TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue V, 1 August 1903, Page 306

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

(By Telegraph.—Special to “Graphic.”) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. A special meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held on Thursday for the purpose of discussing a proposal that a portion of the new grandstand now being erected on the racecourse should be set apart for the use of members of the club. It was resolved that a portion of the new stand should be reserved for members, and a further motion that a space should be set apart for members and their lady friends was defeated. Dining the discussion it was pointed out that the present stand held persons, and that the new stand would pi ovide accommodation for 1874. The membership of the duo stands at 176. During the present week the following horses have arrived to fulfil their respective engagements at the Grand National meeting:—Strayoird, Battleaxe, Tupara, Tipipa, Goldspur, Pipi, Haydn, and Kohnpapa. For all the fast work they have been able to do at Riccarton, they might as W3«i have stayed at home. The weather during the whole week has been execrable, and the tracks have suffered in consequence. At the time of writing, however, tne sky is clearing, and if we get a few hours’ sunshine the tracks will soon improve. Hobbs has thrown Cora Lynn out of work, and it is probable mat no further effort will be made to train the daughter ot Foul Shot. Among the mares booked to Pilgrim’s Progress is Stephanie, a young mare by Stepniak, who has at her side a promising foal by Kuroclydon. Another useful-looking youngster by the same horse in the shape of a rising three-year-old, naif-brother to Pitch and Toss, makes his appearance at Riccarton occasionally. It is probable that Cruciform and Orloff will leave for Sydney by next Friday's boat. Both are well. Mr Price, the owner of Ribbon wood, writing from America, indicates the probability of Clipper, an American horse with a record of 2.6. paying a visit to New Zealand to compete in a match with Ribbonwood. There is little that is fresh concerning the New Zealand Cup. The scratching of Sans Peur lias had no effect on the betting market. Some surprise was expressed at the withdrawal of Cannie Chiel from the Winter Cup. Not a few people here considered that the son of Clanranald was well treated. The weather at Winsratui has been even werse than that experienced at Riccarton. The course was under snow for some days, and even now it Is scarcely fit for fast work. For this reason it is likely that the Southern contingent for the Grand National meeting will remove to Riccarton pretty early. Southerly Buster, PhaetonItis and Victor 11. are booked to arrive immediately. The Southland horse Violin, who is completing his preparation for his Grand National meeting at Riccarton, will in future be known as Andy Reegan. The offer for the stallion Obligado, which I mentioned in my last letter, came from Australia. It is stated that 700 guineas was asked for the horse. A Southern writer is responsible for the statement that Mr Dempsey, the owner of Examiner, the winner of the Maiden Hurdle Race, decided at the Victoria Racing Club’s Grand National meeting, was at one time a resident of Dunedin. CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. The acceptances and general entries received on Friday for the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Grand National Meeting will go a long way towards assuring the success of the meeting. The field for the Grand National Steeplechase will probably be still

further reduced before the day of the race, but a reduction of a substantial nature will still leave material for a moat interest iug race, uf the local horses Social rest s withdrawal was brought about uy uis breakdown, and probably precedes ins dual farewell to the turf. Zither, although be lias accepted, is so lame that his apnearauce at the post is problematical. He was all right as late as yesterday (Monday) morning, but after schooling work in company with Rowlock ne pulled up very unsound. Rowlock is in capital fettle, and if be survives the next ten days may be trusted to give a good account of himself. Sultana nas been tightened up by his Wellington trip, and is sure to redeem his utter failure at the Hutt; but whether he will go as far as to win is another matter. Of the visitors, Haydn, btraybird, Hurricane, and Pipi have put in an appearance. The first-named looks in fair condition, and Straybird is fitter than when last at Kiccartou. Hurricane and Pipi also a fiord no reasons for complaints upon the score of condition. Of the Grand National Hurdle Race candidates, Huku, Khaki, Zealous, Katherine Gordon, Slow Tom, and Wet Blanket are locally trained, while Battleaxe, Haydn, Tradewiud, Comfort, Tupara, aud Southerly Buster, all outsiders, are on the ground. None of the local horses except Slow Tom promise to be dangerous, although Zealous is taking to the jumping business most kindly and may possibly run forward. Most of tbe visitors look well, Battleaxe especially so. Of those who have not arrived yet, I hear good accounts of Awahuri. His connections are said to fancy him for the Steeplechase, but 1 should be inclined to think, if schooling over fences has nor impaired his brilliancy over the small fences, that he will show his best form in the Hurdle Race. By the way, I omitted to mention that we expect Nor’-west after all. His return to Auckland is attributed to a desire on the part of his connections to keep him at home as long as possible. I can’t say 1 fancy the son of Sou’-wester over the Kiccartou country. Of the large field remaining in the Winter Cup, Ostiak, Scylla, Shrapnel Shell, and Vladimir* find most favour here. The betting market is brisk. Sultana, Haydn, and Hurricane are sought after for the Steeplechase, coupled with Battleaxe, Haydn, and Slow Tom in the Hurdle Race. The following business has been done locally:—Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdles: 1200 to 18 against Jack o’ Lantern and Battleaxe, 1100 to 20 against Sultana and Slow Tom, 1000 to 30 against Haydn and Waiwera, 800. to 16 against Awahuri and Comfort, 750 to 20 against Haydn and Comfort, 600 to 6 against Rowlock and Katherine Gordon, 600 to 4 against Hurricane and Rags, 600 to 12 against Awahuri and Waiwera, 600 to 15 against Haydn and Merry Boy, 500 to 5 against Straybird and Khaki, 500 to 25 against Haydn and Haydn, 500 to 10 against Nor’-west and Tradewind, 500 to 10 against Haydn and Khaki, 500 to 7-J against Hurricane and Slow’ Tom, 500 to 10 against Hipstone and Battleaxe, 400 to 6 against Pipi and Battleaxe, 400 to 11 against Haydn and Slow Tom, 400 to 20 against Haydn and Tradewind, 300 to 15 against Haydn and Battleaxe. The only feature of the New Zealand Cup betting has been the backing of Achilles and Roseal, both of which have been supported for small sums. Wairiki and Halberdier are expected here shortly to finish their preparations at tbe scene of the race. The weather cleared on Saturday, and is fine at the time of writing. By to-morrow the tracks ought to be in capital order. As I stated in my last despatch, Cruciform and Orloff will leave for Sydney on Friday. They will go in charge of Mason, and will be accompanied by Jones, the stable horseman, who will ride both horses in their respective engagements. The “luck of the game” has been still further exemplified during the past few days. Mr J. A. Reid’s cup, which was already nearly full owing to his recent losses In horsefiesh, was filled to the brim on Sunday night by his Australian-bred mare Novice slipping twins to Stepnlak. The mare is still alive, for which piece of good fortune Lei owner no doubt feels profoundly grateful. Mr Stead has also had a further piece of

bad luck. Having: lost Ich Dlen, Corolla, and several foala during the past few months, be must now needs lose his young Austra-lian-bred mare Farewell 11. The daughter of Bill of Portland and Melodious, who was in foal to Multiform, died a few days ago from an internal trouble. Reports from Wlngatui continue to tell of desolated tracks and idle horses. The brother to Survivor in McGuinness* stable, is said to be a well furnished level made youngster. He is a light bay in colour. Beauclerc has resumed work at the Forbury. © © © TEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. ' The following acceptances have been received: — GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE

of 750sovs. Three miles and a half. st lb st lb Haydn 1*2 4 Straybird ... 10 2 Nor’-west .... 11 10 Hurricane ... 10 1 Scallywag ... 11 o Pipi 10 0 Awahuri 11 3 Row lock .... 9 13 Jack o’Lnt’rn 11 3 Snider 9 10 The Giyphou 10 o Cronje ...... 9 7 Zither 10 4 Ilipstone .... 9 7 Sultana 10 3 Schnapps .... 9 7 WINTER CUP of SOOsovs. One mile. st lb st lb Ostiak 11 8 Paratutu .... 9 6 Scylla 11 2 Cnt o’ Kolmar 9 5 Battleaxe ... 10 13 Bombardo — 9 4 Pampero .... 10 13 Ragabrash .. 9 3 Vladimir .... 10 12 Kohupapa ... 9 3 Shrap. Shell 10 12 Casque 9 3 Durable 10 9 Grand Rapids 9 3 Red Gauntlet 10 4 Sirius 9 0 Field Battery 10 2 Nell Gwynne 9 0 Wind whistle 10 2 Firebrand ... 9 0 Rawiri 10 2 Osborne 9 0 Glenelg 9 11 Natalie 9 0 Secret Society 9 10 GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACE of 500 so vs. Two miles. st lb st lb Battleaxe .... 11 13 Nance O’Neill 9 9 Mars 11 Rags 9 9 Haydn 11 4 Comfort 9 9 Waiwera . — 11 4 - Tupara 9 9 Awahuri 10 9 Khaki 9 3 Slow Tom .. 10 9 S'thly Buster. 9 3 Trade wind ... 10 4 Kohunui 9 3 Huku 10 2 Zealous 9 0 Hurricane ... 9 12 Catli. Gordon. 9 0 Mourner 9 12 Wet Blanket. 9 0 Scot. Minstrel 9 11 Evening 9 0 Merry Boy .. 9 10 Osborne 9 0