FLETCHER'S FLOCK.

NZ Truth, Issue 74, 17 November 1906, Page 2

FLETCHER'S FLOCK.

A Clareville Stable.

Last Friday I intended celebrating the King's Birthday by attending; the races at Clareville, but on arriving there after a long train journey, was annoyed to find that the meeting had been postponed on account of the weather ; so, looking round for the next best thine; to do, I decided to pay a visit of inspection to Hairy Fletcher's stable. A. drive of about three miles out of Carterton, during which the Wairarapa light-weight, Sid Reid, who was of the party, pointed out the places of interest, brought us. to Fletcher's domicile. Here a hearty welcome awaited the traveller and what was much better, a very hearty meal, which always accentuates a welcome, and gives 1-ho "Truth" representative an opportunity of "rovine: what a good doer he real ly. if..

7 -p.tr »• m. if nfternoon Fletcher "■u\(lr<\ tii" v/rii^i- over the grounds, which are situated rjfflit opposite tho

racecourse. There are three good sized paddocks and eight large, roomy boxes, besides a good hay loft and food room. At the present time, owing to various causes necessitating spells, Fletcher's flock , is reduced to four prads, but as they are a useful quartette they will be sure to win numy races during the season. The best of the lot is Silken Rein, who won a double at the Clareville meeting. She is by Saracen, from Dromedary, who will be remembered as a good mare that used to race about the North Island, and if Silken Rein inherits her sire's brillianc- and her dam's staying ability, she should win many more races for her owner. This mare stands over a good bit of ground and is as clean len-tred as one could wish to see. Being built on solid lines, she should be well able to carry a bit of weight when necessary.. Black Oil is, as his name implies, a black geMing that has hitherto only figured m Hunters' races, but his owner decided to give him further opportunities of distinguishing himself, so he was given a run m the Hurdles on both days at Carterton. He is a good jumper, but inexperienced, and consequently gets up too high m the air, thereby losing a lot of frround. A little schooling m public will probably put i>hat ripht. Ratu is a great, bier, burly animal that will require a lot of knocking into shape. At present he is very green, and ran that way at Clareville on Saturday last. He would be more likely to distinguish himself over fences thaai on the flat. Nothing is a four-year-old brown gelding by Flintlock. Up to the present he has not shown that he has been badly named and he is another that might do better over the battens. The racecourse was next inspected, and was found to be exceedingly damp, but nevertheless an enjoyable time was spent watching the various candidates performine their alloted tasks, and when the time arrived for the homeward joumev no regret was felt that the races had been postponed. •