CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 47

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Fbitz.

Sportsmen all over the colony will regret to hear that Mr G. G. Stead has decided that he ■will not start Cruciform in the New Zealand Cuj?. The absence of this beautiful filly will rob the raoe of much of its interest, an<3 it looks as though we shall not have the pleasure of seeing Nonette carrying vilk m the big handicap, owing to his recent mishap. The assured absence of the Yaldhurst mare and the probable defection of the Auckland crack are roost unfortunate, as racegoers had been looking forward to a meeting between the pair. Sportsmen hail with delight the- victory of heavily-weighted horses in a big handicap, and it is regrettable that the two top-weights this year are not likely to face the barrier. There is liothing wrong with Cruciform, but her own«r believes that she has been asked to carry too much. Probably it might hrve been better, co far as irr«sponsibie backers are concerned, if Mr Stead had scratched his mare ■when the weignts appeared; but he hesitated to .take euch a course, inasmuch as he had no desire to so promptly suggest his displeasure at the treatment meted out tc her by the official. Some few, of course, have burnt their fingers by backing Cruciform, but that, after all, is not the business of her owner. Mr H. Thomson, stud manager lor Mr H jFriedlander. Mia me that the Artilleiy mare Firefly has arrived at her new home at Asli■burton, as also has Tana, three-quarter sister to Merganser, who is in foal to Soult.

Juakeshell was shipped to the north on Tuesday. This 'horse hae not received the attention from breeders that his breeding and good looks suggested, but jt is possible t>h»t le may be better patronised in his new horne — New Plymouth.

Redoubt has had to be thrown out of work, and may' never race again. He iia3 proved bims*lf a most expensive horse to Mr V. Harris, whoso luck has not been any too good. Other members of this gentleman's stable aie none too well. Magnificent s>nd Calibre are both -under suspicion, whilst the remainder of the team do not suggest that they are likely to eet the sea on fire.

The Plumpton Park Trotting Club hae decided to apply for November 7, 11, and 13 for its spring fixture, at which £1700 will be offered in stakes. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has also formulated a spring programme to be decided during the same period, whilst the Canterbury Jockey Club's metropolitan meeting also comes on. This means 10 days' consecutive racing, and it is to be hoped that the members of the Trotting Association will rise to the occasion and decline to allow one of the clubs to hold its meeting at that time. Fancy 10 da\s' racing, which means 80 events' Trotting owners and trainers cannot afford to pay the amounts required to enter their horses, and it is highly liccessaTy that something should bo done. The New Brighton Trotting Club has drawn up its October programme, which closely follows the lines of that of last year. In memory oi the late Sir H. Mace, the name of the principal race has been changed to thai of the Mace Memorial Stakes, whilst the stake has been raised. The club has decided to erect a stewards' and press stand at once. This deenable work will be much appreciated. The nominations received by the N-cw Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club for its ca.ning National meeting are in every TCFoect patisfactory, and the general quality of the entries gives promise of capital sport. The Christchurch Hunt Club's annual meeting took place on Satnrday, At Plumpton. For aicivj&t. Hue* f ficks iUc we»tfcex has been beau-

tiful, but Saturday morning was ushered in by a cold south-westerly rain, and the stewards decided that it would be inadvisable to postpone the fixture. The Hunt Cub annually precedes its races by entertaining at luncheon the farmers over whose grounds the members are allowed to hunt, and as everything necessary to carry out this idea was on the ground it was difficult to hold over that function. Last year the club was forced, owing to the heavy downpour, to postpone the racing, although the lunch was given. It will therefore he seen that the club has been most unfortunate, and each meeting resulted in a loss. Considering the weather, there was a good attendance, and as the sun shone out in the afternoon the anticipated discomfort was considerably minimised. The course wp.s naturally heavy, and the racing was therefore somewhat spoilt, the owners of many of the acceptors declining to start their horses. In the absence of the totabsator o number of licensed bookmakers attended to the wants of investors, and they appeared to transact a fair amount of business. Only Ahiki and The Beaver went out for the Welter Hunters' Steeplechase, the latter being favourite. He showed the way to his opponent until less than half a mile from home, where he was overhauled, and Ahiki won comfortably. Redoubt and The Whip were withdiawn from the Hack Hurdle Race, and Scottish Minstrel was sent out favourite st 6 to 4 en; Skobeloff, Wonderful, and Hurricane, at 3 to 1 each, n:aking up the field. Hurricane was the only one who had previously been jumped m public, but mrch interest was infused into the contest owing to the other three being engaged in jumping events at the forthcoming Grand National meeting. After crossing the first ferce, Wonderful, jumping well, took up She ruuning from. Scottish Minstrel and Hurricane ; Skobeloff, who was fencing slovenly, in th? rear. Wonderful baulked pt the first hurdle after leaving the straight, and Skobeloff, following suit, toppled ov-er. Wonderful was quickly turned round, and at the half-mile post he was within half a dozen lengths of the leading pair. A quarter of a mile from home Scottish Minstrel and Hurricane were to-geth-c-r, but once over the last fence, the former came away and won comfortably. Skobeloff, in order to qualify for the jumpers' flat race at Riccarton next month, was taken lormd tho fences, and, though he again refused, he eventually got round. The capital form shown by Scottish Minstrel makes his Grand National Hurdls prospects look promising. He jumps wonderfully well ; and though he hit the hurdlo opposite the stand, ho cleverly recovered. Wonderful plso fenced cleanly before and after refusing ; but so far as Skobeloff is concerned, he cannot possess a possible chance on the form he displayed. Even when he did jump he was much too slow, and on the weights Scottish Minstrel should lose him. Inchcape, the ancient son of Gorton and Fairy Queen, going out at 5 to 1, defeated the favourite, Brass, comfortab'y in the Hunters' Steeplechase, old Venture tailing away from flag-fall. Bellbird was in front a quarter of a mile from home, and fim.oh'ed a poor third. Inchcape was bred by Mt S. Biown, and was once nominated for the New Zealand Cup. Only Long Tom and Lapidary went out to contest the Open Fl-at Handicap, and the former (who is in capital conditioni cantered hom^. The well-bred Playfair (Saracen — Justice) had no trouble in winning the Hunters' Flat Handicap from The Whip, Wuimara (the only other starter) being unable to keep near his opponents. The meeting was hi ought to a close by an outsider in Diplomn. (a son of tho Ingomar horse Doctor) easily winning the Farmers' Plat-3 from Menngo, Jane finishing third.

The acceptances for the Grand National Steeplechase, Grand National Hurdle Race, and Winter Cup are particularly good, whilst the entries for the minor events are equally satisfactory. Since I comuientpd upon the handicaps Huku his been jumping badly, and unless he shows a greater aptitud" he cannot have a hope of winning either of the principal races. Why he suddenly refused to jump decently it is hard to aav, as up to the time of his itrip io Wellington he was giving his tiainer no anxiety. Perhaps he has had ratber too much schooling and has got sick of it. Roller is jumping well, and appears to thrive on th<i hard work allotted him. He does not get much jumping, as Lewis considers that a seasoned horse does not require too much schooling. Perchance h<? is right.

Bla-zer has arrived, and looks wonderfully well. This noted sprinter may give his opponents a great raoe in the Winter Cup, as there is no reason why he should not stay a mile. Were it seven furlongs, no one would need to look further for the winner. Tortulla haa disappeared from the list, her stable compai.ion, Ostiak, being left in. Ideal has made loom for Kelpy, whilst Chokebore's representatives have been reduced by the withdrawal of Glenaladale.

The following comparative table of acceptances and entries for the past two years may [■rove interesting —

During the progress of the Hunt Club meeting at Plumpton on Saturday a large number of"rising two-year-olds were walking about the enclosures, and sub-equert'v were sprinted down the straight. Sir C-eorge Clifford. Mr G G. Stead, Mr J. B. Reid, Mr Hobl^. and others were all represented. Rep'ymg to the toast of '"Ihe Farmers at the limit Club luncheo.i on Saturday, Mr Witty, who is wooing the suffrages of the Riccarton people, remarked that he hoped that farmers would breed good hunters and hacks rather than trotter?, which vere no good. Royal Conqueror and Straybird have arrived at Riccarton. Both are looking re-ruarkably well, especially the firsl-imnied. The Sv.immci hab also put in an appearance.

Giand Tsatior.a.l Steeplechase Grand National Hurdle Race Winter Cup First Hunters' Hurd'es . Second Hunters' Hurdk-s Third Hunters' Hurdles Taliy-Ho Plate Hunt Club Cup .. .. Hunters' Steeplechase .. Maiden Hurdle Kace Enfield Steeplechase Junipers' Flat Race Meriva'e Hurdle Race Ai.gust Handicap Islington Handicap Heathco'.e Handicap .. .. Selwyn Handicap Ladies' Bracelet .. 14 .. 18 24 .. 11 .. 10 .. H .. 11 .. 13 .. 14 .. 14 7 .. 30 .. 24 '.'. M a 20 23 17 17 20 15 IS 14 12 16 25 19 23 30 22 8 Totals 231 327