CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 791, 4 May 1905, Page 9

CANTERBURY.

Christchurch, May 2

One noticeable feature at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting was the shrinkage in the totalisator investments. A year ago the club put through £23,671, while this year the amount fell back to £19,784, or nearly ten thousand pounds less than the amount handled by the Feilding J.C. The Canterbury J.C. will have to wake up, unless it wishes to play second fiddle to some of the North Island Clubs. The Thirteenth Challenge Stakes this year was one of the easiest wins Achilles has yet achieved. It was generally considered that Sungod would extend the champion, but the colt was never able to foot it with either Achilles or Stronghold. While Achilles was sailing along’the straight in front, the riders of Stronghold and Sungod were hard at work, but they could make no impression on the Medallion horse, who won very easily by a length. Vladimir has now won two Stewards’ Handicaps, one Winter Cup, one Great Easter, and one Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton, a truly great performance. Since Vladimir’s victory in the Great Autumn there have been enquiries to back him for the next New Zealand Cup. One backer wanted five hundred to ten, hut no business was forthcoming at that price. The best j.r ce offered was hundreds to four. Roller started in the Hurdle Race on tl e second dav last week, hut was outpaced from the start, and his racing days are about over. Tirole, who won the Welter Handicap, also the Farewell Handicap, was one of ' thei most improved horses seen out at the meeting. Since G. P. Payne took up his resi-

dence in Christchurch, good fortune has smiled upon him. Payne would, however, like to win a decent race with Sea Lion.

Golden Vein and Chryseis comprise Sir G. Clifford’s nominations for the Flat events at the Wanganui Winter Meeting. Bagpipes, who has been a failure on

the flat, is being given jumping exercise, when she went over small sticks neatly, and has been entered for the hurdle events at Wanganui. Secret Society has also been exercised over hurdles, and should do well at the game. In fact, he should make a firstclass hurdle racer.

Savoury was one of the disappointing horses seen out at the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting. He was absolutely last to finish in the Great Easter Handicap, while in the Great Autumn Handicap he was never closer than fifth at any part of the journey. Stronghold has left for Napier to run in the Hawke’s Bay Stakes. He ran fairly well against Achilles in the Challenge Stakes, but Sir Tristram, who has beaten him twice, ought to do so again. At the Grasslea Sale on Wednesday last, Messrs Solomon and Nettlefold purchased Machine-Gun for 575 guineas. R. J. Mason, Machine Gun’s late trainer, was in the running for possession of the Hotchkiss horse, but he dropped out when the bidding reached five hundred and fifty guineas. It is Messrs Solomon and Nettleford’s intention to take Machine Gun over to Australia, where he will be given an opportunity to tackle the champion sprinters of Australia.

The Soult horse Sandy, winner of the Yaldhurst Welter, will go over to Aus-

tralia with Machine Gun. Sandy is engaged at the Ashburton Meeting next week. Mr G. J. F. Palmer’s name generally appears among the list of purchasers of horses offered for sale at Yaldhurst. At the Grasslea sale last week Mr Palmer bought the Seaton Delaval—Keepsake filly Largesse for one hundred and fifty guineas, a price at which thd filly must be considered a bargain. Largesse has scored a win in her first race, and although probably not a top-notcher, ought Vo }pay her way nicely. J. Delanev, the rider of Zealous in the Hurdle Race at the Westland Racing Club’s Meeting, was disqualified for suspicious riding.

Tupara, who won the Hurdle Race on the second day of the Autumn Meeting at Riccarton, is now being schooled aver the big fences. He is jumping well, and if he continues to train on satisfactorily may journey to Wanganui for the Winter Meeting.

The Christchurch Racing Club will hold its Autumn Meeting at Plumpton on Saturday next. The following are likely winners : —High-Weight Handicap, Blythemaid, The Mohican ; Maiden Handicap, Taxpayer ; Christchurch Handicap, De La Rey, Antigone ; Flying Handicap, Reduction ; Hack Handicap, Blythemaid, Good Sight ; Welter Handicap, Man jess. W. McDonald, trainer to the Hon. G. McLean, was married last week to Miss A. Lowe, of Riccarton.

Sir G. Clifford has sent eight Clanranald yearlings to Riccarton to be prepared for next season’s campaign. A hunter, named Leeside, by Euroclydon—Broadside, belonging to O. R. Wise, of Oamaru, has put in an appearance at Riccarton. W. J. Taggart has charge of him. Both Cannie Chiel and Convoy found the pace too hot for them in the Great Autumn Handicap. Convoy was not looking at his best, and was probably short of a strong gallop. To-morrow ran very badly in both her races last week, and never once flattered her admirers. ;On the tracks, a few days before the meeting, this filly was bowling along in very attractive style, but shci failed to produce the same form with the colours up.