CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 50

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

(By Fritz)

Since the conclusion of the Grand National meeting, the weather lias been very mild, and if it can be accepted as an indication of what is in store for us we can look forward to an early spring. The trainers at Riccarton will welcome the pleasant conditions, as they will now be anxious to push on with their charges for early engagements. In the meantime, matters are quiet at Riccarton, as might be expected, following on such a busy week, but they will soon liven up again, the approaching fixtures giving the trainers plenty to occupy their attention. , This week we will have the Ambcrley Steeplechase meeting. Class is not very strongly represented, but the fields are larger, and there should be some interesting racing, especially in the jumping events, which are a very popular feature with tho sporting enthusiasts of North Canterbury. Early next month the Ashburton County Racing Club will take up the running with the flat racing season, after which we will have little respite for some time. Mr D. W. Gibson, who has so ably filled the position of stipendiary steward in the South Island since the beginning of this ycaw, will leave this week on his return to Australia, having resigned hia appointment for family reasons. During Grand National week his’brother stipendiaries and the Racing Conference staff made a presentation to Mr Gibson, and on their behalf Mr J. M‘Mahon, chief stipendiary, expressed regret at Mr Gibson’s approaching departure. Tho Australian-bred Gold King, bv Seal Rock—Palotta. formerly owned by Mr O. Mach ell, has. hec.n sold to a North Island sportsman. , . , Waitoto, who competed without success in hack hurdle events at the firnud National meeting, will in future he trained at Riceartoir by J. Bridges, having been purchased by- « patron of his stable. D. Moraghan has taken in hand tho gelding Fair Deal, hv Xe Kooti. Vice-Admiral has been thrown out of work, on account of some injuries he received on the eve of the Grand National meeting. It is probable that the son of Multiform—Rattler will take up stud duties th’s '■casern Daylight Bill’s half-sister, Free, by Oiar*

lemagne ll—Female Franchise, has joined W. C. Clarke’s active team.

G. Scobie is busy with his Australian team, and he should have Sir Malt, Atheldene, and Silver Shield ready to race at some of the early spring meetings. Max is the latest addition to the hurdlers at Riccarton, and he shapes well in his schooling efforts. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association will be held to-day (Wednesday), when the result of the election for the new board will bo announced. The trotting stallion Willowwood, full-, brother to Wildwood Junior, by Wildwood — Thelma, was shipped to Sydney last Thursday, and he will do stud duty in Australia this season. Having Wildwood Junior at his own stud, Mr W. Kerr had no need for another of the same breeding, which accounts for the departure of Willowwood, who will probably remain' permanently in Australia. Though overshadowed by his illustrious brother, Willowwood has already sired some useful performers, including Breeze and Mollywood. He is a horse of commanding appearance, and having demonstrated his racing ability, ho should do well in Australia, where he will provide a fresh strain of blood. The weights for the New Zealand Cup made their appearance last week, and they will provide a fruitful subject for conversation during the next few weeks. So far I have not heard any adverse criticism, and the popular opinion seems to be that Mr Henrys has done his work quite up to Ins beet standard. There seems a disposition to pick Bon Ton out as specially well treated, but after a brief examination of the figures I should say there would not be much m it between him and Masterpiece, taking a line through the Groat Autumn Handicap. On that form, in fact, I would prefer the older horse if I thought he could be induced to run kindly in the midd.e of his field, instead of having, as was the case in the Groat Autumn, bo cover unnecessary ground to avoid bumping. If they go on all right I expect to find these two horses among the fancied candidates for the Cup th's year. Of the others near the top, Bobrikcff can, I should e-ay, be written ofil as an unlikely starter. Midnight Sun is not likely to come back from Australia, while Goldfinder and Vice-Admiral can be passed over as unsound. Bronze 1 do not fancy : n the spring, and Bon Revo may bo reserved for shorter courses. The Auckland mares, Blerict and La Reina, are a bkcly pair, whose presence in the field would add interest to the race. Further down Mira, Soldiers’ Chorus, Quarantine, Thrax, lannhauser, and Sinapis are among these that take mv fancy. As for the three-year-olds Cherubini appeals to me most of those that have raced, but Sfc hrancis and Stevedore are a likely pair, judged on their breeding. Before long we will have some of the Cup candidates racing, and the pi - eces of weeding out the unlikely ones will P ’Wh<-n riifconditions of the New Zealand Tiotting Cud were framed for this J car, with the class tightened to 4.38 in place of 4 40, as was the case last > car, a reduction in ‘the number of nominations was expected. ‘When the fist closed last week, however, it contained 29 names compared with 23 last year and it s safe to say that no such collection of harness horses has ever been got together m one race m Australasia. Fifteen of those nominated a vear ago again claim engagements and among the others arc several honits which have qualified during the lust few months, while a few have made concessions in time to get into the race. The appearance of King Cole’s name will “I” some surprise, as he has not been raced . two years. Another notable entry is tnat of the Australian champion Denver Hu on, who is now being trained in Melbourne bj M. Edwards. All the best performers m the Dominion are included amongt tlicao nominated, and an indication of the strmgtli of Canterbury in high-class harness homes is provided by the presence in the list ot 21 representatives from this province, hoi general information I give the list of nominations, as follows:

NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP (in harness), of 2000sovs. Two miles. Messrs F. Macdonald and R. I. Pcid s gr g Ecentric, by George M. Patch on, aged. Mr J. Farrell’s b m Glcndalough, by Rothschild—Ruahino, aged. Mr A G. Wilson’s b h Bright, by Rothschild—Ptarmigan, Mr T. Roe’s b h Gold Bell, by Capitalist —Merry Bell, aged. . , Mr J. Dennett’s b h Adorns, by Harold Dillon—Thelma, 6yrs. , ~ . . Mr J. M’Cutchcon s b h Ravcnschild, by Rothschild—Ravensdale, aged Mr M. Maher’s b h Albert H., by Rothschild—Jessie M.. agedMr D. Nyhan’s b h Havoc, by Franz— Murmur, aged. , . Mr G. C'arkson’s b g Redchild, by Rothschild—Redmire, aged. Mr W. G. Abbott’s br m Stop It, by Wildwood—Wild Rose, aged Messrs Molloy and A. Mod la ml s b g D : ok Fly, bv Dictator—Bot Fly, aged. Mr j' G.* Lccky’s blk h Mandcrenc, by Norval—Eland, aged. Mr P Delargev's b h Prince Alert, by Prince Imperial-Patchwork, aged. Mr Ray Geddes’s ch h Denver Iluon, by Huon Jim. —Leila, aged. Mr C. G. Fryer’s b m Princess Louise, bv* Prince Imperial—Dexter or Sacramento mare, aged. , Mr and Mrs R. O. Duncan s ch h King Cole, by Ribbonwood- —Kola Nut. aged. Mr Walter Kerr’s b g Beilis, by Rothschild— Bollmore, aged. Mr J. Shaw’s b h Medallion, by George M. Patchen—Susie Wild, aged. Mr S- W. Scott’s b h Quinccy, by Vanclevo—Grade, aged. Mr J. G. M’Conochie’s br g Aborfekly, bv Prince Imperial—Mies Kate, atred. "Mr W. Kerr’s b h Calm, by Wildwood Jun.— Gertie, 6yrs. Mr J. Lorgelly’s ch h Lord Hcathcote, bv* Rothschild—Maid Elect, aged. Messrs M'Millan and Alpe’s oh g Lord Dillon, by Harold Dillon—Ladv Mab, 6yrs. Mr R. M‘Donnell’s b m Emmeline, by Rothschild— Imperialism, ajrod. Mr G. Spence’s b g Little 1 ib, by Flower of Tyrone, aged. Mr J. Archibald’s b g Beil Metal, by Bellman—Lincoln Yet mare. aged. ■Nlr L. Doric’s b h Bribery, by Prince Imperial—The Gift, aged. Mr H. Wells’s b g Terra Nova, by Young Irvington—Stratagem, aged. Mr H. F. Nicoll’s ch m Gianella, by Quincey- Queen V., 6yrs. The annual meeting of the Ashburton Trotting Club was held on Tuesday evening, when Mr H. F. Niooll presided. The Chairman stated that the finances of the club were now on a solid foundation, and the committee's policy in offering sub-

stantial stakes at recent meetings had been rewarded, there having been a decided increase in entries over other years. The stakes in the preceding year had amounted to £1231, while last year they had increased to £ISBO. The receipts also showed an increase, the totals being £2239 3s 9d and £3144 16s 6d respectively. The present system of starting was thought to be decidedly unsatisfactory, and should be rejected. Two important proposals were brought forward at the late conference —the appointment of stipendiary stewards and the adoption of short limit races. The former might or might not be desirable, but if adopted should receive careful consideration, while the latter was unsatisfactory. The balance sheet showed receipts £3292 2s lid, including a credit balance at the beginning of the year of £34 6s sd, while the expenditure amounted to £3087 4s 3d, leaving a credit balance on August 11, 1913, of £204 18s Bd. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The assets of the club were shown to amount to £1719 18s Bd, and the liabilities were nil It was proposed by the chairman and seconded by Mr Robilliard and carried unanimously, that the Ashburton County Racing Club should be asked to accept a donation of £IOO, in recognition of the assistance rendered to the club in the past, and of the benefit that would be derived through the improvement that is being carried out on the racecourse. The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year:—President, Mr H. F. Nicoll; vice-presidents—Messrs J. D. Stewart and T. Langley; committee —Messrs A. Bray and J. D. Stewart; stewards—Messrs W. Anderson, J. R. Brown, R. F. Curtis, J. Davidson, W. B. Denshire, J. Heseltine, D. M'Donncll, F. B. Robilliard, W. G. Roberts, and J. Trevor Thomas. Mr J. W. Bowden was appointed auditor. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded Mr T. Langley (hon. judge) and Mr R. F. Curtis (hon. clerk of the course). August 25.

Just when the training tracks at R;ccarton had reached normal condition, and trainers were looking forward to giving their charges some necessary fast work to fit them for early spring engagements, wo experienc’d a mild rain storm which set in on Sunday night and continued through the greater part of Monday. This will upset all calculations, and render the regular tracks impossible for at least another week. Kilrnony was given his first lesson over the pony hurdles on - Friday, and his initial effort augurs well for his future as a hurdler. The son of Kilchcran is a good stamp for a jumper. Gold Pin, after a week’s rest, has resumed work, and M‘Donald will endeavour to get another race or two out of him. The Boniform —Bloomer filly, Overhaul, in McDonald’s stable, is suffering from kneelameness, which threatens seriously to interfere with her training for early engagements. She is a good-looking filly, and it will be hard luck if she fails to stand a preparation. Sir George Clifford’s Nightwatch, who has always been regarded as a likely Derby colt, has been suffering lately from some kind of muscular trouble, and has had to bo eased in his preparation under veterinary treatment. However, he is making good progress, and t opes are now entertained that he may yet be able to fulfil his spring engagements. There were two accidents at Riccarton on Saturday morning. The first occurred during some schooling, and resulted in the hunter, Fair Deal, falling and breaking his neck. Ilis rider, E. Mnrfitt, received a severe shaking, and had a collarbone broken. About half an hour later W. Mnrfitt, a younger brother of the other rider, was riding one horse and loading another at exercise. They took fright and bolted, the led horse breaking loose. Murfitt’a mount, the hunter Pukeroa, careered down the exercise track and through the gateway on to the road, whore he fell. IT's rider received a slight concussion, as well as minor injuries. Ho is now in the hospital, but should he out in a dav or two. At Sir George Clifford’s Stonyhurst Stud Kirriemuir (by Clanranald—Madowla) has foaled a filly to (Sari Francisco. Mr Ha ■rvry Patterson’s two stallions, which came over from Victoria recently, are announced to do stud duty hero this season—Menschikoff at 50gs and Vasco at 20gs.