CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 301, 30 April 1896, Page 5

CANTERBURY.

Temporary retirement of “ Patsy ” Butler—The North Canterbury MeetingJockey Brown severely reprimanded —Owner not asked any questions— An outsider wins the Cup—Rangiatea buys himself out—Chainshot off next week—Barnardo jumping well—‘‘Just in time.” The whole of Mr P. Butler’s horses will be offered for sale at Tattersall’s on Saturday next, including Au Revoir, Liberator, Padlock, Salvo, Medicus, Cannonball, and Venom. 111-health is the cause of Mr Butler’s temporary retirement. The North Canterbury Meeting on Thursday last proved a most enjoyable gathering. The weather was all that could be desired, and the attendance a record one. The course was fairly good, although heavy in places. Speculation was good, £2007 10s going through the machine, which is £5OO more than the investments last year. The district is governed by a prohibition committee, but the stewards generously supplied alcoholic refreshments, and I am pleased to say that the meeting was financially successful. Lord of Misrule was reckoned a good thing by the alleged knowing ones for the opening event, the Winter Oats, but the money put on Nicholas at the finish foreshadowed what would win. “Nick” won easily by a length from Salvo Shot, Nirvana close up.

St. John wound up the days’ proceedings by winning the Flying Handicap by a length, from Fire King, with Jewel third. Chainshot will probably be shipped to England next week. Fire King has taken kindly to hurdle-jumping, and although he is not a stayer, his pace should greatly help him. Gillie is j umping well, and is regularly ridden to hounds by Mr G. Murray-Aynsley, as also are Pastime, Industry, and Ellesmere. The Christchurch Hunt Club has agreed to substitute a small programme of races, to be contested at Riccarton, instead of the usual point-to-point fixture. Bisley (brother to Barmby) has not been out during the last few days, but there is nothing seriously wrong with him. The owner of Salvoshot was very indignant at the manner in which his horse was ridden at Rangiora. Belligerent is now in Murray-Aynsley’s stable., Several of Mr Stead’s two-year-olds were at Riccarton last Saturday. They are all looking well, especially Cuirassow, Gold Medallist, and Multiform. Jewel is now an inmate of Lunn’s stable. Barnardo is jumping the steeplechase schooling fences in great style, and should he become proficient will take a lot of beating over the big country at National time. “ Breaking-in” is now in full swing at headquarters, most of the youngsters having already received their initial lesson. Just before the start for the Novel Race at Rangiora, £45 arrived by wire for Rangiatea, sent back from Dunedin, and had it not been for a false start the money would have been too late.