CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 51

CANTERBURY DOINGS

By Fritz.

Some weeks ago, in discussing the prospective nominations (for the next New Zealand Cup, several friends hazaa-ded the opinion , that we should not only have a poor entry, i but that the quality of the contestants might 1 leave niucli to be desired. A glance at the ' list, however, shows that both contentions were far from correct, and- the Canterbury Jockey Club has every rea3on to Me satisfied with the response accorded by owners, no fewer than 72 nominations having been received for the 2000sov stake. With such a number entered the prospects of witnessing a< capital Tace contested by a big field next November are more than ordinarily attractive. A careful study of ths known and prospective :

staying abilities of the animals engaged suggests that upon the whole we have seldom had much better material to work upon. Achilles, by running third in the Cup, alone proves that he can get the distance, whilst Mahutonga's effort last year when finishing second must still be fresh in the minds of sportsmen. St. Michael has his name inscribed on the roll of Auckland Cup winners, and his recent performance at Oamaru shows that he cannot yet be considered a past quantity. Of Mr Stead's entry of six Nightfall should worthily represent the Yaldhurst owner, whilst his three-year-old full-brother Noctuiform may prove an equally trustworthy member of the family. Cuneforin, Porcelain, Golden Knight, and Sungod make up the sestet, and I should not be surprised if the last-named furnishes into a typical three-year-old cup horse. Of Bulawayo little has been seen lately, but he can stay all right, andi the same can be said of the handsome Melwood, the son of St. Leger having already run into a place in the race. Judging by Vladimir's performance in the Great Autumn Handicap there is no reason why he should not get to the end of two miles just as Waiuku (at one time considered a sprinter only) did when he captured the coveted prize. Tirole has yet to prove that he can stay, btit I think he will, and Calibre ought to run well. Joe Chamberlain, who, owing to a mistake, was withdrawn from last year's race, is a powerful horse, and should not be troubled by a sixteenfurlong race; and Jeanne d'Arc la an undoubtedly solid mare, who, if well on the day. wouid defeat more than beat her. Of Mr O'Brien's three I like Multifid best. He is a powerfully-built colt, and should he be landed at the post dressed in his best, he should creditably carry the rose-and-black stripes. I did not expect to see Thunderer's name in the list. This gelding was sold for a paltry sura at Ashburton recently, and the amount of training necessary to undergo may find him out. Convoy would prefer a shorter journey, but nicely treated, and in the hands of his present trainer, he may see it right out. Melodeon should again run prominently, aond it is possible we may see the speedy North Island crack Mania-poto measuring strides against the be3t handicap horses of the year. Sir Geo. Clifford has named a trio, amd of these Quarrym&n appears to be the beat, as he has been successfully tried over a distance. Paritutu (double winner at Taranaki), Romeo, Armistice. Scc-tty, Ghoorka., Gold Crown, and Black Reynard have all registered performances qualifying them for a nomination, but only on the ground that an owner likes to have one in "the Cup" can explain why a few have been entered. There are many untried quantities in the race, and any of them might develop unlooked-for ability. We shall not have to wait long to see the weights, and Mr Henrys is sure to attract capital acceptances. No fewer than 17 now two-year-olds are engaged, many of them with scarcely any form to recommend them, but this may be shown long before November. A few backers are making inquiries thus early, holding that so long as their particular fancies are in the race they can guess within a few pounds of the weight they will receive. The remainder of the field is made up of 12 four-year-olds, 14 five-year-old 3, the rest being six and aged (ages at time of running).

More than ordinary interest was taken in the racing at Dunedin on Saturday, and a couple of speculators managed to have a fair wager on Bill Perkins when that horse won the Silverstrearn Hack Handicap. Crichton's success in the Provincial Handicap, however, was not anticipated.

At a meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club- last week a-n aplication was received from Donovan, a jockey who was disqualified at the autumn meeting, for a remission of a portion of his period of disqualification. It was decided to refuse the application, no mitigating circumstances having come to light since the sentence was imposed. A moro uninteresting week could not be imagine than that just passed so far as tisck work at Riccarton is concerned, the weather being simply atrocious. In addition many of the regular tramps at headquarters are away from home, and what work has been accomplished has been of a very mild character. Mr Alf Dickson, sporting editor of the Canterbury Times, will on Wednesday next give up his bachelor life by taking unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Cutts, only daughter of Mr and Mrs E. Cutts, of Chokebore Lodge, Riccarton. I wish them every happiness. At the m&eting of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club on Tuesday last Mr G. G. Stead was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. I might mention that Mr E. Gates, the owner of Lady Zetland and her daughter Lady Lillian, may contest the Ashburton seat next November.

The monthly meeting of the committee of tbe Canterbury Jockey Club was held on Tuesday. E. Cutts complained that C. Waites had left his employ without notice, and it was resolved to warn owners amd trainers against employing him. R. Derrett's trainer's license was cancelled, at his own request. The South Canterbury Hunt Club's Point-to-Point programme was approved. The application for the registration of the Albury Racing Club was approved. A similar application from the Mount Herbert County Racing Club was held over for further consideration. The following transfers were approved: — From Hon. G. M'Lean to W. J. Taggart, br g Alexis, 2yrs; from F. Busch to J. Y. M'Cracken, b c by Goodbye — Foresight, lyr; from G. G. Stead to J. Franks, b f by Phoebus ApolloHilda, lyr ; to J. C. N. Grigg, b c Uranus, Syrs; to G. Palmer, b f Largesse, 2yrs ; from H. Friedlander to L. H. Hewitt, eh f by Finland—Papilla, 2yrs; to B. Shadbolt, br f Kalypso, 2yrs ; to J. Quigley, be by Cuirassier — Annabelle, lyr; to W. J. Marshall, b f by Finland— Wepener, lyr; to J. F. Bell, b f by Finland— Wheedler, lyr; to J. Buckley, br oby Finland — Circlet, lyr ; to J. Buckley, b f by Seaton Delaval — Robinilla, lyr; to J. M'Farlane, b f by San Francisco — Waifremata, lyr; to H. M'Lean, br *by Explosion — Sybil, lyr ; G. G. Stead to F. Higgott, br f Petticoat. 2yrs. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the Plumpton Park Trotting Club was unable to bring its three-day autumn meeting to a close until Saturday last, amd though the weather was fine, but cold, the course was naturally somewhat heavy. Better contests could not be desired, and as only two first favouritesproved successful during the afternoon it will b© gathered that investors were not overeuccessful. The attendance was good. Tlie totalisator investments for the three days amounted' to £11,165, or £2117 more than the amount handled at the corresponding meeting last year. Eleven horses started for the Sockburn Handicap, and Black Rase, the favourite, at once drew away from her opponents, but at tho lialf-distance she was accompanied by Ella, G. Half a mile from the post the latter retired in favour of Craigarnsky and Imperial Polly. Craiga-rnsky lost his position through breaking, and a capital finish between Black Rose and Ella G. resxilted in the latter being defeated by a length, Merry Prince four lengths away. An inquiry into the form of the winner did not alter the placings. The two-year-old Wild Wind led all the way in the Ladies' Bracelet, and won comfortably by two lengths 2x"*x Bjnwqo.flufiv_ e . lengthy betjweea tie latter

and the third horse, Orlando. Durbar, from scratch, registered an attractive performance in the Middieton Handicap, the son of Vancleve getting to the front half a mile from home, and winning comfortably by three lengths from Zeppa, who was 14 lengths in advance of the third horse George. The favourite, Royal Money, was beaten at the iialf-distance. Imperialism was sent out a warm favourite for the final heat of the Champion Handicap. Although she got away badly tie ma-re got to the head of affairs at the end of two furlongs. At the half-distance Black Child and Pygmalion were her nearest attendants. B.ack Child challenged Imperialism just before reaching the straight, and gradually forging ahead, Black Child won by three lengths, Verax a poor third. The Prinoe of Wales's Handicap formed the next item, Harold E. being instaJled favourite. This horse and Plain G. were together at the end of the first half-mile, but here the latter went up, and Harold C. never being seriously threatened won comfortably from Boldrewood, with Black Child a good third. Lady Mab had no difficulty in winning the Advance Handicap, the mare leading all the way, and securing the stake by about 10 lengths from Valentia, who was six lengths in front of tihe third place-getter, L.E.A. A similar runaway victory has to be chronicle in the Telegraph Handicap, Fichu scoring as he lifted by 10 lengths from Cocoanut, after whom came Ben Hur. The day's racing was fittingly wound uy/by the best contest of the day in the Au Revoir Handicap. Marion and All Day were both heavily supported, the former holding command to the half-distance, where 'he was approached by Amusement and Marion All Day held his place, however, until well into the straight, where he was challenged by Verax, and a capita! finish resulted in Verax winning by a neck, whilst Marion was only naif a length behind the second horse