CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 689, 21 May 1903, Page 15

CANTERBURY.

Christchurch, May 20, Pilgrim's Progress, the new sire purchased by Mr H. Friedlander, arrived from Australia on, Friday last, and was at once taken to his new quarters at Ashby j ton. Treadmill is not expected to start in the Ashburton Stakes, and in his absence Cannie Chiel will represent Sir Geo. Clifford. The race is likely to resolve itself into a contest, between Pallas, Cannie Chiel and Bayonet. Victory ought to rest with the first-named. The Ashburton Club experienced a rim of bad luck last week, when heavy rain compelled the club to postpone its meeting until Friday and Saturday of this week. Most of the competing horses were on the course, and there was a lot of grumbling among owners and trainers over the postponement. As; steady rain was falling each day, most people will agree that the club took the right step in deciding, upon a postponement. Very little work was done at Riccarton since my last. Heavy rain, which fell during the latter part of the week, compelled trainers to keep their horses undercover. ■ Awahuri remains a firm favounte for the Great Northern Steeplechase, the majority of backers inclining to the opinion that the big Hawke’s Bay gelding will win that, event easily. How backers got their information I can’t say, but I do know Awahuri has received substantial support for the Steeplechase. Roller has been nominated for the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, but strange to say his name does not appear among the entrants for the big hurdle race at the same meeting. Roller was showing good form over the small hurdles at the C.J.C. Autumn fixture. It is more than likely that his owner intends to try to win the big Steeplechase with him this winter. Roller is engaged in the hurdle races at Dunedin, and has top-weight, list 81b, in the First Hurdle Race. General Symons is nicely weighted in the Dunedin Birthday Handicap. I can’t pick anything to beat him. Lady Lillian is doing steady exercise, but I don’t think we shall see much of Lady Zetland’s daughter until the spring. Welbeck was taken to • Ashburton last week, and • is now at Mr Gates 1 ’ station, where he will do a season’s stud work.