TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 6, 8 February 1908, Page 32

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

CHRISTCHURCH, February 1. The Summer Meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club has never attracted much outside attention, and next week’s fixture is no exception. It seems strange that such valuable stakes as those offered should almost go a begging, especially as the fixture does not clash with any other meeting. After the declaration of acceptances only seven remain in the Midsummer Handicap, and they are probably the poorest lot that have ever contested that particular race. The filly stakes, on the other hand, has a nice field of fifteen to draw on, and this should be one of the most interesting items of the meeting. Of the Midsummer Handicap candidates Paragon, the top weight, has not been pleasing in his tasks. After two severe races at the Christchurch R.C. Meeting in December, he was sore, and for a while did little work. Recently he has been kept up to the collar, but has not so far displayed the same dash in his work that characterised it in the spring. Lapland is not badly treated in the matter of weight, but he is one of the unlucky sort. His connections gave him a good outside chance in the Wellington Cup, and though he failed to run into a place, they were not dissatisfied with his performance. The West Coast rep Freeland is being sent over specially for this race. He won the Grey mouth Cup a month back, defeating a useful field under a pound less than Mr. Henrys sets him to carry. Freeland arrived at headquarters on Wednesday, and though I have not yet seen him extended, he looks really well. Saga has one or two good races to her credit. Stratagem is the only one of three Chokbore reps, left in. The training tracks at Riccarton are in good order, despite the long spell of dry weather, the club’s efficient watering system e tabling them to be well looked after. In this direction so far, no great amount of fast work has been registered, most of the local horses being pretty we'll strung up. On Tuesday Helianthes had the better of the Filly Stakes candidate, Tremulous, Vi a spin over six furlongs, which the former left behind nicely in 1.17 3-5. Whirlwind and Jacket brushed over 5 furlongs in 1.5, and Goldbeater showed to more advantage than Southern Cross at the end of a mile gallop run in 1.44 J. Prim was too good for Traitress, and Rainmaker over half-a-mile, which occupied 51Ssecs. Lapland had Paragon’s measure at the end of a mile run in 1.44, and Dabchick pleased the onlookers by the way she shaped in a sprint over five furlongs, which she compassed in 1.3. Mythical, Manga and Gypsobel finished in that order in a half-mile flutter, which was reeled off in 50Jsecs. Stronghold gave evidence of a return to form by clearing out from Eaglestone at the end of five furlongs, which occupied 1.5, while Husbandman, Millionaire, Portland, Don O-sino, Somaroff, Amboise, Ivanoff, and Hilarity were all given serviceable tasks. On Thursday morning Goldbeater and Husbandman finished together over six furlongs, run in 1.18. and Helianthes was too good for Portland at the end of five furlongs, which occupied 1.4. Lapland pleased by the manner in which he ran away from Somaroff in a gallop over a mile and a-quarter, the last mile of which took 1.49. There was little to choose between Amboise and Mary of Argyle at the conclusion of five furlongs, run in 1.4. The latter, a recent importation from Australia, is on the improve. Pretty Nell and All Guns got to the end of six furlongs in 1 18 l-sth, both shaping well. Stronghold was again too good for Seafield In a five furlong gallop, which ocupied 1.5. Dabchick held Spinning Flight safe at the end of five furlongs run in *1.5, the performance of the former being full of merit. The best galop of the morning was executed by the two-year old Sir Art egal, who dashed over five furlongs by himself in 1 2 1-5. There was nothing to choose between Mango and Mythical at the end of a half-a-mile flutter, which took them 51 l-2secs. Tremulous went pleasingly in a gallop over seven furlongs, which she negotiated in 1.80 a rattling good performance. Soult Sprite, the yeanling colt purchased by Sir Geo. Clifford tn Auckland, reached Riccarton on Wednesday In good order. When doing a gallop at Riccarton on Thursday Don Orsino stumbled and threw bls rider, F. Thompson, who received rather a severe shaking.

Buccleucb, who was decidedly stale ou his return from Wellington, has been having an easy time of it. Golden Way, a filly stake candidate, has been showing signs of soreness in her work. During the progress of the Gore Meeting the Musketry gelding Kaikomako has changed hands, his new owner being an Otago sportsman who races on a small scale. Stepniak filly Sonia dropped dead while doing a gallop at Wlngatu a few days ago. She had just recently changed hands. Astrakan moved very snort when doing his preliminary at the Gore meeting, the hard going evidently finding out a weak spot in his joints. (By Telegraph.—Own vorrespondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday . Mr. Bldwill has decided to abandon the proposed Australian tour with Elevation, and the colt has been scratched for the Newmarket Handicap. As Elevation’s name figures in the C.J.C. Great Easter and Great Autumn' Handicaps, we shall probably have the pleasure of seeing him race at Riccarton again in the autumn. No less than twenty-seven bookmakers have taken out licenses to bet at the C.J.C. Summer Meeting, of whom eleven only will operate in the paddock. A number of posts will mark off the space allotted to each metallician, and the places will be drawn for. Mr. T. F. Smith died last week in the Masterton Hospital. One of his representatives, in Gaelic, competed in the I’ahiatua Cup, but was withdrawn from his second day’s engagements, owing to the serious condition of his owner’s health. Hon. Geo. McLean intends making al clearance of some of his yearlings, and intends offering half-a-dozen of the progeny ofl Stepniak and Lord Rosslyn. Two two-year-olds by Pilgrim’s Progress and Lord Rosslyn will also be disposed of. The N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club intends charging bookmakers £l5 per day for the privilege of betting at its February meeting. This charge the nietallicians resent, as being out oi’ proportion to the importance of the meeting. Investigations show that Sonia's death was caused through the breaking of a blood vessel in her lungs, when doing a working gallop at Wingatui. Paparoa and Optional have gone into Buddicombe’s stable at Wingatui, and the former should not be long in earning further distinction. All the stable accommodation at Wingatui has. been engaged by owners who intend taking part at the coming meeting of the D.J.C. It is reported that six Wellington bookmakers Inten doing business at the meeting. Entries received for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps constitute a record for those events in both races. The pick of the Dominion's thoroughbreds are engaged, but there are also many quite out of place in such company. The summer meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, which started on Thursday, is arousing very little interest, the state of affairs usually associated with this particular fixture. There will be practically no outside competition, and, as local reps engaged leaves much to be desired in the matter of quality, the racing is sure to be mediocre. Only seven stand their ground in the Midsummer Handicap, and of their number Paragon, the top-weight, is a doubtful starter. After competing at the Christchurch Racing Club meeting last December, he showed symptoms of soreness, and, though freshened up by a short spell, is not galloping nt all well. Lapland, on the other, hand, is bowling along iu great style, while Stratagem is the only rep, of the Chokebore stable out of three entries. Two visitors, in Freeland and Saga, have done nothing of an impressive nature at Riccarton, but the former brings a great reputation with him from the West Coast. Of fourteen standing their ground in the Filly Stakes, nothing has been going so well at Riccarton as Heliantffes, while Tremulous and Sister Anne are particularly fit. The Yaldhurst rep., Sunglow, the two-year-old sister to Boniform, has a great private reputation. She was one of Mr. Stead’s team that visited Randwick in the spring, but going slightly amiss there was not raced. 1 should not be surprised to see her deputed to carry the Yaldhurst livery in the Middle Park Plate on Saturday, for Armlet will have to put up the extreme penalty in that event, whereas if Multiform's daughter does not prevail in the Filly Stakes, she will have an eight pounds’ allowance. Sir Geo. Clifford still has three engaged in the Middle Park Plate, Guidwife, Fleetfoot, and Husbandman. The last-named is a finelooking son of Treadmill and Golden Vale, who has not so far sported the silk. Fleetfoot may be the stable’s rep., but since returning from Wellington she has not been galloping with her former brilliancy. The death of the Randwick trainer, James Moraghan, which occurred lately, will come as a loss to many old-time sportsmen throughout Otago and Canterbury. In the very early days he used to train for Mr. G. Glassford, of Maniototo, and subsequently took service with the Canterbury sportsman, Mr. Morton. When In the hitter’s employ he toured the Otago Goldfields’ meetings with Atlas and another horse, and disposed of them on the conclusion of the tour. Atlas was purchased by Mr. Hazlett, and Mr. R. Mason, the present Yaldhurst mentor, who had ridden the horse for Mr. Morton, look service with Mr. Hazlett. At this time the latter gentleman bad a strong team, and between them Mason and Moraghan were very much tn evidence throughout the Otago meetings. During Moraghan’s residence in Sydney he purchased Gypsy TTranff and Wild Peer for Messrs. Stephenson and Hazlett, and later supplied Mr. L. C. Hazlett with Grafton Loch. Hidalgo, Sombrero, and Grafton Laddie. At one time Moraghan held office as Mayor of Randwick. It is understood that the Wyndham J.C. Is refunding to investors money put on Lupullte In the rnce he won at the club’® meeting, but was afterwards j