CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 31

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Rata.

It U singular that the imposts for the New Zenl.ind Cup are advertised to appear 10 days bet'oro these of the Grand National. My own mr prossion is that the C..T.C. could make a popular alteration in that respect. While the Grand National weights come out on July 11 and the acceptances on July 20 for a race to be run on August 9, the New Zealand Cup weights come out on July 1 for a race to be run in November. I fancy therefore that a big improvement could easily be made in regard to the declaration of Grand National and New Zealand Cup weights. Amongst a certain class of the sporting community the Grand National is a far more popular race than the New Zealand Cup, and I know for a fact that ante-post betting, as it at present exist 3, opens earlier on the National than the New Zealand Cup. From what I can learn, an earlier declaration of Grand National weights wo\ild suit the public. As to the New Zealand Cup, as was generally expected Merganser has a stone the worst of the weights. It is thought the handicap is a very good production, Hmt nodoubt Merganser has materially assisted the 8.0 division. Yon cannot take much notice of that, however ; a horse in that section may win, and win easily, but there may be something lower down in the list good enough to stretch the necks of everything above 8.0. Merganser has certainly proved herself to be a wonderfully good mare on the Riccavton course, and she cannot possibly be said to be badly handicapped at 9.8. One thing is that the spring is a bad time for mares to be depended upon ; but fit, well, and " cool " at the post, Merganser will have a, lot of followers for tlie New Zealand Cup of '94.

Merganser is followed by Prime Warden 8.8, but I do not think he can win. He is too much in the sere and yellow, and even at his best I do not think he could win the New Zealand Cup of '94 under that weight. Prime Warden is a horse I never thought so much of as some other people have done. My opinion is that he never knew how to gallop as fast as Sultau could (immaterial of official time), and Sultan was no great wonder, though he did win the Dunedin Cup. He was merely a fair handicap horse. Au Revoir 8.6 is next to Prime Warden in the list of the New Zealand Cup candidates, and undoubtedly he is very well handicapped. Of the more heavily-weighted lot he is the pick, I think. At Riccarton Au Revoir is held in very high respect. Au Revoir never looked better in his life than he does now, and most certainly he is one of these horses that have in the past improved with mature age, and who will in the future in all probability improve further. These horses who go on improving after their three-year-old season are usually most dangerous customers in handicap company. Liberator 8.4 follows, and some Riccartonians think he will make matters "hum" a bit before the New Zealand Cup is all over, but I fancy if Butler wins that big handicap he will do so by the aid of Au JJevoir. I do not know much about Hippomenes 8.4, but from what I have seen of him I doubt his ability to win. Rosefeldt won lost season, but at 8.3 I do not fancy her. Clanranald, at the same weight, is a beautiful horse, and should he stand a thorough preparation — which some people doubt — he will run well. At present lie does not seem to be much fancied at Riccarton, Of skirmisher 8.3 and Saracen 8.2 I know nothing, and I have not heard their prospects discussed ; but Rangipuhi 8.0 is most favourably thought of here. Pegasus and Vogengang are on the same mark at 7.13, and neither is badly handicapped, but I should take Vogengaug to boat Pegasus. Vogengang may run a very good race. Lady Zetland is weighted at 7.12, and Beadonwell at lib lower, and of the pair I prefer Beadonwell. I know nothing of Impulse 7.9, and on form I would take Lottie 7.8 to beat him. Ich Dien 7.8 has about 81b more than I expected her to receive, but should she stand up at her work she may win all the same. I only heard recently that she was going very well in her fallops, though a suspicion obtains in respect of er standing. Lakeshell and Magazine, both on the 7.3 mark, are well in. Magazine may prove the better of the pair, but something of his form will bo seen at the National meeting. Artilleur 7.2 mu3t have a chance ; he is a better horse than most Riccartonians give him credit for. A bit leggy certainly, but very fast, and apparently a stayer. I should say that Casket 7.2 has a very good show, and below the 7.0 division Pompom 6.13 is well in.

Golden Fleece 6.12 is a very fast little mare, but I should be inclined to take Hybrid at the same weight to beat her. Should Hybrid train on he will run well.

Barmsby and Loveshot are on the 6.11 mark, and of the pair I prefer the latter. If Loveshot stands a preparation he will be a brilliant three-year-old in the spring.

Salvo may be a fairly good horse, but he has a bit of lumber on him yet, and at present he does not look like .1 New Zealand Cup winner. Of the horses I know lower down in the list I like King Wai best, but to take three against the field, I will go for Au Revoir, Pompom, and Loveshot.

Norton's performance at Hawke's Bay 011 Thursday was very unsatisfactory, but Kulnine was not expected to run much better than he did. No doubt the going had something to do with Norton's bad display, and better things may be expected of him next month. Erin-go-Bragh and Magazine are being schooled pretty regularly, Magazine over the hurdles ami ' Erin " over the fences. This morning the old grey baulked once or twice at the sod wall, but eventually he jumped it beautifully, and afterwards jumped some of the biggish schooling fences. Erin-go-Bragh may pay his way over country as well as he has done Over sticks and on the flat.

Mr O'Biien has sent a really good-looking three-year-old colt across from Australia, but it is not known here at present how he is bred. He is a big, brown horse with white hind feet, and if looks go for anything he ought to race well. In point of conformation he resembles Ultimatum. Sheenan brings out a chestnut filly by Master George — Psyche of an afternoon. She is not very big, but she is fairly well put together, and she may prove fast.