CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 853, 12 July 1906, Page 7

CANTERBURY.

Christcnurch, July 17. Sir G. Clifford and Mr. W. H. E. Wanklyn left for Wellington on Monday night to attend the Racing Conference. Canterbury is well represented at this year’s winter meeting of the Wellington Racing Club. Stronghold, Chryseis, Magnificent, Rongoa, Wi Waka, Slow Tom, and Tirole form the Canterbury contingent. Mr. J. E. Henrys has been appointed handicapper for the flat races at a fee of £3O per meeting to the South Canterbury Jockey Club. The double, Playfair and Exmoor, has been backed at hundreds to four for the Grand Nati nal Steeplechase and Hurdle Race. This is a pretty short price to back a double before the appearance of the weights in the two biggest jumping events of the year. Taxpayer and Graduated Tax having gone wrong will not take part at the Grand National Meeting, and the pair have been thrown out of active work. The Canterbury Jockey Club has approved the programmes of the Christchurch Hunt Club, South Canterbury Jockey Club, Geraldine Hunt Racing Club, Amberley Steeplechase Club, and Chatham Island Jockey Club.

At the monthly meeting on July 3 the Canterbury Jockey Club approved the following transfers: —M. Heads to H. Telford, br c by Hotchkiss—Golden Shine; R. G'ooseman to J. Armstrong, Chicane; G. Palmer to G. G. Stead, Astolat; T. Shannon to R. Turnbull, Priam. G. J. Pyne’s application for removal of his disqualification was declined. Weights for the Grand National Steeplechase and Grand National Hurdle Race and Winter Cup are due on Monday next. Helios, a big son of Phaeton, is getting through some solid work at Riccarton. He takes kindly to hurdling, and should be worth watching. Buluwayo is among the regular attendants on the track at Riccarton, and has apparently thrown off the signs of lameness that troubled him recently. M. Hobbs has the exchampion pony in his charge, and expects to get a race out of him at the National fixture. Makaroff, who has been having a rest at his owner’s station, is expected among the arrivals at Riccarton in the course of a few days. He is engaged in the Winter Cup. Blythemaid, a New Zealand Cup candidate, has arrived at Riccarton. This mare has been away from headquarters for some months. She has developed a lot since I saw her race last year. Very little fault can be found with her appearance after her enforced absence from active work. Eurus, Phaetonitis, and Ability, three almost certain starters in the big jumping events at the Grand National meeting, are getting through their tasks satisfactorily. Eurus is looking particularly well. D. Price, the North Island lightweight jockey, is spending a holiday with his parents. He will ride at the Grand National Meeting. It is reported that he will ride for the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s stable next season.

Welbeck, who has been backed in many well-informed quarters for the Grand National Hurdle Race, is reported to be doing good work at his owner’s place in Ashburton. Welbeck is getting credit for being able to jump well. New Zealand-bred horses head the list in the weights for the Caulfield Cup, Metropolitan Handicap, and Epsom Handicap, and had Achilles been in the Melbourne Cup he would certainly have been top weight. It is a recognised fact that anything good from New Zealand is always well looked after when nominated for any big Australian Handicap. Bayonet, by Musketry—Psyche, who was sent over to Melbourne a few weeks ago, Sea Lion, full brother to Achilles, and Blackstone, by Grafton—Consistence) are among the horses to be offered for sale by auction in Melbourne this month. Gipsy Grand, by Grandmaster — Naomi, is for sale in Timaru.