CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 886, 28 February 1907, Page 8

CANTERBURY.

CHRISTCHURCH, February 27.

Handicaps for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps are not due until March 8, but they will probably not appear until after the Wanganui meeting is over. The inclusion of so many horses entered for the two big Easter handicaps at Riccarton among the nominations for the Easter Handicap at Auckland has somewhat puzzled backers. It is very seldom so many horses are entered for events run at Riccarton and Ellerslie at the same time of the year as is the case this year. The result of the Dunedin Cup came as a surprise to Christchurch (backers, who went solidly for Cross Battery, and the winner, Stepdancer, had few supporters, while Lapland was also backed to some extent. This is the second year in succession that Stepdancer has won the Dunedin Cup. A year ago the Stepniak mare won easily with 7st 81b, Thunderer (7st 91b) being second, and Notus (6st 101 b) third. At the Canterbury summer meeting Step dancer ran very poorly, but at Wingatui she was evidently in a galloping humour, and appears to have won comfortably from the favourite.

It is really surprising the way such a large number of backers get on to a good thing. Men who very seldom back horses put the money up when it became whispered round town on Saturday last that a neddy named Lupulite (pretty name, isn’t it ?) was something approaching a moral for the Warrington Hack Handicap. The good thing won, and backers were quite pleased 'With themselves over receiving a £4 2s dividend. They did not expect more than half that amount.

Mr. J. F. Buchanan’s horses are in splendid form just now. Buccleuch, Fireiron and Amboise each won a race on the second day at Dunedin, while Amboise scored another win on Saturday. W. Pine deserves credit for the way he has brought the stable’s representatives to the fore in big races. In Buccleuch he has some excellent material to work on.

During the short period he was at the stud the English-bred horse Benzoin produced some good stock, Buccleuch and Balsam being two good ones. Benzoin was a smart performer up to six furlongs, and to-day Buccleuch is one of the best in the colony over the same distance. The* defeat of Glenculloch in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes clearly proves thi,t this colt is not a topnotcher. Bonny Glen, who beat the Clanranald colt, has now won the two races he has started in. He is probably a good one. The pair will have another opportunity of meeting again before the season closes. I should not be at all surprised to see the Stepniak—Crest colt again prevail.

The Chokebore ©table had no luck at all at Dunedin, Signalman, De Witte, Golden Cairn and Cockleshell all getting well beaten in their races. As usual, Signalman failed to give his backers a run for their money, and they must be getting pretty tired of seeing their money continually left at the post. Tahu, by Good J bye—Signal, is not as good as some people thought. After running well in two races at the

C.J.C. summer meeting he was taken to Dunedin and heavily supported for the races he started in, but he failed to run into a place in moderate company. It is raining to-day, which is something sensational for Canterbury. Trainers have had to contend with hard tracks for some months past, and a few days’ rain would make horse-owners and trainers almost stand on their heads. The Akaroa County races take place on March 5, and will give racegoers in Christchurch an opportunity of spending a pleasant day in the country. Entries are good and the quality is better represented than is usual at county gatherings. I had expected to see Aeolus in the Great Easter Handicap, but his owner has preferred to enter him for the big Easter Handicap at Auckland. After seeing this son of Euroclydon run at Riccarton I am convinced that he will win a big race. He is one of the gamest finishers I have ever seen. The Hawke’s Bay Stakes this year should be one of the best races on record. Since Glenculloch’s defeat in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, the Northern event bears a more open aspect. With Eona, Downfall, Elevation, Finery, Glenculloch, and Count Witte in the race, Hawke’s Bay sportsmen should see an exciting contest. I know that Count Witte (Menschikoff —Problem) is a smart youngster, but he will need to be a really good one to be able to beat the tried two-year-olds.

Stepdancer has 7st in the Wanganui Cup, but the conditions of the race give the 1 handicapper power to rehandicap any winner of the race of the value of lOOsovs, and it is quite likely the Stepniak mare will be raised a few pounds. Stepdancer has run two good races in the New Zealand Cup, and being in good form at present may go for the Wanganui Cup.