CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3254, 26 July 1916, Page 48

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Br Fritz. So far there has been no room for complaint concerning the weather experienced this winter, save on the ground 'that the conditions were milder than usual, and for that reason not altogether favourable to agriculturists. During the last few days, however, there has been a heavy downpour of rain. It commenced on Friday night, and continued without much break for 4a hours, with no certainty then of having cleared. The rain ditl a good deal ot damage, in some parts, but it will be generally welcomed. do far as the training tracks are concerned fast work will be interrupted for a day or two; but there will bo no serious interference with training operations. -,

With the declaration of the handicaps for the principal events, keen interest has been aroused in the approaching Grand National meeting, which fills the double role of closing the important cross-country fixtures of tiie winter, and marking the opening of a new season among- the gallopers. There is little doubt that the meeting will prove more than usually successful in every way. The racing during the past two months has shown that there are no champions among the jumpers; but, on the other- hand, there are plenty of useful performers available, both tor steeplechases and hurdle races, and most of them may bo expected to put in an appearance at Riccarton next month. So far as the crosscountry horses are. concerned, form points to only a limited number having reasonable prospects of success in the Grand National Steeplechase; but form shown in other parts of the Dominion does not always work out when it comes to racing over the Grand National country. The fences at Riccarton differ materially from those to be found on the courses in the North Island; and, with jumping playing an important part, the Grand National is a race in which the speedy horses, who have done so well over easy country, are frequently beaten by their slower rivals, to whom the big fences come just as easily as the smaller obstacles over which they have earlier been defeated. Most of the horses which have been winning lately in the North Island are strangers to the R : ccarton fences, and the nature of the country will seriously trouble more than one horse who has earned considerable distinction in other parts during the present winter campaign. The hurdlers are an even lot, including several performers above the average. Over a two-mile course the Grand National Hurdle Handicap would probably provide a great contest and an exciting finish, with a big proportion of the field playing a part right to the end. The extra half-mile, however, will seriously trouble many of those engaged, and for that reason I am prepared to find the field somewhat strung out at the finish. There are several horses who may be relied on to run the journey right out, while there are others who may be labelled as doubtful, and a third contingent who can be marked off as extremely unlikely to reach the end of the tiring course, 'ihc fact that many of the eempetitors will bo running over a journey which is longer than they arc accustomed to tends to complicate the problem, and makes it difficult to sum up the prospects, as staying ability will more than compensate lor a slight disadvantage in the matter of weight. The Winter Cup is generally regarded as a hard race to win. Several horses near the top of the list have plenty of admirers; but the history of the race is all against them. Only four times - in 17 years has the winner carried over lOst, the record being 10.12, under which Vladimir and Kremlin were successful. With this experience as a guide, it may not be wiso to overlook the prospects of those Urider the 10st mark this year. They represent more than half the field, and include ,

some promising hacks, who may bo found equal to big things in open country later in the season, as have other horses who started on their victorious careers in good company by winning the Winter Cup. First acceptances for the two Grand Nationals and the Winter Cup are due on Friday, when nominations must also be made for minor events at the meeting. There is ample evidence already that a very large contingent of North island horses will be present at Riccarton next month, the demand for accommodation being very heavy. Some of the visitors have already put in an appearance, among them being Fagot, Multil'ual, Darby Paul, Master Regal, Coral King, lierekolui, and Otara. Several Southland horses aro also here, including Black Sea, Debonaire, Ileatherlea, Caseshot, Rorke's Drift, and Canrobur. The Torirua trainer, J. 11. Pressor, has engaged six boxes, while S. Trilford will bring four horses from Timaru, and C. Giesler is expected with three from Wingatui, in addition to which many smaller teams have also been arranged for. Caseshot was schooled over the steeplechase fences early last week, giving a safe but slow exhibition.

Kilmeny, Mescal, and Martial jumped two hurdles last Tuesday. Kilmeny gave a good display, but the other pair, were not impressive. Trireme jumped four hurdles last Tuesday. Ho is a promising sort. Dcbonaire was to have done a eireuit of the big fences; but, after jumping the brush, he refused to fl4.ee any of the other obstacles. W. H. Thomson has taken Countess lo!s----loi in hand again after an easy time for a few months. The Martian gelding Thrax has been sent homo to his owner. Ho has been lame lately in the shoulder, and it is unlikely that he will bo further persevered with. Caher Davon is back in work, and is being given steady tasks. Art looks well after his trip to Trentham. It is thought that the bleeding which prevented him from racing 011 the first day was duo to a cold. His stable companion, Banian, is slightly lame, as a result of hitting a hurdlo at Trentham. A. M'Aulay has resumed work with the two-year-old Aycliffe, who is moving along nicely. ■\Vellwood, who was purchased by Mr W. B. Clarkson afte: winning at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting, has joined T. H. Gilletts team at Kiccarton. The imported mare Week End will be taken in hand again by J\ D. Jones thii week.

Tho South Canterbury Hunt Club's first totalisator meeting, held at Wasiidykc on Thursday, -was very successful in every way. Thero ivoro plenty of campctitors, and the three steeplcchaso events provided a lot of interest. Wclhvood, who won tho two Hunters' Steeplechases, is a good sort, who may do well in bpen company. lkowai, winner of the South Canterbury Steeplechase, also created a (favourable impression, and is evidently an improving' horse. Trireme won tho Hurdle Handicap, and will do better before long. Hap Dha ran badly in this race, and looks like proving costly to his admirers. The Hunters' Plato went to Compulsion, who came on at tho end, after Miss Maronan had looked like a certain winner. Yes began too smartly for his opponents in the Hack Handicap, but Jaok Symons, a half-brother to JKcval, Bhould be worth keeping in mind. There was a fine finish for the trot, which was won by Quincey Belle, a promising sort, by Quincey. The quality of the competitors in some of tho events was moderate, but tho club has every reason to be satisfied with its initial effort under totalisator auspices.