CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 462, 1 June 1899, Page 13

CANTERBURY.

Speculation in Christchurch —Dan O’Brien’s luclc—Malatua for the N.Z. Cup—Douglas — Two of Mr Buckland’s horses sold —N.Z. Cup prices—Dummy and Social Pest.

Chbistohuboh, May 27. There was some brisk speculation over the Queen’s Birthday meetings, especially those held at Wanganui and Dunedin. Backers went strongly for Whangaroa in the Wanganui Steeplechase, but Muscatel also had many admirers. Marina was heavily supported for both hurdle races, while Female Franchise was looked upon as almost a certainty for the Flying Stakes. Social Pest was not backed to any great extent. Backers were luckier over the Dunedin Meeting. A commission was worked in favor of Witchcraft for the First Hack Race, and on Windermere for the First Hurdle Race. Backers also went strongly for Benzoin, Starshot, Jupiter and Brisa. Talking of commissions reminds me that money came flopping into Christchurch from the North for investment on Cora Linn in the Hack Race for the second day ai Wanganui. Local backers got wind of the good thing, and speculated freely, but when the result came to hand there was great consternation amongst those who had fallen in. Dartmoor is evidently a smart hack. Dan O’Brien’s ill-luck stuck to him at Dunedin. Both Malatua and Peerage were greatly fancied for this meeting. In the Tradesmen’s Handicap, none were considered so good. These two colts have been very expensive to Mr O’Brien this season, for Peerage has only won a small stake at Ashburton, while Malatua has got into second and third, places about a dozen times. A wager of 600 to 23 is reported to have been taken about Malatua for the N.Z. Cup. On present form Me.l etna’s price should be more like one hundred to one. The colts are indeed splendid specimens of the thoroughbreds, but at present they cannot win even in moderate second class company. Malatua will probably gallop faster with age, and the same remark applies to Peerage, but they have done nothing in public to warrant anyone backing them for a race like the N.Z. Cup. A parly of Christchurch sports who have, at times, been enriched through Douglas’ victories are very anxious to back the son of Crawford Priory for the N.Z. Cup, but as the price they want, is something like hundreds to three, no business has so far been done. Douglas supporters here are waiting to see the weight Mr Henry allots him in the Cup. Owners should bear in mind that nominations for .he N.Z. Cup are due on Monday next, June 5. May 30. Mr O. Piper, on behalf of Mr J. A. Bucklan.d, has sold Vai and St. Julian to Christchurch owners, and the horses have gone into M. Edwards’ trotting horses Harold B. and Satan will go back to Sydney at. the end of the week. They were leased to a Christchurch owner while here, .and were trained by D. Price.

Malatua, Peerage, Starshot, Skirmisher, and Djin Djin have returned from Dunedin. A friend of mine anxious to invest £lO on Douglas for the next New Zealand Cup enquired the best price on offer last night, and he was thoroughly astonished at the reply he received — 100 to 6. This, to say the least, is a ridiculously low price to offer before nominations are out for the race. There have been a few enquiries after Huku for the N.Z. Cup. Some small wagers have been written for the National double. Dummy and Social Pest have already been backed for the Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdles. I was again fairly successful in forecasting winners for the Dunedin May Meeting. Starshot for the Birthday Handicap, Brisa for the Tradesman’s, Jupiter for the Welter, and Benzoin for the Maiden was the quartette I selected to win, and they all got there.