CANTERBURY CHAT

NZ Truth, Issue 602, 30 December 1916, Page 10

CANTERBURY CHAT

(By "The Looker- On.") Riccarton trained horses are at present scattered all over the Dominion, consequently training operations are very quiet at headquarters. Nones, who was lame after working a -week or so back, has been sent to her owners station for a good rest. Fetruchio has a doubtful looking front leg, and It is any odds that it will not stand up to the strain of carrying his big weight. A number of local punters who had supported Adjutant for the Otago Handicap, got a shock when : they learned that he had not been accepted for. On form, the Martian hoTse looks as if a shorter distance than twelve furlongs might suit him. Leading Lady wai schooled over the hurdles a few days ago. She shaped fairly well, but has a lot to learn about the jumping game. Kilmeny has been standing up to his work fairly well, but he iSvJfar from being the good horse he oneo was. ■ . j Ogier has got over the lameness which was troubling him. If m tho mood the gelding should win a race before the holiday meetings are over. Pyjama has been kept up to the collar lately, but his throat trouble 1h getting worse, and climatic conditions have to be just right before he ■ can do his ' best. Glendower, who once gave promise of being a useful galloper, has been a long time m winning a race. He should score before coming home if ho is ever going to do it. Kiljoy looks as if he wifl help to pay the stable bills during the autumn. This is a very nice galloper. Fiery Cross had a long BpoJI after the New Zealand Cup meeting, but is m steady work again. He went to pieces during Cup week, but is looking big and fresh again. Bonsign is doing well . at his birthplace, ..and on present form she will win a decent stake for her ' owner before the season ends. F. D. Jones is having plenty of trouble with Kllrea. She Is a very wayward miss and. always gives a lot of trouble before doing her work. Snub has been doing all his work with a heavy bandage on m front. On one or two occasions he looked to be sore after working, and it would not cause any surprise if he had a short spell after his Southland trip. Wardancer was responsible for some good work before he went south, and he should get some cash during tho trip. Marg-arene might have raced m the Otago Handicap Jf her- trainer could have got a good light boy to ride her. On track form Derrett's mare should win a race or two m the south. Findhorn has shown his best public form. His wind infirmity gets worse every week, and even if he is operated on It is doubtful whether he will ever again be t a good class sprinter. Sir Tarka was looking well, and showing good work before Scoullar took him south, but he has done the same thing before, and then failed to deliver the goods. In glancing ovex the nominations for the race meetings down south, the names of Riccarton rejects are very numerous. War Hawk looks to be an Improving gelding. Ho will not need much luck to pay his way during the Autumn meetings. Winter Cherry did a fair amount of work before going* to Wingatui. She is not nearly at her best yet and it will take some racing before she gets .properly Glen Helen is not nearly us good a Rlly now aa she was at the last Wellington meeting. She seems to have gone sour on galloping. Matty has Improved on her racing form at Methven. She may not get out of the burrior well until after a race or two, but when away this "flHy gallops fast. Local punters supported Golden Prince solidly for tho Foderal Handicap at Wingatui. It was the best class field which tho Menschikon* gelding had ever been askod to meet. Battle J-'ve In down so low In thd weights now that It is only v matter of things being to hla liking and he will make short work of the lot opposed to him. There Is no doubt about his speed. Sir Malt had a bl# weight to carry at Dunedin. Ho will find the lot opposed to him In the President's Handicap at Wyndham much easier to handle with over two stone off hla back. Bomb does not run hi* «allops out well when hustled over tho first couple of furlongs. If steadied m the early stages of his tasks, it Is different. Red Shield does not like the hard going. With tho sting out of tho ground she can be depended upon to run a solid race. R. Longley has U>ve Tykvn looking particularly well, but she Jb not n»Ho Measoned enough yet to .show her best form. A win for Comely was very much expected while down south. She had been responsible for some very attractive work during the lo»t u-\v weeks. Bellshlro is a generally Improved folding. Last season hv wont t<> pleor-K, but ho has come solid again, and with fair luck la sure to win good money during the stanon. Daytime and Hcnrk'ttv have boon paid up for at tho Wyndham inet'tlnij. so A, McAuluy must be 1 laklnjj th* pair south. Daytime has never won j anything -over el«hi furlonijs, and it; lf< problematical if he will set? out ten furlong with such a solid galloper as Gunrcflt. Bee haw not been asked to <lo much solid work so far. She looks bright, but is not as bl« nnd lumy om at this ilmo Injft twaayn when «h£ **« K«*llopinir great K«ns. 1 Srotillnr luul A«eftl;»j>ho« «:il!"pSnj,: 1 well bffortj going jiuuih. Tho Mnrthin Kclditijj wa-s «?»f«-red for the f?u|t at tho lnv<«rcArKHl rn«<<ting« but It i» 1 vory- doubtful if the b;*y will »v? g«t the mil* and u»quarter.

Zuland has grown into a goodlooking gelding. He is a bit calfkneed, but it does not spoil his action. Disdainful is being kept to steady pacing. George Murray Aynsley has a much weaker team this season than he has had for years, and he cannot afford to lose the services of such a brilliant filly. Countess Tolstoi has been sent by her owner to Boniform. She is a well-bred mare and one that should leave good stock.