CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2215, 13 August 1896, Page 33

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By M. Qdad.

The first acceptance for the Cup shows that mo3t of the fancied animals remain in. The defections numbered 12, but nothing of note has dropped out. Armilla was perhaps the only one that had been fairly supported, very litile money being invested on Curassow or Hippodrome. lam sorry Mr Stead's colt has gone out, as he struck me as a likely animal. His withdrawal was due to the fact that his trainer found it impossible to get such a big colt ready in time.

Some of the most undesirable class of spielers are visitors to Christchurch just now. A detective informs me that the city is overrun with this parasite of racecourses, with more on the road. The police intend to do all they can to put a stop to the nefarious transaction! of the scam, and I only hope they will succeed in lodging some of them in gaol. Talk about barring the admittance of known bookmakers I It would be much more to tho purpose to try and shut out the low, sneaking, spieling "push" that now are allowed free admission to our racecourses.

The Canterbury Trotting Club decided not to allow the trotter Velvet Rose to compete at the meeting next Friday until a sworn certificate had been handed in as to its identity. Some improvements have been effected at the Show grounds, amongst them being telephonic communication from the distance posts to the judge's box and from the latter to tho totaliBtvtors. The weather during the past week has been of such a nature that trainers were able to give their charges good striding work, and full advantage wa* taken of the good going. ' There seems every prospect of the meeting being quite as successful as any of its predecessors ; indeed, the quality of the Grand National Steeplechase candidates has scarcely ever been equalled. I should think that seven or eight .will start for this race, and in all, likelihood one of Mr Douglas's horses will drop out. It is impossible to say what that one will be, a?, in reply to my inquiries, ■ I was informed that it had not yet been decided what Mr Douglas would start. It seems to be the general opinion that Donald M'Kinnon will be the Hawke s Bay spoitsman'i representative, and it has been reported that G. Hope will ride The Dauphin's son. This is only rumour, however, and I should not be surprised to lee this rider on something else. Donald has been doing good work duririg the past week, and although he does not show to so much advantage as last year's winner when jumping, he is a ino3t proficient fencer. Mutiny will run quite as well as ho did Ust year, he is looking in splendid nick, aud if the selected will take a lot of beating. Aa I tuid last week, Mutiny ii the safest conveyance of the whole field, and his splendid jumping nuut give him a chance second to none. Tintca, I fancy, will not busent. Nothing is looking or travelling better than Liberator, and I should think tho old txovte will run one of his best raceß in the Steeplechase. Still, I should like to Bee him do a little schooling occasionally, for no matter how genuine Liberator may be, if he receives scarcely any jumping previous to the meeting, it is fair to assume that there is a possibility of his tiring in the actuol laca. Certain muscles are brought Into play in jumping that are not so seriously strained when running on the flat, aud I *houid npt be a bit surprised if Liberator felt this strain more than some of his admirers imagine. However, the much-travelled must have a say in the decision of the race, a3 he was never in better health than now. Booties it a genuine jumper, if somewhat slow, and this being go he will probably be going when some of the more fancied ones have stopped. He iB doing good work. I should think Gillie, who is fencing splendidly, willh»ve had enough of it at the end of three miles, but Nat should run well. His chance is greatly fancied by those who saw him run at Wellington, but it must not be forgotten that he almost came down there, and the field was not nearly such a high-class one as he will meet now. Without fcoiujc further into the merits of the hor«e3 encaged, I must say that I fancy the winner will come from MUTINY. LIBERATOR, and NAT, and Jf I were sure Mutiny would be ridden by Hope I would take him as my selection in one. Anyway, I like this animal, an he can get the country, and in a race of this description this ability is ft great recommeudatlou. ; The Grand Natioual Hutdlo candidates will probably number about ultti Kahuithor may

not start, he is a bit sore, and Mr Douglas will scarcely start his three. St. Kilda is about favourite. »»d he is galloping well. His jumping is somewhat erratic, but his ability in this direction has shown marked improvement since he came down early in the week. He ii a bold fenc9r, but wild, sometimes standing off 12ft or 13ft, at others getting right under his fences. Donald M'Kinnon will take a lot of boating, and I should not be surprised to see him win right out. His second to Hopgarden in Auckland was a meritorious performance, and those who witnessed the race tell me that Donald hid too far out of his ground, or he should nearly have won. Tirltea has not shown to advantage when' pitted against his companions in fast work, but Dummy Is jumping as well as anything *.t Riccarton. If he can stay he will beat more than beat him. 1 hear good accounts of Ilex, aud Zanzibar is doiDg really well, Of tho lot I fancy the chances of ST. KILDA and DONALD M'KINNON. Fraternite has not yet shown us of what he is capable. He does not appear thoroughly well, but it is difficult so far to get a line.

The Hunters' Hurdle Race Bhould furnish a w-a'ly good contest. War Dauce, Ellesmere, Supplejack, Sam, and Silver Kine are doing good work, and of the lot I prefer SAM, St. Elmo, and Silver King. Several or those engaged in the Maiden Hurdles are in the Gr*nd National Hurdles. The winner of the former would have to put up a 71b penalty in the big race. St. Kilda is supposed by some to have a mortgage over the Natiaual Hurdles, but his owners may not care to put up the penalty for that event. If St. Kildu starts he should about win; if he should not I like the chances of Z&NZI. BA-R, Docility, and Ilex. RAWAI or Victor should win the Tally-Ho Plate Steeplechase. For the Indies' Bracelet I like the prospects of ■ CAMEL, Highlander, and Batquither. The Enfield Steeplechase may be won by BARN *DO or RANGIPUNEHU, whilst Sara , should have an outside chance. Rangipunehu will ' nearly win if he jumps the country,' as he ran really well in Wellington." • Chris is not jumping any too well.

For the Winter Handicap I have moit regard i for St. KILDA, Lord Zetland, and Captive. ' Bombshell was shipped on the Rimutaka on Thursday. Mr Mason superintended the shipping of the colt, and succeeded in putting him on board without being knocked about. A comfortablo box had been built amidships, and Bombshell did not seem at all displeased with his quarters. Mr Franks, nan , has gone Homo in charge, and it would be difficult perhaps to find a better man for the position. Mr R. E. Harley, the well-known amateur horseman, has arrived here. As this gtntlemau is one of the beßt amateur riders in the colony he is sure to get some good mounts at the National meeting. Mr Harley is evidently in fair form, aa he rode Cyrus II to victory at the recent Wellington meeting. Duuedinites will recollect that Mr Harley was associated with Justice when she won the double at the Dunedin Hunt Club gathering. Southern backers should remember that horse 3 the property of one owner will not be bracketed on the machine at the National meeting, but they will be at the trotting meeting on Friday. Mr M. Hnbbs has brought up Lord Zetland and Chaos. Both look well.

Culverin, who appeared to be somewhat dotty when she made her rea, pearance on the tracks a week ago. is improving with every gallop. Unifoim and Epaulet are travelling in most tttkiug fashion. These are two good colts. Bellicent is also moving with great freedom. Kuluine was scratched for all engagements at the National meeting on Monday list. He will probably never race again. Bookmakers and disqualified persons will not ' be allowed on the course either at Riccarton or the Show grounds. At the annual nteetineof the Ashburton Racing ■ Club the report stated that the committee regretted that the club had not been supported as well as hud been expected. The club is in a solvent position, and the small liabilities it was : hoped would be covered by the rent of course. t A vote of thanks was passed to the Tinwald Racing ■ Club for its financial assistance, and also to MiCresswe)], the handicapper. The action of the Tinwald Club was particularly praiseworthy and sportsmanlike, and it affords me great pleasure to compliment the members of that club. The clock which has be*n presented by Mr Leicester Matsou, the well-known auctioneer, is a handsome marble timepiece, and is on exhibition in Mr Peterson's windows. The clock will be banded to the owner of the winner pf the Sires' Handicap at the Show grounds on Friday. The life members' medals, manufactured by Messrs G. aud O. 11. Jo.ne3 to the order of the Canterbury Trotting Club, have been turned out in that firm's best style. Tho medals have a sunk centre and a raised burnished edge. Oa one s<de is represented a trotting horse attached to sulky, and on the other the member's name is shown, together with the date of issue and number.

At the monthly meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club a report was presented from the subcommittee appointed to deal with the applications for trsinoi's, jockey's and apprentice's licenses. A number were granted, and several held over for further inquiry. The committee decided to caution several jockeys against foul riding. Derrett and Matthews wore informed that as seuior jockeys they were looked to to assist the authorities to put down crossing in races. Whilst I thoroughly endorse the action of the committee in endeavouring to stamp out any and every unfairness on the part of jockeys. Derrett and Matthews have been entrusted with a rather large order. I have no doubt that both jockeys will try their utmost, but I fimcy that it would have been as well if the committee had made the same request to trainers. Boys are apprenticed to leirn the art of riding properly, and if anyone is responsible for their . training it is the trainer* to 1 whom they ara . bound. Too little care, ,1 am afraid, is usually taken with the boys, and tb,eir after life and actions are too often a ieflex of their early tuition. C. Stratford, A. Brown, and R. Wilson wero . cautioned ai to their behaviour when they applied . for licenses to the C. J.O. , The C J.C. declined to grant one application for a gentleman rider* certificate. The club voted a bonus of 10«s to the publishers of the Turf Register. The committee disqualified H. Johna for one month for disobedience on the racing track. . , .. Mr A. Sefton hap purchased the two-year-old trotter by Electioneer-H.R.H. The price was £35 From what I hear Prime Warden is an unlikely starter at the meeting. " The acceptances for the Canterbury Trotting Club's National fixture are not due until luesday evening. Opinions are divided as to the work of the handicapper, but little fault can be found with the handicaps as a whole. la the Maiden llandicap Trot (in saddle), two miles, I like the appearance of Maggie M , Pride of Kilkenny, and Bod of Stone ; Maggie M. may W Sandy, Uncle Tom, Tonic, and Coral seem well in In the Pony Handicap Trot, and if Uncle lorn goes under the standard he may win. For the Spring Handicap Trot Rita, Princi Alb<rfc, or Opossum may win. I prefer the latter. The handicap for the sires' race has given riso to much criticism. Many are of .-pinion that Prince Imperial should not have been placed on the same mark as Brooklyn. The latter has a record of smin 83ec, whiht Prince Imperial's best performance is smin 158*0. It must be remembered, however, that Price, the owner of Prince Imperial, issued a challenge to trot any horse in the colony over a mile. This fact, after Brooklyn's performance at the Show grounds, where he trotted his first mile in very fast time, could not bo ignored by the handicapper, and I think he did quite right in placing him alongside Brooklyn. Albert Victor 53ec is not a true stayer, aa he proved at • Nev Brighton, andalthangh on that occasion he - got over the first milp in 2min 303e0, he should not , defeat Prince Imperial if their relative form at the last meeting at the Show grounds is »t all reliable. Viking 7sec ha« a record of smm 14aec. and if he trotrup to this time, he nhould bo dan. gerous, as Brooklyn (smin 8«ec) will have todotln distance in smin 7sec to beat him. Young Irvipg- . ton 9*ec is reported to have made a (treat im. provement since he last appeared in public, aud v this is correct he may have a show. General Tracey lOsec has no reliable record over the distance. To sum up, I think the issue will U« between Prince Imperial, Brooklyn, ftud YiKiOgi

and it would not surprise me to see thorn finish In that order. VT ,., For the Maiden Handicap Trot (in harness) l like the look of King Harold, Venus Victrix, and Young American. Of tho large field engaged in the Addmgton Handicap Trot (in harness), Kuadan seems well jn and if be trots in the form occasionally shown by htm at the lart Canterbury Trotting Club iceetine, he should be dangerous. Of the otherc, I like Opossum, Mombrino Abdallah, Kentucky Jtßud, nnd Sapphire. The Klectric Handicap Trot (in saddle) does not incsent Paulina 9aec in an attractive light as cornbared with Peggy Bsec. Commotion, Rita, Peggy, UR<* Pansy B. seem to be decently treated. Prince Imperial, Kentucky Maud, or Sandy Vnay appropriate the Dash Handicap, one mile, in harness. • . . Owing to one or two jockeys sending in their implications too late to be considered by the committee of the C. J.O. it is possible they will be bUHble to ride at the National meeting. In previous yt-ars the char.mau had the power to grant ti<»n«es, but he found this power ratter irksome, 68 jockeyp would send in their application* »t a'l tours and times. To avoid this the i-lnb <c M> «1 that all applications must be in by Auffi^t 7, and aclri:ulftrtothHtfff.ctwasßontto all thofe concerned, with the additional reminder that the committee only would grant certificates. It will thußbe ?.een that if the jockeys do. not get their applications considered till next meeting of tho club they have only themselves to blame. The privileges of 4he Canterbury Trotting Club's gicetinff brought £48 155.