CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 37

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By M. Quab.

Kiccarton has scarcely ever presented a more deserted appearance than was the case last week. Nearly all the serviceable horses were away in the south, and those remaining have only put in just sufficient work to keep them in health.

E. Cults informs me that Djin Djin is not seriously amiss; just enough, in fact, to render a rest necessary. The colt will probably be in" earnest work again a few weeks hence. '

Riccarton possesses a really good Juvenile Opera Company, made up almost entirely of locally-trained children, many of whom have shown no small amount of talent. Some of them have capital voices. The youngsters are eagerly looking forward to their first public performance. Competent critics affirm that the ability of the children as a whole will bear favourable comparison with any similar organisation seen here. The Jticcarlon ladies have interested themselves in the matter, nearly all the dresses and necessary staging being made by them. It is intended to give the first entertainment at the hospital for the amusement of the patients. Bookmakers have seldom experienced such

a day as that of Saturday last. Backers failed dismally, especially in the Grand National Hurdle Race at the Auckland meeting, Marina being extensively supported; so much so, in fact, that a lot of money was refused. So far as I can discover, Shylock's name was scarcely written, and the pencillers got a " skinner in connection with the Hurdle and Steeplechase double. Cavalier's success iv the Winter Welter Handicap was not anticipated by backers, and Opou's win in the Selling Steeplechase was unlooked for. Auld Reekie was heavily supported, but the dividend was small, and therefore did not worry the layers.

Benzoin's success in the Flying Handicap at the North Otago Jockey Club's meeting came as a bit of a surprise. Hypnotist was heavily backed here, but the English-bred colt was scarcely mentioned. There seems a fairly bright future for this horse, if his knees stand. All his wins appear to have been most easily achieved, and though perhap he has so far met company of a poor class, yet I fancy he will defeat much superior cattle.

Strathnairn's dual victory in the south was freely anticipated here. Considering that Huku easily downed him at New Brighton, when Starshot divided the pair, and that the latter won at Dunedin, the running would tend to show that Huku is a fairish horae. The son of Vnnguard simply played with Starshot and Strathnairn, yet both have subsequently won. Huku is -doing serviceable work, and appears to be in blooming health. Although the committee of the Canterbury Trotting Club held a lengthy meeting on Friday last for the purpose of discussing the adyisableness of joining the Lancaster Park Club in the occupation of the ground recently secured by the latter club, it was eventually agreed to place the matter before a general meeting of members on Tuesday next. Plans of the proposed grand stand, loose boxes, and stalls, together with the necessary fencing, have already been prepared and laid before the Lancaster Park Club, and I believe the architect's estimate for the whole work amounts to something like £2700. There is a possibility that the two clubß may amalgamate insofar as the use of the ground is concerned ; but whether the members will amalgamate entirely is probably questionable. If -the Colonial Secretary would guarantee that the same number of permits will be granted to the one club as is now allocated to thp two, the best thing that could possibly happen would be for the two to join hands, sink all minor differences, and initiate a club which would be a powerful institution, and could not fail to materially benefit the sport. The Canterbury Club now gets threp permits and the Park two, and there is a strong feeling that an amalgamation would deprive trotting people of one permit. Several of the steward* of the one club hold a similar position on the other ; and if the two clubs do not combine, it would piobably be better if stewards only acted in' one club. Even friendly rivalry between the two clubs loses much of it? force if both programmes are discussed and the affairs of the clubs partially managed by the same men. Of course, the mere fact that gentlemen are members of both clubs clearly points to the probability that they take a dee; interest in the sport; but there is no apparent reason why men should occupy dual position 0 , especially 'as the running of horses at one meeting frequently comes undpr discussion at the other. Logically, the opinions of the one body might bear a strong resemblance to the other.

The woll-known hunter Proverb, by Maxim, if occaiSbnally exercised at "Riccarton.

The Skipper nnd Master Sockburn, two hunters, are in work at Riccarton.

C. Piper left here for Sydney on Thursday, taking with him Valiant, Sunshine. Harold 8., and Satan, the two latter of whom are being returned to their owner.

A meeting of the South Island Trotting Association will be held on Wednesday evening, when the proposed amendments to thp trotting rules will be due. I am not at liberty to publish the proposals of the local clubs. They will be printed and distributed to the various clubs.

'Hie Winslow races, postponed from Queen's Birthdny, were held on Thursday. The meeting was run without the aid of the totalisator, but caph fielders pu»hed a fairly Rood busines*. The Cure secured the Maiden Race, six furlongs, very easily from Cashier, while the wretclipJly-named T. E. Rotoiv won the Publicans' Trot from TJmkoba. Gloaming annpxed the Winslow Handicap from Perkinette and Lady Orisrlen, and Dundee defpnted The Spinner and Toronto iv the Open Trot Handicap. Pauline-you-are-a-Belle finished in front of Topsy and Phyllis in the Pony Race, while Tnchcap" easily rmt down Cashier in the Ladies' Purse. TJmkoba got home in the Consolation Trot from Torento

Altair was shipped for England on board the Wakanui on Wednpsdny. The son of Castor was eoreforfnblv nou«r»rl in a specially-built stable on the fo'-wnr' l dpek.