CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2370, 3 August 1899, Page 36

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By M. Qvju».

In another fortnight the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National meeting will be upon us, and if the weather keeps fine for the next 14 days, there is sure to be a capital attendance and interesting contests. Unfortunately, the acceptances for fhe Steeplechase have scarcely come up to expectations, only 11 having paid up as against 15 last year, and 38 for each of the two preceding seasons. The Hurdle Race and Winter Handicap also show a falling off, but the Hunters' Hurdle events show an improvement, whilst the Enfield Steeplechase has only drawn a poor entry. The new racc3, the Heathcote and Selwyn Handicaps, have drawn a fine response. Subjoined is a table- for the past six year 3: —

Trainers at Riccarton find great difficulty in giving their horses sufficient work to enable them to make their best showing at the forthcoming meeting, and in this respect the North Island contingent have much to be thankful for. There is a rumour that Dummy may not atarfc for the Steplechase, though where it emanated or whether there is any truth in it I am. unable to state. I merely give the rumour for what it is worth. In such a weak field last year's winner must have more than an outside chance, and if he starts, he should at least fill a place. Morag, too, I am told, is a likely absentee, though why he should be withdrawn it is hard to say. True, he appears to have his full share of weight, but methinks his owner could scarcely expect much less after his horse's success at Wellington, and as Morag has since won as he liked at Hawke's Bay, the- old Swindle gelding must have a chance here. Though he does not meet Dummy on particularly good terms, taking a line through -last year's race, it must not be forgotten that the extra poundage is likely to tell with greater force on the top weight. Had Morag not succeeded in the Wellington Steeplechase, he would have got in here with probaly a stone and a-half less, but with all hjs weight, absolutely avoidupois is not everything in a race of this description. Morag can jump, he is in good form, and in my opinion it would be a mistake not to start him. I shall certainly pick him to run into a place at least, a' position he has occupied behind Levanter and Dummy. Muscatel, I am informed, is likely to be preferred to the top weight, and if such be the case, the Wangamii winner may be extremely dangerous. I am afraid Kanaka will not face the country. He is fast enough, though scarcely a stayer, perhaps, and Kuku, I fancy, though a fair jumper, will also find the distance a-little too far for him. Ruby ought to be beaten by Morag on their latest running, but this mare is reported to be a rare stayer, and as her pace is undoubted, she may run a fine race. Blackberry is- a horse I expect to see show up prominently. Some of his performances are full of merit; and Tally-ho should also shape well. Indeed, on Wanganui form, she is nicely treated. The withdrawal of Barnardo may mean that the stable prefers to rely upon Powder Monkey, but whether this is so or nott there is no doubt about her pace, and if I were sure she would not refuse, I should look no further for the winner; but her, past efforts at Riccarton have not been at all ■ reassuring, and she has twice thrown, away a real good winning prospect by running down the last jump, the smallest of the lot. However, the Chainshot mare is jumping the schooling fences fairly well, and I should not be surprised to see lior win easily. Venture would be more likely to prevail perhaps if he were a bit bigger. His appearance does not favour his prospects, but as there is a probability of heavy going, he may have a chance, especially as he is such a safe conveyance. I shall have an opportunity of seeing the horses working during the forthcoming week, and hope to have the good fortune to select this year's winner in my future notes. Social Pest is in great nick just now, but' 12.11 is a grea', weight, especially if the course is heavy, and I look to animals lower down the list to defeat him. Dummy may have a cut at this race, and if he does my information points to this if he comes at all, whilst. Marina will take a lot of beating. Lot it not be forgotten that when this mare wins it is not by a nose 3he gets home, but by lengths, and I therefore consider that she will be dangerous, if there is no morphia about. Defiance, it is whispered, ifl uncnr suspicion, but what nature of complaint ails him I cannot pay —a leg probably, and if this is QOcceci the &rea&iQught hwrao omz agk

4tart. Umslopogaas is here, and he looks fairly ■well, but on recent form he can have but little chance. Torpina and Troubadour are a likely pair, the latter especially so, and Dundee is the only othei I have a liking for; in fact, this Duntroon gelding may finish in front of most of his opponents, and I hear he is in capital heart. The Winter Handicap field has been considerably reduced, but there is still a rare field, and at present I can only say that I fancy Mauser, Starshot, Female Franchise, Ngaparu, and Benzoin, and Ngaparu is my present selection. J The nominations received for the flat races are well supported by North Island owners, but few from that quarter are named in the three Hunters' Hurdle Races and Hunt Club events. Many of those named in the list have yet to arrive. The owners of trotters should bear in mind that their horses must be registered with the Trotting Association. Those animals with engagements at the Canterbury Trotting Club's meeting vrill not be allowed "to start unless they have been registered. Whilst I thoroughly approve of the registration of horses, as it will tend to stop ringing-in, I think owners should not be asked to pay 2s 6d to obtain a certificate. The penalty for non-registration is surely heavy enough, and the association is not in financial difficulties. Of course there are printing and clerical expenses attached to ■she issuing of certificates, and although I sup--w>se nothing can be done to alter the rule this_ year, the conference might consider the j udvisableness of issuing certificates fres next year. j The nominations received by the Canterbury ! Trotting Club for its two-day Spring meeting j are sufficiently numerous to justify the hope *hat first-class contests will be witnessed at -/he show grounds next month. The entries come from all parts of the colony, Otago being i •specially well represented by Cling, General fracy, Lauderdale, Candidate, Delaroo, Lexinglon, Governor, Premier, Honest Wilkes, Nero, Opbir, and Moniac. Auckland contributes a few nominations, whilst coastal-owned horses *re also noticeable. Canterbury provides the bulk of the entry, and the inclusion of such animals as Wildwood, Prince Imperial, Vick- I •*ry, The Baron, Almont, Spec, Johnnie 111, j Sing Sing, Vasco, Polly Huon, Collector, Val, ] Hiss Annie, Eulalie, The Member, Dictator, Miss Brownwood. Young Burlir>gton, Heather Dew, Judah, Hollis, H. Fleigher, and Sbylock is a guarantee that the exhibitions of pace will be up to the usual high standard. The formation of the new Trotting Association by vote of the affiliated clubs is being j freely discussed here, and hopes are expressed , that a particularly strong body will be elected, i The names of several gentlemen whose presence ] on the association would be a guarantee of good work have been suggested, and clubs, in Bend- i ing in their nominations and voting papers, ' should exercise great care.' Given a fair start ! by the return of men whose past history and | knowledge life them above suspicion; who, ] moreover, have nothing but the good of the sport at heart, and who will fearlessly administer the rules, owners and the public will have confidence in the association, and feel sure they can safely' depend upon all questions brought before the delegates receiving every consideration. In the past the association has had many knotty points to decide, and though I have not always been able to agree with its decisions, a great deal of work has been gratuitously performed, I believe, to the satisfaction of the majority of those concerned. Now that the old order of government has closed, I may be permitted to congratulate the delegates on the result of the past year's deliberations. General regret is expressed at the death of that accomplished horseman P. White, who iied in Napier last week. Probably there were : evr more capable horsemen in the colony. 3e was a natural rider, and from his first entry nto a racing stable it -was at once recognised ;hat he would become one of the best jocke) ? s iji the colony Few riders, even in a much longer career than that voxichsafcd to White, liad the pleasure of riding two New Zealand Cup winners, the deceased horseman being associated with Waiuku and Lady Zetland. There has been a fair amount of wagering over the National double during the week, and I am afiaid many hackers have bitten their fingers. Regarding the New Zealand Cup, Battleaxe has been well supported, especially in doubles -with Melbourne Cup horses. The debate ou the Tolalisator Abolition Bill, introduced to Parliament by Mr T. C. Taylor, supplies interesting reading, especially as the elections will soon be upon us. I am. afraid that many of the speakers know pretty well, judging by the past, that no private member is likely to get such a bill placed upon the Statute Book. Some of those who spoke in favour of the bill are connected with racing clubs, and their position is somewhat peculiar, especially those who asked for time. The totalisator has undoubtedly made gambling easy, and there is no doubt that gambling would still flourish if it were abolished, as if they can race elsewhere without the aid of the machine, so can we in New Zealand. The totalisator has had the effect of raising stakes, and its abolition would probably considerably decrease them, but it •would not stop, though it might decrease, gambling. ICuku, Huntingdon, Victor, Rangefinder, Barnardo, Powder Monkey, The Skipper, and Zephyr are jumping well. No fast work can be noted, the course being in a terrible state, owing to snow, frosts, and heavy rain.

10. ■94 '95 '93 '&7 '98 '9J Grand National Steeples 11 10 18 18 15 I Grand National Hurdles 10 12 23 21 21 II Winter Handicap 19 29 25 23 39 2!

JNOJHJ.JNATJ.UJNS. Firht Huntci-*' Hurdles... 18 16 lfi 13 11 15 Seco-.d*Hur.ter.V Hurdles 17 17 19 15 J3' 17 Third Huotert' Hurdles — — — — — 19 Tully-iio Plate 13 12 7 7 14 11 Hvmt Club Cup „. ... 14 20' 15 1* 14 14 Ladies' Bracelet 9 7 10 6 15 13 Hunt Club Bracelet ... 8 11 8 13 76 Maiden Hurdles 5 16 18 17 15 15 Enfield. Steeplechase ... 11 10 10 12 19 8 August Handicap. 29 34. 31 23 38 24 Huntern' Plate Handicap — — — 16 7 — Islingtou Handicap ... — — — 21 28 28 Heathcote Handicap ... — — — — — 33 Salwyn Handicap — — — — — 30 Merivalo Handicap ... — — — — — 14 164 194 200 219 256 297