SPORTING NOTES FROM CANTERBURY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7356, 12 September 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

SPORTING NOTES FROM CANTERBURY

; (from ouu own ccmnESPoxDjjNT.) Christchetrch, September 8. Quite a fresh life has been instilled into our sporting community since the return of -the Canterbury contingent from their short but somewhat lively visit to Wellington on Thursday, to be present at the Exhibition meeting. :Tj> hear some of them talk it would lead yon to I infer that the Empire City had monopolised all ! their spare cash, but of that I have my gravest ] doubts, as I am informed by an outsider that there was a good deal more parting done by backers on Saturday night than on the metallicians' part. That some good business was done on coming events I am prepared to show, as some doubles that have not been as yet spoken of were laid, and at good prices too. For an instance, Welcome Jack has been strongly supported to win the Metropolitan Handicap, and his name, coupled'with that of Trenton, for, the Melbourne Cup, has been pencilled for a good round sum with one bookmaker here at 1000 to 5. He has also been coupled with Commotion and Coronet at the same price, and at longer odds with any of the Hon. W. Robinson's team. There may be a certain amonnt of clumsiness .about this backing our own horses, but with the exception of the two C.'s abovementioned, nothing is supported here at • the same price for the Melbourne Cup, and people would as soon think of committing an act of treason as of backing any other horse than .Welcome, Jack for the Metropolitan. It is tlie general opinion that he is fit for it, and will win it, and these opinions were confirmed by information derived from Mr J. Pilbrow himself, who is said to have stated to a sporting scribe the other day that tho old horse was " never better in his life, and is going well." There is still another string added to the bow of the bookmakers through their visit North —viz., the Napier meeting in which several of the horses engaged at Island Bay on Saturday are expected to put in an appearance. Books thus opened on this event are giving 100 to 8 on the two Pearls, that is for the Flying and Spring Handicaps ; while 100 to 6 is taken on The Bard and Pearl, on the two Pashas, the two Ascots, and the two Speculations. Several wagers at these prices were booked during the Wellington visit, and doubtless there will be as much on tho metallicians' books by the beginning of October as to warrant a general holiday trip to the charming- neighbourhood of Hawke's Bay.

'• I am told cm good authority that July has at last been supported by his owner (who I believe to be a Mr Talbot, of this city) for several hundreds at 100 to 10 to win the New Zealand Cup, and all I know at present is that this price has been laid about him, evidently a commission by someone on behalf df bis owner. This being the case, his chance of going to Melbourne this season is small; and as the time is getting close, there is no doubt that if going, he should " not hesitate in going, but go at once." : ■ . ■ You have already been advised of Mr D. O'Brien's intention to go to Melbourne via Sydney. His reasons for so doing are that the weather, and consequently passage, are expected to be better and shorter by sea by the Northern route, and the Haui-oto, being specially fitted up for horse accommodation, offers greater facilities than the regular passenger ■ boats. Besides, the horse will be in company of other horses, which would hardly have been the case via the Bluff. . . ■ .

Wapiti was raised a point in the market this week. His price is now 100 to 8, and he was backed to win £1000 at that price in Wellington. I learn that Necklace came in for a share of support up there, but not above the quoted price. Nordenfeldt and Thunderbolt for the Melbourne Derby, with Oudeis or Trenton for the Cup, have been much sought after, but the books are pretty well full up of these goods. No one seems pleased with the Geraldine weights as declared. I often think if a handicapper were allowed to publish test weights say one week,—then read the comments on them, and subsequently publish the corrector amended one, he might give satisfaction. Mr M'Kenzie, according to some would-be authorities, ought to do this with his latest produc-' tion. But I presume he will not; hence there are so many scratchings, the latest of which is Lochiel. Ike stays in, though, and his jjrice has now hardened in consequence, though there is little or no straight-out betting on these events as yet. A few doubles have been taken, but nothing of any consequence has been done. A great number of: sporting friends are just now inquiring kindly after l: Warrior's " health, and he may rest assured that, though unknown to them personally, he is well and favourably thought of here, and the absence of his letters from the columns of the Witness and Daily Times is commented upon sympathisiugly.