TRAINING STABLES.

NZ Truth, Issue 140, 22 February 1908, Page 2

TRAINING STABLES.

A. Shearsby, at Weraroa.

In response to a long-standing in-; vitation to visit Weraroa, "Spear--mint" spent the week-end at the stables of Trainer A. Shearsby, who conducts the training operations of the racing stables of Mr "A. High-t den." . . ■■'■•. ;.. My welcome was a most hearty one, both from Shearsby and bis better half, wthom, I might mention, makes an excellent hostess. After enjoying the hospitality of the house my inspection of ,the stables ,was commenced. . '.','." ; The feed-room and gear-room were excellently kept, showing method on the part of the conscientious mentor. Flamen (Sou-Wester—B alm) was jn No. 1 box. This horse has recently been gelded and it struck me that he looks much 'better as a gelding than a stallion. He is very big at present, but is fining down, and as he is not to be hurried Ido not expect we shall see him out for some time. Moscow (Stepniak— Coronal) had just returned from his successful trip to Riccarton, but he looked none the worse for his travelling, which really seems to have benefited him. This horse is improving week by week, and he may yet prove that the high price given for him as a yearling was money well spent. Kitohenmaid (Soult— Lady Cuisine) ia a regular attendant on the training tracks, and looks verywe|l. At first one would think her to be only a pony but' closer inspection makesher out much bigger. She has a very high wither and is well over 15 hands. Knutsford (Birkenhead— Balm) is a two-year-old bay gelding- and a half brother to Flamen. He has grown a lot of late, and is still getting bigger. Previously it was thought that he was .going to be a failure as he was so small, but a few months made a wonderful difference, and now. like nil the Birkenheads, he is wonderfully well furnished. Aorangi (Merriwee— Ponaturi) will represent the stable m jumping ev-

en Is at the Autumn and .Winter., meet-:-ings and as he is a big/ hold jumper, mo doubt he av ill be tried over coiin'tiy. He looks well, and evidently the , racing over sticks has been doing him good. " ; ' Vasa (Finland— Patera) is a veryexcitable little filly, but a bit of racing will cure that. She looked nice and bright 'in the coat and should be amongst the first of the team to, score. i • Truce (Graf ton— Navarine) is still out at her owner's place m tlie Feilding diistrict, also Viborg, tiielng thrce-year-ol'd by Finland, from ..the, imported mare Certificate. Roth these' will be brought m about April 1 . ; . ';[ Tl»e only outsider. in the stabip ;is: Flotilla (Torpedo— Bonnyblinky. "She" is owned by a well-known Manuk.au sport, who adopts ''"the l norn :de course of Mr "G. Penf old." The mare' looks very but is not being bothered much til! t>he tracks get a bit spfter.