CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 541, 2 May 1901, Page 12

CANTERBURY.

PEERAGE—WHAT THEY THINK OF NONETTE -THE YALDHURST YOUNGSTERS - LONG TOM’S GRAND INATIONAL PROSPECTS — HORSEY PARS. Christohuboh, May 1. I hear that Dan O’Brien, who now has Peer age at Lonsdale Lodge, intends to give this disappointing animal another trial, and will run him at forthcoming country meetings. Mr J. Taggart has had a full brother to Fashion added to his team. The youngster belongs to Mr Herman. The ex North Island hurdle mare Marina has been put into work again, and it is hoped to get her ready to sport silk next month. Zither, who has had a lengthy spell, has been taken in hand for the winter season. This gelding shaped well over the hurdles list season, and should pay his way. Long Tom failed to run up to expectations at Wellington. Hi- connections backed him for a fair amount on both days, while backers went down also. Long Tom is engaged in the Grand Nationa. at Auckland, and also in the hurdle races at Dunedin next month. Patrons of the Yaidhurst stable are quite jubilant over the defeat of Nonette by Menschikoff and Ban Patricia, who is not thought very highly of by people down this way. Either Nonette must be a considerable over-rated youngster, or the Yaldhurst trio must be particularly brilliant. San Patricia i-, I think, a smarter filly than most people think. Yaidhurst two-year-olds have swept everything before them th s season, and if all goes wel with them during the winter they should form a formidable lot to beat in uext season’s classic races. As showing how strong Stead’s stable is in young stock, it is worth recording that even money wagers have been accepted that neither Menschikoff nor Cruciform will win the Derby. The fancied one is, I believe, is Royal Artillery, who is reported to be a clinker of the first water. Long Tom has been backed in some quarters for the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race. It is rather early in the day to sum up hie prospects in such a big event. The opposition he has defeated so far, has not been anywhere near as strong as the task he will be set in the Grand National. Backers should note this —those behind Cameo consider their gelding would have beaten Palaver on the second day at Wellington had he stood up. Cameo was certainly very well, and a mile and aquarter is more to his liking than shorter distances, but 1 am not one of those who consider he would have beaten the A premont mare, who was let in with the weight she is a thorough master of. The Christchurch Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting takes place on May 11 Nominations are satisfactory. Benzoin, Strathnairn, Cameo, Cora Linn and Formosan are among those engaged in the principal handicaps. Gormoran, who has been racing at West Coast meetings, is back again. He had a rough trip coming over, but will probably be started at the Christchurch Meeting.

Peerage is evidently going to be raced at meetings in this district. He and Cavalry have been nominated for events at the Christchurch Meeting. The victories of Menschikoff and Ostiak at Wellington have again set owners eulogising Stepniak as a sire. Warrington has been taken out of the Novel Races. His owner intends to fly at higher game. He appears in the Flying Handicap at the Christchurch Meeting, and will have to be at his best to have a chance with fast sprinters like Formosan, Cora I inn, and Hermosa. The. Vanguard horse Huku has plenty of work before him, having been nominated for several meetings near at hand. He is a capable track horse, and frequently registers a gallop good enough to win anything, but when it comes to racing he seems outclassed, even when the opposition is not strong It is a long time since he won a good stake Heiress has been responsible for some good work lately. Thia filly can gallop fast when well, but so far we have not seen her do credit to her breeding Heiress is a likely starter at the Christchurch Meeting. There are very few hurdle racers at Riccarton. Unless some owners put a few horses to the game the 0 J.O. will have to depend upon the support of North Island owners for the success of the National Meeting Strathnairn, Huku, Claudeboye,* St Martin, and Cadet are animals who ought to do well over hurdles.