CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 682, 2 April 1903, Page 15

CANTERBURY.

Christchurch, March 31. Heavy rain, which set in from the South last night, continuing throughout the night, put a complete stop to training work at Riccarton. It has been raining heavily all day, and at the time of writing (7 p.m.) shows no signs of clearing. Orloff has come into the market since Monday for the Great Easter, and was heavily backed in doubles. Pallas is now favourite for the Great Autumn. The best price obtainable to-day about the OrloffPallas combination was a hundred to ten. Somerled has been sold to a Featherston owner, and will be sent to his new home later in the week. Somerled will race at the Waipukarau J.C. Easter Meeting in his 1 new owner's name. Tercelet ran badly in the Marlborough Cup. The horse bruised his foot just before the meeting, and this probably had something to do with, the form he showed. Cora Linn shaped well in a gallop last week, and Mr Hobbs paid up for her in the Great Easter. Pallas has been showing good form in his daily tasks. His mile and a-quarter gallop on Saturday morning greatly pleased the few specta-

tors present on the course. Lady Lillian continues to stand up to .her work satisfactorily, and is galloping with great freedom. It is whispered about that Lady Lillian is being specially prepared for the Great Easter. This mare has always been seen at her best in eight furlong races. Probably one of the fittest horses at Riccarton just now is Cannie Chiel. I always hold the opinion that this horse would develop into a stayer, and the fact that he has been taken out of the Great Easter but left in the Great Autumn goes to prove that Cutts is of the same opinion. I bear to-day that General Symons is fit and well, and that his connections fancy the colt’s chance in the Great Autumn. He won the Midsummer Handicap all the way, arid although the field will be stronger in the Great Autumn, I have much respect for General Symons, who is undoubtedly a smart colt.

The Akaroa Racing Club made a profit of nearly £2OO over its recent meeting. With reference to the protest against Nikola in the Maiden Plate, letters were received from the Canterbury Jockey Club stating that there would not be a meeting until next month ; that Nikola had won a Ladies' Bracelet under another name at the Christchurch Hunt Club's Meeting, and that the value of. the stake had not been advertised, but it had been publicly notified afterwards that the value of the bracelet was £5. Mr Coney said the horse had been leased by Mr Pick, but he thought that gentleman was not the bona fide Owner under club rules. .He moved that the protest of Mr Wilson against Nikola be sustained, on the ground, that Mr Pick had, besides running for the trophy, only leased the horse, and was not, therefore the bona fide owner three mouths before the race. Mr Bradley seconded the motion, particularly objecting to leased horses being run. The < hairman said he had been assured by members of the C.J.C. that if the lease of a horse was duly registered, as had neen done in this case, the lessee was considered the bona fide owner for the time being. Mr Harris considered that as the value of the bracelet had not been advertised, Nikola wa? entitled to the stakes, ind tie moved in that direction. On the vote being taken the amendment was carri?d. Mr Wilson then gave notice that hewyould appeal to the Canterbury -Jockey ‘Nub aga : nst the stewards’, decision. It was resolved that neither stakes not totalisator money should be paid, over pending the result of the appeal.