CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Br M. Qctao.

I hear very good accounts of Double Event. This horse ia engaged at South Canterbury this week.

The boisterous weather of a week ago has been followed by delightful spring sunshine, which has dried the tracks splendidly, and allowed trainers to send their animals along. Horses with early spring engagements are being given good strong work. Quiltiri is showing decent track form, and ■if he do«s not win at Timaru he will go Tery near it. Vanguard has arrived at Riccarton, He has been promised a good season. The horse is looking particularly -well. It is a pity there are not more Traducer sires in the colony.. No Wonder has been sold by Mr P. Butler to a Native sportsman in the Wellington district. This leaves the genial Irishman without a horse. However, I hope that ere long we shall again jsee tha green and white hoops carried to the front. Patsy has had many ups and downs duiing the yeara he has been connected with racing, but no matter what misfortunes befell him he always came up smiling, and I shall be greatly mistaken if he does not again occupy a prominent position. Nothing would give the sport-loving part of the comiu unity more pleasure than to see Butler the p assessor of another Manton or Titbit. At the first meeting of the newly-formed South Island Trotting Association there were present : — Mr O 8. Howell (in the chair), Messrs F. Fuchs (Southland), J. Chadwlck (Nelson), D. M'Lean (A«hburton), J. M'Mara (Timaru), W. Rollitt (Lancaster Park), J. A. Casßidy (Greymouth), T. Marr (New 8.-igaton), F. J. Beverley (Plumpton), L. Matson (Canterbury Trotting Club). The following officers were elected :~President and secretary, Mr Rollifct ; vice-president, Mr D. M'Lean ; treasurer, Mr T. Man- ; auditor, Mr J. Way. Ihe programmes of the Timaru, Plumpton Park, and Lancaster Park Trotting Clubs were passed, and it waa agre3d to grant an application of the Waikari Sports Association to include two trots on its programme. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr 0. S. Howell for his past services to the old association, and that gentleman was highly 'complimented on handing over the balance sheet of that association, which showed a credit balance of £35 7s lid.

Mr Mace tells me that Brown Duchess has foaled v, filly to Brookholm, Waikari a colt to Electioneer, and a anare by Cycle a filly to Mambrino Abdallah.

Mr Mace's maies— Paella, full sister to Fritz's dam, and Watlass, dam of Brooklyn— both missed last year. This is a serious loss to the New Brighton atudmaster, as the two animals ara the best brood mares he possenses. Some of our trotting men seem 'to bo very anxious to back something against Brookkn, but whether tbey will succeed is questionable. A challenge was thrown out on Saturday on behalf of General Tracey. There is not much in private matches anyhow, but if Brooklyn and General Tracey met in a contest of one, two, and three miles it would not be much dead meat for General Txacey, -at some •people imagine— that is, judging by what I have seen both horses do.

I mentioned some time ago that the new owner of the Middlepark estate intended laying down a half-mile track for the convenience of those who found it difficult to obtain decent training ground in a central locality. This work has now been taken in hand, and from what I hear it is intended to form a really good course. Lord Zetland asd Maxinius are almost sure to go to Timarn, but I should not be surprised if Chaos -did not put in an appearance. After Lord Rosslyn's display on Saturday one or two backers who had supported the colt for the New Zsalanu Cup were aoxious to unload some of the money at almost any price. Still, there is a fair amount of time yet between this and Cup Day. to allow of the colt making an improvement. Captive's performance on Saturday has not impressed sporting men as to that horse's chance in the big two-mile handicap. Salvo Shot is doing really good work, and is almost sure to pick up a stake at Tixuaru. He has never looked or shaped better than now. Plotter is considered to have a big chance in the Timaru Cup. but many are now transferring their allegiance to Hippomenes. Consequent on the good reports as to Bellicent, her stable mate Epaulet has gone back a few points in the betting. However, fair prices are still obtainable about Mr Stead's pair. Euroclydon is the local favourite for the NewZealand Cup, although there is not much to choose between this animal and Fabulist, bo far as prices are concerned.

It is not intended to put Lady Zetland to the horse this season. The little mare, as she is usually described, though I scarcely know why, is looking remarkably well. Adulation has foaled a colt to St. George, Iris a filly to Medallion.

Culverin js moving nicely in her work, and seems to be in flue condition consideiing how short a time she has been up. Tho St. Leger youngster in Luntfs charge is a fine-looking animal, and exhibits a taking style when cantering. The South. Canterbury stewards have determined not to allow bookmakers on their course. I wonder whether this decision will be adhered to, or whether it it the same old gag. I notice that a lot of the climbs advertise in just the satne old -way, but the bookmakers get there just the same. Mr C. O'Connor has accepted the position of starter at the North Otago Club's Spring meeting. O'Connor is one of the best starters we have.

Marion has been sent on a visit to Dreadnought. Mainstay is still eating training oats. Whether ho will ever repay his mentors I doubt very much. He shapes very well occasionally —in private, — but has never gaiioped so well in public. He ought to look well in a cab. Albaugh has been entrusted with the education of two trotting fillies, the property of Mr W. Boag. One is Probity Wilkes, sistsr to Honest Wilkes, and the other is by Red Wind— X. K w Zola ia shaping fairly well. If anybody can make a good jumper of her Stewart can. Roxebud has foaled to Artillery. Ich Dien has been sent to St Leger. It is rumoured that Bluefire will visit Vanguard, but I understand that this speedy mare will not be put to the horse this season. Epaulet is making many friends. This colt is galloping at nicely as anything at Riccarton, stretching himself out in fine atvle. Uniform is also In good heart, and has a particularly attractive style when going at top. Whim and Charity will visit Vanguard. At the -meeting of the South Island Trotting Association st w»f decided that the rules adopted Aid not contemplate the tiding or driving of ladies, This question has often cropped up during trotting discussions, and although it might be objectionable for ladies to ride in trotting races, I am not at all sure it is quite fair to debar the supposed weaker sex to drive. I am perfectly certain, however, tbatMiss Button, the only lady driver I kaow, could give points to many of the men who are allowed to get Into a sulky at some of our meetings. Ido not desire to advocate that ladies should be permitted to drive, but it would be Interesting to know why they have been barred. * Although some of the delegates prcjant at the zaeetina at &4 South lelattd. iKroUia* Awa:

elation are well acquainted with all matters con. nected with the sport, and who are probably as able to give a correct decision as any men in tho oolony, I fancy there might be tome advan* tageom alterations in the composition of th« association. I have no doubt that all will do their pest to benefit trotting • butlmu&t submit that in my opinion some of the delegates have" been appointed rather for their booU\ quaUJ tie 8 than for the quality of their trottinrf knowludge. To ba a success and to command tha respect of trotting men the association should da ence to justify their selection ; but x> entirely fail to see what qualifications, from a trotting point of view, some of the delegates possess. As well an. point a bricklayer to take chatsa of a watoh arid clock manufactory as ssleot mdivida«is to fill positiona the rudiments Of which they scarcely undcratand, • There waa a fair amount of local wagering over your recent meetinj. Captive was selected by" many punters as a really good thing lor th« Kensington Handicap, and his defaal coupled with Van Buretfs downfall, did not tend to phase backers. Littlo Pet, too, carried a lot of Canterbury bullion, with the usual result ; and Lady Soranos failed to recoup tbe previous losses. heart and as big as a bullock. By the way, when this horse went to Auckland northern Bcribei ' described him .as far too fat' to succewfally negotiate the Auckland country. His trains* tella me that instead of being too bif he would have been better pleased to have seen the horsa A great deal heavier, as Barnardo will not show his best form unless he is in what api>ea»i too robust condition. Magazine is looking well after Mb slight cessation from active work.' If this son of St. dkorco trains on all right he will frighten a good many hurdlehone owners, or I am aadly miitaken. It wUI take aome time to make, me forget what an exhibition he made of his opponents in the Final Hurdle Race. m Outts has had the bad luck to lose a foial by Lakeshell, out of a mare he used to drive in hio bugfjy. It is all the moTe uaforiunate owing to the fact that although the mtoe had been put •to the horse «evaf al times it was the first time sha had proved to be in foal. i ' I have not seen Gillie for some time, but his trainer tells me the horse is doing well, and also that the other members of his string are as well as lie can expect. Prohibitionists are taking an active part in incst things nowadays, even to the rechrlstening of pub'icfaibuses and racehorses. There It one hoatslry in Christohurch which is famHiarly known as " Taylor's Mistake," and now H. .Piper is credited with expressing the opinion that it would not bo a bad idea to .. change Tippler toTommy Taylor. It seems just a little bit peculiar that one of •- the reasons advanced for publishing the Otago Cup weightß so early should be that it would give owners an" opportunity of tacking their horeeß with the bookmakers, white* at the same time lacing officials are attempting to throw obstacles in the bookmakers' way, co that they 8B&11 not bet. 'Tia a funny world ! It is again reported that Wakawatea is coming ' to Kiccarton in a few weeks' time.