CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2883, 23 June 1909, Page 63

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Peitz.

We are still enjoying a spell of exceptionally fine weather, and at present there seems little- prosper of any change. Onca or twice during th<» past week thp sky was very cloudy and rai,n threatened, but we got_ no further than a light shower, and just when .1. downpour seemed certain the sky cleared o.gain- and we got bade to our frosty nights and warm, sunny days. Wlien the weather does break, I expect we witl ge? more ra.in than we want, and, with this in their injnds 1 , the trainers ftt ■Riccarton a,re taking full advantage of the favourable conditions £0 get their horses — bofh old ones and rising fwo-year-olds— es far adva-ncec! as possible. There ie, how-

ever, little of special interest to record in connection with, the track doings at the course, the work being chiefly of the useful ordei. This will continue the order of the day until we get a little nearer the Grand National meeting.

There is a very big batch of rising two-year-olds in the Riccarton stables this season, the total number being well over 20. The two teams which are trained at Yaldhursfc — Mason's and O'Donnell's — also include between them about a dozen juveniles, so that Canterbury owners should be vary much in evidence in this class of race next season. It is too early yet to offer any definite opinion concerning the merits of the youngsters, but I fully expect to find a few very useful ones among the local lot, though there may not be any champions. From what I can learn, Mason s young on-es are more forward 'than meso of thots at Riccarton. The reason for this is to be found in the fact that Mascn contemplates a trio to R-andwick in the spring with one 6r two of Mr G. D. Greenwood s horsos, and it is therefore essential that ' the youngsters should be tried early, as I ! expcet.lhey will leave here about the end ! of August. A final decision regardme the Australian invasion will probably depend on how the rising two-year-olds shape during the next two months. Mention of R. J. Mason reminds me that a rumour is in circulation to tha effect that he will shortly bid farewell to New Zealand, and will train Mr Greeaivc:d's horess permanently ,afc Rand wick. 1 have not scan Mason on the subject, so I give the rumour for what it is worl.h. R. Longley is keeping Southern Cro~s and Inchbonny bu.«y. with a view to- engagements at Ac Wellington Racing C-lub s winter meeting. Several other local horses are also likely to figure in the nomination list for the Trentham fixture next month. Prior to trie commencement of the winter meetings, "the general opinion at R:coarton was that Eurus and Northern Star were likely to carry Mr D. Rutherford s colours witfc distinction in cross-country events, but so far tEeir efforts have been very disappointing. So far as ISorthern Stai is concerned? it may be well to remember that he is still young at steepleohasir s: and there is ample tima- for him . y et - * n -™ c cose of Eurus, however, it is otherake. He is an experienced horse, and it is a £^33^ *«&? wsrs - % mm is doing steady work again Th^» colt no reason why, if he remains souno. he "houldnot p^ve a worrhv brother to^how two high-class animals, Munject and A" R lt winter grajs gallop at Riccai-ton has received a liberal coaUn- of sand, and ft should provide exciUcnt going. T Lhould say it will be tho.ouchlv appreciated when the wet weather rets in. Exten=ive alieraf.ons are al present m nrc-re«3 at Riccaiton. The stand accommodation has for some tiire been reco - ?- nU'd as inadequate, and th:<? defec. is bsin<r mpr by putting a second s.or-sy^ on thu oubide ftand. ThU will be reacned by a stairway from th-3 paddock, and it will I understand, be available for members. The old totali&ator hou?e ha« been pulled down, and a new building is nowwell on the road to completion. In addition to these work* the club is having a caietaloer's cottage builr in the plantation closo to the carriage drive, near the entrance to the course. All the-se works will be finished before the Grand National meeting. Stepenfeldt and Slancv are raping- well over the schooling hurdle* at Riccarton. Orsino was schooled on Thursday. and, but for i umping down <-?veral of th-e- obstacles ho gave a creditable di-n'ay. Lapland wa= out on the schooling tiack attain during the week. He showed a strong desire to e-hirk the obstacles, but his trainer (Mr Cracken). who rode him, handled his mount with determination and judgment, and got him over each hurdle at ths first, attempt. There is no doubt Lapland can jump, and he will make a good hurdler if he can be persuaded to make tb-2 effort. Tikitere was lame after working on Saturday, but it is bslieved to be only temporary. Tremulous is a?ain showing lameness in the shoulder, and may have to Ye given a further spell. Contender has b?en recomissionecl, and appears to have quite recovered from his lameness. St. Aidan is looking: very well, and he should b? ready to run a good race at an early date. Snip is bowlinsr along freely In his work, and appears to be in capital fettle. Gwendoline dislodged b<»r ridar -one dcv last week, and after jgrallooing about for some time she was capture?!. On the following morning 1 she was slightly lame, but <=he is all right again,, and is galloping in rood style. Silkweb has been' causing his trainer some trouble, and he may have to be spelled. ' '

Grand Slam is bearing 1 an improved appearance, and it will hs interesting to see how he performs in public now that he has been gelded.

Lady Disdain is being treated to a wellearned spell.

The yearling colt by Treadmill — Tremor has developed lameness. It is to ba hoped it will not be serious, as he is a promising youngster. Cresset, the two-ysar-okl filly by Tr-ead-niill—GclJen Cre^.t, pulled up lame after a gallop last week, and is being epelled.