CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2082, 18 January 1894, Page 30

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Rata.

Pretty well all Riecarton journeyed to llororala on Friday, and it was a pleasant day's outing. Mr Cutts officiated as starter, and did not escape without the evincement of a little bit of public feeling against one of his decisions. Persuasion just managed to get homo in front of Flinders in the New Year's Gift Handicap, and that did not suit a certain section — mostly layers, I understand—and the master of Chokebore Lodge had matters made a bit warm for him for a minute or two. I have frequently heard Cutts criticise close finishes adversely, and I think the llororata episode has opened his eyes a bit. lie says :— " If I had not been judging I would hardly have believed the difference an angle makes." Persuasion got home by what is said to bo a nose, but Cutts tells me she was a good half head in front, and that verdict can, I think, be taken for authentic. Cutts has got a good eye, and when in the judge's box at llororata I would back his judgment against that of anybody. I have frequently written, too, in respect of judging races, that betting rules public opinion in close finishes, and I am not at all sorry about the llororata business for the simple reason that I have heard Cutts discrediting a judge's verdict before to day, and he now admits openly that before he judged at Hororata he was unaware of the difference a " little bit of angle " will make. Lady Zetland did not meet Vogengang in the Hororata Cup, for the reason, it is supposed, that her owner thinks she has a big show elsewhere, and that Palliser had b°en s>o highly tried that it was thought he could not be beaten by Vogengang I hear that Palliser was backed to win £800 in the Hororata Cup, and that says a bit for the present state of betting in these parts. I am pretty authentically informed about the £800, too.

Sheenan seems perfectly satisfied with Vogengang's performance at llororata, and that horse will rarry a lot of Riecarton money at Wellington on Monday. Writing about VoseuKang a few weeks since I offended Sheenan, though I siid nothing very much against the hnrsc. For that small offence I therefore trust Vogengang will get first past the post in the Wellington Cup. I know as well as Sheenan does himself that Vogengang has not been really well since be was a two-year-old_, and now he is commencing to put a bit of condition on he may show some of hiq early brilliancy ere the present season clones. A lot of Iticcarton people will go to Wellington, and it is expected that a good bit of the Wellington prize money will be brought south. Expectations are not always fulfilled in racing matters, however.

Bobby Ray lost My Jack in the llororata Cup, and hurt his own foot very badly, too. My Jack got spiked, and had to be destroyed. His loss is quite up to £300. Bobby was offered 300gs for him in Dunedin, I believe. He was woith every penny of that money, too.

Though Cutts was not dissatisfied with the weight apportioned Lakesbell in the AVtllington Cup he scratched him a week ago, and that scratching was never made public. Clarence won the Bangor Plate at Hororata, and Tommy Stewart intends taking him to AVellington. AVith no more than 11.1 on his bark he will go very near winning the IlurJle Race on Monday.

Clanranald was given a gro-J gallop this morning over a mile and a-h.tlf, and there is no getting away from tbe fact that be is very well. He was brought home over the last mile by Awarua Rose and lie, too, is going well. Cutts is going to take him to Wellington, and I fancy he will run well in the Welter Handicap. So far as I can discover at present, Chokebore Lodge will send Johnny Faa, Awarua Rose and King AVai to AVullirißton. Tommy Stewart will take up Clarence. Limn will depart to morrow with Clanranald and Persuasion, and Butk-r will be represented at the Parliament City ji eotin" by Liberator .Vogengang will be Shctnan's rcpic" .sentative, and he will go very m-ar winning the Cup. Butler is not satisfied with the weight Liberator

has got in the Anniversary Handicap at Wellington, but he says he thinks he will take him up all the same. Liberator has got a nasty habit of hitting his near hock, but Butler is contemplating some treatment for that.

Lunn tells me that Persuasion is likely to accompany Clanranald to Wellington, and I fancy she will be worth backing up there. Just at present she is in about as good nick as she has been for some time. Having her covered has done her a lot of good for racing. Johnny Faa, Awarua Rose, and King Wai will go to Wellington from Chokebore Lodge, and the Dunedin horse is not likely to return home without netting a stake or two. He has improved considerably since he came to Chokebore Lodge. I fancy Mr Smith is a bit confident of his Wellington prospects.

Justice is being pushed along in view of the Dunedin meeting, and she will strip in perfect condition at the Forbury should she go on as she is doing now.

Artillcur, in Mr Murray-Aynsley's stable, is an improving colt, and he will be seen in public for the first time in the Champagne Stakes at Dunedin. He looks like a speedy colt, but in point of conformation he is a bib too much on the leg and a bit too short in the barrel. He reminds me greatly of Engagement. As a yearling he did not look anything as leggy as he does now. Regarding the Dunedin Cup and Publicans' Handicap, professional racing people here are pretty unanimous in the opinion that Mr Dowse has done his work well.

The weather here is something terrible at present ; the heat is unbearable.

Dunoon hurt her shoulder at Hororata, but I believe there is not very much wrong with her.