CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 974, 5 November 1908, Page 6

CANTERBURY.

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 4.

In consequence of his excellent track work, Master Delaval is now a firm favourite for the New Zealand Cup. Frisco still retains his position as second favourite, but his track work has not been nearly so attractive as Master Delaval’s. Probable and Heorthen have also shown fine form, and have done everything their trainers set them. Heorthen has put up three slashing gallops over a mile and a half, and on Tuesday morning easily beat Downfall, Apa, and St. Joe over that distance in the good time of 2 min. 39 1-5 sec. Mahuta’s work since his arrival at Riccarton has not pleased the touts, and the same remark applies to Grand Slam, Moloch, and Uhlando. Glenullin, Zimmerman, White Lie, and Tangimoana have been shaping well, but Signor has failed to please track-watchers. Stratagem has been doing good work over a mile and a quarter every other morning, and has more than once beaten his stable companions, Husbandman and Glenculloch, over a dista>nc6 There are twenty-three horses in the Cup, and it is quite on the cards that a field of twenty will face the starter, and an excellent race may be looked forward to.

The Stewards’ Handicap will produce the largest and best field of sprinters ever seen out in a six furlong race in New Zealand. This is the general opinion of old racing men. At present Bobrikoff is staunch favourite, chiefly because his supporters have lauded him up as champion among champions over a sprint course. The people behind Penates also say their horse cannot lose, while Count Witte, Flitaway, Armlet, and Gipsy Belle all have a strong following. The race should be the most exciting sprint event seen at Riccarton.

The classic events promise to have larger fields than usually seen at Cup Meetings, the Stead Dispersal Sale having distributed some smart youngsters over the country. Elysian, Broad Sword, Provocation, Cymbiform, Perle d’Or, and Day Beam are all vted good ones, and should make the twoyear old events highly interesting.