CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 889, 21 March 1907, Page 7

CANTERBURY.

CHRISTCHURCH. March 20. Out of an entry of 54 the C.J.C. has received 22 acceptances for the Great Easter Handicap. Thirty-seven horses were handicapped for the Great Autumn Handicap but only 13 have continued the engagement. Three important race meetings— Auckland, Canterbury and Feilding—are held at Easter, and it is only reasonable conclusion that with the good stakes offered by each club, owners instead of patronising one club only now support at least two out of the three meetings. Take the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s or Sir G. Clifford’s stables as an example. Both are represented at two of the big meetings, while several other stables will also have their teams distributed. The Canterbury Jockey Club, judging by the poor entries received for the minor events at its autumn meeting, is going to have the worst of the competition among the clubs this Easter. The Great Easter Handicap with horses of the class of Achilles, Munjeet, Isolt, Cross Battery, Marguerite, Buccleuch and Stronghold in the field promises to furnish a capital contest. The Yaldhurst stable may not start the two crack mares, but the elect of the pair is certain to be strongly supported, both straight out on the day and in the double. Stronghold is greatly fancied at Riccarton and has already been backed heavily with Chryseis for the Autumn Handicap. There is very little money left about this combination. Achilles, Marguerite, Truce, Landwern and Medallist are the only North Island horses left in the Great Easter. Marguerite, Truce and Landwern are also in the Great Autumn. ( It is somewhat surprising to notice the poor support accorded to two hurdle races at the C.J.C. Easter Meeting. Both stakes are worth trying for but the class of horse engaged in each event is much below the average, while the fields arc almost certain to only number some half-dozen starters. The South Island is very badly off for hurdle racers just now, and unless some of the horses now racing on the flat are put to the jumping game prospects for good sport during the winter do not look over bright. The Champagne Stakes this year promises to be more interesting than usual. The Hawke’s Bay filly Eona, who has not raced since scoring her brilliant victories in the early part of the season, is still in, as also are Glenculloch, Guidwife, Elevation, Astolat and several other two-year-olds, who have not raced this season. The Hon. J. D. Ormond intends to make an onslaught on the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting, for he has Eona, Medallist, Idaeus and Wirral engaged in several races. With the exception of Idaeus all have raced and won races at Riccarton. It was generally considered that King Billy who was handicapped at 8.2 in the Easter and 7.12 in the Autumn, had an excellent chance of winning one of the races. His owner has, however, taken the son of Merriwee out of both races and elected to send him to Auckland instead. Sir Tristram, who was also entered for both the Canterbury events, has had his engagement continued in the Easter Handicap at Auckland. Perhaps the most noticeable absentee from Easter Autumn Handicaps is Gazeley, who had 6.7 in each event. His two victories at Napier Parkwould bring his weight up a bit, but even with 7.4 in each race he looked to have excellent chance of success. The double machine at the Autumn Meeting will be opened on the Great Easter and Autumn Handicaps. Final payments for the two big autumn handicaps must be made on March 26. While doing an exercise gallop at Ashburton the Benzoin—Tinwald Beauty colt Balsam broke one of his legs, and had to be shot. Balsam had been showing good form this season,. and was engaged in the Great Easter Handicap. At the Rangitata races on Thursday last the cup was won by Pa Tuna 11.9, Casabianca 11.12 being second. Lady Annie, who came down from Auckland after the summer meeting, is working regularly with other members of Sir' G. Clifford’s team. The other morning the mare gave De Witte a dressing down over six furlongs, which were left behind in 1.20. Lady Annie is a likely starter at Riccarton during the Easter carnival. Pink ’Un is doing good work at Riccarton, and if he starts in the Great

Autumn will be hard to beat. On Friday morning he galloped half i a •mile easily in 49secs., the fastest gallop of the morning. Stronghold, Submarine and Chryseis have each been responsible for some good gallops during the past few days. Savoury was withdrawn from the Great Easter, but has been nominated for some of the minor handicaps. He has not won a race since the Timaru meeting in the early part of the season, although carrying the confidence of his owners on more than one occasion. Ito, who. was sold recently to a West Coast, owner, has been entered freely for events at the Kumara Autumn Meeting. Old Ostiak and Spider are still racing at meetings down South. Four of the Champagne Stakes candidates—Count Witte, Astolat, All Red and Chameleon—have not yet raced in public. Makaroff, Terrapin and Slow Tom who have not raced for some time, have been entered for some of the handicaps at the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting. The Canterbury Jockey Club, following its usual custom, will receive money by telegraph for investment on the totalisator at the Autumn Meeting. The jockeys D. Price and H. Price came to Riccarton from the North on Sunday. Assegai, Eurus and Amboise are either sore or unsound, and will have to be spelled for a time. It is thought that Eurus is suffering from some internal complaint.