CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 51

CANTERBURY DOINGS

By Feitz.

Ideal sunny weather, still, warm, and windless, favoured the opening of the Grand Xational Carnival- mseting, and the result was nn attendance that was promptly pronounced tc be a record. The cour°e itself v. as in the pink of condition, and though the surroundings lacked the floral brilliancy of summer proper, and the bui'ci'flg operations were more or less unsightly, .!iese disobilities did not vex the hearts oi ihos:' who hnd an <r. c to l l ie colouis of the horses rathei than to liio'e of N;<turc. There is an ele-me!.; o." latent ciuclly in human rature v. lnch raakrs it love its sport spiced v;ith an element ci dar>ger»the element which induces the erection of Ihe heavy "double" right in fro.it of tb? stard*, to that the gymnfs'iics of ermtic "!ov>pers" may be viewed a-t close quarters by rdu:inng onlookeio. There v.t.s plenty for then money in this ie3pect, for tiie riders cliO3e tlip two fences of the stand double for spills with a conscientious nppiecisition of the situation which did ciedit to their altruism, if li reflected upon their nerves. Fortunately tlic-ie were no senons ncciderts, though falls were frequent. Both the big races picvided exciting contests, ar.d whilst the others were oil the tome side fioni a sporting point, of view, they still fi.led in a spirited pfkrnoon's racing jn a manner which appeared to give satisfaction to those who had braved the popular prejudice against racing. Speculation was particularly bnsk, the sum of £15,14G going through ihc tota lisa tor against invesinieacts .inwanimg to .£13,667 on the Stc-ep'.ecliaKc day oi lust yeai, an increase which lends colour -to the statement that the attendance constituted a record. The proceedings were honoured by the attendance of the Governor an dhis suite, an <lthe vice-regal i>arty waa entertained at lunch by tbe stewards of the club. It is customary to give a woi dof recognition to the officers of the club for the conduct of their meetings, and upon this occasion it is only necessary to say that tht previous praise of the administration may be taken as read

again. Backers made a bad start with the Hunters' Hurdle Race, in which the two favourites, Reliance and Hinewai, finished out of place.. The victory of Plain Tom was very popular ; the cheers which greeted him when passing the post weie xenewed when Miss Button led him from the weighing enclosure. Last year Miss Button was also successful in the same race with Slow Tom. In the Maiden -Htrrdle Race Tundra .had a comfortable win, as, after lying in a handy position during the greater paxt of the journey, he came away aud won without much trouble. A slron|k field of seventeen wont io the post -for thew 7 inter -Cup. The Pormia representative, Rawiri, a iull brother to the New Ziealand Cup winner "Waiuku, was made favourite, but lie got a bad start, and though he was prominent entering the straight, the effort to make up his lost ground proved too much ior him, and he dropped back p.gain. Viadimrr, the winner, was making his first appearance in the colours oi Messrs W. T. and L. C. HazleU, who purchased him a few mouths ago from the Hon. G. M'Lean. It was bad luck for E2ie latter to have Jiis on-n representative, Pampero, so Tiarrowry defeated by a horse that he Jiad recently disposed of. The two Dunedm horses were in front practically all the way, the race resolving itself mto a duel. Ihe Grand National Steoplechase provided a very interesting race. Scallywag and Cronje fell in the early stages, and Hipstone at tho second last fenca; 'but these v/ere the only mishaps, the remainder oi the field giving a fi.v exhibition of jumping. Pipi acted as pacemaker till a mile from home, where Awahun, who had been in n good position all the way, ran up to liim, -and horn this point the result was practically settled, Awahun winning very comfortably. Hipstone was running well when he struck the sod -wall, .and at the next jump, the brush hurdle at the foot of the straight, he <canie down, nnydn, the favourite, ran a good race, but he had no chance with the winner at tho difference in the weights. Pipi put up a good performance and repeated his lecord of last year in running second. Except the placed horses and Hipstone, .none of the competitors looked dangerous at any part of the race. The Tally-ho Steeplechase was devoid of interest, the chajice of a contest being lost when Gladys ran round a fence a mile from home. In the Ladies' Bracelet, Waiwera had a very easy win, going right away horn ins opponents m the straight. Victory and Umslopogaas had* the Enfield Steeplechase to themselves Two of "the others fell -early, and the other two tailed off from the start. -In the "VVoolston Plate, Glcnaladale easily defeated the modeTate lot by which he was opposed, none of his opponents having any chance with him after entering the straight. The first spring meeting of the Xew Zealand Metropolitan Trotting 'Club, which was brought to a close on Friday, was a very successful gathering. The weather on the first two days was -warm and bright, the only distracting feature being the presence of a nor'-wester. Heavy rain fell early on Friday morning, and the meeting was' concluded under unfavourable conditions. A cold wind blew, aocompanied hv occasional showers, and the traok was in a very 'bad condition. Speculation was brisk throughout the meeting. The totalisator receipts showed an lucrease each day over last year's meeting. The amount handled was £22,380 10s, or £3779 more than was invested 12 months ago.

L'aken altogether, the racing was not up to the usual standard, keen contests and close finishes being the exception. On Wednesday, tho three-yeai--o!d Quincy, Mr Buckland's representative m the last Juvenile Stakes, gave a fine- exhibition of trotting in the Trial Handicap. Lady Rothschild II and Burwood Bess made the Tunning at the start, but neither had any chimce with Quincy when the latter made hie tuu six iurlongs from hoir.-. Blacklock spoilt all interest in thp Irwell Handicap, clearing right away from his three opponents. He is a Jine stamp of a horpe, and the style in which he covered his first mile showed that he has a lot of pace. In the Metropolitan Handicap, Satmwood was a hot favourite. He went off well, and soon had a substantial lead Then Vaunt commenced to overhaul the leader The pair were together three furlongs from home, but Vaunt had the pace of his opponent, ami won comfortably at the finish. Black Child, who was a good third, was slow at beginning, but he was travelling at a great rate in the concluding mile. The Needle, Sir Hector and BoldrewoocJ finished in a cluster cloae behind the placed horses. Vaunt's performance was a very attractive one. It was hard lines for Satmwood to meet him the first day he has been really well for some time past; as, though Satmwood failed to win, he cut about 10 second? off his previous best time. The Halswell Handicap was devoid of interest, Mount Palm dealing right away from the start, and never leaving the Tesult in doubt. The winner is a brother to Jessie Palm, and promises to develop into a first-class performer. The Spring Handicap was interesting for a mile, up to which point there was a keen fight between Elflock, Vanity, Sierra, and Durbar, with Fichu, Michael Maloue and Perewiti closing up fast. At the miio post Durbar shot out, and although Fichu put in a great run over the last half mile, he could never get near the leader. Durbar, who hails from Auckland, is likely, to prove one oi our best fiaddle

horses. Fichu registered another of those fine performances for which he is becoming noted. The Middleton Handicap was one of the finest races ever seen in Canterbury. There were eight starters, seven of whom were in a bunch nsarly the whole way. Verice refused to go kindly. At the end of the first mile, Frederick went to the front, closely attended by Phoanix aiu! B;g Jim. A little further on Lopp, The Orphan, raid Viva were the leading division, Black Child, who, as iisual, was s.ow at ctartirg, £ r >mg strongly some distance away. In the last" round, Frederick, The Orphan, Lopp, and Phcunis drew out. slight'/. Black C'uld made a great run in the last half uu'.c, but failed b}' thice lengths to oatch The Oiphaa, who in turn was a, length behind Ficdenck, the others finishing a couple pf lengths a\-py m a buuc.li. The v.m wns very popular, heaity cheering greeting the horses us they returned to the paddock. A strong field went to the post for the Telegraph Handicap, and a good contest resulted between four. Sweot Marie led for five furlongs, when she fell back beaten, and Bessie B. went on m hont. Cocoanut, Lexie, and Honest Jack were catching the leader fast m the straight, but Bes=ie B. won by three lengths, the other three being almost in a line. Coral Hue, the last Juvenile Stakes winner, was made a very hot favourite tor the Speedwell Handicap, and the result was never m doubt. The three-year-old went off at a giea'. pace, putting jd a particularly fast halfnvile, and Edwards took a hold of Hm at tho finish, with the result that he came home half n dozen lengths in front oi Eloctoi. The latter put up one of his best performances in jetting so close to the winner at the finish.

Friday's racing was fpoill by the state of tho track, which, in the hsmess races, was about 15sec slower to the mile than usual. The saddle events wd'e faster, th.9 track not r.fiecting them so much. In the Innovation Handicap Lignite registered a gcod perfornuinc2. He gradually cut the leaders down, and won comfortab.y at the finish. Mirth went very well at the start, till she broke badly. Autocrat also showed a lot of pace, but he tired at the finish, and Glenroy, who went very steadily all the way, defeated him comfortably. In the Ladies' Bracelet Darby trotted very kindly, and never caused .his backers any nneasiness, winning very easily. He has the reputation of baing unreliable, but he belied his record in this race. Miss Viking went well all through. Little Jim started badly, but was tiavelling at a .great pace in the last half mils. The .New Zealand Handicap was a procession, bo far as the fiist horse was concerned, General Lincoln leading all the way, and winning with ridiculous ease. The Needle put in & great mile to start with, but tired to nothing at the finish. Monte Carlo plodded along from the start, and in the last Ji?lf-mile was travelling twice as fast as anything in the race. St. Simon, Boldrewood, and Vaunt were also going well at the finish, but Sir Hector and Al F. appeared unable tc make any headway on the heavy track. The time, srain 27sec, is probably the slowest ever recorded on the tvpek for this class of race. In the Spreydon Handicap Allen v.ent well for a mile. when the heavy going ECttled him. Zeppa and Necklace then drew out and looked like having an interesting race, but Necklace tired very badly, and Zeppa won easily. Ballot a-efusecl to tcttle down rt the start, and lost a lot of ground, but when he did get under way he trocted in good style, and just failed 'to catch Necklace at tha finish The Sydenham Handicap produced the finest saddle contest ever seen in Canterbuiy. Elflook, Vanity, Big JJitm t and Bushmr.n were in a bunch at the end of six furlongs, with Kerryall, Lillian D., Perewiti, Verax, -end Fichu closing up fast. A round ■from home Perewiti went to the front, but none of the others were out of it. Perewiti tired at the finish, and a great struggle was witnessed. Hie leader lasted just long enough to vrn by a narow margin, Verax. Lillian D., Vanity, Big Jim, Kerryall, and Fichu being m a bunch. It was a great struggle, and the crowd wns worked up to a state of exceptional excitement. The Intermediate Handicap was devoid of interest, Cmeinr.a.ci being out in front all the wa>. The Orphan, Necklace, and Pygmalion showed good form among the others, but none of them could get near Cincinnati. A protest was entered on the groiuid of inconsistent running, but tha stewards rightly dismissed it. The state of the track -was such that comparisons .between the performances of the second and third day were out of the question. In the Swift Handicap Vanity, Sweet Marie, Cocoairut, and Auchmithy were in front at the start, but three furlongs from home Peri Huon ran into the lend, and won as he liked. The meeting v/as brought to a close with the Final Handicap, in which there was a great struggle between All Day, The Orphan, and Onward. All Day was in front at the start, but three furlonga from home he was catight by the other paa. Onward raced into the lead rounding the turn, but he tired tc nothing at the finish, and dropped out again. All Day, after being appalently beaten, made 'another good run in the straight, and won from the unlucky Orphan. It was a fitting close to a good meeting. Proceedings opened on the second dny with the Sumner Handicap, in which Lavalette ar.d Bombardo were «qual favourites, the former was never prominent, but Bombardo was m the leading division all the way, and just failed to withstand a late run by Stepdancer, who registered her fir9t win at Riccarton. Gold Bangle showed p lot of pace in the early stages of the race, and Juniper was running on well at the finish.

Six of the 13 horses in the August Handicap were well backed. The ancient Goldspur, who is now in his eleventh year, jumped away with this usual brillianoy, and looked like making a runaway race of it. At the distance he commenced to tire, but though Windwhistle and Reclaimer were catching him very fast, he lasted long enough to win by a bare length. Since he won the great Easter Handicap in 1697 Goldspur has been a consistent pprforrner at Riccarton, and his win was very popular. Victory and Gladys were withdrawn from the Hunt Club Cup, the latter on account of an accident which makes her reappearance on a racecourse very doubtful. Tire race provided an interesting duel between Agitator and Glenogio till half a mile from home, when the former went right away, and won very easily. The five starters gave a fine exhibition of clean jumping till Rainbow lov- his rider at tbe second last fence.

Tupara, Khaki, Zealous, Wet Blanket, and Osborue were scratched for the Grand National Hurdle Rnce, leaving 15 starters. Batfcleaxe, who was a strong favourite from the day the noniiuation'i weTo received, held his place at the head of the quotations, but Waiwera was also strongly fancied, his race on the first day having convinced backers that he was in good form. He was >v a good position in the early stages of the race, and a mile from home ho ran into the lead. The result wa3 never in doubt from this point. Slow Tom and IS'ance O'Neil made the race vciy solid for the firot mile, and as some of the compshtors were unable to keep their places at the start, the field was very quickly strung out. Tradewind and Battltaxe were well up all through the journey, but the latter faded right out at the distance. Waiweri, who looked much better than on the occasion of his last visit to Riccarton 12 months ago, had not previously won a race since last March. In tho interval he had raced all over the North Island, but the wet weather experienced during the last few months prevented him from showing his true iorni. The time ior vesterdav/s race

has only once been beaten, this being when Record Reign won three years ego in 3aiin '16 2-ssec.

The five starters for the Beaufort Steeplechase gave a good exhibition of jumping, all of them finishing the journey without a mistake. Seal ywag made the running in the early part of the lace, but failed to stay the journey out, and finished a long way in the rear. Straybirdj who has been r regular competitor at Grand National meetings, has now won the Beaufort Steaplechase twice, besides having a second and a third to his credit in the same race m other years.

Fairy Rose, this time with an amateur rider, had an easy win in the Second Hunters' Hurdle Race. The way was made easier by Plain Tom falling soon after flic stort. The horse was not hurt, but H. Carr, who was riding him, was badly bruised on the hips. The Islington Handicap was interesting till the straight was reached, half a dozen horses appearing to have good chances at this point, then Red Gruntlct shot out aud won very comrcrtabiy. The peiformanco was a marked contrast to his running in tho Winter Cup, in which he was never prominent. For a long time lie has had the reputation of being a brilliant track horse, but he has proved very urrehabl; m public. Pampero ran -well, and for the second time at the meeting filled sscojrd place behind a horse that was till quite recently trained m the same stable. Giesjelg was \eiy slow nt beginning, and at one time 7.ppearcd to be hcpelessiy beaten, but~he made a surprising run in die straight, and wfc.s catching the ieaders iast at the finish. Victor II wo nthe Junipers' Flat Rnce ndicu ous case, coming right away as soon as the straight vas reached. His sound track work had acn. escaped notice, and lie was s, good iftvourite. On Saturday racing opened until the Strnlers' Steeplechase, for which lie field wrs rrduced to three, and Agitatoi won very easily from Swagger, the -k inner oi the P.onit-to-Point Steeplechase last month. "The -way was made easy by a mishap to S.waggar He r.truck ihe second oi the kennels double, displacing the saddle, and at the next ferce it slipped right round. From this point Mr Elworthy rode him bare-backed, a 'feat which gaineri him a heartj cheer whsn he finished.

Windwhistle registered a fine performance in the Heathcote Handicap. She v;ps very slow at moving, and al the end of three hu longs she appeared to bs hopelessly beaten. Turning into the straight she put in a gxeac run on the vails. At the distance she had almost reached the leaders, and finishing very gamely, she won by a good margin. Red Gauntlet was out in fiont by "himself <n i.hs early stages, all (l looked like v/inuing all the way, but "he made a very feeble response vhen Wmclwhistle tackled him.

A field of nine contested the Sydenharn Hurdle Rnee. and the usual tactics were followed with Slow Tom, who was immediately taken to the front. He ran well for l mile and a-half. but had nothing left for the final struggle. Huku was in a handy position all the way. Ht jumped cleanly, and eventually won with a little in hand. Tradewind shaped well, always being with the leaders, and half a mile from home his chance looked good ; but when Huku appeared on the scene he soon had the measure of his opponents. w aiv,-ern, v,-ho tvas favourite, *nacle a poov sl\o\v. He was in the rear the whole way, his display being in marked contrast to his running in the Grand National Hurdle Race. Probably the slate of the course had something to do with hi 3 poor form, as he has the reputation oi disliking heavy going. In tho Third Hunters' Hurdle Race Wet Blanket was a strong favourite, but lie did not leave his backers long in doubt, as he fell after jumping the" first fence. "Reliance was in a good position all the way, and won very easily. Haydn fully justified his backers in the Lincoln Steeplechase. He was in the rear till a mile from home, when he commenced to move up. At the six-furlong post Haydn, Roller, and Straybird drew right away from the others, and an inteaesting finish seemed probable ; but though Haydn finished Btrongly, the other two tired very badly in the run home. The Gryphon fell at the post-and-raii fence, bringing Sultana down. The Gryphon lay on the ground for come time, and had to ba held up while he was walked back to the pßddock. Goldspur was favourite for the Selwyn Handicap, bnt though he got well away in company with Ordnance, he soon dropped out of the "contest Ordnance held her place in front till inside the distance, when she fell back. Matuku lay in a handy position till well into the straight, when she ran through, and won without any trouble. Her running was very different from her previous performance nt the meeting, when she was beaten very early after getting welt away. 11l the Final Hurdle handicap Victor II was made favourite, but was never dangerous. Zealou3 led nearly all the way, but when Mourner appeared on the scene soon aifter entering the straight, he ran past the sister to Seahorse, and won very easily.

The Hunters' Phite promised well till three furlonga from home, where Defiance, Reliance, and Playfair were together, but Defiance left the other paid without an effort at the finish. 1 fancy Neagle'a riding had something to do with the result.

The Gryphon is in a very bad way. He lias injured his back, and his racing career is over. I doubt, in fnct, if his life can be saved. This is bad luck for his owner, who refused a substantial offer for him last week. •

By reason of his victory in the Grpnd Na- , tional Steeplcchas? Awahuri is entitled to tank as tho star performer ot the meeting. Since he competed at last year's moetiug Awah.uri has improved out of all knowledge. He was i in perfect condition for last -week's race, and Tight through the journej he did not put a foot wrong from start to finish. He was going strongly, aud he appeared as if he could have won al any part of the journey. After successfully negotiating tlie Steeplechase course all . right, lie came down in the Grand National Hurdle Race before a mile had Been covered. The difference in the pace piobably accounted for the contrast between the two displays. North Islanders who had seen the horse credited him with being an uncertain jumper if he was carried a'ong fast enough in the early stages, and it is probable that the hot pace &et bj Slow Tom contributed in no small degree to Awahun going out as he did. Awahuri changed hands some time Srack. Mr V. E. Claikson, jun., while at "Mr G. P Donnelly's place in Hawko's Bay, took a decided fancy to the horse, and Mr Donnelly finally promised him to Mr Clarkson after the Grand Xat-onal meeting. Shearsby, the trainer, had intended taking Awahuri to*Au9tralia, and arrangements l.avf now been made by which he will compels at the Australian Jockey Club's spr-ntj meeting at Randwick next month, when he will probably take part in the hurdlo races and steeplechases. He loaves fov Sydney on Friday in charge of J. C. Shcarsbv, who has been associated with him in all his victorie=

Haydn put up a good performance in the Grand National Steeplechase, and wns not disfcraced in having to put up with third place. He jumped in his usual finished style, but tho weight settled him at the finish of the tiring journey. He was not seen out on ths second day, but on Saturday he made n successful appearance in the Lincoln Steeplechase. Ealler and Straybird looked like troubling him, but Haydn carried too many guns for them in the last half mile. B^stone oiJv raced once ovur

country, 'thst being in the Grand National Steeplechase. He surprised everyone by Me finished jumping till he struck the sod wall the last time round. He kept on his feetj but came down at the nest brush hurdle. Had he stood ip I feel sure Hiustonc would have been placed, and I fancy he would have niado the winner travel a little faster to keep cut of his way. At the time he fell he was going strongly, and the opinion of one or two of the leaders in the race favour the belief that the son of St. Hippo spoilt aai excellent chance of winning "when he dropped out at a simple biush hurdle near the finish of the race.

Straybird has been n consistent performer at Grand National meetings for some years, and he rarely fails to capture a race. He was seen out three times last week, his record being foii~th in -the Giand National Steeplechase, fiist in the Beaufort Steeplechase and second m the Lincoln SlesplecliTsc. He does not seem to be deteriorating -with age, but it is not a camphment to the ycunger division that the old brigade should keep on top in this way. Another of the veterans— Pipi— acted as runuei-np for the second successive year. He gave a good display of fencing, and -was out iv front nearly all the ws>y. On the third day the going was against him. and he did not seeui able to pace it with the leaders in the early stages of the race. Waiwera, the winner of the Grand Rational Hurdles Race, has been one of the best hurdle performers m ch° colony during the past seabon 01 two. Lest year he ran third to Trashani and Mars, but since then he has been running very poorly He is- 1 a bad horsa in heavy gouig, md ihis -.vat, probably the -reason for hia poor Siaplav on Saturday. In the Grand National Hurdles Eace he never gave the others & chance. He was in a handy position -n the enrly part of the journey, xad,,going to tbe front -more than a mile from home, he headed a procession -the rest of the way, -the performance was a very decisive one, and the laoe hns rarely been won .more easily.

Tradewmd Tan two gcod races over hnrdles without having any luck.

Evening put up a good performance in the Grand National Hurdle Race. She stayed the journey out particularly well, and was go^ ing is strongly as anything in tho race at the finish.

Battlepxc wn-, only seen once over hurdles. He was m a prominent placa the whole way, but never lorikecN like having a -whirling chance. His display was very disappointing, aud if we saw ihe best of him, BattJecxe ii a long way icinoved from the champion among hurdle racers that some of the northeners would have us believe.

Slow Toon ->vc3 beaten by the paoe he set in the big hurdle lace, but on Saturday he shaped well, just failing to sec the journey out after making all the running. Huku chowed something like his old iorm in the Syclenhnm Hurdle Race. Once he put in his claim the race was al) over 83 lie srooth' red his opponents at the finish. Mou^er s -a, promising sort that we have not yet seei the best of.

Among the young division I expect to see Wet Blanket, Zealous, and Catherine Cordon winning good> races before long. Vladimir, the winner of the Cup, wae not seen again at the meeting. The little son of Stepmak has always bean known as a bnluant gnUopei, but his ability to carry weight was doubted, smd this prol»ub!y accounted for the large div. he paid. He left the mark sman-iv, and fought out a duel all the way with his exstable mate Pampero. Vladimir is undoubtedly one of the best rmlcrs in the colony al present.

Red Gauntlet galloped very inconsistently. In the Winter Cup he was 'never prominent. On the second day he shaped j?corly in the August Handicap, aiul later in the day he won the Islington Handicap in brilliant style, staying out the mile in surprising fashion. Qn Saturday he tried to win the Heathcote Handicap all the way, but just, failed to last tho journey out. He has always been an uncertain customer — 'brilliant on the track, but untrustworthy in a race; but even with this reputation no harm could have been done in asking his connections for an explanation after he had won. P»mpero ran two good seconds. He is not nearly ready yet, and if the stands a preparation I -expect to see him very dangerous by .November. Mutuku's two performances were hard to reconcile. On Thursday she faded right out long before the finish, and on Saturday she was going great guno at the business end of the raoa. I hear that the layers were hit badly over Matuku's win.

Rawiri, the brother to Waiuku, was strongly fancied, but he failed to run up to expectations. His trainer is having a Jot of trouble with him, «ud it is doubtful if he will ever stand a severe preparation. He looked very big last week.

Goldspur, v.-ho has probably done more racing than an}* other horse competing Tit the meeting, made a show of his opponents in the August Handicap, and there was no more poptilar win during the three days. Windwhistle started thrice, and put up two excellent performances. Her victory on Saturday was particularly meritorious. She is a wonderfully game mare, and she gave good evidence of this when she yon.

L. H. Hewitt will leave for Sydney on "Friday to ride Cruciform and Orloff at the Australian Jockey Club's spring meeting. Three previous winners of t-he Grand National Hurdle Race, in Haydn, Defiance, and TLJmslopagaas, competed at 'last week's meeting.

Grand Rapids, by Gipsy Grand— Whirlpool, a half brother to Scylla, made a decent show in the Wintei Cup last week. It was his first appearance in public.

' Mr J. B. Reid's four-year-old Bombardo has been handed over to the Wingatui trainer M'Guinesa, and he left foi the south to-day. I 'think BombaTdo- will levelop into a real good one, -with time.

It was unfortunate for the connections -of Kohupapa that he went wrong just before the Grand National meeting. His track work was suggestive of good form.

Though Glenaladale was knocked down last week to the local trainer F. nolmes, it is understood that Mr V. Harris is the new owner of the horse. Mr Harris sold all his horses a few months ago, but he told me at the time that he was on the lookout for eomc more.

Mr H. Friedlander'B mare Sans Peur, "by Soult— Forme, arrived here to-day, on, route to her owner's stud farm uear Ashburton. She is to be mated with Pilgrim's Progress.

During the past week a number of lines have been written locally about the New Zealand Cup. The principal wagers were 1000 to 30 Strathavon, 500 to S Bombardo, 500 to 18 Ringman, 400 to 25 Canteen, 400 to 8 Motor, 400 to 4 Secret Society, 200 to P Royal Fusilier, 200 to 16 Pampero. Inquiries were also made about Lady Lillian and Lavalette, though I have not heard of any business being done. A few doubles have also baen booked about the Cup and Stewards'. Pampero and Pctrovna liavo bee.ii supported for £1000, while smaller lines have also been laid about Lady Lillian and Benzoin, Lady Lillian and Petrovna, Lady Lillian and To-morrow, Shrapnel and Petrovna, and Shrapnel and Madrigal. I fanoy the Lady Lillian and Benzoin combination will come in for further support before long. Lady Lillian is going on well, and it is believed that Benzoin, who has had a season at the stud, will stand a preparation again. Sir George Olifford's filly To-morrow is to b|

operated on this week for an affection in the heed. Scylla is to be turned out for a long spell. She his never been very Bound, or she would have been a gTeat performer. Mt Stead's yearling filly by Multiform;— Aura is making a good recovery from the injury to her fetlock, and her appearance on a racecourse need not be despaired of. She is a beauty to look at, and she should on looks and breeding ie a, good one.