CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 56

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Fkitz.

We have had a week-of decidedly mixed weather. In the early part we were' treated to some warm days, but on Thursday night there., was a sudden and violent change. A wild sou'-wester sprang up, accompanied by heavy rain, with a few light shower© of snow and sleet early on Friday morning. The weather was very wintry throughout the whole of Friday, but. at night there was another change, and Saturday was beautifully fine again. The storm on Friday morning rather interfered with training operations at Riceairton, but it was only a temporary check, and not sufficient to occasion the trainers any serious inconvenience. From now on till the close of the November carnival we can do with fine weather, with, possibly, a few light showers only to freshen things up. The opening of the Canterbury Jockey Club's. spring carnival is now less than five weeks distant, and anything having a bearing on the prospects of the meeting is of interest. An important preliminary occurred on Friday, when nominations ofesed for seven events to be decided at tho meeting. A study of the lists leaves room :for: nothing but complete satisfaction. There is, it has to be admitted, a slight falling off in numbers compared with last yoar, but with an average nomination of over 40 per race there is no cause for complaint. The Stewards' Handicap has attracted 61, compared with 58 last year; Members' Handicap 54, last year 60; Jockey Club Handicap 47, last year 54; Metropolitan Handicap 37, last year the same; Canterbury Cup, 20, last- year 25; Stead; Meinorial Cup,3l,. kist year 37; and Juvenile Plate 42, last year 34. Quite apart from their numerical strength, tho. nominations make excellent reading. I<oeal stables have, of course, contributed their best, but what is much more, important is the fact that owners in other parts of tho Dominion have also given extremely liberal support. Practioally every district, in fact, v,'hich can claim, any horses of good class is represented. Auckland owners, having a meeting of their own at the same season, do

not often patronise Riccarton in the spring, Wis this year wo can look forward to the » possibility of seeing Domino, Hohungr.tahi, Turbine, and the two-year-old Monoline, the last-named a winner at. Avondale. Kawke's Bay has «. very strong" contingent both in tlie .matter of numbers and class. Tho Ormond, Watt, an<J Lowry stables are particularly well represented, and with audi, horses as Bobrikoff, Miscount, Mid- % uighi Sun, Roya.l. Scotch. Montiform, and Go'duTwier among the eJiffibfes from that quarter, to say nothing of quite of weltered Kawke's Bay owners look like playing a prominent part at the meeting. Other North Island districts liavo also contributed their quota, horses worth mention including Undecided, Equibae, Elee+rakoff, Full Rate, Boanerges, Nyla.nd, Merrivonia, Hermia, Iranui, Faunus, and My Lawyer. The New Zealand contingent at present in Ausi tralia figure prominently in various events, and the prospect of Los Angeles, Viceadmiral, Culprit, Pierene, Midnight Sun, and Ladv Lucy being on hand at Riecarton should add to the interest in cur spring carnival. c . Although no payment was dine for the Ke'w Zealand Cup on Friday, the nominations received for other events' served to disclose something of owners' intentions in connection with that race, and it can be eaid that tli<3 outlook, so far as tho Twomile Handicap is concerned, is extiremely bright. Taking the Cup list, I note that Fort William has had no other engagements made for him. It was stated recently that ho had gone into Lowes rtablo with a, view to finishing his Cup preparation urxsei- tfiat trniner'a csarej. at Trentham, Vul it looks now aa if we were no£ to

see him. It is possible, of course, that Friday's nominations were overlooked, but this scarcely seems likely in view of the fact that other horses from Lowes stable figure in the lists. It is significant, also, that Fort William is miss.ing from the Auckland Cup nominations, so there is room for the suggestion that he has gone wrong. Birkdale is another Cup horse that has no other engagements made lor him at Riccarton, but I notice he is in the Auckland Cup, so it looks as it he was not forward enough to encourage hopes of his making a good show so early as November. Gunboat, another absentee, is in Australia, and is reported to be under a cload. Advocate, Sonite, Projectile, Cronetadt. Alma, Nightlight, Puaka, Arnistrong, and Gold Coin are other horses at present claiming Cup engagements that have not been otherwise nominated but their omission from the lists is not likely to occasion any discussion, as they have never been regarded seriously as likely to play a prominent part in the decision ol tho Cup. Nyland and Boanerges have been freely nominated, their engagements ranging from the Stewards' Handicap onwards. Boanerges is in the Metropolitan Handicap, -and both are in the Stead Cup, but I do not regard either of these horses as serious pro-positions for the New Zealand Cup, for which Boanerges has now earned a 51b penalty by reason of hie success "at Wanganui. I am inclined to think, further, that, tho Highden stable has a much more likely Cup candidate in Kilosteri. The only engagement made for Montiform is the Metropolitan Handicap, so it looks as if Mr Watt had hopes that the son. of Multiform—Happy Valley -would stay the Cup journey, and a similar programme has been followed with Goodwin Park:-- Lady Jean figures only in the Juvenile Plate, of five furlongs, which does not suggest confidence on the part of her owner in her ability to stay. We are thus left with 23 which can presumably bo regarded as live candidates for New Zealand Cup honours,- and from that lot we can fairly look for a. field quite up to the average both in numbers and quality. A number of them have raced recently, and, though several have failed to enhance their prospects by their latest performances, others have shaped well enough to suggest that their chances must be held in hip-h esteem. Form may, of course, be upset during the next few weeks, but my present view is that the Cup is a very open, race. The success of Goodwin Park at Wanganui on Thursday draws further attention to a horse that has already been backer down to a comparatively "short price. He had six other Cup horses behind him, so the performance had some merit in it. He is under the care of a. trainer, too, who should know what is wanted for a New Zealand Cup, Tilley having turned out, two recent" winners of that and Lady Lucy. At Geraldine on Thursday Martine also directed further notice to her New Zealand Cup chance by winning over» a mile and aquarter in good style. This mare has already shown that she is .partial to a distance, and she cannot be left out of calculations, though ■ I have a greater liking for her stable companion. Prim, who' has more attractive form in good company to recommend her. Miscount ran a good Cup trial when he finished second to Counterfeit in the Wanganui Guineas, and if he can stay, the three-year-olds may be worthily represented quite independent of how Midnight Sun. and Tannhauser may shapte over the Oup course. Boanerges also won at Wanganui, but, as already stated, I do not look on him as likely to go to the post for the Cup* As a Cup trial, Kilosteri's effort at Wanganui was best of the others, as he finished fast .in third place over a mile and a-quarter; and is likely to stay. Tho Oup horses racing ]a9t week also included Iranui, Merrivonia, The Rover, Mulgsu ' Bill, Montiform; Shuja., Kauroa, Lady Jean. Gold Coin, and Nightlight, but the onlv two to shape at all promisingly were Kauroa and Iranui. Dismissing the New Zealand Cup, and reverting to the races at Riccarton, .for which nominations closed on 1 Friday, there is plenty of material of good class to provide excellent sport during the four days of tho meeting. The best sprinters in the Dominion, figure in tho Stewards' Handicap, though a close study suggests that we niay not have a great number of champions about at present. A pleasing feature in connection with the Canterbury Cup and Stead Memorial Cup is that in addition- to ,the old horses, which include Los Angelos, Bobrikoff, Lady Lucy, Prim Merrivonia, Vice-admiral, Miss Mischief, Equitas, and Boanerges, we have Masterpiece, Counterfeit, Midnight Sun, Miscount, Royal Scotch, Tannhauser. Culprit, and Oration, in one or both races, to represent the three-year-olds. Altogether, the prospects at present for the November carnival at Riccarton are bright. The Geraldine Racing Club's meeting was held on Thursday and Friday, and was quite up to the average standard. The weather on the first day was excellent, and the special train from Christchurch oarried a largo number of passengers. On the second day, however, the conditions were very wintry, and there was only a moderate attendance from this end. Financially, the meeting should tuirn out well, the totalisator investments being £3117, compared with £4030 a year ago, when bookmakers were licensed. The management of the meeting left room for some improvement. The matter of punctuality was quite overlooked, and each day the last race, was started a long time after the advertised hour. There was too, a "go-as-you-please" style about the totalisator arrangement". It seemed quite the usual --ling to find business proceeding . briskly at the machine when iii<y horses were lined up for the start of a -race* while in one even-!: on tho first day money was being rung on when the horses were galloning up the straight. The press representatives found the arrangements somewhat primitive in other respects much inconvenience which might have been avoided being entailed in obtaining the details necessary to a faithful discharge of their duties. Mr B. R. Maodonald. the starter, was not consistent, a few of his despatches being of the straggling order. He gave tho impression that he had not always the complete confidence of the riders. At other, times he got his fields away on excellent terms, and he may vet develon high form with the barrier. He certainly opens_ with a strong priiint in his favour, as he is a good type of man for such a position. Martine, who won the Geraldine Cup. Is a fbur-vear-old mnre bv Martian—Ginsy Maid, by Gipsy Grand—Lady's Maid. She won the Oanterburv Oaks last season, and gave other indications of her usefulness when it oame to running over a jenrney. She began slowlv. was galloping strongly at fcho finish, and, considering the

fact that she did not act too well on the turns, her performance was very satisfactory. She" claims an engagement in the New Zealand Cup, and her admirers have no reason to desert her on account of her latest display. Gold Coin finished second to Martine, and filled the same place behind True Knight in the principal event on the second day. This daughter of Golden Knight—Aluinini gave promise last season of being useful, but she is still a long way short <h a good one, as Martine was conceding her two stone in weight. True Knight, who won the Spring Handicap, was strongly fancied for the Belfield Handicap on the first day, but, after being prominent to the home turn, he faded out. He won very easily on the second day, but the two performances left a strong impression that he is not genuine, a.nd that he requires matters very much his own way if he is to show his best form.

The hurdlers which; raced at Geraldine were not a high-class lot, but one or two of them may develop into useful performers. Freak, who won on the first day, is a six-year-old brother to the Great Autumn Handicap winner, Outlander, by Finland—Escapade. He hod shown at Ashburton a fortnight earlier tihut lie was a horse of considerable promise, and I am prepared to find him doing even better later on. . I have, however, a stronger fancy for Beckwell, who fell in Freak's race and won in first-class style on the second day. He is a seven-year-old, by Welbeck, a high-grade but unlucky racehorse that never recovered from the gruelling he wias subjected to in the spring of his three-year'-old season. Beckwoll's dam is Beauty Sleep, by Phaeton from Siesta, the dam of Daydream, a brilliant two-year-old that afterwards found her way to England, Beckwell is a good l cut of a horse, and jumps well. Another horse with possibilities was Sapience, who ' cerfhinly shapes better over hurdles than, he did on the flat.

Pilgrim's Way, who won the Squatters' Handicap at Geraldine last week, showed a rare turn" of pace, but this-he has long been known to possess. Last spring, in fact, he was credited with running six furlongs at Timaru -in lmin 13scc, and at other times he has given evidence of great speed. Unfortunately" he is troubled with bad knees, and has gone wrong more than once on the eve of a meeting, when his prospects seemed bright. ' Just now lis seems all right, though I doubt if he is thoroughly wound up, that task being fraught with difficulties. If only he survives a solid preparation he may give us a taste of. his quality in the 4 best sprinting company. He is a four-year-old, by Pilgrim's Progress, his dam, Naiitiloid, being by Musketry from Nautilus, a mare, that was owned by the Riccartoii trainer, K. Cutts, and that figures as the progenitor of hosts of good horses. At the yearling sales last -November a half brother, by Charlemagne 11, to Pilgrim's Way wbs purchased by Mr H. Friedlander for 425g5, and, as H. Thomson, who trains' Mr Friedlander's horses, also has charge of Pilgrim's Way, it was doubtless the knowledge of the latter's galloping ability that induced him to buy. The youngster has grown into a fine looking colt, tL'at' looks like developing into a good one. Stepmeter's performance on the first day at Geraldino was not altogether attractive, but to anyone who watched the race closely it was better than it appeared to be, as he was running over a lot of unnecessary ground. His effort on the second day, when he spreadeagled his field over half a mile, was therefore not unexpected. Stepmeter is a very useful sprinter, but in good company- is probably not partial to a yard further than six furlongs, being better suited by a shorter journey. ,-Kphinoor was .a . good • horse as a two-year-old, not a- great way. behind the best of his age. Since then, however, he has failed to hold his place, and I Bother fancy he has proved expensive to his present connections. He ran a moderate race over five furlongs at Geiialdine, and then came out later in the day and won quite attractively over six. I am afraid the son of Royal Fusilier—Bijou is not reliable. True Knight was strongly fancied on the first day at Geraldine, but, after having every chance, he failed to run on from the entrance to the straight. On the second clay the conditions were more to his liking, and, being allowed to stride along in front by himself instead of having rivals all round him, he finished brilliantly and' won easily. The little Sir Laddo horse can gallop, but he seems to. like everything his own way to ensure him doing, his best. John Bunyan, who won air Ashburton, registered two more attractive performances •at Geraldine. He is not a quick beginner, but when in his stride he can go fast. He has had plenty of time to develop, as, though a five-year-old, he has done very little racing. He is a fine cut of a horse, by Pilgrim's Progress from Catherine, who is a half sister to Treadmill, and I am quite prepared to find him developing into a really good performer before the end of this season.

Ebjrlestone, the brother to Cannie Chiel, Signalman, and' Sharpshooter, continues lo improve, and there is room for hope that he will y©t develop into a useful horse. As it is, he is quite capable now of paying his way on country courses, and ho shaped well in each of his races at Geraldine.

Safety Pin, by Tenapin—Dndu, failed to race up to expectations at Geraldine, but he can be relied on to improve as the season advances, and he seems certain to win plenty of races. All Guns appears to have taken a new lease of life. Though he did not win at Geraldine he raced well each dav. /"He gallops much more resolutely now tifclan he did in thfl early part of his career. The trotting- events at Geraldine attracted pood fields and provided fine sport. On the first day. in the Orari Trot, Bay Patohen appeared to have Crown Prince's measure a furlong from home. _ but then made a palr.tablc cross and quite riohtlv paid the penalty in beinc disqualified. Crown Prince, who received the stake, is a useful looking three-year-old brother to Princess Mento, by Prinoe'.jmporial from a Sacramento mare. Glendalough finished third, and: Brown Empress fourth, but neither performed well. The Geraldine Trot' introduced a much-bocmed horse. Lord Dillon, by Harold 1 Dillon— T>ady Mlab, who created a* very favourable impression quite arcart from the easy wav in which ho won. Pie can safely he marked off as a good one. On the second day the Domain Trot resulted in an easy win for Olordalounjh. In four-year-old sister to Dan Patch, who n»v do even better soon. As it was, she covered a mile and a-haif at less than 2min 26sec to the mile. Schoolgirl, who finished

second, is a half sister, hy Mambrino King, and Factory Boy. The Electric Trot was won by DoLur Princess, by RothschildManageress, a mare that has been longer than was expected in asserting the speed she was known to possess, Vice-Admiral has been, the medium of some solid backing for the New Zealand Cup. Golclfinder still rules favourite with Domino and Vice-Admiral equal second favourites, followed closely by Merrivoma, Prim, Miscount, Tannhauser, Goodwin Park, Montiform, and Kiloeteri. For the Stewards' Handicap Equitas and Royal Scotch are the present favourites, but it would not take much to effect a change there. . , „,. I hear the Oamaru horse Oiyoi (by »tcpniak—Hermosa) has broken down complefelv, and that his racing days are over. Huasoar (by Hotchkies— St. Elyn), who run second to Ivanoff in the Welcome Stakes in 1905, and won the Juvenile Plate a year later, and who has been at the stud in South Canterbury, was badly injured through becoming entangled in. a wire fence last week, and had to' be destroyed. • Canute and Teviotdale, two of Mr G. D. Greenwood's two-year-olds that were sent to Svdney to be "raced this spi'ing, contracted a severe attack of influenza, and were shipped back home, arriving last week. Bandeira, Messrs Stead Brothers' three-year-old who ' broke down in Australia, returned at the same time. The two-year-olds have not been cent to MiGreen wood's racing stable at Yaldhurst for fear that the influenza epidemic might be further spread. ■,■"_ ■ . Last spring Mr T. Sheenan had his mares mated with the young stallion Bonny Glen (by Stepniak—Crest). He now has three fine foals by him— Greek Maid (by Musketry—Psyche) having a filly, Leonore (by Seaton Delaval—Leocant) a colt, and Pleasure-seeker (by Chainshot—Psyche), a colt.

The two-year-olds at Riooarton are moving along in good stylo just, now. It is too scon yet to say that- there are any smashers among- this season's lot, but i.t is safe "-to assert that we have eome smart gallopers. Anna Carlovna (by SoultCzarevna), Autumnu® (by Treadmili— Goldleaf). and Winning Way (by Cannie Chiel—Lady Wayward) are a trio that can, I think, be relied on to play a prominent part in the early part of the season. There are, however, other promising that are not being hurried at present that look like developing good form later on. The brood mare Dudu (by Somnue— Fame),' who was owned by the veteran Ricbarton trainer Cutts, was destroyed last week. She was 26 years old, and her owner took this course rather than see her linger andi suffer. Dudu was a fairly successful brood mare, among her successful progeny being Epaulet, Shrapnel Shell, D.jin-Djin, Lolah, Stratagem, and Safety Pin—the last-named a winner at Ashburton. A fortnight ago Cotton took Canterbury to Geraldine, but he went lame. He is now being treated to a course of "treatment on New Brighton beach with a view to being prepared for hurdle raose at the N.Z. Cup meeting; but the prospects are not very ■ hopeful. The victory of Counterfeit in the Wanganui Guineas makes the Chokebore outlook for the seaeon in three-year-old events look bright, the retirement of Antagonist. The I rcadbiill filly can be relied on to improve, and there is still Masterpiece, who is doing really well, to fall back on.