CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 33

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Bt M. Quad.

Gillie has apparently thrown off a lot of hia leg ailment, and is galloping and jumping as well as ever. In an account of a vi&it to Mr Mace'a establishment, which appeared a fortnight ago, it was stated that Alerton and Bonnie M'Gregor were by Berlin. They are both by Berlin Abdallah'. Barnardo is going a3 well as anything at Riccarton. He shows no sign of soreness, and is jumping in a most proficient style. His stable companion, Kulnine, is also in great buckle. The work ia being slipped into him, and Caprice's son will be ready for the fray at National time. W. Milne, who recently returned from Sydney, and has until this week been stopping with his brother at New Brighton, informs me that he has two horses in his care— viz., Boneen, by Fleur de Lys, and a gelding by Apremout out of Gilda. Boneen is well known in the North Canterbury district. He is a fine jumper, but is not one of the best of stayers. Chatting with W. Milne on the subject of oldtime racing, old Rocket's name cropped up. Sportsmen will recollect this chestnut gelding pretty well. Milne tells me that he believes Rocket was as f*st as anything in the colony at that time up to, say, five furlongs, and that the old hone usually won a six-furlongs or mile race in the first half mile. I well recollect the event Rooket won at Dunedin, when Derringer and Molly Bawn were the picks. The latter, as usual,

jumped ftway with the leßd, and tho only on« seemingly attempting to catch her was Rocket. These two mace the pace so warm over the first half mile that they had all the others dead to tho world, Rocket finally outstaying the mare, and paying something like £18. Rocket was owned at that time by a real good sportsman, who raced under the norn de course of Mr Hammond. Milna also informed me that Rocket did very little on - the other side, never winning a race. The-nominations for tho Now Brighton Trottin» meoting, which were received on Saturday night, arc fairly good. There are 18 in the Pony llarneia Handicap, two miles ; 16 in the Maiden Harneaa Handicap, one mile ; 10 in the Winter Saddla Handicap, two miles ; four in the Selling Harnesß Handicap, one mile; 17 in the New Brighton Harness Handicap, two miles ; 27 in the Electrio Saddle Hindicap, one mile; and-15 in the Dash Harness Handicap, one mile. Culverin's trainor will, in all probability, ramove hi 3 horses from Yaldhurat to Middle lark. The new stand is now almost completed. Whilst thinning out the plantation nt Riccarton last week eeveral souvenirs of the lightfingerad class, in the shape of empty purses, were found there. Evidently Riccarton has proved a good claim for the gentlemen who put the rula over the visitors.

The brood mares Quickstep, Fleurange, and Miss George have been t»ken to their owners. Mr R. Allen has named his St. Letter—Valentine colt St. Mellon, and his filly by Cuiiossier— Ouida is called Chiara.

At a meeting of the Geraldina Trotting Club on Wednesday the Sultan-Moody case was discussed, and after a long and stormy meeting it was resolved -"That Messrs Hammond, Voyce, ' Rae, and Bull and the Lorue Sultan be disqualified for life."

In Mr Sandstein'a window is to be scan a particularly handsome bracelet, which is to bo presented to the winner of the Bracelet at the Hunt Club meeting. The bracelet is in the latest '■ de>igu, and is of 18-carat gold in knife-edpa. pattern. It*has an overlapping centre, which' consists of three largs diamonds, surmounted by ' a number of brilliants and two sapphires, tho whole being held together by pearl scrolls on • either side. The caretaker at Riccarton was obliged to shut up the training tracks during last week owing to the wet. This it a bit rough on trainer?, and I hope that ere long a good winter track will bo available.

- Mainstay is jumping nicely, and in a go with his stable mate, Kulnine, shaped well. I notice that the chairman of the South Canter* bury Club suggested that it would be as well if all riders of trotters at their meetings were to appear in propar vi iform. There is another thins I think it would be as well to stop, and that is the habit of going out to ride smoking a pipe or cigarette.

Liberator Appeal's to be going as well as he ever did, and does not show any sign of soreness. Mr Oassidy has disposed of Flying Artillery. Mr Cassidy could scarcely be sorry to get rid of him.

Mona continues to do good work, and has improved a good deal in her jumping. Lakeshell aud Starshot are not doing much more than walking exercise. Vugengang and Bogengang are both very well. Magazine, Elle^rnere, and To Kootl are jumping fairly well.

In looking over the Horse Review I notice that a well-known authority on the subject, Mr C. W. Williams, states that he has proved that a stalliou out of training sires better stock than one ' doing any sort of work. " All the vitality of the horse," iaya Mr Williams, "is lost when he ia,' keyed up ; much of it is lost evon when ho is giv«n hardening drivfs on the. road." The "Re"--view goes on to say that although ICr Williams does uot claim to have made a discovery, yet hehas demonstrated that a sire cannot be a great ■ racehorse and a great sire all 'in one year.. This - opinion should be remembered by .N ew Zealand • breeders. " .'••--.% The same journal states that Frank Starr, formerly Budd Doble's assistant, is to leave shortly ' for Russia, where he will train for a Russia* ' breeder.