CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1824, 5 November 1886, Page 23

CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES.

(B? Otjb Special Sporting Corrbspondekt.)

Christchurch, November 3. The Melbourne Cup has monopolised attention this week, and no transactions of importance have been recorded. Some of our local sports, including one of the bookmakers, are fairish winners. The defeat of Trident, Trenton, and Silvermine, besides less prominent favourites, has relieved the books of a lot of dangerous double event wagers, and more business on the New Zealand Cup and Derby should take place now.

A new departure was taken at Heathcote on Monday by three of the Christchuroh bookmakers, who laid totalisator prices without limit. They did not fare very well, as all the winners were well backed, but they kept at least £500 from passing through the machines. The Lower Heathcote Racing Club will not look with much favour on the innovation.

Very few of the mounts in the Cup are settled, and will probably remain open for a day or two yet.

Wednesday evening. Many of the candidates are so backward in their training that it is difficult even yet to say what chance they may have on the day. Of these First Lord and St. Ives cannot be got fit in time, but Nelson, Pasha, Derringer, and Artillery are making rapid progress and must not be dismissed as having no chance. A fortnight ago Nelson would have been my sole selection for the Cup, but though he gallops well since the check in his work, he has only carried a light weight, and on yesterday's gallop the beautiful little Waitiri holds him safe. Tasman will run a good horse with a weight he is quite master of and will finish in the first flight, but cannot win unless it be a slow run race. Pasha is not yet fit for the distance. Derringer is a very handsome horse and gaining condition every day, but will have to improve a great deal to beat Waitiri. Lochiel has gone off a bit during the last few days, and with great regret I pass over his chance. Moana I can't stand for an event of this class. Alpine Rose goes better than he looks, and remembering his performances at Nelson last autumn when all to pieces, whereas he is now in almost perfect fettle, I estimate his prospect as very good. Ruby is very well, though not doing strong work the last day or two. He will stay the distance, but the pace will be too fast for him. Artillery on the other hand will find two miles too far for him, though for half-a-mile less he will be with the leaders. Torrent and Disowned have been advised by me all along as dangerous. Torrent was preferred both for appearance and style of going, but his temper is unsteady. Disowned is better tempered, and has done capital gallops, and he is rightly a favourite. Both aro in the pink of condition, and the selected one — which there is little doubt will be Disowned — will win the Cup, Spade Guinea, Trickster, and Quibble have not yet appeared on the Riccarton training grounds. Cremorne is a tough customer, but has not pace enough for the company, but if wet weather supervene he would be dangerous. Patrician is going capitally. His performance last midsummer showed him to be a good little 'un and he has at least an outside show. To sum up, I select the Hon. W. Robinson's selected to win, Waitiri and Alpine Rose filling the other places. In the Derby Mr Robinson's colts well meet their conqueror in Artillery, and Ruby will also finish before them. Itepo is not progressing so quickly as could be wished, or he would have been on my side.

The Welcome Stakes is a very open event, so much so that 500 to 100 is offered on the field. I prefer Kimberley, who has improved greatly since his Plumpton debut.