TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 26, 30 December 1905, Page 23

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

CHRISTCHURCH, The weather during the last few days has been distinctly cooler, and at the time Of writing we are all wondering if Captain Edwin’s forecast of unusually cold weather is about to be verified. Rain set Ln from the southward shortly after midday yesterday, and the appearance of the sky certainly foreboded a cold and bleak spell. Wet Christmas holidays will not materially affect the racing public in this part Of the colony, as with the exception of a trotting meeting they have nothing to go to, in consequence Riccarton is always very quiet at this time of the year, and this year it is if possible more stagnant than ever. Everybody who is able is absent Auckland, Palmerston North, Punedin, or the West Coast, and the few who have remained at home between them provided hot half a dozen lines of copy. Among the South Islanders on their way to Auckland are Messrs J. F. and T. B. JVeid, and Mr Stead, while Mr J. J. Buchanan, and several others have gone up for the Manawatu meeting. Mr Buchanan’s team, comprising Martian, Tsltslhar, and Ingleneux left for Palmerston North on Tuesday. Martian .will not go on to Auckland. Eden, Savoury, Stronghold, Chryseis, and JTo-morrnw took their departure on Wednesday to fulfil their respective engagements at the Manawatu meeting, and the Shined in contingent left either on Tuesday er Wednesday. While Taggart is absent from Riccarton, Canticle is running out In the paddock for < temporary spell. The Clauranald—Golden Vale mare, Harvest, has been returned by J. Pine to her owner.

Although Calibre will never be able to race again, he is recovering so fast that it Is expected that he will be able to take Walking exercise shortly. The Yaldhurst cast-off, Beres! na, has filled out and generally Improved in appearance since she passed Into D. Price’s hands. Given fine weather the Dunedin Jockey Club should have a most enjoyable meeting next week. The following horses may tun forward In their respective engagenrents on ths first day:— Summer Hurdle Race: Catherine Gordon. Salisbury Hack Race: Rio Grande and Czarevna. Dunedin Handicap: Field Gun and K’iastlkoff. Otago Handicap: MakarolT and Vladimir. Federal Handicap: Chivalry and Maknroff. Cavcrshnm Welter Hack Race: Flying Speck and Highland Fling. Otokia Welter Handicap: Juniper and Notus. Trial Stakes: Grandstand and Boscastle. The Seaton Delavnl two-year-old filly. Eady Landon, is suffering from n cold, which will prevent her starting at the Dunedin Jockey Chib’s Slimmer Meeting. Monkey Puzzle, who is engaged at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting, Is a two-year-old full-sister to Ostiak. The big Lord Roslyn colt. Notus in the Hon. G. McLean’s stable, is Ba f ( i to’ be improving. He certainly bears a more seasoned appearance than be did when he visited Christchurch last mouth. (By Telegraph.—Special to “Graphic." CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Caveoia, the half-brother to Kremlin figures amongst the nominations for the .Vincent (Otago) Jockey Club’s meetlug. A Northern owner recently made an Offer for the Dunedin colt’Notus, with the idea of converting the sou of Lord Rosslyn 'chaser; but no business resulted’ The Stepulak—Evening Star colt, which W known as Lone Star, lias grown into a fine, big youngster, and looks like being (Iseful. He Is a half-brother to Jupiter. The Lord Rosslyn colt Sychem, who has boefi enjoying a lengthy spell, is being hacked nt Wlngatul, preparatory to resuming work. The Sant Ilario—Mies Dalrymple colt, purchased by Mr M. Solomon at the last Eldersite sale, bolted from his attendant recently and Injured himself so seriously that he had to be destroyed. Itlugman, by Castor—Bangle, won the two principal events on the first day of the Lake County (Otago) meeting. Q. Price wak offered the riding for Mr Stead at the Manawatu meeting, hut had to refuse, his services being required for ,W. Davies’ team.

Among the horses in commission at TVlngatnt is a small but active eolt by Olillgadom from the old-time sprinter Vanilla. The Otago mare Flower o’ Clutha Is to be retired to the stud, and has been mated With Casket.