CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 51

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Bi F«itz.

Frosty nights and many wet days have prevented trainers getting to work early with their charges, but taken on the whole, some particularly attractive performances have been put up by the laTge number of horses now at exercise at Riccarton, especially over the big fences. Yet no horse haa shown superlative ability, and the Grand National Steeplechase seams to bear a very open appearance. A goodly number of enthusiastic sportsmen keenly watoh the morning gallops, some for the pure love of seeing so many horses; but the majority, I suppose, are looking for likely 'winners.- The latter, I should say, have not ijeen very successful, as the form thown by mmr of the leppers is a bit miaced. One morning Bucephalus will defeat Rosinante, the next the tables axe tum«d. The following day both appear to succuml to Pathfinder, and then the In© seem to foe quite unable to gallop with Old Judge. Xhe volume of betting also shows that backers are a bit at sea; pretty well •T«ry 'iiorse engaged in the National Steep.e•ohaee taring been supported in double-event -wagering to win the cross-country stake. The -winter C.J.C meeting is probably "the" most {popular of all the cub's fixtures, and every indication is suggestive of a- most successful gathering. The enclosures and general surroundings of the couree are looking really well, and the big fences and taking off ground are an first-class order. The removal of the old jpost and] rails at the top of the straight and 4he substitution of a manuka brushed obstacle is a marked improvement, and is much appreciated by owners and riders of the jumping brigade, whilst the present post and rail fence should not prove so destructive as did the old. one. Unfortunately, I shall not have another opportunity of commenting upon the prospects of the horses engaged in the various contests on the firtl day, as the racing begin* on- August 14, a day prior to the publication of the Witness. However, my final selections ■wi'l appear in the Daily Times, and with that proviso I will do my best for "Doings" readers. Kurtere has materially improved since he first negotiated the training jumps here, and his friends assert that whatever defeats him will win. His performance on Saturday was distinctly good, and he should be there or thereabouts when the post is reached. Sol is also •jumping nicely, and is improving with every galloi. Slow Tom will beat more than beat Sim. and though some people assert that he will not get round safely, he is quite a« safe • conveyance a« the majority of his opponents. Swimmer occasionally raps his fences pretty bard, and if* he takes many chances of this character in the race he cwmot hope to succeed. He may fence correctly, but vt the moment I must discard him. Eurus is another who did not impress me one morning last when he appeared to lack pace, as h* ■wm apparently defeated by Narcissus and The Gueeser. and neither of the parr named can be reptrdea ac speedy. Phaetontis has also de-feated-bim on the flat, and, under the circumstance*, it will be seen that' Eurus must considerably improve if he is to win. Phaetorrtis is jumping and galloping as well as could be desired, and nothing i* doing much better. Irish has secured a number of friends, and this follow will probably b« pretty hard to beat. I feave not yet seen N»dador, but Bongo* is -travelling fairly well, as also is Mawhiti. Wai--wera does not relish the big obstacles, and ■ciews his jumps. I cannot recommend his prospects. Moccasin and Playfair are fair torses, but I must discard Ranana on what ha* been sees of bine here. Baritone is performing meritoriously, and of course no possible exception could be taken to Pipi, who is fencing cleverly, but he can scarcely succeed 1 on the flat, though he i«, perchance, the quickest jumper in the field. Narcissus is also going well, and with a light weight up he may run prominently. Carefully reviewing the work witnessed at headquarters, I have come to the conclusion that the race may.be fought out by Slow Tom, Irish, Phaetontis, and Kiatere, and I like them in the order named. The Wintea Cup, the principal flat race of the fixture, is also rum on the 14th, and so iar as I can judge it should prove a first-class contest. I like the way Ohryseis has been ■hapi-ig, and this mare should give a great account of herself. Kremlin, if not reserved for hi* hurdle engagement will be sure to run prominently, and Makaroff is travelling in fine style. Lyrist only arrived on Saturday, and I fcsYfl not seen him. Ingleneuk is slightly under a cloud, but Waikato is galloping freely. Bu!*w»yo is in good .fettle, and should run a fine race. The winner may come from Kremlin, Bulawayo, Chryseis, and. Makaroff . and the first-named may prove the winner. A final payment is doe on Friday next for the Grand K««on«l Steeplechase, Winter Cop, and Grand Ziwtional Hurdle Race, and acceptance* will

' alst> he due for minor events to oe run on the first day. Regarding -tine latter, I would take Rangrtata, Haerekdmoa, Nogi, and Ecclefechan aj a quartet, one of whom might win the Hunters' Hurdle Handicap, and would select the • first-named to win. Some speedy horses are engaged in the Trial Hurdle Handicap, Welbeck being selected as top weight, and as he 13 said to be a most accomplished fencer, he should race well forward. However, whatever defeats Black Reynard wiJl have to move along, as this fellow is both fast and a fine fencer. Prospector is another whose chances cannot be ignored, but I do not think Stronghold will be sufficiently forward in his jumping to take a hand at the finish. My selections in the order named axe Black Reynard, Prospector, and Welbeck. Baritone, who has a prior engagement, may be sent out to win the- Enfield Steeplechase, as also may be Narcissus ; of the pair, I would select the former, but should both be withdrawn I would give my vote to Graduated Tax, even though she may not be the most reliable mare in the world. The Jumpers' Flat Race should provide a great race, and may shed some light upon the prospects of the Grand National Hurdle candidate*. Of the 19 horses 'engaged I would take Shrapnel, Cavalry, Hydrant, and Black Reynard in the order in which they are written. Assegai, Hemlock, Notus, and Gazeley should run well in the Hack Handicap, and Assegai may prove victorious. On Thursday, August 16, the Grand National Hurdle Race will constitute the principal item, of interest. I can again touc'i upon this race, and it is unnecessary now to enter at length into the prospective chances of the horses engaged therein. Nothing is galloping ->r fencing much better than Kremlin. H is assumed by some that he will not quit* see out a fast-run two-mile race.. Perhaps not, bat he can muster "up a lot of pace, and I certainly believe he will see it out. Shrpanel usually accompanies Kremlin in his, work, and though there does not appear to be much between them, that little seems to favour Kremlin. Cavalry is much improved, and his general work suggests that he should run well. lam confidently informed that Welbeck cannot lose, and if he is a proficient fencer — well, how many could sel-ect one to beat him. I like Cuiragno, Hydrant, arfO Prospector, either of whom might win, whilst Sardonyx is considered to have a great chance. If I had to select one straight out now I would take Kremlin of all those working at Riccarton ; but I will leave any further remarks upon this subject until next week. Mr G. G. Stead should be well represented in tho New South Wales capital shortly if the appearance of Mr R. J. Masone charges is any criterion. Isolt is a beautiful marc, as most of us are aware, and she is almost sure to go. Huascar is also galloping in line style, whilst Porcelain, Boniform, and Seal Rock all appear to be in splendid health. The South Canterbury Jockey Club has decided to place trotting event* in its next programme, accepting the offer of the Trotting Association to supply a paid steward to watch these events At the South Canterbury Hunt Club meeting on Thursday Mr H. Elworthy, whose horses have proved very successful in recent jumping events, won Mrs Thomas's Cup, having secured the race in three successive years. Craigmore proved the victor, another of Messrs Ehvorthys' horses in Swagger filling eecond piace. Mr Frank Evans also s< ored a good win in the Hunc Club Cup Steeplechase with Lucky Star, and picked up Mr Tescheniaker's trophy, the ra»; having fallen to Mr Evans in three successive seasons. Craigmore again defeated his stable companion in the lally-ho, Roseniorn running third to tho pair in each race. Ecclefechan annexed the Robeitson Memorial Stakes, and followed this up by appropriating the Bracelet Race. Buocleuch proved too good for his opponents in the Hack Race, Title and Polyphone securv ing the respective places. A half-sister to Replete arrived at Ricc-ar-ton during the week. She is not engaged at the coming meeting. Pipi's friends were momentarily alarmed when the old fellow showed signe of lameness after working, but the removal of a pinching shoe avoided the trouble. A fair number of visitors attended the North Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting on Thursday, and the racing was fair throughout. The totalisator was absent, but backers were accommodated by the pencillers, who seemed to transact a fair amount of business. Deerslayer picked up the Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase, defeating Cinderella, Canton, and four others, the next event — the Hack Handicap — falling to Gold Bangle, who won by a length from Parole, Ben Fortune occupying third place. The trotting event went to Doctor 6., who reached the judge six lengths in advance of Ohio, and this was followed up by Wahine defeating Albury by a neck in the Hunters' Flat Handicap. Cinderella was not extended in the Hunters' Steeplechase, winning by about 10 length* from Paringa, after whom came Jessie Wild Bell wu too fast for her opponents in the ! Pony Handicap, and Powder and Pfltches j brought the rasing to a close by defeating j Honeydew by half a length in the Hunteis 5 Welter Handicap. At the monthly meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association Mr Selig, president, said that at the conference some discussion had arisen in reference to the proposed Exhibition meeting. The most important point to be considered in connection with the proposed meeting had been the possibility of obtaining a totalisator permit, but he did not want it to be thought that the association desired to deprive any club of its perrmt. He had ex- ', plained the question to the conference, telling the members that the cluba were practically unanimous in supporting the proposal. The" -vice-president of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (Mr G. Payling) had warmly opposed the proposal, though no (Mr Selig) thought under a misapprehension that the association wished to run a meeting in opposition to ibat of the club. In the course of his remarks Mr Payling had stated that the club would give £5000 for a four d*ys' meeting in November, and that being so, he (Mr Selig) considered that there was no need to take any further action. His idea had been to Bhow the visitors to Christchurch something good in the way of a trotting meeting, and such a gathering as was proposed by the Metropolitan Club would meet his idea. The association decided, in view of the president's j explanation, to take no further action. I