CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 52

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By

Observer.

With the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meet- ,,, c as 'an extra attraction, many visiting trainers with horses engaged at the Grand -National meeting have made an early appearance at it ice-art on, and the past week has provided a lot of interesting track work. -ilie Wingatui trainer E. J. Ellis has kept most ot his team moving along in strong work. Pamplona blundered at the first of the double in a school on moving, and lost his rider, but on being started again he gave a tine exhibition. Palencia is on the improve, following on a few days’ rest as a result of overcasting in a schooling gallop over the fences. Ellis, is hopeful of starling him in the Grand National. Galway’s first-day task, on the other hand, is likely to be the Enfield Steeplechase. Ravenna has clone well since she has been here, as have Cassels and Adjutor. In the meantime Pamplona is a strong favourite for the Grand National Steeplechase. C. Christie has kept his pair busy. Lochelki. gains fresh, admirers daily, and, being a great fencer, he can be relied on for a good race in the Grand National. Silent King is galloping freely and jumping well. 0. W. Coleman’s three jumpers are all in fine trim. Oakleigh is coming on nicely, and is jumping as well as ever. Silverton is also a good sort, as he has shown when schooling with Oakleigh. Royal Fame, the hurdler of the team, is doing nicely, though he does not look up to top-class company. Sir Rosebery gave a brilliant exhibition over eight hurdles during the week. His W'orlc so far suggests the Grand National Hurdle Handicap being his mission, but possibly his trainer will devote some attention to the big country after the Hunt meeting, at which he is to compete in the hurdle race. Carawock has a well-trained appearance. He gave a fine showing when schooled over country with Rochella and Pamplona, also later with Dick. San Forte has taken the fancy of the track watchers as a useful looking customer, who gallops in good style. Dick went well in a school over the fences with Carawock one morning last week, but the real country has always found him out. Polthogne looks in good order, but his recent race record does not make him look much use. R Longley’s pair, Whipcord and Tigerland, are plodding along, though neither is sound. Whipcord gave a surprisingly Sood exhibition over a round of the fences uring the week. Income has arrived, looking in fine order. He is reported to be a great jumper, and he must be proficient if he has done much schooling, as his legs are unmarked. Lochson continues to make fresh friends by his bold style of galloping and his clean jumping. Omahu looks well, though his tasks since his arrival have been of an easy description Maunga bled after a gallop early last week. Since then he has been set no severe work, but there has been no recurrence of the trouble. Boomerday is a fair jumper, but I would not describe him as altogether first class yet. He has been galloping freely. Boadicea is one of the popular candidates for the Winter Cup. She will not have her usual pilot, as O. Emerson is off to Sydney for a holiday. An excellent substitute has been secured in A. E. Wormald, who won on Sunny Loch last year. Broadwood gallops fairly well, but I have seen nothing so far to make him look a Winter Cup winner. ... Prince Ferouz is bowling along nicely in his work, and I am prepared to see him get some money at the meeting. Winning Hit never looked better than he does just now, and he is galloping freely enough, though he is never a great track worker. , , , , , Red Wink is another horse whose track work gains him no friends, but lie is in good order. . A new rider will be required for the hurdler Le Forte, as his usual pilot, J. d. Humphries, lias not received a license. Sir George Clifford has sold Thorndale, bv Antagonist—-Brambletye, delivery to be given after the Grand National meeting. He is a good looker, and is intended for the stud on Banks Peninsula. I met the Southland owner, Mr W. Stone, during the week. He has sent Master Sandstone to Trentham to be trained, while Silver Peak has gone north to commence stud life. Scion’s new owner, Mr .T. Biggins, has sent the Botiiform gelding to Riccarton, where he will be trained by E. Scoullar. The local trotting Breeders’ and Owners’ Association held a meetimr last week lo discuss the handicapping question. Various suggestions were made, with a view to suggesting a formal scheme. Some of the trainers wanted a hard and fast system of handicapping to figures. Others asked for certain allowances. In the end, the meeting was found to be about evenly divided as to the need for a change, and the chairman, Mr J. W. Trist. said that under the circumstances it seemed useless to approach the clubs. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting will be commenced on Saturday, and it looks certain to provide good sport. The Addington track was out of commission for a week, on account of the rain, but it is all right again now. Onyx is in great fettle, and she looks like getting some money at the Addington meetin Whisnering Willie is in good fettle, and should the track be heavy, he will be special! v hard to beat. Vilo looks on the big side, and she may not run up to her best form at the coming meeting. Peter Dean Is well forward, but he nas been suffering from kidney trouble which may prevent him from racing at this meeting. The Auckland pacer All Bell looks none too sound, and it is probable we have seen

the best of him. His stable mate, Blair Audubon, is in great fettle. Lcganwood looks particularly well, and he should get some money early in the season. Grand Denver has been pacing well in his work. F. Holmes, junior, will drive him at Addington. I expect this horse to win a race before long. Logan Lou is very well, and she can be marked off to show further improvement very soon. I ? he annual meeting of the Ashburton County Racing Club was neld on Friday. Complimentary reference was made to Mr A A. Fooks, who was retiring from office as secretary, after twenty-five years’ faithful service. Mr Fooks was elected a life member of the club. The finances of the club were shown to have gone back, the two race meetings having resulted in a loss of £3BB. The following officials were appointed:—President, Mr J. C. N. Grigg ; vice-president, Mr If. F. Nicoll; chairman of committee. Air E. B. Newton; lion, treasurer, Mr E. F. Nicoll; handicappers —gallops, Air J. E. j.enrys; trots, Mr H. Brinkman; judge, Mr A. Dickson; starter, Air P. D. M‘Nab; clerk of scales, Air A. O. Pilbrow; clerk of course, Air B. F. Freeman ; honorary timekeepers, Messrs F. B. Robilliard, R. G. Shearman, and J. C. C. APLachlan; honorary surgeons, Drs G. W. Coats, J. Connor, G. J. If. 1* isher, and J. Russell Wells; honorary veterinary surgeon, Mr J. Kerrigan; auditor, Mr J. W. Bowden; temporary secretary. Air .1. B. Meeking. The appointment of sub-com-mittees was held over.