CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3265, 11 October 1916, Page 44

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Another event, serving as a reminder that Canterbury's Carnival Week is close at hand, was recorded on Friday, when the Canterbury Jockey Club took nominations for soven race.?. So far as numbers are concerned, the list is satisfactory, though there is a slight falling off, Hie total being 262, compared with 273 lost year, when there was a decided drop from the 347 received in 1914. The Stewards' Handicap has attracted only 44, compared with 55 last and 66 two years ago. For the other six races, the figures arc as follow, those for this year heinc; shown first, followed by 1915'and 1914:—Juvenile Plate 7,9, 40, 46; Metropolitan Handicap, 5&, 32 37; Canterbury Cup, 19. 14, 29; .Jockey Club Handicap, 43, 53, 64; Members' Handicap, 49, 57. 65; G. G. Stead Memorial Gold Cup, 27, 22, 40. The drop in thd

Stewards' Handicap is sufficient to occasion comment, and it looks as if many owners had come to realise that there is no place for moderates in such a race. In this and the other events, however, there is ample material to provide sport of the most interestino- description, the horses engaged being tho best that are available in the Dominion. As usual, two-year-olds figure prominently in the Juvenile Plate, and little is known concerning them, as only a few have done any racing yet. The Canterbury Cup field is well up to the average, seven of those engaged being three-year-olds, while iho older division is represented by the best performers in training. The Stead Memorial Cup has also filled well, those engaged being a thoroughly representative lot. In all the races there are horses who appear to bo out of their class; but the latest batch of nominations encourage the belief that there will be a first-class meeting at Riccarton next month. Owners were not called on to make a payment for the Now Zealand Cup on Friday, but a study of the nominations for other important races at the meeting makes it possible to arrive at a pretty accurate estimate regarding the programme to bo followed by most of the horses now figuring in the two-mile handicap. After the payment last month 33 horses had the Cup engagements continued. Of this number Bee, Tangihou. Sir Alba, Maniaroa, Whakahoki, Beltane, Want, Bronk Delaval, Ladify, Lady Dclysia, and Ayclilfe are missing from the nominations for other big stakes at the meeting, and thev can bo dismissed from future Cup calculations. Bee is in Australia, where she is racing well, and little surprise .will bo occasioned by the decision of her owner to do the Victorian spring meetings in preference to returning to Riccarton. Tangihou, Bronk Delaval, Whakahoki, and Sir Alba are reported to be amiss, while the other six have apparently been found wanting. Apart from these 11, Sweet Tipperary may bo regarded as a doubtful starter. She has been nominated for the Juvenile Plate, Stewards' Handicap, and Members' Handicap, but not for any of_ the races over long journeys, so it is evident that her connections now consider sprinting is her forte. Housewife is another Cup candidate who appears to be looked on as smart over short courses. She certainly figures in the Metropolitan Handicap ; but she is also in the Stewards' Handicap, Members' Handicap, and Jockey Club Handicap. The fact that she is in the Stewards' Handicap, which will bo decided on the same day as the New Zealand Cup. is at least suggestive that her connections are not over-sanguine about the Australian-bred mare getting to the end of two miles. The balance of the Cup candidates all figure in the Metropolitan Handicap, which is. some evidence that they are regarded as likely to see out a journey. Eleven of them —Balboa, Marc Antony, Merry Roe, Mullingar, Indigo, Snub, Rorke's Drift, Welcome Nugget, Multiply, Ringform, and Rose Pink —arc also engaged in the Canterbury Cup. 'so that their owners evidently entertain no misgivings in tho matter of stamina. It would have been more reassuring had John Barleycorn and Square Deal been in the two mile and a-quarter race, for they are rated high enough to he put in the Stead Cup, while another noteworthy omission from the Canterbury Cup is Colonel Soult, whose engagements include the Members' Handicap, of seven furlongs. Taken all round, Friday's nominations, judged from a New Zealand Cup standpoint, are highly satisfactory, and at present there seems a prospect of the two-mile handicap attracting a big field. There is certainly every inducement for owners to continue their engagements, as the issue is exceptionally open at present. Mr J. B. Reid has nominated Kilbrogan for the Canterbury Cup, from which it may be concluded that this son of Kilbroney— Showano will be his Derby candidate, while Kilboyne is apparently rated as a sprinter, the Stewards' Handicap and Juvenile Plate being among his engagements. Mr ReM has Kiilena Wi"kio. and tho two-year-olds ilbcrry, Kilrush, and Kilmccdy engaged in various events, vviiieh closed last week, so it looks as if tho team which George Matthews, has under his care at Eldersiio is decidedly useful. Wrestler is the only representative of S'l" George Clifford's stable in the Stewards' Handicap, and, with tho Juvenile Plate among his other engagements, it is evident that the Antagonist colt is rated as a sprinter. Good Hope appears to be the stable hope for the Derby, and as furtiier evidence that ho is expected to stay, he has been accorded a nomination in the Canterbury Cup. Desert Gold has been nominated for tho Canterbury Cup and Stead Cup, tho weight-for-age events to bo decided at Riccarton next month; but she has no handicap engagements. The nominations made for Rose Pint at the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting take a very wide range—from tho Juvenile Plate, of five furlongs, to tho Canterbury Cup, of two miles and a-quarter. Imported horses make a good showing among the list of nominations taken last week for tho Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting. Thev include Panmurc, Revalenta, Wirkie, Tamo Duck, and Dove Token. There seems a prospect that Auckland stables will be better represented than usual at Riccarton next month, as Colonel Soult, Merry Roe, Mullingar, Housewife, and Bleriot wore freely nominated for races which closed last week.

There will bo a big: contingent of Cantorbury horses racing at the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting this week. Train arrangements have been made for about 30 to make the trip from Riccarton, among them being some very likely -winners. Clavernousc, Kiirca, and Hands Off. who will compete in two-year-old events at Wingatui, are going along nicely; but so far none of the trio has done anything exceptional. The two-year-old colt Montmore will not make the trip to Wingatui, as he is suffering from shin soreness, and ho may not even bo ready at the Riccarton meeting next month.

With the exception of Kilboyne, Riccarton stables will provide tho whole of the Hold for th,} Dunedin Guineas. Of Sir George Clifford's pair, popular opinion favours Wrestler, but T understand that F. K. Jones will ride Good TTope. while IT. Young will be on Wrestler. The recent track form of Good TTope has been moderate, but bo is probably a bettor colt, in a race. Wrestler, on tho other hand, has been g-ning well on the tracks; but fie 13 always worked alone, so it is not o:isv to get a line about him. Mr 0. G. Dal'goty v. ill also have two representatives. Disdainful has a big reputation. Tint Wardaneer

held her at the end of a mile on Saturday. All the same, I still faney Disdainful is the more reliable of the pnit-. Though Splendant claims nil engagement in tho Dunedin Guineas, I think it unlikely

that he will go south, though R. J. Mason seemed undecided on the subject when I approached him on Saturday.

Slogan has been galloping well lately. _ He appeared to give an indifferent display in a gallop with Fiery Cross on Saturday, but there was an impression that he was not intended to finish the journey with tho Cup candidate. Ho may be worth watching for early engagements. Battle Eve is in good fettle, and has been moving along freely in his work. His public form, however, makes him a moderate. Snub lias done a lot of solid work lately, his latest effort being an attractive milo and a-quarter on Saturday; but he is another who seems to be at his best on the training track. Maro Antony has come on nicely in his Cup preparation, and is more forward than when ho raced at Ashburton. He looks quite out of his placo in a sprint race, however, and thero could be no better illustration of how unfairly the penalty conditions of the New Zealand Cup operate than tho fact that it is necessary to choose such an event in order to give Marc Antony a race. From Wingatui he will probably go to Trentham, as it is considered that ho will be benefited by as much racing as he can -get. I understand his engagements at Trentham will include tho Champion Plato, in whioh ho will have strong opposition, including Desert Gold, to bur the way to success. Fiery Cross has been responsible for some good track work lately, lie has gone on well since he won a double at Ashburton, and there can be no room for doubt that he is a much better horse than was generally imagined a couple of months ago. Whether ho is equal to winning the New Zealand Cup remains to be seen, but in the meantime it, has to be admitted that he has done all that has been required, and he now boasts a strong contingent of staunch admirers at Riccarton. Adjutant, who will probably be among tho visitors to Trentham this month, is in good fettle at present. Nones is bowling along freely in her work, and she should play a leading partin big races tin's season, provided she remains sound. As far as can be judged from track form. I should say that Lovesick was fh" best of It. J. Mason's two-year-olds, and this sister to Nones may be right in the front rank. She is likely to go north for the Wcllcsley Stakes. Tho North Island jockeys W. Bell and 11. Young were riding work at Riccarton on Saturday. They intend to go south for the. Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting this week. A couple of English fillies. Love Token and Fotheringay, are begining to show promise in their track work at Riccarton. Most of the Riccarton trainers availed themselves last Tuesday of the opportunity for practice at the five-furlong barrier. R. J._ Mason had a b : g team out, including Biplano (Comedy King—Air Motor), Lovesick (Martian —Lovelorn), Immortelle (Martian—Everlasting), Kilowatt (Martian — Forked Lightning) Procrastinate (Demosthenes—Mistime), Missouri (Danube —Miss M : schief), and Tyne (Danube —Lady Reina). Tho four first-named were allowed to run along for a few furlongs, Lovesick having a slight advantage, over Biplane. W. M'Donald's Montmore (Elysian—Lady Cwen) was going a little better than the same trainer's Sea Prince (Boniform —Sea Queen), and A. M'Anlay's Golden Pippin (Kilbroney ■ —Orange Pippin) at tho end of two furlongs, tho trio being accompanied by R. Derrett's imported charge. Fotheringay (Earla Mor—Fotharta). W. IT. Thomson's Hands Off (Antagonist—Prudish) then jumped off, having as a companion tho imported filly Love Token (Santrv —Amorosa), in R. Longley's stable. Cutts Bros.' Claverhouse - (Antagonist—Scottish Star), Gamenook (San Francisco —Brave Heart) and Full Speed (San Francisco—Fleetfoot) and F. D. Jones's Kilrea (Kilbroney —Aral te TJru) accompanied R. J. Mason's lot when they jumped off, but only Kilrea went any distance. Gamecock and Claverhouse were subsequently sprinted half a mile, the pair finishing abreast.