A VISIT TO SYLVIA PARK.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 394, 17 August 1889, Page 6

A VISIT TO SYLVIA PARK.

I have never had a more enjoyable visit to Sylvia Park than on Saturday last, having for my companions a fellow scribe arid'two-well-known figures In the racing world. Ib was my first intimacy with Mr" George? Cutts, the recently-appointed manager, and for an honest and sterling good turfite of the old school commend me to him. He can talk pedigree galore, while . his reminiscences of sport of by-gone times are a treat to listen to. Cutts's connection ■with the sport of kings has extended over a period of 31 years, and in the early days of Australia he either trained or rode some of the most famous celebrities. In the South the name of George Cutts is as familiar as household words, but it is only old Aucklanders who remember- him in the days he trained for Mr James Watt, at Kohimarama. So much by way of digression. Everything at the Park is looking in apple-pie order, and although time would not permit of our renewing acquaintance with all the brood mares we saw some of the best known, including Realisation (dam. of Maxim), Tres Deuce (dam of Mataton), Nelly Moore (Lochiel's dam), Steppe, Sylvia, and Onyx. Foaling? have not yet commenced, but Steppe°is the first expected. The management have decided to have Sylvia served aeain, either by Nordenfeldt or Ingomar, and Onyx goes to the latter sire. In respect to the other matrons, the wise policy is to be pursued that those who have been successful in the past with Musket will go to his son Nordenfeldt. The young stallion is in splendid health to take up his season's duties, and although Cutts's acquaintance with the horse has been only of_ short duration, he swears by him, and it was with no small amount, of pride that lie ' ' enthused" on his many* merits. The yearlings, which number no less thanj|fortyfour, are one of the very best batches that I have looked over afc Sylvia Park, and among them are many that will set heads nodding when they come up for sale. The colt By Nordenfoldt out of j Nelly Moore, the dam of Lochiel and Corunna, is a real beauty. He is jet black in colour, the only mark he possesses being a white star oti his forehead. The colthas a taking head and neck,sBt into good Bhoulders, with beautifully -turned barrel, and splendid quarters* of the Musket tribe, while no fault can be found with his legs or feet. In addition,' he is strone-looking, has plenty of size, and 'to use the old stock phrase, if there is " anything' in ' looks," he must be a racehorse. Hiked greatly the filly by Nordenfeldt out of Bearl Ash (the dam of Pearl Shell), and although the filly by Nordenfeldt out of Carbine's dam,' Mersey, is rather small and light in the bone, she looks one that would do a quick thing across the grass as a two-year-old. A colt by Nordenfeldt— Clytemnestra I was much taken with, for he possesses no end of racing points ; and the filly by Nordenfeldt — Erycina gives one the impression that she will follow in the footsteps of her family. She is marked like Mitrailleuse. The result of the union of Nordenfeldt with Nelson's dam, My Idea, has been successful in the production of a beautifully-made filly, who promises to do both' sire and dam credit; and the filly by Nordenfeldt— Tres, Deuce is full of promise. Realisation's filly by Nordenfeldt is small and nuggety, and I much prefer .a filly by Nordenfeldt — Radiance, who id very evenly made. The splendid Bfcock -that Nordenfeldt

has gob during his two seasons at tho stud is really wonderful, and the Sb. Legers are almost as promising, one of his best yearlings being a colfc oub of -Naiad. Sword Dance also has a couple of yearlings to represent him that promiso well, out of Martini-Henry's sisters, . Woodnymph and Elphin ; in fact, they are the best-looking of his progeny that the deceased sire has left behind him. Tho colb by Sword Danee — Onyx was a late foal, but he has a lot of good points. Ingomar is unrepresented, but this year it i 3 intended to give him another good chance. As I stated above, the youngsters are one of the finest-looking and best-grown ever reared at the Park, and if Nordenfoldt's progeny come early and justify their looks at the racing game, there will be some keen competition at the sale next January.