CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1083, 8 December 1910, Page 7

CANTERBURY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, December 6

Diabolo and Advocate are the ruling favourites in "Christchurch for the Auckland Cup, while Theodore and Turbine are the two most fancied horses in the Railway Handicap. There will be quite a small army of Riccarton-trained horses racing at the Auckland Summer Meeting. So far as I can gather the contingent will comprise Sharpshooter, Perle d’Or, Danube, Pereine, Orton, Culprit, Countermine, Tenterhook, Miss Mischief, and True Knight. It is stated that Culprit will be the only representative of W. G. and G. L. Stead at Auckland, and that Sunburnt will do battle for the gold jacket and black cap at the Manawatu meeting. This pair showed up very prominently at the New Zealand Cup meeting, and being in best of condition, should be seen to advantage in their Christmas and New Year engagemnts.

The Finland mare Busyland, by Finland—Busybody, has won three races and a second out of four starts during the. past month. She won both her races at Hororata very easily, beating among others Merry Lass, Harvest, Pretty Nell, Ideate, Queen of Spades, and Clanmena. Grand Slam, full-brother to the New Zealand Cup winner, Bridge, is running well at present. He had it all his own way at Hororata meeting, when he won the Welter Handicap, but failed to gain, a place in the Cup, won by Aunt Sally. This filly is by Royal Artillery—Gipsy Girl, is capable of winning in better company later on.

Armamento, a Dunedin Cup winner, started in three races at Hororata, getting’ third in two races and. unplaced in the other. He is evidently a back number.

The Christchurch Racing Club will hold its summer meeting, extending over two days, on December 16 and 17. Rose Noble, Outlander, Prim, Maritime, All Guns, Coroniform, Lady Reina, Medallist, and Formless are engaged in the principal events, which should instal them with more than ordinary amount of interest. I hear that V. Cotton has been engaged as private trainer to H- Whitney, and that he will leave for WeL lington in a few days to take charge of Whatakura, Mediterranean, Turna, and Odessa.

Tribulation, who broke down during the Cup meeting, was shipped, home last week.

A big commission was worked in Christchurch over Provocation in the Fifth Feilding Stakes. Some of the wires stated that the colt was so well that he could not possibly lose the race. Several local backers went in for a plunge from twenty up to one hundred being freely splashed about. L. Wilson, who had his leg broken when Cullinan fell in the Otaio Plate, has been able to leave the Christchurch hospital.

Kilwinning, Formless, and Windgus have resumed work. The firstnamed is looking really well after his lengthy spell, but it will be some time before he is thoroughly fit to race. W. O- Rutherford has decided to* give up racing, and all his horses in training, with the exception of Tremble, whom Rutherford presented to his trainer, J. A. Bridges, have been sent home. Tremble is a son of Treadmill, and if well placed, should pay his way, as he is in good form at present.

Husbandman is once again in active work. If he stands up to it/ he should play a prominent part in some of the big handicaps to be decided shortly.

Ingoda, who was given a run in the paddock after her engagements at the Cup meeting, has rejoined W. Clarke’s active brigade.