CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3332, 23 January 1918, Page 48

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Fritz. The Riccarton tracks are comparatively quiot at present owing to tho absence of several trainers at Trentham assisting at the Wellington Racing Club's meeting. The horses left at home, however, are being kept on tho move,, as the summer meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club will take place at the end of next week. Nomi'rTations closed on Friday, and they are in every way satisfactory. A few visiting horses aro engaged, including Multicipal, Golden Prince, Redowa, Aye Ready, Torfreda, Rose Pink, Arihia, and Preface, and witli local stables well represented there should be larger fields than tisual in most of the events on the programme. The Middle Park Plate promises well. The list of 16 remaining in tho race doubtless includes several who have been left in through oversight; but there remains even then material for an excellent contest. After the spring form of Almoner in Australia, where ho won two good races, there, was a disposition to regard him as a colt likely to dispose of all the local juveniles. His failure at Trentham, however, has caused his stock to depreciate, and there will not be ho much anxiety to avoid him now, though it is felt in some quarters that the best was not seen of the Boniform colt last Saturday. Mr G-. L. Stead also claims another representative in the two-year-old Cyrisinn, who filled second place in a handicap at Trentham on Saturday. With all the allowances he may bo dangerous. Sir George Clifford has a quartet of juveniles engaged. Long Rango, a double winner at Auckland, Will have plenty of admirers, despite the fact that, ho will have to carry a penalty; but from Heathercote. Lionskin, and Counterscarp, all assisted by allowances, a good second string may be seeeured. Mr W. A. Nicholl's Canamana will be troubled by the distance.

Mr G. D. Greenwood has two to choose from—Eleus (a brother to Koesian) and Afterglow (Demosthenes— iSunglow); but neither of them has special recommendations at present. Mr H. Whitney may start Preface, who is only a moderate on form. Mr J. S. Barrett's Bondag-Q is another who is expected to fulfil her engagement; but sho will require to improve on her recent showings, though somo people affect the belief that she will be suited by the distance. In tho meantime, with the prospect of about half a dozen competitors, ic looks as if tho chief interest in the race would be provided by tho representatives of Sir George Clifford fl!hd Mr G. L. Stead.

Folio wine on tho summer meeting at Ricoarton, local trainers will be turning their attention towards Wingatui, where the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting will take place later in the month. The nominations include a strong contingent from this quarter, and from, what I can learn most of the Ricoarton stables will be represented.

Matty, who was unable to fill any engagements at the holiday meetings, owing to being slightly amiss, was again lame last week. The trouble was not regarded seriously, however, and she was sent to Trentham, where sho raced moderately on Saturday. Subterfuge pulled up lame after a gallop early last week, and J. M'Combe cancelled his trip to Trcntham, ■ • Battle Eve has resumed work, but he still bears signs of the kick he received while racing at Oamaru" on New Year's Day. _ Winter Cherry Was given a. dose of physic on her return from Oamaru; but R. Longlay has her in commission again. Margorine looks in the pink of condition, sM as she is galfeping well she should be worth keeping in mind for future events. F. Christmas has returned from Auckland, wheie his only success was gained on tho opening day. Fiery Cross looks none the worse for the trip, and is worknig well; but Glendcwer appears to have lightened up. F. D. Jones has taken Bore in hand again after a longt'iy spell, following on an operation for wind trouble. When previously in commission he was a smart performer over hurdles, and he* may be relied on for further succes if only the operation has been a success. Marc Antony has been restricted to walking exercise during tho last few days. He has a doubtful-looking leg, which may- seriously affect his future prospects. Phil May has been sprinting well lately, and he should add to his winning record before long. King Star was given a short rest after racing at Oamaru, but he is now bowling along in his boat style. R, Ellis has recently had an addition to his team in the shape of the All Red filly All Pink. Wardancer looks in excellent, health at present, while he is galloping very freely, so thut he may bo seen to the fore in a decent race soon. A couple of two-year-old fillies from bir George Clifford's Stonyhurst iStud have put in an appearance at Riccarton, and are now quartered at Chokebore Lodge. One of fliem is a 3ister to Toatere, by Maniapoto— Gallantry, and the other a sister to Brambletye, by Treadmill —Bonnie Brae. Since the return of A. M'Aulay from the West Coast Samisen has been turned out, and it is improbable that she will race again. ' The big Birkenhead mare can go fast, but her wind trouble is becoming worse. Don Francisco and Naupata, who are spelling at present, will resume work soon, to be prepared for jumping events at the autumn and winter meetings.

Many local trainers are making arrangements for a trip south for the Forbury Park Trotting Club's meeting, and from present indications there should be a very bio- contingent of horses .from this quarter. •?ho Wild wood Junior horse Calm is in work again .under the care of R. Dunn, who may take 'him to Forbury Park. It is doubtful, however, if this brilliant pacer will stand tho necessary preparation to get him back to his best form again.

Author Dillon is enjoying a well-earned rest, but he will be taken in hand again shortly, and be got ready for ajitumn engagements. He has scarcely raced up to expectations this season. There is, a prospect that Adelaide Direct and •Cathedral Chimes will be sent south to attack the mile record at the Forbury Park Trotting Club's meeting next week. With decent conditions they should both be capable of very fast figures. \ Tho pacing stallion Four Chimes, who did a stud season here, has gone back to Southland. He commanded a fair amount of support. Aristos, by Driftwood—-Thelma, has broken down. Mr C. Channing paid a big price for this well-bred pacer, who has been unluckv over since then, and it looks now as if his career had ended without a single appearance in public. R. Reay and W. Nelson, well-known trotting trainers, were drawn in the last ballot. Another trotting enthusiast drawn was F. Thovno, part owner of Harold Dillon. His brothor and partner, John Thorne, left with a recent Reinforcement.