CANTERBURY

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 773, 29 December 1904, Page 9

CANTERBURY

Christchurch, December 26. Owing to so many trainers being away at cutside meetings things are practically at a standstill at Riccarton. A few horses are in training for the Hororata Meeting, on January 1.2, and country races on New A ear’s Day. Mahutonga received strong support in Christchurch for the Auckland Cup, and had Savoury won the Railway Handicap a small syndicate would have won oyer £2OOO. Mahutonga's form in the New Zealand and Auckland ( ups stamps him as the best handicap horse of the year.. The downfall of Savoury in the Railway Handicap cost backers a lot of money. The way money was piled on the Simmer colt almost suggested that he could not lose, but once again the cracks have gone down before a comparative outsider. Backers right throughout New Zealand will be lamenting- for some time to come the severe lesson they have received through rushing- Mr Stead’s horses for the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap. Martian, Nightfall, and Cruciform were made favourites at various stages for the Cup, but not one of them saw the post. When they went out the puhlm ”i'h(d after Mahutonga', Melodeon and Ghoorka, coupling them with Savoury and Rubia for all the money in the market. Rubia w< nt wrong and Savoury got badly beaten. Probably a few people will now realise that although Mr Stead has an extremely powerful team he is not invincible. Conal. Ability, and Nor’-wi ster each won a race at 'Reefton. while ’l’. Sheehan scored his usual second by the aid of Anti gone. Now’ that Pallas has again struck form, and we may shortly expect to see the speedy son of Chain Armour pitted against the sprinters. Pallas is now’ six years old and is said to be looking in fine buckle.

Zealous, by winning the tw r o hurdle races at Dunedin, has shown that her owners would be wise to keep her at hurdle racing instead of putting her against good handicap horses on the flat. It is reported that W. McDonald, who is at present trainer for Mr J. A. Holmes, has been appointed Gainer for the Hon. G. JcT can and Mr A. J Brett. I understand there were about thirty applications for the position. Grand Tlhain won the two principal handicaps at the Kaikoura Meeting yesterday, while Met Blanket was second in the Cup.