INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13286, 19 September 1906, Page 4

INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

[BI TELEGBArH.— OWN COBKESPOXDEXXS.] ..• ■ ___ :.' ;■ I' •

CANTERBURY. Tuesday. Eight New Zealand Cup candidates wore among the competitors; at Asbburton,, and, whatever may have been, thoughU f their chances before that meeting. !*««•« that they will now have very few button for the two-mile race. The form in the Ashburton County Cup struck me; as very poor. seeing that all the New Zealand Cup candidates'had to strike their co ours to Sir Percivale over a mile and three^furlo ng», a distance that was well calculated to provide a decent Cup trial. . Makaroff, who finished fourth, was carrying, a big weight, but his performance was not impressive, ami he will have to show 'something better tnaH this before he finds me favouring his IVew Zealand Cup chance. He did not run tin. journey out as well as I would have liked, but as against this it may 1* argued that the weight was telling on him, and possiblv when he drops down to 7st 21b 261 )e« than his Ashburton burden) he will give a better display. Lapland ran a decent race, finishing second, but in the New Zealand Cup he'will have to meet Maflcaroff on loiu worse terms, and this may bring them together. The disappointment of the race so far as the New Zealand Cup candidates were concerned was the three year-old Field uim. (bv Hofcchkiss—Gannet), who had been whispered about as a much-improved colt and one likelv to take high honours this *caeon. He was in a good position for seven furlongs. bukfrom that point ho was hopelessly beaten, and he finished some distance behind the leaders. Ho will have to improve considerably on this showing to he worth serious notice ill any decent nice-. Three other New Zealand Cup candidates, in Blythemaid, Tsitsihar, and Royal Crown, took part in the Ashburton Cup, but their form was so moderate that they can be safely left alone so far as the big Riccartou race is concerned. Another aspirant for Cup honours competing at the meeting in Zetland was badly "beaten twice at bis own game (sprinting), and he need not. be further considered. I cannot quite understand how he ever had his engagement continued, as staying has never been his strong point. The remaining Cup candidate was Czarevna, who finished fourth in'the six-furlong race. As usual she began slowly, but was running on well in the straight. This is a mare I have a slight:- regard for, though I am not- prepared to view her as a dangerous Cup candidate yet. She is, however, going on well in her training, and it is worth mentioning that she has been supported during the last few days for a good deal of money. If I had to select one from the Ashburton competitors to- play a part in the New Zealand Cup I would sooner ba,ve Czarevna than anything else. Aimee .Sou-It. who won the Trial Plate at Ashburton, is a three-year-old filly by Soult — Hotcherina. She can go fast, for a few furlongs, but that is all. The way she collapsed in a six-furlong race on the second day furnished pretty good evidence that she is never likely to stay. Mango showed good form in winning both welter races at Ashburton. He is a smart little fellow in his class, but he is not one I would recommend in decent company. Firoiron, who won the Spring Handicap at Ashburton, is a brother to Ingleneuk. who was successful in the same race last year. Firoiron is a smart colt, and though he may never be much good over a journey lie is sure to win races over short courses even in better company than he met last week.

The Stepniak mare Volodia put up a smart performance when she won the Farewell Handicap at Ashburton, as she was out in front all the way. She. can go very fast for five furlongs, but she is not partial to a much longer journey. Narcissus left on Friday to fulfil his hack steeplechase engagements at Rangitikei. 11. Cutts will-leave on Thursday for Wanganui with Sir George Clifford's trio, DeWitte, Golden Cairn, .and Blazing Star, all of whom look very well.

A rumour has reached me to the effect that Multifid is amiss. I do not, vouch for the stories, but backers might, be well advised to make inquiries before accepting further risks about the son of Multiform for the New Zealand Cup. WANGANUI. Tuesday. Mr, G. Morse's adjustments for the principal handicap events to bo decided at the approaching meeting of the nganui Jockey Club have made their appearance, and have been favourably received. The writer is inclined to the chances of Martello,. Gleam, Helen Portland, and Truce in the Spring Handicap, but if the last-uamed is reserved for the Flying Handicap the shorter distance should be more to her .liking. Romany King, E.xmoorf ..St. Lym-iead best in the Okchu Hurdlos, while the winner of the Flying should come, from Delamere, Medallist, or White Star. Some ol the horses in this event also claim engagements in the Spring Handicap. t

If reports aro true Ivarcroa should nil well at our' mooting. He is a full-brother to Gloaru, and is said to bo a very slippery customer.

If ho was the Halberdier of old tlio New Zealand Cup winner would have no difficulty in curving the 7st 81b allotted to liira iii the- Spring Handicap, but as the Cuirassier gelding is a good bit above, himself I do not expect to see him run prominently. „ Of the 19 horses engaged in the Spring Handicap hero only Halberdier, Helen Portland, and Taittoro are. trained on the local tracks. St. Lyra is the only Wanganui representative in the Okehu Hurdles, while of those engaged in the Flying Handicap Foritenoy and Tonderghio alone are trained here.

Waddy, the full-sister to Boomerang, has been left in the Auckland Guineas, but. it, has not yet been decided whether she will make the journey. The hurdle mare Matatara has been turned out for a spell. The daughter of Enchanter has not proved a gold mine at the illegitimate game.

George Laing has Westward looking pretty well at. present, .and properly placed the Sou'-wester—Coy la gelding should win a race before long. 11. Jackson's pair—St. Lyra and Helen Portland—are doing serviceable work in view of the Wanganui and other fixtures. * Flanagan, who recently changed hands, is to be raced over big country. I hear there is a possibility of the Catesbv— gelding going to the West Coast'later on iir the season.

After competing at the Rangitikei Racing Club's meeting Ballarat will be entrained to Wanganui to fulfil her engagements. According to reports it appears doubtful whether the Cold Reef marc will be seen at her best at either gathering. General Peel is one of our locally.trained horses that is showing improved form. He is a. good jumper and should score before long.

NAPIER. x . „ Tc.esdav. Needlework was over at the Napier Parktrack on Thursday morning, when he was schooled over the country. His essav was of a. meritorious order. • ' Toprose, the younger full-brother of Roseshoot, one of J. Rollo's team, is making great, headway in his studies. Another of Rollo's pupils, Twyford, a son of the defunct Douglas, is winning favour from track watchers by the good work he is doing. T. Quinlivan, jun., will not be able to accompany Mr. Watt's horses to Wanganui, as his duties at home will engross the whole of his attention at the period. Grand Slam. HiJkaroa, and Needlework have journeyed to Rangitikei, where the trio claim engagements. Mr. E. J. Watt has claimed the name of Moriarty for the two-year-old son of Merriwee and Moira.

Captain Shannon, Contender, and Silver Load, three of J. McLaughlin's team, arc acquitting themselves in a satisfactory manner in their training at Napier Park. WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Uallarat will make her-reappearance at the Rangitikci meeting. Ballarat will probabiv journey on to Wanganui, where Kohumfi and Armamcnto may also represent the iiutt stable. Frank Higgott, who usually takes up a fair team, lias engaged Petticoat, Cvrus, and Liberator (who has not vet sported silk since he came from Auckland). The Porirua stable may bo represented at Wanganui by Gold Crown, Kxmoor, Maui, and those useful hacks l'awa, Kuku, and Deyonia. Some of the Porirua second-raters will journey across to Marlborough the following week. r learn that Two Step (by Stepniak—Far Away), who realised top price at the lass hlderslie sale, will journey up to Hawko'a Bay for the- Hastings Stages, and will bo accompanied bv Fireiron, 'who showed some form at the Ashburtou meeting this week. THE TURF IN ENGLAND. NEW ZEALAND COLT FAVOURITE FOR CESAREWITCH STAKES. By Telegraph— Association.—Copyright. Loxno.v. September 17. The New Zealand-bred horse Noctuifone lias been allotted Sit 41b in the Geetuewitilr Siakc*. and he is now favourite at 100 to 12, The Australian-bred horse Great Soot figures in the Newmarket race with Bst 21b.