CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 39

CANTERBURY DOINGS

By

OBSERVES.

I\nh the return of the horses which were racing at \\ ingatui and Oamaru there is again a bit of life on the Riccarton tracks, t here is plenty of racing ahead, and with tins m view the trainers are giving - their charges plenty of useful work. We are reminded of the near approach o. Easter by the publication of nominations tor the two leadin'!- handicaps at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting. From a numerical point of view they are very disappointing, there bein" only '54 in tlie 'Great Easter Handicap and 26 in the Great Autumn, compared with 49 and 56 last year North Island stables provide 17 for the Great Easter, but only seven for the Great Autumn. It is interesting to note that many of the horses engaged also figure in the chief handicaps at the Auckland Racing Clubs Easter meeting, those engaged in both places being Eleus, Silver Peak, Maioha, Early Dawn 80-Peep, Solfanello. Gasbag, Imritiya, Vagabond, Chrysostom, Humbug, Statuette, Silver Link,' Golden Bubble, and Prince Martian. On the other hand Sasanof, Surveyor, Truthful. Chimera, Blackmail.. Johnny Walker, Insurrection, and Bonnie Maid are a batch of North Isianders engaged at Riccaiton and not at Auckland. Otago and Suthland stables are well represented in both races, with Bengeloop. Sunny Corner. Satisfaction, Cashmere, Linden, Twinkle, Killowen, Radial. Filigree, Silver Peak, and Eleus. A good deal will depend on how many visirors put in an appearance, hut in the meantime there is material for two good contests, as Riccarton stables will have a few smart performers in each event. The fact that Mr Vs . G. Stead has nominated three horses for the Great Easter, ancl that they are not engaged at the Auckland meeting, suggests that we are likely to have Merrnin racing at Riccarton in the Champagne Stakes. The Hawk is also reported to be unde-? orders for a trip south, so the _ big two-year-old races should be interesting. The Akaroa County Racing Club’s meeting will be hehl at Riccarton next Saturday, anil it looks like providing some exceptional sport. The fields will be large, and quality is much better represented than is usual at the club’s meeting. Riccarton stables claim a strong contingent for the Vi ainiate meeting, and from what I can hear most of them will make the trip. Royal Stag is bowling along freely in his work, and, what is more to tlie point, he appears to be quite sound again. \ Kilrush is coming on nicely, and judged on his recent track form he is likely to be hard to holt in seme of the rich prizes to be decided during the autmn. Winter U ind lightened up a good deal as a result of his trip to Auckland. He had an easy time for a week or two after his return, but he is now moving along well in his work in view of autumn engagements. It remains to he seen, however, whether he can be got ready in time to show his best form. W. M'Donald has Castellan and Bonny Mac shaping well in their work, and they will both be hard to beat in their engagements at the Akaroa meeting next Saturday. They will not go to Gore, but both of them may be racing at Invercargill. Manawnpansso is in good fettle, and he is hitting out freely in his tasks. He will probably he a eoniwtit->r in the steeplechases nt Invercargill. Warlove is showing attractive form on the tracks, and she may start favourite for the Peninsula Cup on Saturday. The Wellington sportsman, Mr Id. W. Brown, whose horses have been trained at Riccarton for some time past by F. Christmas. is looking round for fresh quarters in the North Island, and when these are secured Christmas will remove from Riceavton with the team. With Mr Brown a resident of Wellington, it is only natural he should desire to have his horses trained in the north. L. G. Hegarty has taken War Tax and Trickery in hand again. Both horses look well after their rest. Arrowsmith is a daily visitor to the course, but he is confined to walking exercise on the load. F. Christmas wild make another attempt to get the imported horse through a preparation, but the prospects seem a trifle doubtful. In any case, he is not likely to be tried out seriously till next season. R. Longley has just taken in hand a bay gelding for Mr O. F. Watson, who lias had. nothing racing since Gaylight met his death in the Grand National Hurdle Handicap last August. So far Longley has no particulars concerning the new arrival, who is

getting a bit of education in the jumping j' ring, where he shapes well. Micky Free was schooled over a couple ©f hurdles on Saturday. He oan jump all tight, but does not appear to like the game, j as he shirked the second obstacle. The three-yearold Marauder, by Sanquhar 7 i—Brown Owl, has joined Cutts Brothers’ team, after a lengthy spell, prior to which §1 he was gelded. He was a premising yearling, who has had more than his share t>f misfortune, and up till now he has not faced. Will Prosper, by Absurd —Sunglow, has : been taken up by T. H. Gillett. He showed ‘ tome speed when lie was in work early in the season. The Otago sportsman, Mr R. Sutherland, - fecently purchased a property at Hornby, and he has brought up four horses to be r trained at Riccarton. The.y are all from the Soult mare Replete. Roniform (by Boniform) and Cattach (by All Red) have Ibeen racing lately, while Kauwhero (by All feed) and a three-year-old by Markhope may he seen later in the season. S. Trilford has made a start on GameCock, but so far he is being restricted to easy exercise. The Southland owner, Mr W. Stone, has Eleus, Silver Peak, Roseday, and Primum ( engaged at Waimate. After racing there they will continue the journey further north. • Tile first-named pair have Faster engage- , kpents at Ellerslie and Riccarton, and, ’ doubtless, it will depend on the handicappers where they race, jj. \ Malaga is moving along nicely in his | Wprk. Pie has freshened up with his spell, and he may pick up a good stake before the end of the season, i J. B. Pearson is spelling Onslaught and r 'Warlike, both of whom have done him good | Service this season. I .Clean Sweep is in fine fettle, and though lie is now set to carry big weights he may pick up another stake shortly. ' The yearling filly by Winkie from Judith, the dam of Palestrina, is being handled by W- Hobbs. She is a likely looking . youngster. * . Prince Delaware has been put in work »hy R. Ellis. He is a difficult horse to handle to advantage.