CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 48

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Observer

Writing' more than a week before the opening day, it is difficult to offer a' definite opinion regarding the prospects of the Canterbury Jockey Club's autumn meeting. There are only a few visiting horses on the scene yet. . and, pending the acceptances and final payments on Wednesday night, the- situation must be regarded as doubt ful. My own idea is that some of the fields will be small. The principal'handicaps will be all right, all the indications pointing to plenty of competitors, representing good clas, and the hack handicaps have also filled well. In some of the other events, however, the fields will be below expectations so far as numbers are concerned. This will not matter so much in races like the Champagne Stakes and Challenge Stakes, but a few of the minor events "beai a disappointing appearance at present At the same timo. m spite of the prospect of small fields, the meeting looks like providing some excellent sport. The Great Easter Handicap bears an exceptionally interesting appearance. Sasanof is favourite, «nd in view of the form he showed at Hastings some people will not hear of his defeat. A proved horse of top class, his chance- cannot be overlooked, but ho will be meeting a much better,

lot than he defeated at the Hawke's Bay ; Jockey "Club's meeting. That he will play his part well I quite expect, but I cannot help thinking that some of those lower down the list will stand in the way when tho final pinch comes. . It looks certain, on Hastings running, that Sasanof will beat Nystad, but the Highden horse has more than once reserved his best efforts for Riooarton, and I am prepared to see him race well again on this occasion. Rorke's Drift does not appeal among sprinters, but I have a fancy for his stable companion, Eleus, who is a much under-rated horse. Another southern candidate who must be reckoned with is Kilbrogan, who has proved himself this season to bo a very solid customer. He can stay out a mile, a great consideration in a race like this. I do not like Marsa, -who does not race well at Riccarton. Red Ribbon may find the journey too short, and Rewi Poto is another who may be out of his element in _ sprinting company. Tigritiya is an improving three-year-old, and therefore entitled to respect, though she will be tackling company rather better than she has yet shone in. Old Gold has won three times lately among tho hacks, and he shaped -well enough., at Hastings behind Sasanof and Nystad to suggest that ho will win good open races later on. I hear good accounts of tho Yaldhurst three-year-old, Melee, who may have to be reckoned with. Riccarton stables claim six representatives in the Great Easter, four of them being three-year-olds. Punka was one of the early fancies, but she is not in such great favour now. She is a moody filly, who does not always show her best form on the tracks, and she may do better in the race. In the meantime, however, most people will prefer her stable companion. Gay Lad, who has repeatedly shown his superiority over Punka in training gallops. The imported horse is not a quick beginner, and this may be against him, but once fairly' going he has a great burst of speed, and he can be relied on to see the journey out. Bon Spec,, another popular local candidate, is quite a .different type. He is a brilliant galloper, "who is certain to get a good position early." The only question is whether he will run out the full journey, which is a trifle longer than he has yet tackled, while the company is select than he has tried in the past. His J. M'Obmbe, is very sanguine that Bon Spec will win. Margerine would have had a great chance if specially prepared for this race, but her work suggests a longer journey. Lionskin is just a useful nLiy, while Braid may be troubled by the distance, though sho has been galloping well lately. Turning to the Great Autumn Handicap, Riccarton stables are well represented. Margerine can run a good mile and a-nalt, and, though her recent track work , not been imoressive, I expect to see her do better in the race. Glendower is the popular pick among the local lot, and_ he must be given a great chance, as he is galloping well. I cannot overlook the fact, however, that he is meeting. Margerine on 191 b worse terms than in the same event last year, and this margin should assist Margerine to turn the tables on the Glenapp Punka may be troubled by the fast furlong, but Heathercote should be handy at the finish, as he is on the improve. Reports from Yaldhurst credit Almoner with being in good fettle, but 1 cannot fancy him after his_ failure. Among the visitors Red Ribbon appeals, most, and she may Wind up a strong favourite. I do not fancy Rorke s Drift, who is not a good horse at KicThe'field for the Champagne Stakes will probably number half a dozen. Surveyor will be a warm favourite, and the seasons form entitles him to that honour Miss Mimic, however, has come on a lot since she finished second in the Park Plate, and she ma* give-the Yaldhurst colt a good race. Rossini has not started yet, but he is a promising sort, who is certain to do well later on. Sunart has created a favourable impression since he has been at Riccarton, and, as he is credited with being a long way above the average, he may have to be reckoned with. Warplane shaped well in the spring, but he cannot be seriously looked on to beat Surveyor, unless he has improved a lot. There is, however, ample material for an interesting contest. So far as the Challenge Stakes is concerned, most people will be satisfied to watch how the two-year-olds fare with Gloaming, who is. in his best form at present. , _ , Art has been galloping well lately, and he will have lots of admirers in the Kildare Hurdle Handicap. Euripos was flattered in being placed within a pound of the Sarto geldmg, and there was no surprise at his prompt withdrawal. _ . There are a few useful youngsters in the Russley Plate. Some Kid, Tortrix, and Nightraider are a trio in local stables who have been shaping well in their work lately. I also liked the way K-ilgour galloped on Saturday. Adjutant has not done a great deal on the tracks during the past week. I fancy his racing career is about over. He has been an unlucky horse, whose best have never been forgotten by\ the handicappers. . Claverhouse had a few days', idleness last week as a result of a slight mishap to one of his feet. The accident has not produced serious results, however, judging from the manner in which he shaped in a sprint on Saturday. There was some interesting work over the hurdles last week. On Wednesday Art and Euripos were companions in a schooling task. Art ran off at the second hurdle, but Euripos waited for him, and they jumped the last two obstacles together. On Saturday Art, Jeannot, and Kimbolton were sent over four hurdles. Tho firstnamed pair were on terms at the finish, with Kimbolton close up, the exhibition being a good one. Then Naupata and Achilledes gave an attractive display over the same ground, jumping well, with a solid pace all the way. Bore jumped the- steeplechase fences on Friday, and gave a very attractive exhibi- | tion. ' , . , P. V. Mason has gone to Auckland with Afterglow, who will bo hard to- beat in the Great Northern Oaks and St. Leger. The Easter meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will be commenced on Saturday, and it looks like providing some high-class sport. The fields will be large, and aa nearly all the cracksare engaged there material for great racing. Great interest is being taken in the Champion Stakes, in which the best of the three-year-olds are engaged. Locanda Dillon will be favourite, but High Admiral Embracer, and All Bell may be expected to keep him very busy. Author Dillon, who won the New Zealand Trotting Cup last spring, is in great fettle just now, and he looks certain to

pick up another good stake before the end of the season.

Admiral Wood is reported to be training on well, and, if what I hear is correct, ha may yet reproduce the form whioh made him the champion pacer of the Dominion a couple of years ago.