TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1903, Page 8

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday

The acceptances and general entries received on Friday for the Canterbury .lockey Club's Grand National Meeting will go a long way towards assuring the success of the meeting. The field for the Grand National bteeplechase will probably be still further reduced before the day of the race, but a reduction of a substantial nature will still leave material for a most Interesting race. Of the local horses Social Pest's withdrawal was brought about oy his breakdown and probably precedes iiis final farewell to the turf. Zither, although he has accepted, is so lame that his apnearance at the post Is problematical. He was all right as late as yesterday (Monday) morning, but after schooling work in company with llowlock lie pulled up very unsound. Kowlock is in capital fettle, and if be survives the next ten days may be trusted to give a good account of himself. Sultana has been tightened up by his Wellington trip, and is sure to redeem his utter failure at the Hutt; but whether he will go as far as to win is another matter. Of the visitors, Haydn, Straybird, Hurricane, and Plpi have put in an appearance. The first-named looks in fair condition, and Stray bird Iβ fitter than when last at Riccarton. Hurricane and Pipi also afford no reasons for complaints upon the score of condition. Of the Grand National Hurdle Race enndldates, Huku, Khaki, Zealous, Katherine Gordon, Slow Tom, and Wet Blanket are

locally trained, while Battleaxa, Haydn, Tradewind, Comfort,' Tupara, aud Southerly Buster, all outsiders, are on the ground. None of the local horses except Slow Tom promise to be dangerous, although Zealous is taking to the jumping business most kindly and may possibly run forward. Most of tbe visitors look well, Battleaxe especially so. Of those who have not arrived yet, I hear good accounts of Awahuri. His connections are said to fancy him Xor the Steeplechase, but I should be inclined to think, if schooling over fences has % not impaired his brilliancy over the small fences, that he will show his best form in the Hurdle Race. Of the large field remaining ia the Winter Cup, Ostiak, Scylla, Shrapnel Shell, and Vladimir find most favour here. The betting market is brisi.. Sultana, Haydn, and Hurricane are sought after for the* Steeplechase, coupled with Battleaxe, Haydn, and Slow Tom in the Hurdle Race. The following business has been done locally:—Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdles: 1200 to 18 against Jack o' Lantern and Battleaxe, 1100 to 20 agaimt Sultana and Slow Tom, 10U0 to 30 against Haydn and Waiwera, 800 to 16 against Awahuri aud Comfort, 750 to 20 against Haydn and Comfort, 600 to 6 against Rowloeii and Catherine Gordon, GOO to 4 against Hurricane and Hags, GOO to 12 against Awahuri nnd Waiwera, 600 to 15 against Haydn and Merry Boy, 500 to 5 against Stray bird and Khaki, 500 to 25 against Haydn and Haydn, 500 to 10 against Nor'-west and Trade wind, 500 to 10 against Haydn aud Khaki, 500 to 7i against Hurricane and Slow Tom, 600 to 10 against Hipstone and Battleaxe, 400 to 6 against Pipi and Battleaxe, 400 to 11 against Haydn and Slow Tom, 400 to 20 against Haydn and Tradewind, 300 to 15 against Haydn and Battleaxe. The only feature of the New Zealand Cup betting has been the backing of Achilles and Roseal, both of which have been supported for small sums. Wairiki and Halberdier are expected here shortly to finish their preparations at the scene of the l&i-e. The weather cleared on Saturday, and is fine at the time of writing. By to-morrow the T.vacks ousht to be in capital order. A-s I stated in my last despatch, Cruciform and Orloff will leave for Sydney on Friday. They will go in charge of Mason, and will be accompanied by Jones, the stable horseman, who will ride both horses In their respective engagements. The "luck of the game" has been still further exemplified during the past few daj'S. Mr J. A. Reid's cup, which was already nearly full owing to nig recent losses lit horseflesh, was filled to the brim on Sunday night by his Australian-bred mare Novice slipping twins to Stepniak. The mare is still alive, for which piece of good fortune l.ci owner no doubt feels profoundly grateful. Mr Stead has also had a further piece of bad-luck. ITavinc lost leh Dion, Corolla, and several fools during the pn3t few months, he must now needs lose Ms young Austra-lian-bred mare Farewell IT. The daughter of Bill of I'ortlnnd and MeloiJir.us, who was in foal to Multiform, died a few days ngo : from an internal trouble. Reports from Wingatui continue to tell of desolated tracks and idle horses. The brother to Survivor, in HcGuinness' stable, is said to be a well furnished levgl made youngster. lie is a light bay In colour. Beauclerc has resumed work at the For* i bury.