CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 41

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Beacon. The past week has boon pariicularlyquiet in local sporting circles. In the first plnce the absence _ of so many trainers in the south, assisting at tho Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting, has left the Riccarton tracks very dull, and there has been little of interest in the work, especially fts most of tho horses.left at home arc being pre-

pared for events still somo distanco ahead. iiain sot in on Friday, and continued all day on .Saturday, with- the result that tho training tracks were put out of action. Tho weather cleared on Sunday; but some days win elapse before- tho plough is fastagain. R. J. Mason left last Tuesday for Wanganui, in charge of Biplane, Lovesick, and Missouri, with a view to fulfilling engagements at the Wangunui Jockey Club's meeting, it came as a bit of a surprise to find Biplane wanted for this trip, iLis recent track work has been of an easy character, suggesting to tho track watchers that ho would not be racing for somo time. lie js generally regarded as a coit who requires a lot of galloping to get him thoroughly fit, and it is certain that he hasnot dono a severe preparation yet. li. J. Mason must, however, be given credit for being tho best judge ol Biplane's condition and prospects; yet it is hard to believe that lie- considers the colt ready to show his best form this week. His other two oharges—Lovesick and Missouri —aro useful gallopers, but they require careful placing. Tho two-year-okt filly Bondage, who is now an inmate of F. D. Jones's stable, k enjoying an easy time; but her trainer will soon bo bustling her l along again, with an eye to engagements at the autumn meetings. Uutts Brothers have reconiniissioned the two-year-old colt Wild Night, by Antagonist —Windwhistle. He has been spoiling for a couple of months, but may bo ready to race before the end of the season.

Sisyphus iias been operated on, and when next'ne races it will be as a gelding. In tho meantime he will bo given a long spell before ho is asked to do any more work. I am afraid that Sisyphus will never bo more than a moderate, in which ho resembles his brother, Harlequin, whereas their two sisters, Miss Mischiei and Counterfeit, were high-eiass performers. The two-year-old fillies by Maiiiapoto— Gabantry, and Ireauhnli —Bonnie Brae, are gradually getting through the rudiments oi their education, alia during the next few weeks they wili be ready to take their places among the active members of the Cnokcbore Lodge team. They will not be hurried, however, as thero is no intention of racing them until next, season. Another two-year-old in tho saino stable who is being given plenty of time is Happy Captain, a black colt by Troadmill —Puirhaven. He 13 a particularly well-grown colt, not unlike his brother, Quarantine, and if ho goes on tho right way during the next lew months he should develop into a very useful three-ycar-oki, equal to winning good races over a journey. W. M' 'Donald has tho imported horse Gay Lad moving along nicely in his work. So .far his tasks have been of the sprinting order; but ?.s he shows a good deal of pace and goes very attractively, there is reiifioii to anticipate that ho will turn out a useful sort beioro the end of the season. M'Donald is due for a turn, as his luck has been very bad for a long time past. 11. Ellis has rccommissioned Jeannot, w;ho looks quite sound and all tho better for his week of idleness. F. D. Jones was unable to take Post Haste to Wingatui owing to a slight mishap which occurred to him while galloping. It is unlikely that ho will do any more racing at present, tho intention being to sped liim for 12 months. As a result of an accident when he was a youngster, it scorned doubtful, if Post Haste would ey'er stand a preparation, and Sir George Clifford sold him at a low figure. Ho was given a lonff rest, and he has done very well so far, standing up to his work well and 'showing a lot of speed. It is hoped that another long spell will be beneficial, in which case he may be equal to picking up a stako in good company'. Welhvood and Vascular, tho only mombens of J. B. Pearson's team now in active work, aro gradually getting into good shape, having done a lot of useful galloping lately. They are behitf prepared for cross-country engagements in the winter; but it is possible that they will, make a trip south next month, with a view to taking part in the steeplechases which figure on the programmes of the Southland Racing Club 'and River ton Racing Club. With two cross-country events also provided at the autumn meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, they will have ample opportunities for paying their way before the winter fixtures havo to be attended to.

-Comely, who has been off the sccntj for a few weeks, is once more in work. She has not boon set any severe tasks yetj but she is a mare who comes to hand quickly, so she may be ready to race very soon. The North Canterbury sportsman, Mr W. A. Nicholls, has been on the look out. for some time past, for a property at Riccarton, with a view to having his horses trained there. I understand he has purchased the house and stables formerly occupied by J. Bridges, and that W. Hibberd wilL remove there shortly. In the meantime the team is small; but as Mr Nicholls has been breeding from a few mares, in addition to being a yearling buyer this season, he should soon have a fair number of horses in commission. Ho appears to be an enthusiast, and he will bo a welcome addition to the list of owners with horses in training at our racing headquartcus. Riccarton stables are nearly- all represented in the" excellent list of nominations received for tho Akaroa County Racing Club's meeting. This is a very popular little fixture, and I expect, most of the horses will fulfil their engagements, in which case there should be some excellent sport. From what I can learn there will bo a Good entry from hero for tho Waimate meeting. As a result of the Marlborough Racing C-Jub deciding not to hold tho one-day fixture which it was granted for this season, contenting itself with one meeting of two days, a totalisator permit became available in Canterbury, and it has been allocated to the Mothvon Racing Cub. No information is available yet regarding the intentions of tho club, but arrangements should soon be in progress for holding the meeting. Canterbury owners have usually patronised the Wanganui Trotting Club's meeting very liberally; but the curtailment of tho fixturo to one day has made a great difference, and for this week's meeting tho contingent, from this quarter v/ill bo limited to Sweet Nut, Oxendale, and Little Hector. Mr J. Knight, who died here last week, was well known in business circles as a successful butc-hcr. A few years ago ho beoamo interested in the trotting sport, and ho came into immediate prominence as tho owner of Author Dillon, the best three-year-old of his season, and ono of the most brilliant pacers who ever raced in the Dominion. Ren Dillon war- another speedy pacer to win races for Mr Knight. 'He also was part owner of Birdwood, a smart pacer

who has not yet fulfilled expectations, be-* sides being similarly interested in Leewood (Wildwood Junior—Gertie) and Mario Van Houtto (Van Coronndo—Mario Narelle), a couple of three-year-olds who havo nofc raced. From the timo lie commenced rao ing the horses of fcho deceased iporfcsrnan; were inmates of B. Jarden's stable.