CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1163, 25 July 1912, Page 10

CANTERBURY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Mr H. H. Kidd has decided to relinquish his position as secretary of the Winton Jockey Club.. Mr Kidd has occupied the position for the past nine years, and during that period has materially assisted the buildingup of the club’s position. Twenty-one horses from the North have been booked, for accommodation at Jones’, Riccarton, tor the Nationals and the contingents from all parts lead to the conclusion that we should have an exceptionally interesting meeting. P. Gibbons, an English jockey who has just concluded an engagement in South Africa, arrived in Christchurch recently, and was a visitor to Riccarton. He has had about ten years’ experience, and as he is able to ride at 7st 51b he should not lack opportunities next season. He has applied to the Canterbury Jockey Club for a jockey’s license. The Riccarton tracks are in a very bad state at present, as a result of the recent rain. The outside of 'the course proper was open for fast work last week, but even there the going was far from satisfactory. The North Island horseman, T. Pritchard, who had a leg broken while riding over hurdles a few months ago, has so far recovered as to be able to ■get about on crutches. He expects to be in the saddle again at the Grand National Meeting. Danube’s three-year-old half-brother St. Petersburg is under offer to a Southland owner, and if the purchase is completed the horse will probably take up stud duties in the spring. Miscount has been in some favour fr the Winter Cup last week, but it is reprted from Wellington that he will be an unlikely starter. Supporters of the Riccarton-trained horse, Master Paul, gave him a good chance in the Wellington Steeplechase, but his fall at the first fence was a sad disappointment. Those who had watched him in his schoolingtasks were prepared to find him well qualified to complete the course without a mistake. Antarctic, on his showing in the Wellington Steeplechase, may still have to be reckoned with in the Grand National Steeplechase for which the course is a quarter of a mile longer than that at Trentham.