CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 57

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By b Bixz.

The tracks at Riccarton are still very hard from tne effects of the dry weather. The business of providing a substitute for the much-needed rain must ne causing the officials of the Canterbury Jockey Club a lot of worry. The sprinklers arc being kept going continuously, and as a result the grass looks really well. Iho water-cart has been used a good deal on the plough, which is gradually lining down into excellent order, though it is still heavy.' The caretaker Jias allowed the two-year-olds to sprint down the course proper once of twice lately, while a similar privilege wal granted the old horses on Thursday. Present indications point to a large contingent of Canterbury horses making the trip south for the spring meeting of tho Dunedin Jockey Club. In reply to a question a few mornings ago, I learned from G. Murray Aynslcy that it was intended to start \\ arstep in the Mosgicl Handicap at tho Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting on Friday. With 10.5 to carry over a mile and a-quarter, the little Martian mare appears to have been set a big task for her first race of tho season; but most of the others with any pretensions to form have received fair burdens. and Mr Dalgety’s champion will not lack admirers. It is worth remembering that in her case success would not mean a penalty for the New Zealand Cup, in which respect she is in a better position than her rivals. The Ohokebore three-year-olds—Flying Start and Adjutant—have got through a lot of useful work lately, being usually worked in company. Flying Start, despite his wino troubles, is galloping freely, and ho should win races over short courses, though may not be seen out at Wingatui, being rather backward. Until recently Adjutant has shaped disappointingly in his track gallops; but lately there has been a good deal of improvement. As a two-year-old ho was a lazv worker, who invariably did better with the colours up. Bearing that fact in mind, many people are already talking about him as likely to prove the best of Sir George Clifford’s three-year-olds in the classic races this season. The general opinion is that he will stay. His breeding certainly suggests stamina, while his sister. Court Martial, got to tne end of a mile and a-half in the Oaks last spring. There was no special merit in her win; but Adjutant is in every way a better sort than his relative. Battle Eve, another of the Chokebore Lodge three-year-okls, did not cover himself with glory at Wanganui, and there is a growing impression that this colt, who is a brilliant galloper on the tracks, is not over-generous. His trip north did him no harm, as was apparent on Thursday morning, when he was responsible foi a very attractive half-mile. A repetition of that effort would land him very near the front in the early part of his races _ The Treadmill irare Wiscbird is bowling along in fine style in her track work. Last Tuesday, by herself, she reeled off a smart mile, finishing - up her task strongly, oho appears to have quite thrown off the lameness that caused her retirement on tne eve of the Grand National meeting, and it she continues to do as well in future sha should win some good races this season. First Glance was responsible for a couple of very attractive efforts during the week. She is' in great fettle, being more forward than usual"for this time of the year. M Hobbs is keeping the three-ycar-old Down up to the collar. Ho. moved well tho other morning over a mile, and I think ho will prove before long that his form at Ashburton was all wrong. Slogan, who is a popular fancy for a big race this season, is fast getting into his best form. He was tiring badly at the end of a mile last Tuesday, "but this was probably due to the fact that he ran tho first half very fast. Two days later he shaped very attractively over seven furlongs, finishing well. _ Bne has been responsible for some good work lately. She runs out seven furlongs in fine style, and there : s an impression that she may be tried out shortly in a race over a journey. The half-mile harrier on the ooiirso proper was available for the two-year-olds on Thursday, and_ several of tho trainers gave their juveniles some practice at starting. M. Hobbs’s three Kilbronoy colts rattled down half n mile from the barrier. The Latchet colt began slowly: but ho was overhauling the Arai-te-nrn and Showano colts over the last furlong. Cutts Brothers had two batches out. Goc-d

Hope and Winterbourne got away fio t t Don Pacilicio in the early part, but there was not much between them at the finish. Don Pacilicio is an attractive galloper who should win races later in the season. Glen Helen showed more dash than Spyglass m a sprint over two furlongs. It. J. Mason schooled several of the young Danubes; but they only sprinted a short distance from the barrier. G. Murray Aynslcy’s pair, Disdainful and Wardaneer, were also restricted to mild tasks. Earlier in the week, howover, Disdainful was responsible for a brilliant half mile. At present she certainly appears to bo the pick of the Riccarton two-year-olds for speed. Good Hope looks the most likely of the Chokeborc lot for early engagements, while of Hobbs’s lot the colt' by Kilbroney—Arai-tc-uru, who has been named Kilboync, may be the best. I have not seen any of R. J. Mason’s youngsters do much yet. Cutts Brothers have taken Nightwatch in hand again, and will make another attempt to get a race out of this good but unlucky horse, who would be capable of big things if he were only sound.

Empcrador has been showing signs of lameness lately, and on present appearances it may trouble R. J. Mason to got this brilliant galloper through a severe preparation The horse has made a rapid recovery from lameness more than once, however, so that he may still be found doing good service for Mr G. D. Greenwood this soasoin The throc-year-old colt Marc Anthony is moving along nicely on the tracks. Ho still claims an engagement in the New Zealand Cup, and oven though ho may not bo up to that standard, he should win lots cf races. Ho will probably be given a run at the South Canterbury meeting. Some time ago the North Canterbury sportsman, Mr G. Fulton, purchased two fillies in England—one by Santry, and the other by Minoru. The fillies arrived in good condition a few days ago, and wove sent on to their owner’s station. They will probably return to Riccarton in the autumn, when R. Longley will got them ready to race.

Mr J. Barr lias purchased stables at Riocarton, where Jeannot and other members of his team, under the care* of H. Ellis, will in future be quartered. Mr J. Biggins is treating his recent purchase, Sveaborg. to a short spell. The Finland gelding will probably make the trip to the West Coast for the Greymouth Jockey Club’s meeting, at the end of this month. A payment for the New Zealand Trotting Cup was due on Wednesday, when 18 of the 21 horses nominated had their engagements continued. The throe defections were Stool Bell, Calm, and Muricata. Of the others Emmeline and Albert H have been spoken of already as unlikely starters. I have also hoard that last year’s winner, Win Soon, is among the doubtful lot. I understand she has already boon mated with the American stallion, Logan Pointer, while she is reported to be very backward so far as racing condition is concerned. Evidence of the advancing season was provided at Riocarton at the end of last week, the tracks being open from 5 o’clock. Several of the trainers were out early on Saturday morning, but the day was cloudv and the light bad. so that it was after halfpast 5 before any of the horses appeared on the track.

Three batches of the Chokcbore Lodge team were worked over a mile on Saturday. Adjutant and Battle Eve gave the best display, windmg up in 1.45 1-5 on the grass. Wisehird and Flying Start did 1.47 2-5 on the plough, w'hcre Court Martial and Harkqum went round in 1.48 1-5. The grass was the faster going, but the horses were running over a lot of extra ground, so that the conditions w 7 cro probably about eciunl. . Warstep and Snub maintained a solid pace throughout a mile and a-quartor on the grass on Saturday, winding up in 2.11 2-5. They were both igoing on strongly at the end. ° *

Specialform reeled off six furlongs in 1.17 3-5 on Saturday. She is gradually being worked un to more severe tasks, and she should bo in nice order before long. Encore, has had an easy time since the Grand National meeting, has again been taken in hand by A. M’Aulcy. ° So far he has only had a couple of short sprints.

Medley has made her reappearance on the track, after being an absentee since the Ashburton meeting, where she injured one of her legs. Tiro trouble was only slight, and she looks in nice order. Riccarton will bo very quiet during the next week, as_ most of the trainers will be absent at Wingatui. There is general satisfaction at the news that a special train has been arranged for to bring the horse* home next Saturday night. Mrs R. O. Duncan’s A merican brood mare, Norice, dam of the champion Australian pacer Derby Chimes, has foaled a filly to Van Coronado, and will bo mated this season with Nelson Bin,gen. The stallions and marcs purchased by Mr J. R. Reid in England arrived at Lyttelton on Saturday morning, and were sent on to Oamaru by the midday express.