CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 965, 3 September 1908, Page 7

CANTERBURY.

CHRISTCHURCH, September 2

G‘. Hepburn is now training Pronun, a horse that won at Wellington and was backed all over New Zealand, Sweet Angelus, purchased at the Stead dispersal sale, and Truthful, a once prominent North Island hack, and one or two youngsters. Ringdove is nominal favourite for the N.Z. Cup, but from what I can gather about town it is not yet decided Whether this highly bred English mare will start in the big race. She is entered at Ashburton and may be given a run in principal event there prior to taking part in the biggei’ events. Flitaway, a filly in the Chokebore stable, with the reputation of being as fast as Fleetfoot, is suffering from a burst hoof, but is able to do light exercise. Leeside was sold to Mr 0. Machell just before W. J. Taggart left for Sydney with Mr H. F. fcjicolls’ pair—Cross Battery and Sea King. Leeside is ndV being trained by W. McDonald. L. G. King met with an accident at the Amberley races and has decided not to go over to Sydney with Mr Nicolls’ horses. The Ashburton Club has not received many entries of Cup horses for its Spring Meeting. Ringdove, Don Orsino, Restless, Probable, Armamento and Field Gun are the only Cup candidates engaged in the Ashburton Racing Club Handicap. Coralie was scratched for the New Zealand Cup on Monday. W. O’Connel rode four winners at the Amberley Steeplechase Club meeton Thursday last. Both Cross Battery and Sea King were very well before they left for Sydney last week. Even if they do not succeed in winning either the Epsom or Metropolitan Handicaps, they should not return without winning a minor event. I think Sea King is likely to win a good race on the other side. I would not put the Epsom Handicap beyond him. He is a great galloper over this distance. Artillerie, who is weighted at 6st 9Tb in the New Zealand Cup, is one of the New Zealand horses that left for Sydney. This mare is in both the Epsom and Metropolittan Handicaps. The Messrs Stead Brothers are having many alterations made at Grasslea, and are evidently going in for racing and breeding on a fairly large scale. Pilot, one of the best steeplechase jumpers ever seen at Riccarton, will go over to Sydney about the middle of the month. He is in great form and should give a good account of himself in the jumping events on Australian soil. E. Price has joined G. Hepburn’s stable. B. Hack is now working for W. McDonald. The racing at the Amberley Steeplechase Club’s meeting was very poor. Fields were small and cronk running was, it is alleged, a feature of the day’s racing. There was an enquiry into Pretty Nell’s running in the Waipara Handicap, and the matter has been referred to the C.J.C. It is quite time stipendiary stewards were appointed to watch racing at the country race 1X166 till °’S. Maharanui did not show his best form at the National Meeting, but he should go near winning a race at Marton. Discipline, by Treadmill-Madowla, has gone amiss. He has been thrown out of work. Ringdove, Signora, Master Delaval and Mahuta have all been well backed for the New Zealand Cup since the appearance of the weights.