CANTERBURY

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1493, 5 December 1918, Page 11

CANTERBURY

Training Operations Almost Normal Again—Local Teams in Preparation for Auckland R.C. Meeting—Gloaming’s G.N. Derby Prospects — Heathercote and Royal Stag Promise to Run Well at Ellerslie — Punka’s Railway Handicap Engagement —Euripos and Post Haste Recommissioned —Promising Two-year-old Fillies —Mr, G. L. Stead’s Strong Hand in Auckland Cup.

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. So far as training operations are concerned matters at Riccarton are again almost normal. Unfortunately the uncertainty as to when the Minister of Internal Affairs will lift the embargo on racing, has upset owners’ plans in regard to their Christmas and New Year campaigns. That Riccarton stables will be liberally represented at the Auckland summer meeting is practically assured. R. J. Mason, H. Cutts, R. O’Donnell, and M Hobbs all have teams in preparation for the northern 'fixture, the members of which form a decidedly strong collection During the past week Gloaming has been given several sprinting tasks showing all his accustomed brilliancy. He is a great mover, and judging by his displays at Randwick, ■should be just as well adapted to right as left handed going. In Finmark’s absence the Great Northern Derby now looks easy money for him as on Riccarton form neither Kilmoon nor Heathercote can have much ( Chan.ce of reversing positions with him. He may be accompanied north by one or two of Mason’s other charges, probably Afterglow and Eleus. On a couple of occasions lately H. Cutts has worked Heathercote, Onslaught, Royal Stag, Mac Duff, Lionskin, and Happy Captain the reverse way which suggests that most of them will journey to Ellerslie. Heathercote will strip a much better colt than at the C.J.C. meeting, but even so it is hard to imagine him having much chance of lowering Gloaming’s colours in the northern blue ribbon. Royal Stag is another who can be expected to do the Chokebore stable credit. He is a most determined galloper, but unfortunately is invariably slow to find his feet in a race. The veteran trainer R. Derrett has almost recovered from his recent severe illness, and expects soon to be in harness again. Two of his charges in Margerine and Larissa have been kept going by J. Pine, their probable mission being the. Dunedin summer meeting. M. Hobbs has not allowed Punka or Killard to remain idle after their exertions at the C.J.C. meeting. The former’s mission will probably be- the Railway Handicap, and judging by the manner in which she kept Gloaming going in the early stages of the Stead Memorial Stakes, the Australian filly should take a lot of beating over six furlongs. Killard was not nearly at his best at the C.J.C. Cup meeting, and will strip in vastly improved form for his northern engagements. After being off the tracks for nearly twelve months Euripos and Post

Haste ‘have been recommissioned by F. D. Jones. Both geldings are decidedly in the rough and it will be autumn before their mentor can expect much from them. Two recent additions to M. Hobbs’ useful team are a pair of two-year-old fillies bred and owned by Mr. J. B. Reid. One is a half-sister to Kilmoon by Sunny Lake, and the other is by Kilbroney from Orange Pippin. They are to be got ready for autumn racing. Mr. Luttrell’s pair of two-year-olds, Flight Commander and Sans Souci, have both been emasculated. They got over the operation quickly, and are at present enjoying a few weeks’ spell in one of their trainer’s paddocks. The well-known horseman Hector Gray has made a surprising recovery from his recent accident; so good, in fact, that he can now get about with the aid of crutches. He is in splendid health, and expects to be riding again early in the New Year. Amongst the latest recruits to F. D. Jones’ team is a two-year-old filly by Winkie from Historiette, owned by the North Canterbury sportsman Mr. G. B. Starky. Zuland is still on the easy list, but is to be taken in hand again shortly. Other members of R. W. King’s string that arei doing well in their tasks are Sir Tarka, Matty and King of the Valley, all of whom will be raced at some of the minor holiday fixtures. Recently R. J. Mason has commissioned the two-year-old gelding Falstaff, an Australian-bred son of Comedy King and Petruvia. He was purchased by Mr. G. D. Greenwood last January at 210gns., and looks like developing into a useful performer. The weights issued by Mr. MeManemin for the Auckland Cup have been well received locally. With Kilmoon, Almoner and Melee Mr. G. L. Steatl holds a very strong hand. On C. form Kilmoon promises to be very hard to beat, for he is a rare stayer and game as a pebble. If Almoner could only be landed at the post in his best form his chance would have to be greatly respected, for he is a high-class three-year-old. Since returning from Australia he has done little work, and there is no great chance of his being taken to Auckland. Menelaus looks to have favourable prospects amongst the topweights, while Bonnie Maid, Glendower and Mascot are others that on Riccarton form should race well.