DURBAR LODGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 140, 3 September 1927, Page 7

DURBAR LODGE

BREEDING IN THE PURPLE HOME OF CHAMPIONS Mr. H. F. Nicoll’s Enterprise MR. H. F. NICOLL, president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, is one of the keenest supporters of the game in the Dominion and has one of the largest breeding establishments in this country. A representative of THE SUN recently visited Durbar Lodge, the Canterbury sportsman’s property.

Just imagine 96 pacers and trotters perambulating rich pastures totalling 600 acres. Some, of course, occupy apartments in the well preserved and comfortable stables, and others only partially so. Such is the animated scene presented to visitors to Durbar Lodge, Ashburton, which is owned by Mr. H. P. Nicoll, and presided over by D. Warren. LORD OF THE MANOR Among the most interesting and fascinating members of the collection is the great American pacing stallion Wrack, and also several choicely bred mares that attained distinction on the race tracks. Wrack has improved in appearance since he took up his residence in New Zealand. He is a beautifully proportioned horse, with a plain head, a head typical of his famous father, and of the most successful male members of the Peter the Great family. Many students of the sport seem to make much of the plainness of the heads of the majority of descendants of Peter the Great, but if they really knew, they would accept that long, strong-charactered head and face with a Roman nose as a symbol of tenacity, courage, gameness, and ability so characteristic of the most wonderful tribe of light harness horses in the world. CLASSY BROOD MARES Peeping from behind a haystack was the one-time idol of Southland, Regina Belle, the mother of Logan Chief and the dam of Native Chief. Regina Belle carried R. Logan to victory in several hard-fought contests. and though she has not had a foal for three or four years it is safe to state that she will present one to Wrack this season. Not far from Regina Belle was Cameos, the dam of Onyx. She. too, has not added to her family fov two or three seasons, and it is not certain that she will this year.

Star Queen has developed into a typical matron, with every indication of making good at the stud. Then there is Nancy Stair, a mare whose best was never known. She had a happy knack of paying big dividends, and once was the means of a big coup being lifted through the two legs of a double, of which she was the first,duly landing. She possesses the McKinney strain through her sire Galindo, who also is the father of Cameos, a blood lineage that is manifesting itself in the United States. Just past this group were Scarlet Rose and her daughter Osier Beauty. Scarlet Rose is an aged mare, among her family being Vice Admiral and Phil Smith. RESERVED FOR BREEDING Just as Mr. Warren had completed an interlude regarding the purchase of Scarlet Rose for a modest sum, a handsome mare in Pearl Pointer strolled across the paddock. She is by Logan Pointer, by Star Pointer. 1.59?;, from Pearlchild, by Rothschild, dam Verity, whose sire was Vancleve. Pearl Pointer was never raced. She is a perfectly made mare, possessed of striking quality, and her trainer informed me that she had heaps of ability. The reason she did not race was due to some incident interfering with her early preparation, and Mr. Nicoll, being strongly of the opinion that mares produce best when not required to stand the ordeal of racing, sent her to the stud when a threeyear old NANTWICH RETIRED For the very same reason Nantwicli has been retired from racing—not that she is unsound, or anywhere near her best, but simply because Mr. Nicoll prefers not to strip Nantwich of too much vitality before placing her among the matrons. In this respect I heaitily agree with Mr Nicoll, for it is certain that if a mare is subjected to a severe ra.cing career her vitality becomes impaired, and she is thus unable to transmit to her offspring the energy that made herself successful. GREAT OLD MATRON A call was then made on Pearlchild. the senior member of the 42 brood mares on the farm. In a cosy loosebox, with straw up to her knees, she was mothering a young chestnut filly foal to Wrack. She now is 18 years of age, and has numerous lines on her face, indicating thnt she is reaching the granny stag* j Then, looking < ■' ' • u 'ei c the i American marcs Noiseless, who has | furnished into a grand mare; Trix

Pointer, winner of a New Zealand Trotting Cup; Gianella, a big stakeearner in her day; the speedy mares Latona, Nell Pointer, and Lady Swithin, Pansy (St. Swithin —Verity), and Precision. They are in the pink of condition, and are in foal to Wrack. PROMISING THREE-YEAR-OLDS Occupying the various loose-boxes in the main stable were several of the 18 horses that are in training. The first uncovered was a bonny three-year-old colt by Author Dillon from Pearlchild, which Mr. Warren unhesitatingly stated was the best he had ever handled.. But unfortunately this colt was born with an affliction in the head, though under veterinary treatment the exact nature of the growth has not been determined. Meanwhile he is on the easy list for observation purposes. Next to him lives a fine upstanding three-year-old gelding by Happy Voyage ‘from Lady Cherry. This fellow is a trotter of wonderful ability, and is possessed of good manners. Judged by the work he has done, the son of Happy Voyage will make .the town talk later on. The third member produced was a three-year-old black pacing filly by Logan Pointer from Precision. She is full-sister to Ayr and Maud Logan, and according to the time she lias shown in her work she will win races. Attention was next directed to a commanding looking four-year-old gelding by Nelson Bingen, dam Lady Cherry. He is a nice trotter, and was recently sold to a friend of Mr. Warren’s, who should be well pleased with his purchase. WRACK TWO-YEAR-OLDS Led from his quarters was a two-year-old gelding possessing immense bone. He stands about 15.3. and is a powerfully built youngster. His dam is Lady Victoria, and when asked to pace he moves like a well-oiled machine. Standing alongside of him was a colt from Trix Pointer (imp.). He is very much like his mother, and can pace fast. Both these two-year-olds are perfectly gaited, neither requiring a boot, and they could, if required, race without the assistance of hopples. Then came the gem of the farm, a . smart, aristocratic-looking filly from j Pearlchild. At present she is being : worked as a trotter, but there is little doubt that she will be trained as a pacer, which gait she is inclined to favour. She is a real nifty built-to-order kind of youngster, and along with her two companions she will represent the establishment in the next N§w Zealand Sapling Stakes. AMONG THE YEARLINGS In a barn specially arranged for the purpose were seven yearlings wilh rubber bits in their mouths. During his 14 years’ association with Durbar Lodge Mr. Warren has had considerable experience with the breeding and rearing of trotters and pacers. He maintains that the rubber bit is better than the steel bit with keys attached for mouthing purposes. The youngsters seemed to enjoy playing with the hubber bits, and as every horse under Warren’s care drives well it is evident that his idea of the most suitable bit for mouthing horses is worth considering. Among the seven yearlings—which, of course, are all by Wrack—are the sons or daughters of Noiseless, Gianella, Pearl Pointer, Victoria, Precision, Trix Pointer, and Pansy. They are a splendid group, all bearing the firm characteristics of their sire. FINE APPOINTMENTS The training track has been widened and improved considerably at Durbar Lodge of late. It now has sufficient width to accommodate five horses in line. The harness room, smithy, and saddler’s shop have all undergone a change of address, and fresh coats of black and white paint have been applied to the gates, yards, and buidings. The place is spick anu span, and many paddocks are boasting an early strike of lucerne, which is among the favourite provender for brood mares and weanlings, and horses in light preparation. Mr. Nicoll has also erected a fine homestead to replace the one burned down, so not only does Durbar Lodge ' possess the nucleus of the best family j of pacers and trotters in the Dominion, but facilities that are up-to-date j and in keeping with the times.

CANTERBURY NOTES {Special to THE SUN.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Talaro for the Cup With the shrewd heads. Talaro is pegged off as the winner of the Trotting Cup, and if he hits the day fit and well it will puzzle the others to beat him. Not a Starter Mr. H. Aker, owner of Waitaki Girl, states that his mare hasn’t a ghost of a chance of winning the cup off 60yds behind, and has decided not to start her. A Big Price When the handicaps far the Trotting Cup appeared, one owner wanted to sell, or give away his lock, stock and' barrel, but when asked to put a price on one of his horses, he said £3,000. Great Bingen All Right

Great Bingen is a mass of condition, and he is certain to come up as great as ever this season. The Cup Favourite All the chaps with a cunning look in their eye are picking Cardinal Logan to win the Trotting Cup. Auckland Cup Logan Park is being treated to careful exercise. He is one that Canterbury enthusiasts are picking to go well in the next Auckland Trotting Cup. Good Money The Oamaru Trotting Club will distribute £2,025 in stakes at the spring meeting. The big race is worth £6OO. Not Doing Well Unless he cheers up a bit the Auckland pacer Doctor Dillon will not earn any money on Canterbury courses. Derby Candidate Well The tliree-year-old pacer Harvest Child has wintered nicely, and is capable of placing his sire Sonoma Harvester on the map this season. An Erratic Mare Lady Cis is a speedy marc, whose erratic ways would have broken a bank. Her owners are endeavouring to get her right, and intend taking her to Wellington for the meeting there on September 17. Another for Auckland Tom Thumb is very pleased with things in general, and he will not carry as much condition as lie usually does when next he goes to the races. Ha is likely to be a nuisance in the next Auckland Trotting Cup. Having a Change The four-year-old pacer Bonnie Prince always was a speedy customer, but his pair of dicky front legs have prevented him from earning much money. He has vacated his stall at J. J. Kennerley’s stable and in future he will be trained by B. Jarden. How’s That Snowshoe, who tramped two miles hi 4.26 2-5 in New Zealand, is now handicapped at Melbourne at 2.20 to the mile. Concliffe Looks the Part Standing in his loose box. Concliffe looks a champion. The fetlock joint that gave him trouble, due to a mishap prior to the National fixture, is quite all right again.