CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1429, 13 September 1917, Page 11

CANTERBURY.

Ashburton R.C.’s Spring Meeting— Fancied Candidates for Principal Event —Mr. H. Whitney’s Trio for Geraldine Meeting—Adjutant Striding Along Well —'The McLean Stakes Gives Prom.se of Representative Field —Wardancer Makes Good Recovery—Track Work at Riccarton.

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. A good number of Riccarton horses are being got ready for the Ashburton Racing Club’s spring meeting, which place on Thursday and Friday next. In the chief event Oxenhope has a full share of weight at 9.3, and he may be reserved for the Spring Handicap, the distance of which should suit him. Fiery Cross has been galloping particularly well since the Grand National meeting, and is likely to be well fancied for the Ashburton Handicap. Others with favourable prospects are Good Hope and Snub. F. D. Jones has Kilrea’s two-year-old sister moving along in good style, and she looks like playing her part well in some of the spring two-year-old events. Several of Cutts Brothers’ two-year-olds have been suffering from colds, and consequently are backward. There were eleven juveniles in this stable, several of whom have had to be spelled. Mr. H. Whitney intends bringing a team of three down for the Geraldine meeting, and will then go on to Dunedin. One of his representatives in Trentham Rose is reported to be galloping particularly well. Don Francisco and San Sebastian have been engaged in the hurdle race at G’eraldine, and also figure in the Geraldine Cup. The jumping event is likely to claim their attention. J. Olsen has passed the medical tests, and goes into camp next month. It is quite probable that Mr. R. Acton-Adams will have a representative in the McLean Stakes at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting, for he has a couple of Poriruatrained juveniles being got ready for spring racing. After being out of commission for the winter months, the plough track at Riccarton has been put in order again. Adjutant continues to get through serviceable tasks at Riccarton, and he should be at his best by the time the November meeting comes round. Riccarton stables are particularly well represented at the Geraldine Racing Club’s meeting, and many of the horses, after racing at Ashburton, will be taken on to Geraldine. Riccarton stables will be strongly cepresented in the McLean Stakes at the Duned n Jockey Club’s spring meet ng, and it is quite probable that at least two North Island establishments will have candidates in the Wingatui race. Sir G‘eo. Clifford, Messrs. G. D. Greenwood, C. W. Reid, C. G. Dalgety, and J. S. Barrett all have candidates engaged, and their efforts should throw a good deal of light on the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes prospects. A. McCaulay has taken up a five-year-old mare by All Red from a Finland mare that gives considerable promise. Wardancer appears to be quite sound again, and on Saturday morning got through a nice gallop. Winter Cherry and Gnome sprinted half a mile in creditable time on Saturday, and both will probably be seen out at Ashburton. Naupata ran away from September at the business end of six furlongs, and Fiery Cross had much the best of Glendower in a nice gallop over a mile. Snub is on the improve, but may not. be a starter at Ashburton. The Winton Jockey Club has appointed Mr. A. J. Gibbs handicapper for the present season.

The Southland Racing Club has decided to invest £lOOO in War Loan bonds.