RACING STABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2414, 1 February 1909, Page 3

RACING STABLES.

UR. C. J. PARKER’S ESTABLISH MENT.

There is. perhaps, no more enjoyable hobby than the breeding and racing of good horses, and a visit to a weilfilced stable is always entertaining. Mr. C. J. Parker recently escorted a “Times” reporter on a visit of inspection of his stables and stud farm at Alakaraka, and bad a good many filings to say of the handsome animals he has in training. About six months ago Hr. Parker engaged Hr. AY. Smith, of Auckland, as his private trainer, land the first ra'ce meeting after Mr. Smith took charge won two races, one with Ardlert and one u ith Ballyheigh. Ballyheigh is a fine big chestnut colt by Hotchkiss and as. therefore, of the famous Musket family. He is- well-built. has a strongly set frame, big. shoulders, deep and ay oil-made qunrtors. AYlien galloping he lias a long stride, and as bo grows older, being now only a three-vear-okl. lie should prove the staying power of the Musket strain. Ballyheigh is looking very well, but Mr. Parker stated that he lias not yet been seen in public at his best. .Mr. Parker lias also a well-built aristocrat in the two-year-old eolt_ Port William* by Boult from a St. Lcger mare. Prom, his sire this colt gets a double strain of St. Simon blood, and mi his dam’s side traces back to the great English horse Doncaster. Being only a youngster ho has not yet shown what pace ho possesses, but big things are expected of him in the future. Also in work are the three-year-old Seaton Delaval' mare AVaikanae, and the bay gelding by the .-nine sire, Ardfert. Mr. .Parker also has Ardfort’s dam, Lady Augusta with a foal at foot to Clleuap. running in a paddock alongside bis stables. Among the stud mares on the place is Indian Queen, the dam of King BilAborigine., and Maori King, Jiiv diau Queen has proved a most successful brood nlare, but she was even more successful on the turf, having, in her time, beaten Cruciform, Atonscliikoff, and other' horses of the first rank. Indian Queen has got at foot a. nice-looking foal to Birkemliea.il. In tho 3.11110 ipadock the mare Musketerie is running iwitli a foal at'loot to Mevriweo. This foal is handsomely proportioned, and promises to furnish out well. A handsome brood mare is Simonins, and, as the name indicates, she is a direct descendant of flic great St. Simon. This mare was imported from England. Port William’s dam Siniluia, is aiso running in Air. Parker’s paddock. She is by St. Lager and is not by any means aged. Air. Parker’s horses all show the (s.ireful attention of the experienced trainer, and Air. Smith states that he believes in giving his charges plenty to eat and as much freedom and fresh air as possible. As each horse has a character and temperament different to the others so each is trained and stabled in the way best suited. Mr. Smith is equally attentive to the foals in liis charge, and they are regularly hand-fed with milk and nourishing foods. The stable jockey is an Auckland bov. John Roach, and lie will do most of the riding for Mr. Parker at the approaching meetings. Roach can go to the. scale at 7 stone, and though stil! in his ’teens, has had many successes in the stable.