TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 25, 17 June 1908, Page 58

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. After a remarkably nne season the weather has at length broken up, and there is every indication of a few days rain. This should not cause any groat amount of incun venionce, for most of the local horses have been racing quite recently, while those that have not are well forward. Canton, which was rather badly injured when ho fell in the Wanganui Steeplechase, is in a fair way to recovery, though there can bp little chance of getting him well enough to’compete again this season. ; The Clanranald filly Cockleshell was sold after the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting by Sir Goo. Clifford- to Mr G. Ruthven, of Mosgiel. The sum -mentioned is 50gs, at .which she should not be dear. The programme drawn up for the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Grand National meeting Is very similar to that issuetk twelve months ago. Both nationals nre endowed to the extent of a thousand sovereigns, while several of the minor events have gone up la

value. The only alteration of note is on the last day’s card,'the Final Hurdle Race being withdrawn in favour ofh flat handicap. Amongst the entrants for the New Zealand Cup is the English-bred filly Ringdove, by Collar from Miss ChHfinch, which was imported by the late Mr G. G. Stead'nearly twelve months ago. As she was foaled'in England in 1905, she will be little more than two and a half years old at the time the race* is decided. Surely it is asking a great task of so youug a filly to contest a two-mlle race. Perle de Or, the yearling sister to Goldea Slipper, is a particularly nice filly, and resembles her illustrious relative to a marked extent. Most of the horses that competed at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting have been having an easy time oLit since their return. Several horses have Deen doing good wprk over hurdles during the past few days, their number including Amokura, Kelp, Farley Grove; while Southern Cross, which has been a failure in his races over battens, is to be giveu a chance of earning distinction over country. Mango got into a fence a few days ago, and sustained rather severe injuries to his head. Another of R. Langley’s charges in Ayesha has beeu in trouble with an abscess in her side. CIIRI ST CIIU RC i L Sa t u rda y. Training operations at Riccarton have been almost at a standstill during the past week; consequently, sporting information of any interest is at discount. The principal topic of conversation has been the proposal to hold the C.J.C. winter meeting at Ellerslie for the benefit of the American fleet and the thousands it will attract to the northern capital. On all sides the t roject is put down as next to impossible, and though it has not as yet come before the committee of the C.J.C. officially, 1 am afraid there is no chance of it eventuating. Unfortunately, the celebration is bound to have a prejudicial effect on the Grand National meeting, as already hundreds of. those who usually patronise thp fixture have signified their intention of making the trip to Auckland to participate in the festivities. The only work of interest witnessed at Riccarton during the past week has been the tasks allotted to the jumping candidates. Of these Slow Tom, Grand Stand, Eurus, Amokura, Kelp, Farley Grove, and Southern Cross have all been accountable for serviceable tasks, but there is no getting away from the fact that the South Island is particularly weak in jumpers this season. Ayn,sley*s Cup representative, Bonnie Glen, is going on nicely in his preparation, and should he stand the winding-up of which there is some doubt, he will.be one of the most dangerous of the Riccarton reps, in the Rig handicap. Mr. J. Chadwick is at present in Christchurch, preparing an extensive catalogue for the sale of the Yaldhurst horses, which ,is to be held during the Grand National week. The sale has been extensively advertised all over Australia, and as many of the lots to be offered have been engaged in thy leading Australian spring handicaps and two-year-old races, it is sure to attract competition from the Common weal th sportsmen. The English-bred stallion Charlmagne IT., who was jointly owned by the late Mr. Stead and Mr. J. B. Reid, has been acquired entirely by the latter sportsman. It is quite on the cards that the son of St. Simon will eventually take up stud duties at Elderslie. With this exception, I am given to understand that every horse put up. to auction at Yaldhurst sale will be disposed of. The trio of Riccarton-trained. horses, in Cross Battery, Sea King, and Rose Noble, have been engaged in the Epsom and Metropolitan Handicaps, while Cross Battery and Sea King also figure in the Caulfield Cujk So far nothing definite has been determined on as to whether they will make the journey, but If the weights are suitable, I fancy Mr-. Nicol A’s pair will be taken - over to the Australian Jockey Club’s fixture. It is understood that Mr. H. Piper has been offered the position of starter to the Dunedin J.C.,-but his other engagements may not permit his accepting the position. The North Otago J.C. intends reducing the nominations and acceptance fees at its future meetings. This should further popularize it with owners, and help to swell the fields. The wins of White Cockade and Chief Lochlel at the Dunedin J.C. meeting were particularly pleasing to their owner-, Mr. JR. Hart, as the Ashburton sportsman owns Miss Lochiel, dam of the pair. Miss Loehiel is one of the few Lochiel mares in the country, while her dam, Miss Russley, is a, daughter of Grand Flaneur. She was not bred from this season, but is to be put to A son of St. Simeon for her next mate. The winter meeting of the Canterbury Coursing Club, held on Thursday and Friday, was fairly successful, but failed to arouse much interest outside those actually concerned in the sports. The attendance was very meagre both days, and it is.quite evident that as far «s the general public is concerned the rport is making no headway. Out of forty entries forming the stake, Screw Gun and Admiration, two young dogs owned by Mr. T. G. Todd, got through to the final and divided the stake. In the open stake another of Mr. Todd’s reps., in Reunion, prevailed, but Lt was only after a great set to with Dawn after dark in the final course that he secured the verdict. Reunion showed more speed than any other dog at the fixture, and though a rather wild worker, his pace in the run-up gained him the victory. Fred Holmes, the well-known Riccarton trainer, acted as judge, and though his decisions‘were questioned on several he came out of the ordeal with credit.