CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 58

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Observes. With a number of horses absent at Trentham and many of those at home on the easy list, there is not a great deal of excitement at Riccarton at present. The Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting will provide the next interest, after which we will have plenty of meetings to keep us busy. Only four yearlings were secured at the Trentham sales for Riccarton stables. Mr G. D. Greenwood purchased the Absurd —Cherrj’ Mart colt, half-brother to Mandane, for 725gns, and the Absurd— Makepeace filly, sister to Marsurd, for 425trns. Mr G. Gerard paid 3Sogns for the Psychology—Lovelock filly, whose dam is a sister to Nones and Menelaus; while Mr D. O. Rutherford gave 130gns for the filly by Grandcourt from Alarum, a sister to Highland, Finmark, and Estland. Although F. D. Jones cancelled the engagements of his team, at Trentham, he hopes to have several horses racing at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting next month. Limerick is getting through plenty of useful work, principally strong pacing, varied with an occasional short sprint, and he is gradually getting into racing shape. His injured foot, which affected his prospects in Australia in the spring, is nearly right again, and he should be in good order for autumn engagements. He has been nominated for important events in Australia, but his autumn programme will not be decided on definitely for some time yet. Master Clarence was allowed to forfeit his Trentham engagements, but he is training on all right, and he may be racing at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting next month. W. G. Hobbs has taken Scrip in hand again, and the Paper Money filly looks well after a few weeks’ rest. Arikiwai, a two-year-old gelding by Paladin from Waterspray, the dam of Pilliewinkie, is a regular worker with F. D. Jones’s team at Riccarton. He is a well-grown youngster with a good style of galloping, and in the few short sprints he has been allotted he has already shown considerable promise. He may have a couple of races in the autumn, but it is unlikely that he will be seriously Jaxed until next season. Included in W. G. Hobbs’s team is a two-year-old filly by Thurnham from Boniform’s sister Sunglow. She is a chestnut with lop ears reminiscent of Cruciform, a near relative of Boniform’s sire, Multiform. The filly who has had the name Illuminate claimed for her is shaping well in her work, and it is hoped that she will be readj' to race at Easter. The Martian three-year-old Battlement is bowling along nicely in his work at Riccarton. He disappointed his connections at Auckland, but he looks in the best of health after his northern trip, and a good race over a journey may come his way before the season is over. Couleur de Rose is to be turned out for a year’s spell. The Solferino filly has shown speed, but so far she has not carried it out far enough to bring success. The two-year-olds Agrion and Eulalie were eased up after returning from Auckland, but R. J. Mason will have them going again shortly. The Middle Park Plate will probably be their next mission.

The imported grey Hoylake, in R. Emerson’s stable, is doing very well. He will probably have a race very soon, and he should be ready to show his real form by Easter.

The four-year-old mare by Limond from Madrid in F. D. Jones’s stable is moving along freely in useful tasks, and she should be in good fettle for autumn racing. Mr G. Gould’s Irish-bred two-year-old Honeycomb, who arrived here recently, has gone into W. G. Hobbs’s stable. His sire Honeybee is by the Kendal horsa Tredennis. The colt has only been handled, and Hobbs will break him in shortly. Young Lochinvar is hitting out freely in his work. He was only taken up again a few weeks ago, but already he is showing smart form in the tracks. Mr E. S. Lutterell’s three horses— Beau Geste, Bachelor, and Streamer —• have gone into W. G. Hobbs’s stable. Local trotting trainers are now busy with the horses they intend to race at the Forbury Park meeting. As usual, there will be a strong contingent of Christchurch performers at this fixture. The Australian-owned pair, Nimble Direct and Tom Marvin, are going on well in their preparation for the Forbury Park meeting. The three-year-old trotter Peter Fashion is pleasing the track watchers with his work at Addington. He will be hard to beat in the classic race at Forbury Park. The trotter Master Audo is none the worse for his recent racing, and he isnow bowling along freely in his work. Ouimet has joined E. C. M'Dermott’s stable at Addington. He raced so well for D. M'Kendry that the change is surprising. J. M‘Lean has the American pacer Direct Tod in great fettle at present. J. J. Kennedy is working Pedro Pronto, but it is doubtful if the Australian pacer will survive a preparation. Revenue, the half-brother to Napland, is going on quietly in his work at Addington. He has not been hurried, but he is now starting to move along a bit. Ho looks a good sort. Nelson Derby, who was a failure at Auckland, is working well here, and looks certain to win a good race shortly if he keeps sound. B. Jarden has at last made definite plans for the future. He has settled in the stables formerly occupied by C. Donald at Addington. Lady Embrace is very well at present, but the hard tracks are not to her liking. D. Bennett has King Dillon in first-class and it is doubtful whether the Harold Dihon gelding has ever been pacing in better style. Nota Bene, who has done most of her racing on the West Coast, has been acquired by 7 the Addington mentor E. C. MDermott. After having been on the easy list for several weeks, Native Chief and Master Don have been recommissioned by J J. Kennerley. W. Smith has returned the erratic a ™ l disappointing Nepia to his owner (Mr H. Cresswell), and is now devoting his time and attention to The Pointer 5 ™ , a^ec ‘ Pacer by Logan Pointer from. Inelma, who has done most of his racing in the N orth Island. ■p/Th®. aged trotting gelding Peter the hirst is once more in work at Addington. He is on a good mark, and has only to strike form to earn his winter oats.