CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 518, 22 November 1900, Page 12

CANTERBURY.

ADVANCE: IS HE THE BEST NEW ZEALAND HAS PRODUCED 1 - DAN O’BRIEN’S ILLLUCK - SANT ILARIO SOLD FOR 270 GUINEAS - CHRISTCHURCH HORSES FOR WELLINGTON - MATEROA - DUNDAS — FBED DAVIS IN LUCK-WARRINGTON.

Christchurch, November 16.

The powerful Porirua stable, with nine representatives at. Canterbury Jubilee Meeting, had only one winner—Advance, but this son of Vanguard won no less than £930 for his owner.

We frequently hear opinions expressed as to whether Advance is a better horse than those who have gone before him. I am not going to attempt to decide whether Vanguard’s son is better than the great Carbine ever was, but there are many good judges of horse flesh in this part of the colony who hold the opinion that Advance is the best racehorse the colony has yet produced. Talking of the Porirua teams reminds me that Ostiak greatly disappointed his connections by his failure to win the Stewards’ Stakes, while Tortulla’s form cannot be accounted for by even such an experienced man as Prosser himself. Ostiak, I believe, ricked himself slightly in the Stewards’ Handicap, and this probably explains his poor form in subsequent races. Tortulla, who right up to Cup Day had been doing excellent work on the tracks, could not have been quite herself at any time during the meeting. Gobo was a non-starter, having become sore a day or two prior to the first day’s racing. Whitney and Sentry were among the starters, and the former showed fair form in at least two of hie races.

Dundas was one of the failures at the meeting, and in the Cup and Metropolitan Handicap he was the last to finish. The only time he showed any form was in the Farewell Handicap, when he got second to Cameo. Dundas is about the most erratic animal racing in the country.

Derry was bought by Mr Woodroffe for £lOO. The son of Derringer disappointed many backers in each of his races.

Dan O’Brien’s record at the meeting : Second Derby, Second Exhibition Handicap, Second Jubilee Cup, Second Epsom Handicap, Second Irwell Handicap, Second Oressy Welter. The owner of Malatua, Peerage, Military and Coy. has probably put up a record for running seconds.

Malatua only showed anything like his best form in the Exhibition Handicap, when he got second carrying 9st. It is just probable the big son of Malua likes a short distance better than a long one Peerage is beginning to shape in something like the form his breeding would expect one to look for. He has been a long time coming on, but should do better later in the season.

The best horses at their respective ages competing at the meeting were : Two-year-olds, Menschikoff ; three-year-olds, Benown; four-year-olds, Advance; five-year-olds, Malatua; six-year-olds, Blazer. t Mr G. G. Stead gave 900 guineas for Sant Hario as a yearling, and sold him a week ago for 270 guineas. November 20.

Skobeleff, Ismene, Cherrystone, and Transport left for Wellington yesterday. Outts took Glenogle and Scottish Minstrel up on Saturday. The former is in rare fettle just now. Epaulet was awarded first prize at Kirwee Show last week. So far the son of Medallion has not produced any racers. Conqueror was awarded first prize in the thoroughbred class at Waimate Show. The owner of the second horse protested against the decision on the ground that the horse was unsound A veterinary examination took place, and Conqueror was pronounced to be perfectly sound for breeding purposes. Before Materoa left for Wellington on Saturday an offer was made for the daughter of Torpedo. This was not considered good enough. A North Island owner made a bid for Dundas, but as Murray Hobbs asked for 550 guineas no business resulted.

Casabianca has been purchased by Mr Horace Beatty, the price paid for the son of St Leger being £125. The horse is now in Dave Price’s stable.

F. Davis, the North Island horseman, had a stroke of luck in Christchurch during carnival week. He was the holder of a ticket on Miss Ohilde, who paid a dividend of £206 at one of the trotting meetings. Warrington will be given a spell for a few months. The son of Gorton has been sent to his owner’s place at Ashburton. W. Crossan took St Denis, Zither, and Proposal, to Wellington on Monday The trio will race at various meeiings in the North before returning to this part of the colony. Belligerent has changed hands, and is now in Taggarts’ charge.