CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1520, 12 June 1919, Page 11

CANTERBURY.

R. J. Mason’s Quartette Awaiting Shipment to Sydney—Rossini Nominated for Caulfield Cup—Flight Commander Resumes Work —Eng-lish-bred Two-year-old, Counter Attack, Promises Well —Sidelights on the Dunedin Meeting. CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The holiday meetings in other centres attracted so many local horses and trainers as to leave matters decidedly dull at Riccarton. R. J. Mason is still waiting his opportunity to depart with his team —comprising Gloaming, Afterglow, Karo, and Rossini —for Australia. In the meantime he is keeping them all in steady exercise. Gloaming continues to go on the right way, and is just forward enough to start serious work on. His usual tasks are little beyond half-pace work, exercise that he apparently revels in. Karo has never looked in better trim than at present. She is a rare galloper, and it is quite certain that she will show improved form when raced at Randwick.

Afterglow and Rossini should lack nothing on the score of condition when they come to face the Sydney crowds. The last-named has been engaged in the Caulfield Cup, a race that should suit him nicely. Murray Hobbs, like Mason, intends taking his departure for Sydney as soon as convenient. The composition of his team has not been definitely settled, but it will probably be found to include Gay Lad, who has been engaged in all the big spring handicaps, including the Melbourne Cup. Others likely to go over in Hobbs’ charge are three of Mr. E. S. Luttrell’s juveniles: br c by Kilbroney —Portland Lass, br f by Bezonian — Peace, and br c Samovar, by Kilbroney—Teacup. So far Gay Lad has not been asked to do much on the tracks since he ricked his shoulder. He is quite sound again, and is just the sort to race well in such an event as the Epsom Handicap. Tlie English-bred stallion is .usually led in his light tasks by Sans Souci. Flight Commander, a two-year-old in M. Hobbs’ stable, who showed considerable promise in the spring, has resumed work. He is a useful sort, one that should develop into a high-class three-year-old.

Another member of Hobbs’ team that gives more than average promise is the English-bred two-year-old Counter Attack, by Jaeger from Assertive. He is owned by Mr. Grigg, and shows more than average quality. Strayshot has thrown off all trace of the mishap she encountered at Oamaru, and is moving just as freely as ever in her work.

The only members of the Chokebore team doing much at present are Helter Skelter, Acquittal, Royal Stag, Strathglass, Counterscarpe and Checkmate.

G. M. Aynsley’s pair, Nantville and Warlove, continue to get through satisfactory tasks, but Wardancer is on the easy list. During F. D. Jones’ absence in Auckland his team was in charge of S. Wall. On the latter leaving for Dunedin W. Holmes took over the management, and rides most of the members in their morning tasks. Braid, who changed hands at the Oamaru meeting, was not long in getting her new owner, Mr. Parsons, a good share of her purchase money. On the second day of the Dunedin meeting she put up her best performance to date by capturing the Silverstream Handicap. Braid is now trained by F. E. Jones at Washdyke, and he rode her to victory. John Barleycorn has evidently trained right off. He ran two wretched races at Wingatui, and may now be laid aside for spring engagements. Claverhouse, at one time a member of the Chokebore team, is making quite a reputation for himself as an outlaw at the post. Both days at Wingatui he caused a lot of trouble, and in the Provincial Handicap the starter let the others away without him. When horses get too bad in this respect clubs might well consider the advisability of refusing their nominations.

Dudu, the dam of Spanner, is closely related to Mr. G. L. Stead’s imported stallion Nassau. She is from Cythera by Cyllene, from Stolen Love, while Nassau is by William the Third from Stolen Love. During the progress of the Dunedin meeting Mr. J. Biggins purchased Kilkee at GOOgns., and subsequently re-sold him at an advance of £lOO. Amongst the horses sold at Mr. J. B. Reid’s stud sale last February was Sprig of Erin, who claims the distinction of being a half-sister to the King’s colt Viceroy, winner of the Stewards’ Handicap at Epsom. She was purchased by Mr. W. T. Hazlett, of Southland, at 500gns„ and the same sportsman also acquired her filly foal by Kilbroney at 200gns. LATER. Wardancer Makes Good Recovery From Mishap—Euripos Still Suffering From Lameness—Algidus Taken in Hand Again — Morecambe's Double Success at Wingatui. (Telegraph—Christchurch Correspondent) Wardancer has made a good recovery from the mishap that befel him on the eve of the Dunedin meeting, and M. Aynsley intends taking him in hand again with a view to spring racing. E. Scouller is back again at Riccarton after his unsuccessful trip to Ellerslie with Art. The hurdler is to be given a few days’ respite before starting his preparation for the Grand National Hurdles. Post Haste, Euripos and Bore are back again at headquarters after their successful northern campaign. Euripos will require a spell, as the leg which he had kicked at Wanganui is causing a lot of trouble. Aynsley has taken Algidus in hand again after three months’ spell, and the gelding is to be got ready for spring engagements. Riccarton horses fared very badly on the concluding day of the Dunedin meeting, none of them managing to gain even place money. Prior to the Dunedin meeting Mr. L. C. Hazlett purchased the ’chaser Morecambe at £6OO. He won two races with the gelding at the southern fixture, annexing £490 in stake money. It is quite on the cards that Morecambe will be given an opportunity of gaining Grand National honours. ’ Most of the Riccarton horses that raced at Wingatui returned home by special train on Sunday. The brown colt by Antagonist from Windwhistle in Cutts’ stable shows a lot of quality, and looks like coming to hand early. Winslow, who is now trained by R. King, is a full-brother to Birkline, and is going well on the track. Cave Rock and Royal Star, purchased by Mr. G‘. L. Rutherford at Mr. Friedlander’s sale, are to go into E. Scoullar’s stable.