CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 681, 26 March 1903, Page 14

CANTERBURY.

Christchurch, March 24. Weights for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps appeared Sharp to the advertised time, and of course have formed the topic of much discussion in sporting circles. Starting off with the Great Easter, it was generally anticipated Mr. Henrys would give Advance close op ; list. A ppund under that

weight is very little, but aftes analysing the performances of the black son of Vanguard, the question arises what is going to beat him. Well, I have carefully looked down the list, and I cannot sort out anything that I would prefer to name at present, as likely to defeat the Champion. Advance carried over list in the Wanganui Cup, so with xilst 131 b in a seven furlong race, even in select company, I feel sure he will beat the opposition. If Pampero were perfectly sound, I would favour his chance. Accounts come from Dunedin that the once brilliant Sprinter is alright again, and if this is so, he will take a lot ci beating. Cruciform has last year s win to recommend her, but I do not think she can beat Advance, neither do I think Orloff can. Pallas will have to improve on his latest form to have any chance. I hear he is likely to be reserved for the Great Autumn. St. Denis is nicely weighted, so is Westguard, who generally runs well at Riccarton. Without going fully down the list, I have selected the following lot to supply the winner Advance, Pampero, St. Denis, Westguard, Evelyn Wood, and Nell Gwyn, with preference for the first-named. Hie half dozen I select to furnish the winner of the Great Autumn, are—Cannie Chiel, Lady Lillian, Pallas, Valdimir, The Qvbnnon, and General Symons, with a preference for Lady Lillian.

Acceptances for the two Easter Handicaps are due on Friday. Hon. J. D. Ormond is without a representative in the big Handicaps at Riccarton at Easter. All sportsmen would welcome another good one to reuresent the all Cerise.

Step Dancer and King Stork ran a mile and a-quarter on Saturday, in 2min 17Iec. Pallas joined in at the nine furlongs post. In a good brush home. Step-dancer held an advantage from King Stork. Cannie Chiel accomplished two sound ga.lops last week one over a mile and a-quarter, and the other over a mile and a-half.

Tercelet left for Blenheim on Thursday to race in the Marlborough Cup. I do not think the Clanranald colt can beat Volley, who must have regained her best form.

Buckland's team of trotting horses, seven in number, reached Riccarton on Friday, and are located at Pierces. It is thought by those who have seen Fritz many times, that the Australian Champion is not ■ lookingas well as could be wished, but this is probably due to the effects of th evoyage over from Sydney. Ribbonwood is at present favourite or the big match, and is likely to remain so up to the day. A full brother to Fritz is a handsome colt. The two-year-old colt, Quincy, is also a fine youngster, and will compete in the Juvenile Stakes.

Cannie Chiel is one of the fancied candidates for the Great Autumn Handicap. He is standing well up to his work, and if he only manages to thrive on the hard going, should be among the leaders at the finish of that event.

Lady Lillian, who had been doing splendidly in her work, met with a slight mishau one day last week. By some means the mare picked up a nail, but it is not thought that any serious injury will result. Welbeck is putting in some fast work, and; is going along all right. On Saturday he ran six furlongs by himself m Imin 20sec, easing up towards the finish. Delarey is showing plenty of pace in his gallops. He is evidently a smart colt, and should add more, stake-money ro the credit of Seaton Delaval before the season closes. Dundas has been thrown out of work, and is at present running in a paddock. The Stepniak mare, Scylla, is moving along, and appears to have recovered from the effects of the accident she met with in the Spring. The Nelson-Moonga mare, Zealous, won the Oxford Cup, on March 17, beating Narcissus 9st 131 b, and Clytie 9st 81b. Zealous carried 9st 51b, and after a punishing finish just defeated Narcissus by a head. Nell Gwyn followed up her recent successes by scoring another win ae Oxford. The highly-bred Captain Webb filly, made, no race of the Stewards’ Handicap, winning by Ave lengths, pulling up in Imm Narcissus and Metalic were second and third. Nell Gwynne is in the Great Easter, having Gst 61b, and she is a smart mare. Secret Society scored a double victory at Waimate, winning the St. Patrick’s Handicap and Harvest

Handicap, in big races. Secret Society carried Bst 51b, and beat Bulawayo, 7st 101 b, Stelma Bst„ finishing third, and in his sezond race Serret Society carried 9st 91b, and btat St. Monica, Bst 71b, Stelma, Bst 101 b, again occupying tmrd place. Secret Society won both events in easy fashion, not being asked to extend himself in the Harvest Handicap. Covenant Maid would probably have won a double at Waimate had she got away with the field in the Welter Handicap. After getting left several lengths at the start, the mare just failed to catch Miss O’Connell. In the Studholme Stakes, Covenant Maid had an easy win the opposition being only moderate. Skobeloff started in the Oxford Cup but, although he ran well for a mile, he quite failed to pace it with the leaders in the last two furlongs. Cannonshot won a couple of races at the Alford Forest meeting last week.

Canteen was scratched at 1.10 p.m. on Friday, for the Great Easter and Autumn Handicaps.