CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 948, 7 May 1908, Page 7

CANTERBURY.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 6. Prim, the winner of the Christchurch Handicap on Saturday, was an outside fancy on the strength of her track performance for the Great Easter Handicap. The filly, who is a three-year-old by Pilgrim’s Progress —Nantes, finished close up to the placed horses in the big event, but failed to reproduce the form on the following day. Her victory on Saturday was easily gained, and she should win again shortly, probably at Ashburton. Signor was a quiet tip in Christchurch for the New Zealand St. Leger. His supporters maintained that he was the only stayer in the field. Signor’s form in the St. Leger is further proof that Zimmerman is at present the best horse in New Zealand over distance, and also goes to show that there are very few genuine stayers in the Dominion. Flitaway has added another win to her credit, and will end up her two-year-old career with an unbeaten record. There must be some truth in the statement freely made by supporters of the Chokebore stable that Flitaway is quite as speedy as Fleetfoot. By the way, how remarkably well named these two fillies are. Huascar was among the starters in the Welter Handicap at Plumpton on Saturday, but he could not get a place in a weak field. Gold Braid, another Yaldhurst castoff, ran unplaced in the same race. Trent and Adria, two well-known performers on the West Coast, were racing at the Christchurch meeting, but neither managed to win. Adria followed up here, his reputation for misbehaviour at the post by turning the wrong way when the flag fell. All Guns, The Libyan, Cross Battery and Sea King returned from Wellington on Sunday. Backers of the last-named had a good win over his dead heat in the Thompson Handicap, but those who followed All Guns came out heavy losers. St. Denis, one of the best sprinters a few seasons ago, is next to the top weight in the Fairfield Welter Handicap at Ashburton. Two others, viz., Field Gun and Don Orsino, who have not raced for some time, are in the same race. Buccleugh and Boniform, two wellknown performers, will do stud duty this season. There Is not much chance of either being seen on the racing track again, but they should do well at the stud. Hilarity and Gypsobel, two mares who have figured largely in hack races this season, have finished their racing careers for the season, and will be sent to the stud. Eurus and Canton have been jumping steeplechase fences during the week. The former got through his task all right, but the latter came down heavily at one of the big fences. His rider (T. Cahill) escaped with a severe shaking. The death of Mr. Gf. G. Stead has deprived the New Zealand turf of one of its greatest ornaments and staunchest supporters. For years Mr. Stead had occupied a most prominent place in the sporting world, Ms name being a household word among sportsmen throughout the Australasian colonies. There is hardly a classic race in New Zealand that has not been captured by horses from the well-known Yaldhurst stable. Sportsmen throughout New Zealand will deplore the loss of such a keen, enthusiastic and able judge as Mr. G. G. Stead was in racing matters.