SPRING CIRCUIT TO OPEN

Southland Times, Issue 24227, 10 September 1940, Page 10

SPRING CIRCUIT TO OPEN

RICCARTON TRACKS BUSY

FRESH HORSES TO APPEAR AT ASHBURTON

(Special to The Times) CHRISTCHURCH, September 9. After a spell since the Grand National meeting of early spring weather with dry and warm days, there was a continuous fall of rain for three days last week and as far as Riccarton was concerned track work was out of the question. The break, nevertheless, came at a favourable time for the district, as generally speaking, September has been a comparatively dry month and early spring growth has been retarded. The Riccarton tracks, with their shingly foundations, have usually been the worst sufferers from a dry spring but on this occasion a flush of growth on the grass tracks is now assured. In the past week or so the ground had become fairly hard and some trainers were crying out for the opening of the plough track. This waj to be available this week, but with the change in the weather it will not be fit for use for another week or so.

Spring racing in Canterbury will be opened on Saturday next with the Ashburton County Racing Club’s meeting. Excellent nominations were received and there was every indication of wellfilled fields parading for each event. The principal event, the Ashburton Handicap, will be contested by some of the best middle distance performers in the province, and the Spring Handicap will solicit special interest because of the expected presence in the field of Royal Chief, Willie Win, Toro Koura, Passaform and Shikari who have not appeared in public for some time. Royal Chief has had a good deal of sprinting of late and in his trainer’s opinion is more forward than he was in Sydney at this time last year. He is booked to go to Trentham next month, Willie Win has been kept going throughout the winter, without, however, being given anything but trotting and walking exercise by his trainer, Mrs J. Campbell. He is a lightly-fleshed gelding and does not need serious work to get him right. Toro Koura and Passaform are still in E. J. Ellis’s stable at Washdyke. The farmer, who had to be put aside some months back because of shoulder trouble, is reported to be coming to hand well, but will require some racing. The same suggestion applies to Passaform, who has been on easy work throughout the winter, and appears to be quite sound again. Shikari will be having his first race as a three-year-old. He has furnished into a massive colt and is a typical looking Derby aspirant so it is to be hoped that his career may not be affected by respiration trouble with which he is threatened. SOVEREIGN LADY BACK An interesting candidate in the Ashburton Handicap is Sovereign Lady, who will be having her first race since Easter. She also has not been idle during the winter and is very forward, but she has invariably required some racing before she has shown her best. Entail appears in the same field. He has not had a race yet in the South Island. Purchased at Trentham last January by C. McCarthy he failed to stand up to training as was the case with him at Wanganui, and McCarthy sold him to F. Hall, owner-trainer of Rebel Chief for five guineas. Hall has devoted much time and patience to the gelding, who has stood up to a good deal of work and has been galloping exceptionally well. If he keeps as sound as at present he is certain to win races for Hall and his form at Ashburton will therefore be watched with some little interest. RECOLLECTION WITHDRAWN Recollection was expected to make amends at Ashburton for his ill-luck at the Grand National meeting, but on the appearance of the weights he was immediately withdrawn. In the Sydenham Hurdles on the concluding day of the Grand National meeting, Courtyard (sixth) had 10.3, and Recollection (fell) had 10.1. Now Recollection has 11.6 and Courtyard 10.11. Not Out is in steady work again, but is not to be raced until the Wellington meeting next month. He has grown into a solid four-year-old and this may be his best season.

C. Emerson has arranged to take Don’t Forget and the unnamed two-year-old filly by Myosotis from Royal Baby to the Dunedin meeting. The former is a likely candidate for the Dunedin Guineas, and the filly is booked to contest the McLean Stakes. The latter is the biggest of the Myosotis fillies yet seen out, and has shown marked ability to sprint.

Capricious is again one of the active brigade, and is to receive a special preparation for the New Zealand Cup. She is .to make her reappearance at Wingatui, and will be given a race at the Banks Peninsula meeting as a final work-out before the big Riccarton gathering. Leopardstown has attracted attention of late by some excellent schooling. He is one of the Day Comet breed, and is owned by Mr J. H. Grigg. He is to have his race in the hurdle event at Ashburton. and is also engaged at the Geraldine meeting.