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VICTORIAN RACING
CARNIVAL
JIM SCOBIE "AT HOME.'
Visit to Pitchley Lodge.
Up-to-date Trainer's Home.
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MELBOURNE. November 1.
(By Mostyn.)
5
Jim Scobie, one of
the
most
popular
trainers of the day, is not yet "receiving"
at Pitchley Lodge, Ascot Val£, but yesterday
morning a few of us accepted the opportunity
to walk across from Flemington.
have a chat over the morning's work, and
inspect Scobie's newly. acquired
property.
When Scobie retired from the pigskin and
decided lo offer his services to the public
s a trainer he was quite content to seclude
himself away near a spot very dear to him
—Ballarat; but not so long ago the thought
occurred that he would like to take things
a lii tie more quietly.
There was altogether
too much hustle and bustle and
anxiety
attached to training horses at
Ballarat,
when there were so many good ones to be
ent—one day to Sydney, next <day to Adelaide.
aDotber batch
to
Flemington—and
thereupon Scobie decided
to
make
his
headquarters
near
Melbourne.
By
a
strange and lucky coincidence for him the
well-equipped and extensive property '>
owned by the late Mr. S. G. Cook came
into lie market almost at the same, moment,
and a bargain was soon struck.
The
old Pitchley Lodge of the days of The Admiral
is not
the Pitchley Lodge of
today.
A wonderful transformation has been
made with the aid of an almost' unlimited
purse
and
a
keen,
sharp
busieye,
ani
the
result
is
that
to-day
Scobie
is
easily
possessed
the best
training
quarters
in
the
southern
hemisphere.
The painters
are
stiii in possession of the house, and Scobie's
smokeroom for the time being is the
headman's quarters, but by Cup Day
he
i" hopeful of having everything in. shipshope
order.
So far as the equines
are
concerned, their comforts
and
interests
were first considered, and they are well and
splendidly housed.
Jim Scobie.
South Australians have learned to respect
Scobie, and those periodical yearly
trii>s to the Central State have gained for
him innumerable friends, and he has won
the admiration of all. He has always
been associated with horses, and at the
age of 15 rode his fiist winner. He gained
fame as a jockey, bas proved his ability
as a trainer, and his neighbours both at
BUlarai and Flemington know him as
good citizen. Scobie's successes in the
saddle and as a" trainer are too well known
to need recapitulation in a few telegraphic
notes oL this description, but talking
nf his private life, it may not be generally
known tha.t the first year he settled in
the Ballarat district he won. the first prize
for the best-kept farm, and year in and
year out ever since he has been placcd first,
stcond, and third.
y
Stables and Appurtenances.
Pitchley Lodge has four frontages, and
there is nothing lacking.
The old scabies
are being utilized
at
present for a few
odd lots, but these are to go very soon;
while the whole place has been rearranged.
The old
house iras been remodelled
and
rebuilt; while huge paddocks have been set
aside for the cultivation of
lucerne and
English grasses.
The new stables require
to be seen to be
thoroughly
appreciated.
They are
all encased in a
huge
ironframed
building, which must be 100 yards
long
by
50
yards
wide,
with
a
huge
lighting
dome
down
the
centre, and this must be 40 ft. high.
The
20 boxes, all numbered, are on each side, and
there is a special
brickwalk {laid on a
foot of concrete).
The boxes, which are
all numbered, are spaciously built, and are
quite 12 ft. square.
They are composed of
Tasinanian hardwood, and no end of care
and thought ha\je been exercised to guard
against, accidents
Each box is lit up with
electricity,
and so is the walk, and
no
fewer than 34 lights arc thus
provided.
Saddles and racing gear bear a number corresponding
to the box, and most of the harness
has been imported.. At the southern
end provision is made ror six tons of hay
and 700 bags of oats, and where these are
stacked has been made, waterproof.
The
water-flow is excellent, almost remarkable
for a private residence, and is of such a
force as to make
any
fireman
envious.
Scobie employs 40 hands, and these have
special quarters provided for them.
He
has been thoughtful enough to make
extra
provision for those of his servants that are
married.
Hot and cold water baths are
provided,
and
their
comfort
has
b;«n
studied to a'marked degree.
The Horses.
Scobic docs not look forward to having
a good inniugs at the approaching Cup
Meeting, but he knows his time will come
sooner or later. That little aristocrat, Eye
Glass, is not in the form he was when
in Adelaide, and appears just a trifle
muscle-sore. Posio. who is a really nice
colt, is a little bit wayward.. Deeside is a
charming filly, and there are not many
better-looking youngsters than the colt by
Wallace from The Infanta, one of Mr. E.
Clarke's own breeding. Glue looks well
off for condition, and the old round-bone
trouble appears to have entirely disaplieared.
A lull list of tlie. horses under
Scobie's care is attached:—
B.h. Olivaster, by Palmer—Olive, 6 yTS.
B. or br.fr. Rodcrigo. by Wellington—Lancia, aged.
Br.e. Poi-tiep. by <*aiman (imp.)—Post Ellen. 1 JT.
B.li. Loni iiilcberan, by Kilcheniu—Fan TVm, 4
.VTa.
B.c. , by Walace—Lady Gay, 2 vrs.
Ch.c. . by Wallace—Lad? Gav. 1 jr.
B.m. Ceria, by Maltster—Loch "Lava. 4 yrs
B.f. . by United States—La Carabine. '•» Vrs.
C.g. , by Halo. "
Oi.f. Old Dutch, by Mcnschitoff—Scarlet Feather
•'3 J-IS.
B.m. Twirl, by Coil—Lancia, 5 vrs.
Bk.f. Deeside, by Traquair—Fairiand, 2 rrs.
Bf. Vivoca. by Havoc—Virginia, 3 vre
B.f. Orvieto, by Wallace—Orphir, 3 rrs.
i'H.f. Sessa, bv Walace—Campania, it'\TS
B.m. Glue, by Gluten—Pollen. 6 vrs. '
B.f. Orb. by Bobadil—Circle, 2 Its.
B.g. Rurrakii, by Bobadil—Ariadne.
Br.c. . by S.vlvanite—Hirondelle.
Ch.c. Ipidi. by United States-La Carabine 3 vis.
Br.c. Widgiewa, by MaltsSer—GaHlardia 1 VTS.
IS.ff. Huntfrstou, by Grafton—Jeanetle. '5TTS
Br.c. Wolawa. Bobadil—The Infanta, °
B.r. Prince Oamilo, by Positano—Youne timeline,
.1 vr=.
Br.c. Sir Gilbert, by Menschikoff—Chance Shot
3 vrs.
B.h. Olenspear. by Waltster—Cradle 4
B.C. Kwa=ind. by Maltster—Grafton Lass V _
Ch.c. Uncle Mac. by Curtain L"cturc—Sweet \eIL
B.h. Bolan, bv Bobadil—Precedence.
B.C. Posio. by P.-»Fitnno—r>;fPd!Mu-i'. r.
B.h- Eve Clas; (imp.), by Isinplaas^-ri;,-^ Trent
$