TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 33, 8 February 1905, Page 6

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

CHRISTCHURCn. Monday. i The heavy rain which fell on Monday Is likely to improve Cannie Chiel'?, chance 'or the Midsummer Handicap and discount Stepdancer's. Sir Geo. Clifford's horse is notoiiousiy partial to soft going, while his opponent is sr.-rceiy powerful enoigh to do himself jnsti'-e when the ground Is htlding. Still, the little daughter of Steprtiak is wonderfully well just now. a fact wl.ieh she emphasised by a capital gallop on Saturday. Sea Lion also did a fairly good callop on Saturday, but he was very sore on Monday, and though he is improving, he can hardly be ready for serious business on Thursday. Tbe entiles for the Great Easter aud Great Autumn Handicaps are disappointing. Each year it becomes increasingly a [-parent that the Auckland autumn 'meeting is a powerful counter attraction to its Canterbury rival, and this year the entries from the North Island ate fewer than ever, numbering only eight in the Great Easter Handicap, and five in the Great Autumn Handicap. The thirty three entries for the shorter race are eight less than were received for last year's race, and there are twenty five In the Great Antnmn Handicap, two less than the number received for the race of 1904. Among the horses engaged in the Great Easter Handicap are Achilles, Machine Gnn, Vladimir, Eed Gauntlet, Nightfall, Savoury. Savoury, Achilles, Nightfall, Convoy, Melodeon, and Quartyman have been nominated for the Great Autumn Handicap. The Canterbury J.C. has received 100 entries of foals for the Challenge Stakes of 1907. Mr P. Morrison, Mr J. F. Reed, Hon. G. McLean, Sir George Clifford, the Hon. J. D. Ormond, and Mr Stead have all nominated extensively. Replete arrived from the West Coast last week. The two-year-old gelding by Cyrenian— Chiara has been named Cyrene. He Is a light waisted, over-grown youngster, and will require time. Mr J. A. Buckland, of trotting fame, has sent over a three-year-old by Boyon Titbits, to C. Piper. The latter's team has been further strengthened by the addition of a yearling fiUy by San Francisco—Stepfeldt. Royal Crown has been brought in from the country, and has joined Taggarfs stable. He is still rather sore. Taggaic is also treating a yearling filly by Sant Ilario—Savarnate, the property of Mr J. B. Reid. Hobbs is busy breaking in his yearlings, to the number of five. The Mohican is suffering from lameness in his shoulder. It is not expected tnat the injury will disable him for very long. Cannie Chiel will make his fourth attempt on the Midsummer Handlean on Thursday. The following business has been done locally during the week:—Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps: 500 to 1 Allsa and Crichton; 200 to 5 Master A'ix and Nightfall: 200 to 3 Vladimir and t-avoury. Wanganui Cup and Flying Handicap: 300 to 3 Idas and Solution; 200 to 5 Melodeon and Solution. CHRISTCHURCH, this day. De la Rey arrived on Monday to fulfii his engagements In the Midsummer Handicap He looks little the worse for the hard work that he has done In Otago recently,

Cannie Chlel did a fah-y gooa gariop yesterday (Tuesday) morning, and so did Stepdancer; but Sea Lion was badly beaten by I P e i , a s ll(i ,'n'as sere afterwards. If more I rain falls before Thursday Cannle Chiel | may win, bnt if the weather, which has cleared, remains fine, the race may go to Stepnancer. The Middle Park Plate may be regarded as a certainty for one of the reps'., and Master Alts may win the Craven Reduction or Speculate the Hornby Welter Handicap, Mnnjeet the Lyttelton Plate, Slew Tom" the Halsweil Welter Handicap, and Lady Wayward the inal stakes. As Cyrene was already in use, the Cy-en-lan —Chiara gelding has been named Czuc--2 or.