CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Frit/,

A visit to Riccarton servos to provide evidence in all directions that another flat racing season is fast drawing to a close. To begin with, there are not nearly so many horses in active commiss:on as were to be seen on the tracks a month ago. The two-year-olds, as well as many of the older horses, have completed, their engagements, and are now having a rest before being got ready for next season's racing. In their places many of the trainers are devoting attention to the education of their yearlings; but in the meantime thejuvendes are not sufficiently advanced to provide much interest, except the usual speculations as to whether they will fulfil expectations which may be formed from a study of their pedigrees and conformation. _ Another sign of the season is to be found in the activities of the jumping division. Scarcely a morning passes without its share of schooling over the hurdles, with further variety in the shape of an occasional exhibition over the steeplechase fences. There arc more jumpers in commission at Riccarton just now than I can recall for a long time previously, and, while some of them may never get past tho moderate class, it can be urged that the best of them represent much better form than is usually to be found hero in the jumping department. This applies particularly to the hurdlers; but it will be no surprise to find more than one capable cross-country horee turned out in due course. For many years South Island trainers devoted little attention to jumpers, but the encouragement provided by the various clubs is now having its effect, as owners realise that there is good money to be won over obstacles. Tho ploughed track at Riccarton —the favourite galloping ground during _ a considerable portion of the season —is in a sloppy state just now, as a result of recent rain, and it will not befit for use for some time. It is usually given a spell during the winter, as it is not a good wet-weather track, and it will be no surprise to find that it is now closed for the winter months. In its place the sand track is now at the disposal of the trainers. It has received a fresh coating of sand in places, and though more could have boon used with advantage, as far as present requirements are concerned the track should be all right for tho winter, when tho tan will also serve tho trainers well. Cutts Bros, have the largest team of yearlings in hand at preheat. Nine youngsters have arrived from tho Stonyliui'st stud, and they are now in tho early stages of their education to fit them for carrying Sir Gcorgo Clifford's colours next season. The last of them put in an appearance last week. They arc Onlooker, by -Canine Chiel from Mad Whirl, a big Treadmill—Madowla mare who was never raced; Ceriscopo, by San Francisco—Telescope: Blockade, by Treadmill —Fairhaven; and Jeopardy, by Treadmill—Flitaway. On appearance tho youngstei-s now at Chokebore Lodge are a promising lot. though I do not know that there are any champions among them. On this point, however, it is early yet to come to a definite opinion. During the present season Mr G. D. Greenwood purchased five yearlinps at different sales, and they have now been broken in by R. J. Mason. They are tho Comedy King—Sin Moto colt, purchased in Melbourne ; sister to Nones, by Martian —Lovelorn ; brother to Immer, by Martian—Everlasting; colt by Martian —Forked Lightning; and filly by Demosthenes—Mistime. In addition there is- a big batch, consisting of about a dozen, to come down from Mr C D. Greenwood's stud, and when they arrive Mason will havo the largest contingent of juveniles of any trainer in the Dominion. Most of the homebred lot are by Danube, which is no great recornmfndat : on, judging from past racing results. Danube may. oi course, yet sire something of good class, but the foals produced in bis first and second stud seasons were certainly disappointing. For that reason Mason may not be in a (special hurry to handle the current batch of youngsters, but may be satisfied in the meantime to go on with the five yearlings

purchased during the season. They look a decent lot, who should be worth keeping in mind when they are ready to race. Mason had a novel experience this season, as he failed to turn out a single two-year-old winner from his stable ; but the material now under his c«rc gives promise of better results next season. A. M'Aulay has broken in two yearling fillies, who are destined to carry the colours of Mr A. W. Rutherford, jun., next season. One of them, by Kilbroney from the imported mare Orange Pippin, is a particularly handsome youngster. She showed slight signs of lameness on being first ridden, but she now appears to be all right again. The other filly, by Boniform—Grand Rain, is a sister to Bon Rain and a half-sister to Kilrain. She is full of equality, and has much to recommend her, though some people are disposed to find fault with her on the ground that Boniform fillies have not so far done much good. The colt by Flavus— Lady Content, purchased by Mr Rutherford at the Sydney sales, arrived last week. He is a well-grown and good-looking colt; but M'Aulay may not bo in a hurry with him, as the progeny of Flavus seem to require time. F. D. Jones has had a yearling sister to Kilboync by Kilbroney—Arai-tc-TJru placed under his care. She will race next season in the colours of Mr O. W. Reid. In conversation the other day with R D. O Donnell I learned that he will shortly ' lav V°" r y«arh'ngs in work at Yaldhurst tor Mr G. L. Stead. A colt by Boniform— Pedometer and a filly by Rokeby—Miss Ualrymple have already been broken; while i, i -I b y Bolil form—Ormolu and a colt by Kokeby—Rose Red will soon be added to the team. At tno conclusion of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Cub's meeting, R. J. Mason took Fmperauor and Greenstreet to Wanganui, where they claim engagements this month, ihey may then go to Otaki, where there is a prospect of Canterbury owners being strongly represented, Daytime, Samisen, All \v ar, and Tannhauser being other horses from tins quarter nominated at the Maori meeting. Art is booked to leave on Thursday for Wanganui, where he claims an engagement in the Century Hurdle Handicap. The Sarto gelding appears to have received all the weight he has earned, but his chances cannot bo ignored, as he is % in fine fettle. He was stretched out over a mile on Saturday, when he registered an attractive performance, which many of the flat racers would have found it difficult to equal. xnougii no definite decision ha 6 yet been arrived at, it is probable that Mr D. Kuttieriord s team, consisting ot Daylight Bill, Free, and Mescal, will leave for Wanganui on Thursday, under the care of F. l. Smith. Last year Daylight Bili won the Wanganui Steeplechase, but he only carried 1U.4, while tnis year he will have 11.6 in the saddle, being in receipt of only lib from Jackman and Li Galio. This is rating the Stronghold gelding pretty highly, and i am a.raid the cask w m be beyond him. I doubt if he is as good now as he was a year ago. He was schooled over three fences on Saturday, but his jumping was only fair. Free was given a run over four hurdles the same morning, when she failed to please, as she bumped three ot the obstacles pretty hard. Mescal I would describe as just a fair hack. It is practically certain that Battle Eve, b'lying Start, and San Sebastian will be sent to Eiiersiic for the winter meeting of the Auckland Racing Club. On Saturday morning they were given strong work over a mile the reverse way of the track. Battle Eve and Flying Start may get among the money, as they are both m good fettle, but the public form of San Sebastian is not such as to encourage much hope on his account. Adjutant is making a good recovery from the injury which prevented him from fulfilling his engagement in the Great Autumn Handicap. Ho is now doing easy exercise, but will not be given any severe tasks for some time, as there is no intention of racing him again till next season. His latest form encourages the belief that he may win some good races as a four-year-old. A. M'Aulay still has hopes of winning another race with Encore, who is beingallotted steady tasks. He pulled up all right after a sprint during the week, and experienced no difficulty in negotiating a couple of hurdles. Nothing has boon decided regarding the programme to be followed with him, but it is quite on the cards that he will be given a chance to earn distinction in a hurdle race. Such a brilliant galloper would be hard to shake off in an average field of jumpers. Much will depend, however, on how he goes on during the next couple of months. He still has a doubtful-looking leg, and his preparation will have to b« of a mild order. Mr II &.. Knight has sent the five-year-old gelding Glenmoro, by Gienapp— Remorse, to F. D. Jones, to be prepared for racing next season. ' lie has never raced, and must not bo confounded With the steeplechaser of the smrje name. The two-year-old Wardancer has been gelded from which it would appear as it G Murray-Aynslev was not altogether satisfied with the brother to Warstep. Chrysotis finished her racing career at the \shbr.rton meeting, end the daughter ot St. Ambrose—Rosella will probably be mated with Bonny Glen next season. Chrysotis was a useful mare up to a mile and aquartcr. and, apart from winning a few decent stakes for her owner, G. MurrayAynsley she. was a valuable member oi his team, as she* frequently acted as a companion on the tracks for more than one of the horses he had in hand for Mr C. G. Dalgety mi The Australian-bred gelding Sir larka hasMoffc R. Longloy's stable, and is now a member of E. Scoullar's team, where ho will take the place of Martuk, who is booked for a trio to Sydney in company with Bee, Spangle, Briar Patch, and Zuland, under R. W. King's charge. In view of this campaign, Bee has already gone into King's stable, the transfer from Longley's being effected last week. B. Burgess has lecommissioncd Multoe, who has been off the scene for some time. Ho has also made a start to school Hap Dha. who shapes well over the pony hurdles. All War, the brother to El Gallo, has had a few turns over the pony hurdles, and looks as if ho would develop into a good one at the jumping game. M Hobbs has revised his plans, and has advertised Corrie, Peg, Deltonio, and Down for sale. In the event of the quartet being disposed of, Hobbs will still go to Australia later on with "Roval, while Irs own horses arc likely to make the trip if not sold in the meantime. Deltonio is shaping well in his schooling; but Peg does not; take kindly to the obstacles. T. Shconan has been schooling Sport and

Farley Grove lately, and hopes to pick up a hurdle race with one of them later on. Veritas cut up badly when tried oyer the ponv hurdles last week, unseating his rider at the first obstacle.

Kilmeny had his first turn over the steeplechase fences one day last week, and shaped well. He looks an excellent prospect for cross-country racing. It is not certain when he will have hie first race, as his trainer, F. Christmas, is of opinion that the Kilcheran gelding may not be ready for a contest.over country at the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting next month. The Euroclydon gelding in F. D. Jones's stable gave a decent display of jumping over the steeplechase fences with Kilmeny; but on Saturday, when tried alone, his effort was decidedly moderate. Humiliation, a decent-looking gelding by Boniform from Daylight Bill's dam, shewed a strong dislike for his task when tried at the pony hurdles on Saturday, and it was only after much trouble that he negotiated one obstacle. A grey sister to Daylight Bill, on the other hand, jumped two hurdles well, and looks as if she would make a useful performer over big fences, at which game she will probably be tried later on. A. E. Wormaldf who broke a leg when First Glance fell at the Wellington Cup meeting, expects to be riding again at Oamaru. The New Brighton Trotting Club's meeting will be held on Thursday and Saturday. The fields will be large, and the racing should be interesting. The New Brighton Derby, to be decided on the second day, should provide a fine contest, provided Author Dillon, Tamarisk, and Reggie Huon go to the post. Cello Sydnej Wilkes would have had plenty of admirers; but he is under a cloud at present. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club should have a great meeting next month. The nominations for the two days total 428, which works out at an average of over 27 for each race. This must surely be a record for a two-day meeting. Class is strongly represented, too. The problem of finding races for all the trotters and pacers in training is becoming increasingly difficult, and with so much activity in breeding there is no evidence of fields growing any smaller.