enough in the Nainai Handicap at Trentham to suggest that the four-year-oltf would give a good account bf herself in the Stewards’. Handicap on Saturday. Trainer W\ Mantle is under the impression that the mare will give a creditable showing in her races at Riccarton.

Trainer J. Y. McCracken went south last week with Croesus, Arch Salute and First Salute. All three horses are well forward, and should run prominently in their respective engagements at Riccarton. Inah is reported very fit, and, being such a quick beginner, should assuredly win a race before returning north from the C.J.C. campaign. Affectation promises to be a warm favourite for the C.J.C. Derby, to be run on Monday next. The Kilbroney colt should bring “Sam” Jamieson s Opaki stable into prominence during the progress of the Riccarton gathering. By the way, Mr. A. McDonald, who owns Affectation, has an excellent second string to his bow in Rose Wreath engaged in the same race. It is quite possible that Rose Wreath, however, will be reserved for the Oaks. Affectation’s meeting with Rossini will arouse keen interest, and an exciting race should be witnessed between the pair for the blue riband. Mr. D. Barrett, of the Manchester Hotel. Feilding, suffered a severe loss recently through his brood mare Brilliant Step, the dam of Kyoto, dying while foaling to Quarantine. Mr. Barrett valued the mare at £5OO, a price which he could have obtained for her at any moment. By the way, Mr. Barrett has claimed the name of Manchester for his two-year-old gelding by San Fran from Billiant Step. The youngster is acquitting himself well on the Feilding tracks. The same owner will be represented at Ashhurst with Kyoto and Idle Talk, both of whom are fast coming up to concert pitch in they* training. The many friends of Mr. G. Hume, of Tauanui Station, in the Martinborough . district, Wairarapa, will regret to hear. that he has been seriously ill with pneumonia, and in consequence was not well enough to be at the -Wellington meeting to see his racehorse Prince Hal getting among the winners. However, Mr. Hume is on the. high road to good health, and should soon be well enough to take an active interest in racing affairs. Returned visitors from the Waver-ley-Waitotara meeting on Monday last speak, in high terms of the hospitality extended to them by the club.’s officials, while' the racing was really . very interesting,' some excellent contests being fought out. The starting of Mr. A.' Morse was excellent, the send offs being a theme for admiration amongst all concerned. E. Murtagh, formerly a well-known jockey, who recently returned from

Australia, has set up as a public trainer at Hawera, where he is meeting with considerable patronage. At present he has Ngakanui, Cheer Up, and a two-year-old filly by Guainforte from Excel in work. Murtagh was associated with the preparation of Di Gama during that horse’s successes in Victoria, and with his wide knowledge of the thoroughbred he should find his boxes fully tenanted by a useful team of racehorses.

Rose Pink is to take her place in the field in the New Zealand Cup on Saturday next. The mare finished in second place behind Sasanof in last year’s race, and there are many enthusiasts prepared to see the Kilbroney — Madder mare give a good account of herself in Saturday’s race. Amongst the visitors to the recent Wellington Racing Club’s meeting was Mr. W. J. Phillips, the owner of Nobleman, who has made a splendid recovery from a serious illness that at one time threatened his very existence. Thanks, however, to the care, and attention of the medical men of Palmerston North, his life was saved. Blood poisoning was at the root of the trouble, and it is nothing. short of a miracle that serious events did not intervene.

SOUTHLAND. Cold Snap and Snow Interferes With Training Operations—P. T. Hogan’s Representatives for C.J.C. Meeting —Gore Racing Club’s Successful Fixture —John Barleycorn’s Victory at Gore—Kilmeedy in Work Again —Golden King Recommissioned After Lengthy Spell — Roy Berry Getting Together a Good Team at Invercargill — Martial Dance Resumes Work. INVERCARGILL, Monday. A cold snap with snow and heavy rain is being experienced, with the result that all the local tracks will be closed for two or three days, which is unfortunate in view of the fact that the Winton Jockey Club’s entries close this week, and owners and trainers wish to know where they stand prior to making any nominations.

Following on the Gore meeting, Fleetham and Glenshine were railed away to Riccarton to join Eleus and Almoner in their preparation for the Canterbury meeting. It is -hardly likely that Eleus will be started in the New Zealand Cup. His preparation has been an interrupted one, owing to the inclement weather and a severe attack of cold, which of late has sent many young southern-horses into ■ retirement for the time being. It is reported that Almoner has come on fast since Ashburton. Fleetham also will strip something .like his best; in fact, the imported stallion never looked better, Hogan contending that he has become acclimatised. Glenshine is also well, but stay-at-home backers will prefer Almoner

and Fleetham, while they will probably have a chance to support Eleus in one mile events at the big Riccarton fixture. In addition to an increase of £14,711 10s. in the totalisator receipts at the Gore Racing Club the statement shows a new record in the gate takings, the sum of £1250 having being received during the two days’ spring gathering. The financial returns all round worked out in a highly successful manner, with the result that a very handsome profit should result. This will enable the club to raise the value of their stakes in the future, a move which will meet with the enthusiastic approval of owners and trainers. News has been received from the Waikanae Stud to the effect that imported Simper has foaled a filly to Hymettus and will be mated with Kilbroney again in the hope of getting another colt of the class of Affectation. The sister to the Wanganui Guineas winner has been suffering from strangles, but is now recovering. A full brother to Brackenfield, also owned by Mr. W. T. Hazlett, suffered severely from the same complaint, but is now slowly recovering.

The ancient John Barleycorn, favoured with a light weight and an apprentice allowance, won the Spring Handicap, the principal event on the concluding day of the Gore fixture. The old fellow stayed the ten furlongs out well, and just beat Tin Soldier, who was conceding him 171 b. At the same time John Barleycorn

was in very fair form, and may be found keenly contesting some of the minor races at the New Zealand Cup meeting. He is now trained by D. P. Wilson, at Wingatui. The Oamaru sportsman, Mr. W. Gardiner, Junior, in addition to the victory of John Barleycorn, was also credited with a win the same afternoon in the Eastern Hack Handicap by Barley Rigs (Sarto—Afer). Away at the Waipawa meeting, in the North Island, on Monday last a full sister to Barley Rigs called Dunstan Rush, a three-year-old, trained by the veteran Hastings mentor, Stewart Waddell, scored in the Maiden Hack Race (five furlongs). Her connections anticipated the win. The filly, who is owned by the Invercargill president of the Southland Racing Club (Mr. W. T. Hazlett) is hardly likely to be brought back here to race, as she is said to be somewhat on the small side, while there are more short races that will suit tier in the Hawke’s Bay district. That smart sprinter, Kilmeedy (Kilbroney—Ena), is in work again at Winton for the local. meeting this month, but she will be on the big side. However, she may race well under this condition.

The veteran galloper, Golden King, has joined P. Hogan’s active brigade again.

Roy Berry, the one-time leading Canterbury lightweight, who recently returned from war service in Europe, has been- granted a' license by the Dunedin Jockey Club, and will train at the Invercargill course. He is at present handling a nice three-year-old colt by Kentlock (Maltster —Satire) from Mezzo (by Finland —Demu-

irska). He is a useful sort and looks like developing into a horse capable of carrying weight. Next week the four-year-old gelding, Pallah (Pallas —Terresome, by Seaton Deleval — Linadurn) will also some under Berry’s care, while several other horses are expected to join his string during the current month. Another soldier-trainer, F. H. Hill, who saw a great deal of active service in Europe, leaves here this week for Tapanui, to take over Palamon, Hinekura (All Red —Kea) and another horse for the well - known owner-breeder, Mr. W. Robertson. Hill is a very capable young fellow, and for a long time was attached to the Chokebore Lodge, at Riccarton. The two-year-old, Martial Dance, has resumed work, having practically recovered from an attack of prevailing cold. His stable companions, Bright Spot and Anton, are both doing well, but there is always a doubt as to whether the latter will get over his aversion to the barrier when Mr. Stone calls upon him for an effort in the direction of paying for his oats. Like all of the family of the Australian-owned stallion, St. Anton, the little black horse can gallop fast. The final event on the Gore Racing Club’s card, the Murihiku Handicap (one mile), went to Sedd-el-Bahr, which won handily from Borodino, Kilkee and three others. Trainer C. Giesler had the Varco — Showano gelding operated upon as late as June last for throat trouble by H. E. Martin, at Christchurch, and he

appears to have benefited greatly as a result of the veterinary experiment, which many people rather discredit. Martin, however, can put over successful operations in this direction, Bore, the steeplechaser, being one of many. Marjery, another of Giesler’s charges, was heavily backed for the Flying Handicap at Gore, but bolted twice prior to the start, running over a mile and a-half in all. The field was finally sent away without her. The winner unexpectedly turned up in Benefit. Marjery is very well at present and should win a good race in the near future. Benefit and Barley Rigs, two respective winners on the last day at Gore, were ridden by T. Metcalfe, a lad who was brought out from England by the Awapuni trainer, G. Price. The southern horsemen gave him a great reception when he returned to the birdcage after being successful the first time.

Weights for the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap are due to make their appearance on Monday, November 24.

Onslaught (7.12), who will carry Sir Geo. Clifford’s colours in the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday, impressed those present at the Rangiora meeting by. the brilliant manner in. which he. defeated his opponents in the Flying Handicap (five furlongs) after being badly placed throughout. Thestius had fully half a dozen lengths’ break on the Chokebore candidate when the straight was entered, but Onslaught put .in a phenomenal run which landed him a winner by a neck in the good time of Im in. 1 3-ssec.