CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 955, 25 June 1908, Page 6

CANTERBURY.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 24. The Trustees of the late Mr. G. G. Stead have sold their interest in the stallion Charlemagne 11. to Mr J. B. Reid, who previously held half interest in the son of St. Simon. Mr J. C. N. Greigg, who purchased Bay Lubin a few weeks- back, in tends to use the son of Lupin as a hunter, and will race him in hunters’ events. Bay Lupin is quite a young horse and has already shown pace in flat races. He should make a good jumper. L. H. Hewitt has been doing a lot of riding at the big spring meetings in England. He has had mounts on Mr W. Hall-Walker’s horses, besides those of several other prominent owners. Hewitt’s riding is more highly thought of to-day by English writers than it was a year ago. Farley Grove and Southern Cross had a spin over the steeplechase country on Saturday, both showing that they can get over big fences safely. Stronghold, Tessera, Virtus and Shimmer have each been given some solid work over hurdles. Stronghold is jumping better than he did a couple season ; back, but I want to see him get through plenty of strong schooling work before classing him as reliable over hurdles. Lupulite is expected to arrive at Riccarton shortly. Interpreter was withdrawn from the N.Z. Cup on June 17. He was one of Mr C. N. Grigg’s nominations. Eurus and Slow Tom have been entered for the Wellington Steeplechase. Eurus, Stronghold, Southern Cross, and Ability ore in the hurdle races, while Clanchatten, De Witte, Paragon, Medallist, Probable, Lady Disdain, Silk Web, Cavatina and Zetland are among the Canterbury horses figuring in the flat events. There was quite a flutter of excitement in town on Thursday last when the news came through that The Seer was particularly dry goods for the Final Handicap at Hawke’s Bay. Punters in the know tried hard to get money on and resorted to all sorts of tactics to get rid of their gold. The books however would not take any Seer money. They had fallen in too many times over the same horse and they were not slow in telling punters that they did not want to be taken down again. Those who got in early with commission money had a nice win, and can afford to go about with smiling faces for a few weeks.

Lull, Faro and The Seer were well backed for their engagements at Hawke’s Bay. Those who worked the commissions, tooK fair sums from bookmakers, but the general body of backers did not get as much money on as they would have liked. The South Canterbury Jockey Club has wound up the year with a credit balance of £BOB. This is the best year the club has had both from financial and racing points of view. Mr W. Reynolds, the well-known trotting starter, has been appointed starter to the Geraldine Racing Club next season.

Golden Slipper, Nobel, Ringdove and Idyll, four horses to be sold at the Yaldhurst dispersal sale in August, have been nominated for the Melbourne Cup. The three first named are also engaged in the N.Z. Cup. The double, Tilson and Paritutu, has already been extensively backed for the Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdle Race. This is early in the day to talk about National doubles, but nominations are now close to hand, and there are always backers about prepared to anticipate owners nowadays. A few new-hat side wagers will be won and lost over the amount Multiform, Boniform and Golden Slipper are likely to fetch at the big Yaldhurst sale. It is hard to find two men with the same opinion, but there is no doubt that the competition will be pretty keen for this select trio of thoroughbreds. Medallist has been showing signs of lameness lately, but it is not ex-

p.ected that the ailment will prove serious.

The stallion purchased By the Hon. Geo. McLean is named Santoby. The St. Simon —Miss Mildred horse will reach Dunedin shortly and is highly spoken of by critics

Sister Anne will be one of the Chokebore team for the winter campaign. This mare has had a five weeks’ spell, but is looking well and ready to race any day. Golden Cairn has been _ sold to a patron of W. Pine’s stable. The horse has not raced for some time, but will be trained for the flat events at the National meeting. D. Roberts has had the hurdler Storm placed in his hands to be prepared for future engagements. This gelding ran two seconds to Stormont in the hurdle race at the last Dunedin meeting.

The two steeplechasers, Deerslayer and John Peel, in D. Moroghan’s stable, are doing plenty of hard solid work and should be ready for jumping events at the National meeting. Kelp and Pacific did a couple of rounds over big fences last Saturday. Both horses jumped cleanly and are fine bold jumpers. Cross Battery and Sea King, all going well, are likely to take part in the big handicaps at the A.J.C. spring meeting. Indications point to several Australian buyers being present at the Yaldhurst sale. The Trustees and auctioneers are receiving enquiries for catalogues from all parts of Australasia. The sale will certainly be the largest held in Australasia for many years. Evenlode, who has been going along near the seaside at New Brighton, is being prepared for the jumping events at the National meeting. The son of King George went wrong just before last Grand National and has not raced since. He is now stated to be sound and it is hoped he will stand a preparation.