CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 36

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By M. Quad.

Now that the Racing Conference has finished its labours, some idea can be formed as to the result, and, on the whole, it can safely be said that good work has been done. Sir Georgo Clifford, chairman of the conference, presented an' able address, dealing with the past year's work, and made several valuable suggestions, many of them being adopted by the conference, and he thoroughly deserved the complimentary remarks of the delegates. The new rule, giving direct representation to country clubs, will doubtless considerably help the governing body in its deliberations, and should work for the benefit of the sport, and will prevent tho occasional friction of the past. The passage of the motion proposed by the Canterbury Jockey Club to the effect that all' disqualifications for fraudulent practices by tiotting" clubs should apply equally to racing clubs is sure to do a great deal of good, and may act as a deterrent to those inclined . to' perpetrate frauds. The conference, in prohibiting the running off of dead heats, has gone a step farther than the English rule, which merely applies to two-year-olds, and \s a wise and merciful provision. The decision that a suspension of a club shall immediately take effect throughout the colony will meet with almost unanimous approval. Under the old system a man could run his horse on any course except where he was disqualified until his appeal had been decided. The rule preventing a jockey betting on any horse in any race in which he is riding, except the one ridden by himself, and then only thrpugh and by permission of his employer, may have the effect intended, but it is questionable whether any rule can reach jockeys who bet. It is difficult to understand the objections raised to the bracketing of all horsed starting in a race, the property of one person, as the proposal is essentially fair. I take it that clubs can still couple horses, and it is to be hoped that they will do so. In agreeing to pay £30 towards the costs incurred by the Dunedin Jockey Club in the action The Queen y. Sydney James, the conference acted in a sportsmanlike manner, but if it was fair to pay these costs, surely some assistance might have been given to the Masterton Club for its efforts j to stamp out corrupt practices. Some difficulty appears to have arisen respecting the voting' power of clubs at tho Racing Conference. Mr Harbroe (Wellington) moved that his club and the Canterbury, Auckland, and Dunedin Clubs have three votes each, to which the Country clubs objected, the suggestion that the latter should have equal votes meeting the same fate • as tho original motion. The carrying of the chairman's suggestion 'to publish a Stud Boole • met with but little opposition, and the con- - ference deserves thanks for its efforts ■ to define a "hack." The Hon. J. - I Carroll, Colonial * Secretary, when nd- • 1 dressing the members, laid much stress on | the adyisableness of clubs in one district amalgamating, and doubtless some effort may be - made in this direction before the end of another year. The election of Sir G-. Clifford as chairman of the conference fox the ensuing year will meet with unanimous approval, as few men have done more for the sport than he has.

Dummy has been handicapped at 3|2.9 for the Grand National Steeplechase, a few pounds more than was anticipated he would get, but I fancy he will not be far away at the finish. Dummy has been extensively supported in doubles, and those who have backed him may rely upon it that they will get a good run for their, money. Dummy knows the country well, and this alone is a capital recommendation. Nor'-west 11.3 I have not much fancy for, as I fear the Riccarton walls may not be relished by him, and Morag 11.1 has suffered for his Wellington success. He is a fine fencer, and is almost sure to get round the course, although he is getting old and slow. Muscatel 11.0 should run a good race, but Kanaka 10.18 may bo troubled with the fences and the distance Whangaroa 10.12 and The Friar 10.11 are a pair from whom some danger may he expected. Tho former seems to be improving, whilst The Friar deserves more than a passing thought on account of his fencing abilities. Kuku 10.10 is fast, and a fair jumper, and I should not be surprised to see him hold a prominent position in the race for at least two-thirds of the journey. Ruby 10.8 has a runaway steeplechase victory to his credit, and if he successfully negotiates the obstacle^ should have an outside chance. •Barnardo at 10.7 reads very well. He is jumping the schooling fences as well as could be desired, and though he has not been seen in-public- for some considerable • time, I fancy that whatever beats him will just about win. Blackberry 10.6 secured a double victory at Gisborne, and coming on to ■Wellington, added- one more race to his credit,' and though he subsequently fell in tho Wei- - lington- Steeplechase, I' hear 'that* 'he seldom makes mistakes. -Splinter 10:6 has'yet to' make a name for himself at steßplecbasing, and Hangfire 10.3 would appear to be somewhat harshly treated through Nor'-west. In the Wellington Steeplechase the' latter carrying 11.10 defeated Ha,ngfire 9.11, a difference of 271b. Now there is only a difference of 141b. The distance is half a mile longer at Riccarton, and seeing that Nor'-west came very fast over the last half mile in the northern* fixture, it would appear that he is at least as good a stayer as Hangfire. Of Tataramoa 10.3 and Violence 10.2 I should say I prefer the latter, principally because I know she can negotiate the course. So, too, can Tallyho 10.0 and Powder Monkey 9.9. Both are fairly treated. Venture 9.8 is a proficient fencer, but slow. I have no fancy for Dundee 9.8, and Stilts 9.7 has probably merely a jumper's chance. I rather like the look of Crusader at 9.7, _ and if Te Kooti 9.7 stands a preparation, his fencing ability may stand him in good stead. For the other three, Highlander, Naborn, and Helena, at 9.7 each, I have no particular rcgaicl. To take six, one of whom may provide the winner, I will select Dummy, Muscatel, A^ hangaroa, Barnardo, Tallyho, and Venture. All standing up, Barnardo will be very hard to beat.

In the Grand National Hurdle Race Social Pest leads the way with 12.11, but with it all, I believe the little fellow will beat more than beat him. Dummy has a stone less to carry, and if he be reserved for this race he should D 3 dangerous. I prefer Nor'-west 11.4 to Ilex 11.5, whilst Marina 11.2 is sure to run a great race. Battleaxe 11.2 has r.o* been pitchforked into the race, but if he is a jumper, his undoubted pace will enable him to hold a prominent position. Barnardo 11.1 is about in his place, but Splinter at the same weight has not run any too well in his recent engagements. A strong horse like Defiance who has already won over hurdles will not be troubled with. 11.0, and seeing that he had sufficient pace to run third in the New Zealand Cup, probably. Battleaxe, a, novice, is somewhat harshly, treated in being asked to give him 21b. Umslopagaas 10.9 is a fast, bold jumper, aud if feel

is sound, he should run well. I would rather have Whangaroa, 10.9 than Torpedo at the same •weight, and prefer Troubadour 10.6 to either. iWindermere 10.5 has an outside chance, but Hussar 10.3 may be withdrawn in favour of his stable companion Defiance. Of the remaining 12 Dundee 10.0, Stray Bird 9.9, and Stockade 9.0 are the only ones I have any liking for. iNor'-west, Marina, Defiance, Whangaroa, Troubadour, and Dundee are a likely half dozen. Of the large number engaged in the Winter Handicap it is almost useless to attempt a selection until after owners have declared their intentions. Castashore can scarcely give •Mauser weight, I fancy, and I should be surprised if Female Franchise does not beat the majority of her opponents. Strathnairn looks none too well in on Wellington form. Of the lot I would suggest that Mauser, Female Franchise, Ngaparu, Skirmisher, Goldleaf, Benzoin, Malatua, and Tukapa may show up well. The Trotting Conference decided to adopt the proposal that the sport should be governed by one association, and the election of the new council will be held as soon as possible. It behoves all affiliated clubs to carefully consider the names submitted to them, and an effort should be made to obtain the services of men who understand the sport, and, if possible, who are not owners. A lot of other work •was got through by the association, and I feel sure the sport will considerably benefit. The Hunt Club Ladies' Bracelet and the Grand National second prize bracelet are on view at the establishment of Messrs B. Petersen and Co., jewellers. The former bracelet lias a large emerald in. the centre, and on either side are scrolls set with a number of diamonds. The bracelet itself is of polished gold. The Grand National bracelet is also of polished gold of "scroll design, on which are mounted in coronal settings one ruby and one diamond.

Messrs M. Sandstein and Son have on view «/ very handsome diamond bracelet, which will be given as the first prize in the Ladies' Bracelet at the Grand National meeting. The bracelet was manufactured at Messra Saudstein's establishment, and is what is known as coronet setting, the centre being a large opal, of the best quality, set in a circle of brilliants, the shoulders being diamonds, arranged in the form of a scroll, the back being a plain knife edge. The bracelet is a handsome one, and is a very ci editable piece of work. B. Edwards has not a very lengthy string of trotters in hand just now. They are Jessie, Judah, Collector, The Member, Peggy, and Johnny 111. They all look very well. Dead Beat is looking well after a spell. Rougemont and Heliograph arrived at headquarters last week. Both appear to be in splendid health. There has not been much betting over the Cup during the past •week. By the death of Mr Robert Rutherford, which took place at Christchurch on Friday, Canter' bury loses another of the fast-diminishing band of its hardy early settlers. The late Mr Rutherford came over from Adelaide with his father and family in tho early days of the back country settlement of the province. He was educated at Christ's College, and after passing through a business- training in tlie office of Messrs Miles and Co., joined his brother, Mr J. S. Rutherford, at Opawa Station, Albuvy, which the latter still holds. Subsequently, in partnership with his youngest brother, Mr E. S Rutherford, he took up the adjoining run, known as Mount N easing, and worked that for some 24 years, only leaving it five years ago. The late Mr R. Rutherford was well known in the sporting world, and was at one time the owner of several racehorses, including a winner of the Grand National Steeplechase. Mr Rutherford, who wa& of an open and generous disposition, had suffered greatly in health for the past three years, and his strength gradually diminishing, he died on Friday. He leaves a wife and family of six, three of whom are grown up, to mourn their loss. The funeral took place at the Linwood Cemetery yesterday afternoon, and was largely attended. Tho Yen. Archdeacon Lingard officiated, and among those present were Messrs A. E. G. Rhodes, A. Chisholm, A. Loughrey, J. Haydon, H. Allen, H. T. Matson, J. J. Isbister, T. Hatfieia, F. Tavender, H. Tate, D. Matson, G. Robinson, C. Cuff, A. R. Bloxam, A. Merton. F. C. Graham, S. Askin, F. Graham, B. Lane, -C. Cook, A. Bennetts, J. Connal, F. A. Archer, G. D. M'Clure, E. Turrell, W. H. Watson, G. Fisher, and G. Moon. Backers held their own fairly well with the layers, over the Wellington meeting. Zitha, Barnardo, Powder Monkey, Rangefinder, Forest Queen, Proverb. Kuku, Mainstay, Victor, The Weaver, and' Vulcan have each registered fair work over fences during the week.

A filly by Rothschild from Qui Vive (by Berlin) was bought by Mr H. Macolast Tuesday. Rothschild Boy's sister is a tvotter, showing iio inclination to pace, while the first-named is a pacer.