CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 53

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

BT F RIT7,

With the weather conditions entirely favourable during the greater part of last week, the Riccarton trainers were able to get through a lot of useful work with their charges. The sand track has provided good going, while the tan track, on which a few more loads of tan have been spread, has also been used freely, though chiefly for the slowest of exercise. There has been no work of a specially noteworthy character, though many of the local horses are being kept right up to their tasks, which will soon become more strenuous, as the Grand National meeting is drawing very near. There will bo a strong contingent from local stables for the flat events, while there will probably be a better representation of jumpers than usual. I should not care to say that many of the hurdlers and steeplechasers are of the highest class; but there are a few who may turn out decidedly useful at the game later on when they acquire more experience. In the meantime a good deal of schooling is being indulged in, principally over hurdles, though the big fences have been tackled by one or two horses, and the jumping has provided some variety in the proceedings.

White Cockade acted as schoolmaster to Ladrone in a turn over the hurdles last Tuesday, and jumped in his customary finished style. Ladrone, on the other hand, gave an indifferent display, and it looks as if he was growing sick of jumping. He has certainly had more schooling than is usually given to green horses all at once, and it is significant that he does not improve. but rather the reverse. On Thursday White Cockade and Phamos were school over fences. Phamos ran off at the first of the double, while his companion. who is a novice at the game, took the hurdle instead of the double, and refused at the sod wall. In the meantime Phamos got over the double at the second attempt, and, on rejoining White Cockade, the pair negotiated the sod wall, post and rails, and brush - without further mishap. Though not particularly striking, the display was satisfactory. Phamos is being prepared for hunters’ events, and he should be useful in that class, while White Cockade may pick up a decent race before long if ho remains sound. Corrie was reported to bo showing signs of lameness after her exertions 7 at Auckland. There may not be much in the rumour; but the fact remains that she has not been seen on the track since her return from the, north. Daylight Bill has boon enjoying a rest for a few days, having met with slight injuries while schooling recently. He is not quite sound yet. but it is hoped that nc will soon be well enough rn_ resume work. The spell should not do him any harm, however, or prejudice his prospects at the Grand National mooting, as he is well off in the matter of condition. Provided hrgoes on all right in the meantime, he will take part, in "the Wellington Steeplechase next month. The idea of trying Encore over hurdles was mooted rocentlv, but his trainer (A. M : Aulay) informs mo that the idea has been abandoned. The Mnniapoto gelding has been racing well on the flat lately, and we have probably not seen the best of him yet.

The outside of the course proper was again open for the yearlings on Thursday afternoon, and most of the trainers took advantage of the privilege to give their juveniles a spin on the grass. It is much too early Vet to bo making definite selections: but, the general feeling is that several of the local youngsters arc likely to be smart. In the meantime, however. I have seen decided symptoms of lameness in three of them during the past week. There may be nothing seriously amiss whip any of the t"io; but it ; s not encouraging to find them going lame so early, before they have had any severe tasks, in fact. A mild sensation was caused on the tractlast, Tuesday morning. The threo-year-olcl gelding First Flight had done two stead v circuits on the sand, finishing up the last half-mile in 58scc. Ho was making Ids way to the scraping sheds when lie fell on Ins side without any warning. After a few struggles lie rose to his feet, hut soon went down again, dying almost immediately. His rider. N. Shore, seemed to he in an ugly situation ; but he escaped with some very slight bruises. First Flight showed great promise as a two-year-old. hut retired early, owng to unsoundn''ss. without winning a race. Ho was successful in his first, engagement this season, the Tinwald Handicap, at the Ashburton spring meeting. t'his was his only win ; but he ran several other (rood races, finishing second to Reputation three times, with a very narrow margin between them on each occasion. Ho beat bis old rival in the Now Zealand Derby, bring second to Balboa, but was siibseouent.lv disqualified fo- interfering with Reputation. Leg troubles caused his retirement on the eve of the Auckland summer meeting, and he had not long gone- into work again. Despite the fact that he only won a single race. First Flight was a really good horse, and his death is a serious loss to Sir George Clifford, ns it seemed to he only a ((uestion of health for the son of San Francisco —Fleet foot to win a number of races next season. F. Gray, an apprentice in R. .1. Mason’s stable, had a painful 'experience last Tuesday morriing. He was riding the yearling fillv by Danube— Tetrazzini on the sand track, when two other horses passed, one going on each side. Tin’s startled the filly, who swerved suddenly and threw the lad,

who struck his head on a post. lie was dazed for a time and badly bruised, but was able to walk away soon afterwards. The incident serves to direct attention to tlic fact that though there may bo recognised track rules, they are not posted up anywhere, and it is therefore difficult to secure a "uniform observance of them. The two-year-old Xanthos, by Achilics or Bezonian —Sunglow, has rejoined R- J. Mason’s active division. This handsome young horse demonstrated his ability as a galloper at Easter, when he. won t.ic Autumn Nursery Handicap, and he looks like furnishing into a very useful three-year-old. . . W. McDonald has recommissioned Teviotdale. who has built up a lot during nis spell. The two-year-old filly Floweret, by San Francisco—Kirriemuir, is again a member of the Chokeboro Lodge active team. This filly has plenty of pace, but she has so far proved very wayward, and unless she mends her manners she is likely to cause her connections a lot of worry. Mr H. G. Taylor left last week for Sydney, where ho will remain for the winter. He has made arrangements for Bee and Multum in Parvo to follow him in a few weeks, and they will ho raced in New South Wales for some time.

C. Emerson intends to have a rest from race-riding for a month or two. and lie left last, week for Sydney. The trip will be entirely of the holiday nature, as I understand he has no intention of doing any riding until he returns. From what I can learn, he •will not, renew Irs engagement with Mr G. D. G’./'emvood for next season, preferring to act as a free lance. June 21.

'At the conclusion of the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting M. Hobbs had a brief holiday at Rotorua before returning home. He is back at Riocarton now superintending the operations of his team. iiis mare Come met with some injuries when she fell at Ellcrslio, and thouga she has been homo for over a week she has done no work. Hobbs is not quite certain } 7 ct as to the extent of the trouble; but it may be found necessary to give the marc a long spell. It will bo very bad luck for her owner should anything serious be amiss with Corrio. She is a really good mare over hurdles, and, being a groat stayer, she looked like playing a prominent part in the Grand National Hurdle Handicap. For some years past R. J. Mason has regularly avoided the rigorous Now Zealand winter by spending a tew months in Sydney, taking the best horses in his stable, and racing them at the spring meeting of the Australian Jockey Club. This year, however, he has nothing available to warrant an Australian campaign, and unless the winter proves, too severe lie, will remain at home, but will make an early start for the Wanganui spring mooting, spending a few weeks in the North Island. The I vo-year-old filly Sanuson (by Birkenhead—Guitar) has been taken in hand again after a spell, and D. Macaulay will commence at once to prepare her for early' spring engagements. No" horse at Ricearton is doing bettor than Slogan at present. He was generally considered unlucky' in failing to win a race at the winter meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club this month. Since his return ho has made some improvement, and he should be very hard to beat the next time ho appears in public. Yearling nominations closed on Friday 7 for the Canterbury Jockey Club’s classic races. The total received' was 619, compared with 881 a year ago. The decrease, which was spread over all the events, is accounted for by the fact that prior to this year the nominations wore taken in the spring before owners had any opportunity of trying their yearlings. Those entered are quite representative, and there is not likely to bo any falling off in the actual fields, which will gain in other respects through a number of Australian-bred youngsters being eligible. The pacer .Frandocia was put up at auction on Saturday to close a partnership, and was purchased for £325 by Mr R, E. Hall, one* of the former owners. He will remain in the stable of the Arnenctin trainer, C. James, who will get him ready for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. The pacer Don Caesar was fired some time ago to cure a bad splint, winch earned the horse to go lame. The operation has been fairly successful, and Don Cremi’ lias been taken in hand again, but it will be so me time before ho will be a .-ked to do any fast "work The horse is looking in fine health, and. if all goes well with him, he will bo prepared for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. M. Edwards has decided not to nominate the Australian pacer Denver Huon for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. rho absence of the two-mile record holder win rob the race of some interest; but it is proposed to do a stud season witn him. Edwards will still bo able to put a strongteam in the Trotting Cup, as Dillon Bell. Red Mac Redchild, Wallace Wood, and Adelaide Direct, are all eligible. It was stated some time ago that Edwards was to take over the Auckland pacer St. Ursula, but the arrangement has fallen through, and there may bo a. court case over it.