CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 694, 25 June 1903, Page 14

CANTERBURY.

Christchurch, June 23

Wairiki is favourite for the New Zealand Cup at 10 to 1 ; Orloff is 12 to 1 ; Quarryman, Lady Lillian, and Shrapnel are quoted at fourteens. The handicaps for the Cup are due next week.

The hurdle racer Khaki, who won at Dunedin last month, and who is engaged at Wellington, is doing plenty of jumping work at Riccarton. So far he has not, shown very great proficiency over hurdles, but I am of'the opinion that he will yet make a good hurdler. Catherine Gordon came down heavily while doing a gallop over schooling hurdles last week,. H. Donovan was riding. The mare received a severe shaking. Cruciform wasi doing easy pacing at Riccarton a few mornings ago. The champion mare is looking remarkably well. If she is taken over to Australia I am sure she will be a creditable representative of New Zealand.

I hear Orloff is doling steady work in view of spring engagements. Quite a number of people are inclined to the opinion that the son of Stepniak will not go over to Australia, but will be the Yaldhurst representative in the New Zealand Cup. I cannot offer any opinion, but sportsmen would, I think, like to see Orloff pitted against the Australian cracks in the Epsom Handicap. On Wednesday last Social Pest and Sultana were sent for a gallop over big fences. The latter jumped in taking style, but Social Pest jumped in, a slovenly fashion, and eventually came down at the post and rail at the back of the course. The son of Ahua has not done any jumping over steeplechase fences for some time. After a little schooling he may get over his fences better.

Benzoin is standing up to his work, and if all goes well with him he is a likely starter at Wellington. Bombardo, who is engaged at the same meeting, is in regular work, and appears to be in fine fettle. ) This horse showed about his best form at Dunedip last month, and should run well at the Wellington, Hurdle Race.

Slow Tom is showing improved form. If weights suit he will be a starter at Wellington.

At the meet of the Christchurch hounds last week, the following well-known jumpers were in the field : —Venture, Nanaki. Rawai, Fleetwood, Ahiki, and The Joker. The South Canterbury Jockey Club contemplates increasing the stakes in the trotting, events at its meeting next season.

Some discussion took place at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Club on the proposal made by the Ashburton Club to, make it compulsory for country clubs to insert a hurdle race on each day’s programme. The feeling of the members of the South Canterbury Club was against such a proposal being carried at the Racing Conference. The New (Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has had a very successful year. The club started the season with a debit balance of £lll7 12s 4d, and wound up with a credit of £1255 19s 3d. The club has no liabilities whatever, and its assets , are valued, at £6670 2s 3d, after writing off over £2OOO for depreciation. The receipts from the totalisator amounted to £6797 9s 6d, and gate £2316 7s, while the sum of £lB7O was received in nomination and acceptance fees. The stake money amounted to £6531; The club is probably one of the most popular in the colony. Its meetings are admirably conducted, men of the right stamp being at the head of affairs. Ini Mr Rattray the club was fortun-, ate in having the services of a secretary who has a wide knowledge of trotting, besides having the confidence of members, owners, and the public.