CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 42

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Observer

The local tracks were very heavy in the early part of last week as a result of a heavy fall of rain, but the fine weather experienced since then has done' them an immense amount of good. Some of the horse 3 who competed at the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting have had an easy time since their return, but they will all be moving along at top shortly, with a •view to engagements ahead. Considerable interest was taken here in .Iho results of the Jackson Stakes and Wanganui Guineas, owing to the fact that Biplane was engaged in both events. I expressed the opinion last week that the Coir-edy King colt was not thoroughly strung up for a hard race, and this estimate, I expect, will be generally accepted now, though there was a' disposition in Borne quarters before the Waganiu meeting opened, to ridicule any suggestion that Biplane was not ready. After his easy win in the Jackson Stakes it looked as if there was little the matter with him, but it is possible lie was given too much credit for that performance. There seems little doubt that Hymestra was not right, while there is no evidence yet that linmarlj, his only other opponent, is a good class two-year-old. On Saturday, in the Wanganui Guineas, Estland had Biplane's measure a long way from home, and gave him a decisive beating. It was not so much the beating as the manner in which the task was accomplished that convinces me chac Biplane was not at his best on Saturday. (Evidently the Jackson Stakes was all he was ready for. At the same time, it may not be wise to depreciate the merit of Estland'3 win by making too many excuses for Biplane, as Mr Lowry's colt was also under a slight cloud for a week prior to the meeting. It may be, in fact, that Estland ia equal to beating Biplane under ! any conditions. He has won five races this season, and in his only two failures he has been second to his stable companion, Desert Gold, at weight-for-age. Some good SudgM who have followed him cloeely give Estlaiid a high place, and it was only the jiewj* thai he was sore that stopped a few local backers from supporting him solidly in Saturday's race. I have little doubt, however, that 11. J. Mason can improve Biplane yet, and if the colt keeps right he may expected to show us something good before 'the eud of the season. The Ohali<mgo Stakes should just suit him, •while he may bo able to resume hostilities with Estland in the Awapuni Gold Cup, t'.ui over a mile and a-quarter. Eor some time past Marc Antony has been under the care of R. Hart at Heathcote, the change of quarters being made wikh the object of giving him swimming exercise. .Recently the Varco horse 'had a ©arrow escape from drowning through being caujjht in e, quicksand. His lega jwero badly scarred, but it was not anticipated at the time that there was any other oauso for worry. Last week he was removed to Riccarton to bo got ready for the Groat Autumn Handicap. He made his Appearance on the track on Thursday, and <lia easy paoing. On pulling up he appeared to be greatly distressed, and later on his connections became convinced that there was something amiss with the horse, probably a strain as a result of his escapade . in the water. He has at any rate been thrown out of work, and ho will be given a long spell. Disdainful has been moving very eoratchily of late, but she is beginning to throw off the stiffness. On Saturday morning sho did a solid mile, finishing in front of Wardancer, and there seems reason to anticipate a good performance from her before the end of the season. If she trains on /ah right she may bo hard to beat in the Great Easter Handicap * Comely is doing well in her track work. She has not been up long after a short spell, but she should soon, be at the top of her form. Mr W. A. Nicholls lost no time in shifting his team to his recently-acquired property at Riccarton, W. Hibberd putting ■in an appearance with two horses. Tremena looks well, while the other is a two-year-old filly by Boniform—Brocade, by Royal Fusilier —.Finery, that has not Toced vet. R. W. King is back from his North Island trip wjth Matty. He loft Black Mark in Taranaki, where J. Coyle will

have chargo of him for the present; but ho may bo spelled. Tho son of All Biaok —Culprit is bred to jro fast, but he has been a disappointment, especially as he has shown speed on the tracks. King has just taken Zuland in hand again. Tho Finland gelding is very much in the rough.. W. M'Donald is keeping the imported horse Gay Lad on the move. He has a nice style of galloping, and already shows a fair turn of speed, so he may carry Mr J. Grigg'e colours with distinction later on. Vascular has been striding along in good stylo lately, and J. B. Pearson contemplates a trip to Southland with the big Vasco gelding. He went round-the schooling hurdles well the other morning, but his trainer is waiting till the steeplechase fences are ready to see how he ehapes over country. The two-year-old filly Afterglow, by Demosthenes —Sunglow, is coming on nicely. She can go fast, and Mason may win a decent race with her in the autumn. Sir Fanciful, a 'well-grown two-year-old by Rokeby—Lady Wayward, gives promise of developing into a useful colt. He is an easy-going customer, who may require some racing before the best is seen of him. Asoalaphus looks in good trim at present, and is probably on the improve. He may bo sent to Gore next month, while he has also been nominated for the Wairarapa Racing Club's meeting. This latter meeting, by the way, has attracted nominations from several other Riccar'ton horsee, including Adjutant, Brambletye, Gamecock, Comely, Harlequin, and Carol Singer. Bore looks well after his racing at Wingatui. Ho will be kept going now,, and w'll probably be schooled over steeplechase fences during the next few weeks. Long Range has resumed work with a view to autumn engagements. He has not clone much yet, but he looks well. His stable companion, Heathercote, has had a quiet time since his return from tuiBlockade, a three-year-old filly by Treadmill—Fairhaven, has done a lot of useful work lately, and she shaped nicely in a half-mile sprint last week. Provided she trains on, she should win good races next season. R. Longley is keeping the two-year-old filly Starlike moving along, and the daughter of Martian—Edna May looks like paying her way. R. Derrett gave Margerine a rest for a few days after her racing effort in the Dunedin Cup, but she is in work again in preparation for the Great Autumn Handicap. Finland Maid, in R. Emerson's stable, is shaping well in her work, and looks like an early winner. Carol Singer, in the same team, has been showing signs of lameness. The brother to Birkline, in F. D. Jones's stable, has been named Winslow. He is a well-grown gelding, who looks certain to be useful. Wrestler has done little but easy pacing of. late, but he looks well, while he goes quietly in his work, his recent racing and travelling having apparently steadied him dowsaThe yearling colt by Solferino —Anitea, by St. Ambrose—Stepka, purchased by Mr G. T>. Greenwood at the yearling sales in November, has arrived at R. J. Mason's stable, and will be broken in shortly. P. Holmes is hacking Kaminohe on the roads, and che, Hymottus gelding will probably be in commission again before long. The imported mare Winter Cherry is making a good recovery from the ailment which attacked her recently. She is .to be given a long spell, however, and has gone home to her owner's station. Longley expects to fill her box this week with Art, who will be got ready for winter racing. The two-year-old brother to Immer and Immoitel, by Martian—Everlasting, will shortly be taken in hand by R. Longley, to' be prepared for next season's racing. R. Emerson, who has recently been working a three-year-old gelding by Menschikoff —Viyoca, has had another addition to his team in the shape of a gelding of the same age by Maorina. by Stepniak—Reel. Both horses are being trained for their breeder. Mr Harvey Patterson. The yearling filly by Solferino—Hebrew Maid hjiH gone into F. D. Jones's stable, and will be got ready to carry Mr C. \V. R-eid's colours next season. The light-weight jockey C. Emerson has made a _ good recovery from his fall at Te Kuiti. Acting under medical advice, he is .having a quiet time, but he will be riding at the Akaroa County Racing Club's meeting next week. ■ F. Christmas has juet received three more, horses from Mr D. H. Roberts. One of them is a two-year-old sister to Fiery Cross, by Glenapp—Red Cross. Another is a four-year-old gelding by Glenapp from an unnamed mare by Son of a Gun—Sally, and the third a two-year-old filly by Glenapp from a Son of a Gun mare. The Akaroa County Racing Club's mooting will be held on Tuesday of next week, and it should .be very successful. All the events have drawn good fields, the Peninsulp. Cup having attracted as fine a lot of horses as could be wished. The two trotting races, as usual, have filled well, and there will be more competitors there than in the six galloping events.