CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 311, 9 July 1896, Page 6

CANTERBURY.

Euroclydon doing well — Brief review of Cup weights—An opposite opinion to Aucklanders — Death of Whakawatea’s dam —Barnardo and Kulnine standing up to their work.

As you will probably deal at length with the handicaps for the New Zealand Cup, I will content myself with a short review of Mr Henry’s work The scratching of Gipsy Grand at 9.30 on Tuesday morning was scarcely expect ed —at any rate, so early, It is a thousand pities this great colt has retired from the contest. He was undoubtedly one of the finest racehorses New Zealand has ever seen. I will, for the present, take leave of Grandmaster’s son by expressing my opinion that Mr Henry did quite right in placing him 21bs above last year’s winner. Euroclydon is reported as being wonderfully well, and his chance cannot be ignored. Fabulist is al-o given a show, and he should beat a good many of those below him. Whether he is equal to Euroclydon, as many suppose, I am unable to say, but if as good next November as when he won the Great Northern Derby he should take a lot of beating. Lady Zetland app irently went off a little in her most recent display, but all the same, I believe she is as well treated as any animal in the racr. Lady Zetland can stay, and perhaps the mistake of last year will not be repeated. Brooklet, is surely fairly well anchored. She may prove, perhaps, that the handicapper is right and the critics wrong, but personally I think she might very well have had a few pounds less to carry. Saracen and The Possible are not the best of stayers, and Mahaki is unsound. I prefer Lady Zetland, on Wanganui form, to Ngatuere. Searchlight may be able to stay, and so may Irish Twist [they have both won at one and three-quarter miles. — Ed. S.R.], but Bessie McCarthy is not quite sound. I like the look of Lorelei and Culverin, also that of Quiltiri, but do not fancy Casket or Chaos, both of whom are unsound. The Shrew and Pompon may have a chance (I like the latter beet), and Lotion is just the sort of horse to effect a surprise. Bellicent should be beaten by Culverin, and Bombshell may probably make way for his stable companions. Anita has been well treated ; indeed, she is as nicely handicapped as anything in the race. Defiance, Dauntless, and Epaulet are three fine colts, either of whom might run well. I prefer th? latter’s prospects. Curassow is another of Mr Stead’s who must be reckoned with if he trains on. He is a handsome animal, but a trifle heavily topped. Of the others lower down, the colts Lord Rosslyn and Brigand strike me as likely ones, while old Captive may give trouble if the going is heavy. At present I like the following : —Euroclydon, Fabulist, Lady Zetland, Lorelei, Culverin, Quiltiri, Lotion, Defiance, Epaulet, Curassow, Pompom, Searchlight, and Brigand. Since the publication of the weights Mr M. Barnett has laid the following :—4OO to 8 Lord Rosslyn, 500 to 10 Esau, 500 to 5 Marino, 760 to 6 Brigand, 500 to 6 Marquis of Zetland, 250 to 7 Anita, 500 to 4 Bonnie Scotland, 250 to 12 Lady Zetland, and smaller lines. The old mare Becky Sharp, dam of Whakawatea, has been destroyed. All the local horses have been doing good work, especially Barnardo and Kulnine. The latter has not been forgotten at Wellington. If he jumps he has a chance, but he is none too fond of the big fences.