SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1576, 8 July 1920, Page 11

SOUTHLAND.

Track Work Locally Suspended During Unfavourable Weather —P. T. Hogan Taking Useful Team to Piccarton for National and Approaching Hunt Club Fixtures — Two 1522 C.J.C. Derby Candidates Included — Contemplated Improvements to Gore and Riverton R.C.’s Courses — W. Gardiner Preparing a brother to Brackenfield — Eleus Greatly Improved by Respite From Activity—Hi’nekura Shows Promise in Her Schooling Essays. (Telegraph—Southland Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, Monday. Track work has been suspended on the Southland R.C.’s course during the past week, but a number of horses are being regularly exercised on the wet roads, while several jumpers who are qualifying for the hunt club meetings and the C.J.C. Grand National fixture have been following the Birchwood pack at the various country hunting centres. Burrangong, the only Southland horse nominated for the Wellington, meeting, is looking well, but his owner is not particular as to whether his representative visits Trentham or not. The galloping stallion is, however, intended to race at Riccarton next month. Trouble has arisen between the Southland and Waimate Racing Clubs in regard to the date of March 17, both claiming to race on St. Patrick’s Day next season. It seems that each club is within its rights in accordance with past custom, the local club always racing within a fortnight of Easter, while the Waimate meeting is invariably held on or as near March 17 as possible. Unless one or the other gives way a clash seems inevitable. Trainer P. Hogan is expected to leave here within a few days for Riccarton with the Rorke’s Drift Lodge horses marked down to compete at the South Canterbury and Brackenfield Hunt fixtures and the Grand National meeting, also with some rising two-year-olds. It is expected that the team will comprise Bengeroop, Wild Pilgrim, Calma, Dunmure, Magdala, St. Brenda (Winkie — Honesty), and a colt by Kilbroney— Grey Linnet. The last-named pair are candidates for the Canterbury J.C. Derby of 1922. St. Brenda is owned by his trainer. The Dunedin totalisator contractor, Mr. W. F. James, who has for years past drawn up plans for the improvement of many Otago and Southland courses, paid a visit to this part of the world during the week. His mission had to do with extensions and improvements for the Gore Racing Club, and plans for laying out the Riverton Racing Club’s property, where an extensive scheme of extension is in progress, to be followed by new buildings of various kinds when permission to use material is forthcoming. W. Gardiner, private trainer to Mr. W. T. Hazlett, is busy wintering Frenchman and other horses, while

special attention is being paid to rounding up a full-brother to Brackenfield. The son of Boniform —Gargaron fell into the hands of a local owner at a moderate price owing to the fact that he was born in July, hence he is ineligible for entry in classical events. He is looking well, and promises to furnish into a big gelding with age.

Word has been received from Hastings that Mr. Hazlett’s three rising two-year-old fillies, from Directoire, Simper and Sprig of Erin respectively, are doing well under the care of Stewart Waddell. The firstnamed is a daughter of Sollerino, while the fillies from the two imported matrons claim Kilbroney as their sire.

The Riverton Racing Club is layingout a new steeplechase course on their own property adjacent to private land which has been in partial use for many years back, having been cut up and disposed of for building purposes. Some regret will be expressed in this connection, as one of the features of cross-country racing at Riverton was the doubles at the public road separating the racecourse from the property referred to. Eleus has improved out of all knowledge since his relaxation from the routine of training. He has put on condition and recovered his spirits in a marked manner, but Mr. Stone

does not contemplate racing him again until late in the -new season. Silver Peak is also on the easy list preparatory to being taken up again for spring racing, but Mr. Stone’s other horses, Priinum, Martial Dance, and Mantua, cover long stretches of road each day.. It is quite on the cards, that the speedy Mantua .will find a new owner in the near future as her box is required for a younger galloper destined to compete at the spring fixtures. In the Magistrate’s Court on Friday last, R. Berry sued the owner of Lewis Gun and the trotter Merry Ben for the sum of £24 odd. alleged to be due for preparing the former, and for the keep and trial of Merry Ben. also travelling expenses and jockeys’ fees. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £l2 6s. and costs £2 12s. Lewis Gun. by Calibre, is a useful gelding who may develop into a promising hurdle horse when tried out at the fencing game. Hinekura, owned by her breeder, Mr. W. Robertson, of Tapanui,. is being schooled at the Southland R.C.’s tracks at present. The daughter of All Red —Kea. who makes a good, shape at her fences, carries Trainer F. Hill in her essays as a hurdler. The Riverton Racing Club is circulating a petition asking the Government to favourably consider the granting of a permit for an additional two days’ fixture. The club’s scope of activities has extended out of all knowledge of late years, with the result that it is necessary that the club should be given an increased opportunity to gather income for the upkeep of the valuable and popular property and meeting.