LATEST CANTERBURY NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 751, 23 July 1886, Page 19

LATEST CANTERBURY NEWS.

[By “Fossicker.”] Christchurch, July 20.

What a relief to the minds of many the departure of Trenton has been, to be sure. There has always been such a grave doubt as to whether he would face the starter’s flag on November 9th next, or what would become of him ; but now (as I advised you last week, unfortunately too late for the Mail), he has been bought and shipped to Melbourne, via Sydney, Mr C. J. Penfold, the secretary to the Canterbury Jockey Club, having paid the handsome price of L 2500 for him. I am not in the secret of who he has purchased him for, but it is sufficient for New Zealanders to know that he has gone to do duty for his new owner in the Melbourne Cup, which event he should hare approDriated last year had he been riddea with judgment. I hope to see the greatest son of the great Musket do yeoman service for his new owner, who could not have entrusted the commission to purchase him in better hands than he did, as the horse was shipped in excellent condition, and every possible accommodation made for his comfort on the voyage. Trenton’s leaving makes another uncertainty regarding Nelson, another probable candidate for the blue ribbon of the Southern Hemisphere ; but I am less inclined to think that he will leave our shores than ever: firstly, because his owner is absent in England, and would of necessity have a desire to superintend his departure ; and secondly, because it is known that he does not acclimatize well to the warmer climate of Victoria, and would have but a poor chance of winning there under such circumstances. I was surprised to learn the exorbitant charges made by the Union Company for the freight of such horses to Sydney from here as compared to the charges from Sydney or Melbourne this way, and wonder why the difference is made. Tbe freight for Trenton and Erin was £SO the other day, while Trenton and the colt that Mr O’Brien brought back from Melbourne last November only cost h>m £2O. This is an inconsistency not to be accounted for. . ‘ Lepping ’ ia all the rage just now, and the only betting being done is on the Grand National Steeplechase and Christchurch Hurdle Race, all the books being open on the double and not straight out. As you will be in press before the event is run it would be idle for me to discuss the merits of the respective horses; but I may say that Victor and King Arthur are, in my opinion, the most likely looking for the hurdle--, and Faugh-a-Ballagh and old Canard should fight out the big event. Tbe nominations for the Christchurch Hun Club came in fast and furious on Saturday night, and a merry time of it the jolly young secretary, Mr A. Lean, bad of it. Of course, the entries are purely local, but. it is satisfactory to notice the increase in them from former seasons, showing the interest taken, in hunting. Indeed, it is a sport that is gaining ground here very fast, and the popular resort in Christchurch for huntsmen on meeting days, viz., the Horse Bazaar, is a sight to see, the class of horses now in use being such as any nobleman in England would be proud of. The frosty weather of late has retarded training operations at Riccarton greatly, and

the work done is mostly slow and steady for the New Zealand Cup candidates, while the steeplechasers and others are mostly working in the centre of the ground. The three liorseß that hitherto hare run in the interests of the gentleman whose nom de course is Mr A. Hathorn, are to be sold, (as the advertisement says) absolutely without reserve on Friday afternoon. They comprise that game little mare Spade Guinea, by King of Clubs —Rupee, recently winner at New Brighton. Dunedin, and numerous other places ; Take Miss, by the same sire, out of Miss Flat, likewise a frequent winner, and that grand colt Archduke, by King of Clubs, j£ ar i 9r —Theresa. I learn that a pecuniary dispute has led to be Btable being broken up, and that every everything connected with it has to be sacrificed. As both of the mares are undoubtedly well in the New Zealand Cup, ar.d I look to one or other of them to come out in that event, I am in hopes that some good sportsman and careful trainer will get them, and that they will bear out my opinion of them. Had Dick Mason retained them I had no doubt whatever, as tho way he has brought them out recently has shown that he has good stuff to work upon. Captain Cotton is to conduct the sale, and he is also selling at the same time a number of high class j umpers, including the runner-up for the Wellington Steeplechase Secretary. Tim Whifflar, Madohna, and others are also m his bands for sale at tbe same time. To listen to the bookmakers one would suppose that this was the worst season they had ever experienced in their profession, as each one you ask replies that there is positively nothing doing. Under such circumstances, I presume I must pass the betting transactions in the hope of something turning up next week to record. ________