OUR CHRISTCHURCH LETTER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 73, 17 December 1891, Page 5

OUR CHRISTCHURCH LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.)

[Bt

Wire.]

Christchurch, Dec. 16. Lebel, Stepniak, Wakawatea, Wyvern, British 'Lion, Clanranald, Flinders, Tamar, and Yattaghan, have left Canterbury to fulfil their engagements at Auckland. Of course British Lion, Wyvern, and Wakawatea, must be called West Coast horses, though British Lion and Wyvern are known at Riccarton, as they are now on the West Coast, and perhaps better. Cutts trained British Lion for a considerable time, and during the time he was at Chokebore Lodge he was troubled very much with windgalls, those hard windgalls, and I do not believe his best quality was seen while he was permanently located at Riccarton ; but Arthur Smith now has him in excellent condition, although I really believed he fluked the New Zealand Cup. Had Freedom been left in that event British Lion would never have won ; yet British Lion won again al Dunedin, but his victories in Canterbury and Otago were achieved under comparatively light weights, and in the Auckland Cup he has got 51b to carry. He may win under that impost, but my opinion is that something lower in the list will lick him should the top weight fail to do so. I do not know much about Hilda, but should Lebel be beaten under yst ylb, the winner will have to travel should the going be as good as it was when Crackshot won. Canterbury will have three representatives in the Auckland Derby, and the best of that trio will want a deal of beating. Flinders will run far better in that event than he ever did in public at Riccarton, and perhaps Mr. O’Brien fancies he can beat Lebel. I hardly think that, however. That I am certain Flinders’ best form has never been seen in public. Lebel, though small, is a racehorse all over, and in my opinion the only one we have in these parts that can down him is Florrie. Wakawatea may run well in some of the juvenile events at Auckland, but I am perfectly certain he lost the Welcome Stakes here through distress, and not bad horsemanship. Arthur Smith had him as fit as hands could make him in November, but at the C.J.C. Metropolitan Meeting he could not stay, whatever he may do later on. North Islanders who have not seen Flinders will find

him a bit straight in the hind legs, and a bit stiff behind; but Stoneyhurst, a good performer, and now a rattling good stallion in this province, is just as straight as Flinders, and before ever I saw New Zealand I have seen horses of similar conformation that could gallop like locomotive engines. It is now currently reported here that Mr O’Brien will go to Australia shortly, and take over Freedom, Flinders, and Florrie. I had a lengthy yarn with Mr. O’Brien yesterday morning, but a lot of people being about I did not interview him on the subject. I fancy, however, that the rumour is pretty correct. Tasman, being located at Wellington Park, he may go to Auckland first, though I have an opinion that Yattaghan will not return to Riccarton again ; she may do so, but it is a “ moral” that she will be covered by Tasman sooner or later.

Messrs. Claridge and Williams have given up training, and it was recently reported that Mr. Butler will take the stable, but I know well he thinks the dwelling-house too small for him. At present that is the only stable to let. at Riccarton, however. t Mr. Webb tells me that his colt foal by Chainshot, from Miranda, is a perfect beauty. I have not seen him personally. I get to Bush Inn very often, and Mr. Webb I know very intimately as a racing man, Jimmy Webster is going to America with Maxim, and that will be a good trip for him. I shall not be surprised to hear that he remains there, though, for my own part, I should not like to live in the States. Play actors and journalists may say what they like, but the States are un-English, and not British at all. Young Irvington, one of the best trotters we ever had. got kicked in the sheath when covering a mare last week, and the accident. was supposed to be a bad one. No doubt it was bad too, but Mr. Free says the horse will be all right in a month or two. Mr. Free was recently offered for him ; delivery, sound and well, to be made after covering season. Harry Fuller has got six mokes in training now, and he is not unlikely to make a “ bit ” out of them presently. There are very few about here that can give Harry Fuller a start in the treatment of horses. Inez has always been a bit stiff behind since her mishap at Rangiora. but Charlie Stratford is now giving her some good work, and it appears to me that she has lost some of her pace that characterised her last season. Tom Field is also in good work, and he goes sound enough for the present and looks like standing. I should like to see Charlie Stratford have a win or two. He deserves it, and no doubt a few victories will come off presently for his stable.

I have not seen Crackshot since his forleg ailment was discovered, and it is beyond doubt that “ Charlie ’’ has had very bad luck this season. Crackshot, for instant, is not anything like the horse he was at this time last year. Diadem is picking up very rapidly, and she will presently come back to her best form. Mr. Webbe wants to win a race or two with her before having her covered. Kulnine got a bit “ cronk” in the near hind leg some months ago, but he is now all right and the impression of many good judges here is that he is too good for the timber topping game. On public form Morton ought to have been good enough for Auckland, but Lunn is careful, though carefulness in racing is of little good some times. Perhaps Morton would have won as much for him at Auckland as Clanranald will.

The following scratchings are announced :— Auckland Cup: Patchwork. Great Northern Foal Stakes: Puwerewere. Hurdle Race: Hopeful Kate and Bit o’ Blue. Mr. “Tommy” Creighton deserves special notice in our sporting items for his perfect costume as clerk of the course at Avondale, and he evidently knows that it is neither the correct nor the proper thing to make too free a use of his voice and his whip on such occasions. His work was done unostentatiously and well. Messrs Adams and Andrews, totalisator proprietors, negotiated the sum of £2,351 for the Avondale Jockey Club at their meeting on Saturday, which is regarded as highly satisfactory, considering the unfavourable state of the weather. This means another contribution to the Colonial Treasurer’s “poor box” of £35 5 s - 4d-