CANTERBURY

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1401, 1 March 1917, Page 15

CANTERBURY

The Akaroa Meeting—Bimeter’s Defeat of Hymestra — Kilboy and Sasanoff’s Engagements — Latest Horses to Rejoin Active Brigade— San Sebastian and Glen Helen Find New Owners. CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Good-sized fields are engaged in most of the events at the Akaroa meeting on Saturday next. Though Comely has not yet won over a mile and a-quarter course she can be depended on to put up a good race in the Peninsula Cup, and Briar Patch is by no means overweighted. There are several useful sprinters engaged in the Flying Handicap, Aer'.al being top weight with 9.13. He is a great weight carrier, but if Derby Day is in anything like his best form he will be hard to dispose of.

Bimeter’s defeat of Hymestra in the Jackson Stakes was quite unexpected in local sporting circles. After his brilliant form at Trentham, it looked only a matter of the Karamu representative being able to see out six fur.ongs to win. In this respect he failed, and it looks as if br.lliancy rather than stamina is his forte. At Riccarton on Saturday morning Kilboy and Sasanof, both of whom are looking in great heart, were given useful tasks. It is almost certain at Easter time that one of these three-year-olds will represent Mr. Stead m the Great Northern St. Leger at Ellerslie, and the other contest the Challenge Stakes at Riccarton. Amongst the latest horses to rejoin the active brigade at Riccarton are Bon Ton, Leading Lady, Spangle and War dancer. The last-named has quite recovered from the accident that befel him at Wingatui, and he looks in fine trim to be got ready for the autumn racing.

San Sebastian has been sold by Sir Geo. Clifford to Mr. R. C. Gillies, and in future the son of San Francisco will be trained at Washdyke by S. Trilford. It is quite on the cards that the colt will be tried over hurdles when the tracks become softer. Another Chokebore-tra’.ned one in Glen Helen has left the stable, she having been purchased by Mr. I. G. Duncan for the Waikanae Stud.