CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 849, 14 June 1906, Page 8

CANTERBURY.

Christchurch, June 13. Entries for the New Zealand Cup, which you published last week, show a falling-off of 18 as compared with last year, the number 54 as against 72. Although the entrants include the best-known of the handicap horses in the colony, it cannot be said that there is a prospect of the field being a high-class one, even though it may bring about a very interesting contest. A notable absentee is Achilles, but the most striking feature of the nominations is that neither Mr. Stead nor Sir Geo. Clifford have entered a single representative. In past years Mr. Stead’s candidates have been remarkably good friends to bookmakers,

who will find the public less prompt in selecting a favourite now that they have nothing from Yaidhurst to plunge on. Is it to be regretted as a significant fact that a member of a leading firm in this city has purchased a coal merchant’s business, and talks of retiring from the game? A fair amount of business is reported already on the big handicap, but the prices quoted do not suggest that metallicians are suffering from enlargement of the heart.

Hewitt left last Friday for Sydney. He will remain over the other side until after the A.J.C. Spring Meeting in September next, returning to New Zealand in time for the New Zealand Cup Meeting. According to his present plans he will leave for England at the beginning of March. Amongst the entries received for Australian event by the secretary of the Canterbury Club last week were: V.R.C. Derby, Oaks and St. Leger, Astolat (Royal Artillery—Bellicent) ; A.J.C. Derby, Prism (Stepniak—Rainbow), Glencullock (Clanranald —Madowla) and Astolat; A.J.C. Breeders’ Plate and Gimcrack Stakes, Mon Arnie (Soult —Satanella) and Prism; A.J.C. St. Leger, Astolat. Astolat is owned by Mr. George Palmer, and being three-quarter sister to the unbeaten Isolt, she should be good if the breeding goes for anything. Mon Arnie and Prism belong to Mr. R. W. Paterson, the well-known Wellington sportsman, and Glencullock is the

property of Sir George Clifford. In addition to these, Mr. Stead has nominated Count Witte (Menschikoff — Problem), Boniform (Multiform —Otterden) and Royal Glen (Royal Artillery—Happy Valley) for the Breeders’ Plate and Gimcrack Stakes, to be run at Randwick next September. For the A.J.C. Derby in 1907 he has entered Count Witte, Boniform and Ellen Terry. At present the doings at Riccarton are far from exciting, but in a week or two they will doubtless liven up. Narcissus and Taxpayer were sent over the schooling fences one day last week, the latter shaping very well for a first attempt. Chryseis and Stronghold will probably take part in the Wellington Winter Meeting, and are being kept moving in view of that event. Harry Franks, in whose charge Noctuiform went to England, returned from the Old Country last week. He reports F. D. Jones as settled in a very good position, and likely to do well.