RICCARTON TRAINING NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11501, 6 February 1903, Page 8

RICCARTON TRAINING NOTES

Thursday. A cloud of fog 'hung like a pall ovex Hiccarton this morning, and rendered it impossible for the touts to take the time of a single gallop. Trainers themselves were sorely exercised, and many of them mounted, started their horses, and dashed acrose the course to witness the finish. Cutts. as usual, was the first beginner, ho sending Cannie Chiel, accompanied by Narcissus, a mile on the plough. Cannie Ohiel held Ma companion safe all tho way, and finished in front. This horse is very well ju3t now. Dirk finished in front of Aherlow at the end of six furlongs. Somerled had much the best of Windwhistle at the business end of seven furlongs. Clanburn galloped seven furlongs, by himself, going freely. Gladsome was too good for Lolah at the end of six furlongs. Secret Society ran a strong mile by herself. Muscovite traversed six furlongs, finishing strongly. Calibre and Antigone finished together at the end of a. strong mile on the grass.' Leonore and Cerise and Blue put in a strong working gallop over cix furlonga, finishing together. Merrymaker beat Roscommon by a head at the end of five furlongs. Welbeck showed the way to Scottish Minstrel over a mile. Barbette had her head in front of Nell Gwynne at the end of six furlongs, galloped at a good pace. Pallas, looking very well, was restricted to pacing exercise. ■ A similar task was allotted to Lady Lillian, who is looking very well. "Wimbledon epurted over half a mile. King Stork and St«pdancer held The Mohican cafe at the end of six furlongs. Sophistic sprinted five furlongs by herself. Tercelet was treated to steady exeTciae. Lavalette. went twice round at a steady pace. After breakfast Ayrdale and Waiwera galloped five furlonge, the first-named finishing in front. Khaki went Jtwioe loixnd at a slow pace. Quarrymari and Goldonincre ian six furlongs, the fWst-named finishing in front. Good Speo and Lncretia, after cantering, were extended over three furlonga, Good Spec finishing in front. Golden Legacy cantered and spurted. Ragabrash and Brave Heart cantered, and came home at a good pace over four furlongs. Bombardo, Firebraind, Deerstalker, and a number of others were treated to cantering and trotting exercise.

IMPROVEMENTS AT RICCARTON.

Patrons of the Canterbury Jockey Ghib wiJil bo pleased to learn, that several noticeable improvements tao now being effeoted at the iticofirton racecourse, while eevenu others of «yen greater importance are to be curried out almost immediately. For some time the eupply of water available has not been sufficient, but this drawback is now a thing of the pact. In the plantation to the west of the outaide etasd a high tank, capable of holding 14,000 gaiilons, .has been erected, adjoining winch in a ama.l brick building is a Merryvreather'e pump, driven by a seven horae-power engine. Though of compact appearance, the pump is co powerfuil that it can fi.ll the large cistern in little over an hour *nd «, half. From the oisteroi a main leads to just within the racing track, from where it branches off to the right and left, and goes round the course. At ehorl distances £y<kaata are provided, and from these, by means of short lengths o£ iiose, the running track and all the training gaOlopa eon bo liberally watered. By this means the various tracks, even in. "the driest weather, can be maintained in excellent order. The water "ueed is brought by » email race from tie main race on the Yaldhuret road. It runs into ft good-sized dam, from which it is pumped by the engine into the ciatern. At a trial of the plant 'held yeaterd&y very satisfactory resulta were obtained. The ot'Ler improvements proposed will, when completed, make Riccarton tho best provided course m New Zealand in the matter of convenience and accommodation. It is intended to make what ia now the inside enclosure— comprising the grand stand, stewards , stand, and saddling paddock—into the people» portion of the course. A. new grand stand stewards etand, scraping eheda, and paddock are to be provided in what now does eervioe as the outeide enclosure, co that the ponton of inside end outside patrons wiK be complelcy reversed. The present hal{ ; crown etand ie to be demolished, and its place will be taken by a handsome building on raised ground. 230 ft in length by 50ft ux diepth, capable of seating about 1800 people. Juet to tlie emitheast of iShie a new stewards' tW ia to be buili much on simi'lor linee to the one now drTueo. In front of these structure* a Hvm will run down to the running track, and the judge's box" is to be shifted from its present position some seventy-five yarde •up tie Straight. It will tk*n be almost in lino with the fcnee that divides the two enclosures The scraping sheds *nd eadd.in K paddock will be eituated behind the new grand stand, running almost back to th« railway lino In tho plantation to the west of the present halfcrown stand a tea, house is to be erected, while flower beds and an artificial lake are to be. included in the improvements. The drive leading behind tho grand etand will be continued through the new enclosure, and terminate in * members' carriage paddock to the north-west of it. A start will be made with the alterations as soon as next week's meeting is over, and it is hoped to Jiavo everythitMj m first-class order before November next.