CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 959, 23 July 1908, Page 6

CANTERBURY.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 22.

Canterbury-owned horses did not make much of a showing on the first day at the Wellington meeting. In the flat events Lady Disdain, Monkey Puzzle, Paragon, Silkweb and Carnation were unsuccessful, Silkweb being the only one to gain a place. Ability, who is not quite ready yet, was never prominent in the Winter Hurdles.

There was a good deal of money in Christchurch on Saturday for Spinning Flight in the Miramar Hack Handicap. This gelding is reported to have done one or two smart gallops before leaving South for Wellington, and, as a result, his connections were confident of winning, but they bumped up against a pretty good one in California.

There is an acceptance of forty-two horses for the Winter Cup, which promises to produce a record field. No less than thirteen of the field have the minimum weight. Compass has incurred a 101 b penalty for the Grand National Hurdles, his weight now being lOst. Defeat has incurred a 51b penalty for the same race, bringing his weight up to 9st 51b.

Sir Frisco has incurred a 101 b penalty for the Winter Cup, in which race he will now have to carry lOst 61b. All through last week very little work was done at Riccarton, heavy rain, hail and sleet falling almost daily. Horses having engagement® at the Grand National Meeting ar® somewhat backward in condition, but trainers are hoping for some fine weather' during the next fortnight. North Island horses, especially those who have been racing lately, should hava a big pull over the local brigade at this year’s Grand National Meeting.

Lupulite, top weight in the Winter Cup. is reported to be all right again, and a certain starter in this race.

Slow Tom was not taken up to Wellington for the Steeplechase owing to his trainer not being able to give him a strong winding-up gallop. Slow Tom will be specially prepared for th® Grand National Steeplechase. The two West Coast horses, Blessbok and Trent, are now located at Riccarton, where they are being prepared for National engagements by C. Stratford.

Owing to the heavy weather there has not been much jumping during the past week. Eurus, who is getting into good racing form, had Virtus for a companion in a gallop twice round over the hurdles last Saturday. A fairly sound pace was set up, and both horses jumped the hurdles well. Eurus was seen to advantage, having his companion well beaten at the finish of the gallop. Eurus is in the Grand National Steeplechase, but not the Hurdle Race.

Storm, a National Steeplechase candidate, was sent once round over the steeplechase fences on Monday. He ngotiated the double safely, but swerved at the second fence, taking the hurdles instead, but other fences were well taken.

The three hunters, Deerslayer, Pacific and Stray Fox were companions in a gallop of two rounds over the steeplechase country on Saturday. They started off at a solid pace, and completed the two rounds without making a mistake, giving a first-class exhibition of jumping. This trio is engaged in the Enfield Steeplechase, Hunt Club Cup and other events at the National Meeting. Kelp and Farley Grove were given some schooling over hurdles and cross-country fences on Monday, the sod wall being included among the jumps. Both horses shaped well, but Farley Grove hit one of his jumps rather heavily. Kelp is doing good work in his jumping essays. The hunters Cannie Chiel and Selim were given some jumping over hurdles, but their display was only moderate.

The flat events at the National Meeting promise to produce big fields. Golden Cairn, Zetland, Sea King, Cross Battery, Don Orsino, Probable, and Rose Noble are all being pushed along when the tracks are in suitable condition. These seven horses all figure among the acceptors for the Winter Cup. Harvester, who has not raced for many months, Nancy Stair, Restless, Cavatina, Field Gun, and Armamento have all continued their Winter Cup engagements, and are considered certain starters.

There are only four Canterbury horses, Ability, Stronghold, Southern Cross and Virtus, in the Grand National Hurdle Race.