CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By

Observer.

The Riccarton tracks present a fairly busy appearance during working times at present, with a large number of horses in commission, but there is not much of an exciting character about the proceedings. Some of the horses who are being got ready for the South Canterbury and other early meetings are getting through useful tasks, but there is little in the way of serious trials. Lancer has been responsible for a lot ®f strong work lately, and though he has not been sent against the watch, he is rapidly getting into good racing shape. He may have a race at South Canterbury this week, and if so he will run pretty well, but he is being got ready for the Grand National Hurdles, so he will not be at his best for some time.

R. Longley has not been hurrying Amorist, but the hurdler is in healthy condition, ready for a few sprints to fit him for a race.

Troilus has had a quiet time since he returned home from the Dunedin meeting. C. Emerson is keeping Sleipner to strong pace work, which appears to agree with him. He may need only a couple of sprints to bring him to his best for Saturday’s race at South Canterbury T. H. Gillett intends to take The Bailiff and Homecoming to South Canterbury. The two chestnuts look particularly well. The Bailiff takes my fancy as likely to show up prominently in the chief event. Fresh Breeze is in preparation for hurdle racing, and he may l be a competitor at South Canterbury. He shows promise of being a useful jumper. Arikiwai is going on well in his work. H e may be sufficiently forward to show his best form on Saturday, but he will he worth keeping in mind, as he is likely to make an early return to the ■winning list. b

Rascal looks none the worse for his racing at Wingatui, and he should race well at South Canterbury. His chance will be improved by a wet track, but if the weather is fine the going at Wash dyke will be firm, in which case his stablemate. Starshooter, will have to be reckoned with.

Ranelagh has an engagement at South Canterbury, but after his disappointing form at Wingatui it is by no means certain that he will be racing this week. There is a strong feeling in some quarters that he is not genuine, but in any case it may be thought best to delay his next public appearance. Taragona continues to show good form in his work, and he looks like being in the money in the Temuka Hack Handicap on Saturday.

Whatnot is galloping in attractive style, but though she has plenty of speed, I have doubts about her stamina.

It is possible that Isa will have her first race in these parts at South Canterbury, but she may not be at her best. She has not been stretched out against the watch, while she was off the scene for a few days recently on account of going sore. Aberfeldy is booked for his first race among the steeplechasers at South Canterbury. He has been schooling well, but so far he has not been sent over the fences at racing speed. Thurina is another Riccarton novice who is to make his debut as a steeplechaser at South Canterbury. His recent efforts over the schooling fences suggest that he will make a useful cross-country performer when he has had some racing experience. Kaikahu pulled up lame after doing steady work on the plough at Riccarton on Thursday. He has been unsound for

some time, and his racing career may be at an end. He jumped fences all right at an _ easy pace, but he was uncertain when it came to racing over them. Limited looks in the best of health after his recent racing, and he may pick up another sprint race before long. Wise Choice is in great order at present, but her recent racing form does not commend her.

Bonrose returned from the Dunedin meeting in good fettle. Her condition is all right, but she is not a good racing proposition.

It was reported recently that Desert Glow had come to South Canterbury, having been purchased by an owner in that district with a view to jumping. I understand, however, that he is a disappointment as a jumper, and he may remain in the north. The three-year-old filly Pakitere, by Arausio from Toxeuma’s dam, is now being, trained at Washdyke, having been pur~ chased by a patron of E. J. Ellis’s stable Royal Love has had an easy time for s few weeks, but he is again'moving along in attractive style. He has made steady improvement during the last few months, and he is not nearly at his limit. Sharp Thorn has been turned out for a spell, consequent on a mishap, which it is hoped will prove of a minor character. E. Scoullar has Irish Chieftain and Chief Light in regular work, and they are beginning to get into racing shape. They showed speed last spring, and they may i develop into useful candidates for three- I year-old events. I Zeebrugge, who developed into a useful j two-year-old in the autumn is going ou | well in his training, and probably he will ; be raced at Trcntham next month, with Ball Di ■ess and Winsome Hind as hie mates on the trip north. A Wellington owner was anxious to buy Cricket Bat last week, but the negotiations fel through. He is the most likely of the local two-year-olds, on any form that has been disclosed, to gain classic honours. The Winning Hit colt has just started on his preparation, after a spell since Easter, and he looks well. Most of the Riccarton trainers with yearlings in their stables have the youngsters moving along in strong work. This is the usual policy, as they like to get their juveniles as forward as possible before the weather breaks and the tracks become too bad. So far not many have been galloped seriously enough to disclose their | prospects, but there are some good looking youngsters among them. Sir Charles Clifford has claimed the fol-io-wing names for this season’s foals at the Stonyhurst Stud: —Chestnut filly (foaled August 4), by Day Comet —Owlscombe, Silent Flight; brown colt (August 19), by Day Comet —Moorfowl. Grouse: chestnut colt (August 20), by Winning Hit —Counterscarp, Counterplay: bay filly (August 27), by Winning Hit—Rivalry, Final ' Shot; chestnut filly (August 28), by Day Comet—Brambletye; Matagouri; bay filly (August 29), by Winning Hit —Scrimmage: Fracas; brown filly (September 3), by Day Comet —Sailor’s Hope, High Rank; bay colt (September 12), by Winning Hit —Miss Mimic. Copyist; chestnut colt (September 17), by Winning Hit— Brave Deed, Falkland; chestnut colt (October 9), by Day Comet—Wild Hind. Wild Sky. The winter meeting of the Ashburton Trotting Club was held on Saturday in bright sunshine. It was a day of large fields, which provided some keen contests and close finishes, while times were consistently fast. The Sapling Stakes, the only two-year-old event in the trotting sport in the Dominion, attracted fifteen starters, further evidence that the race has a strong hold on owners. It was a good race, the interest being sustained right to the end. It was doubtful, however, if the quality of the competitors was quite up to the best standard of past years. Ruin, the wunner of the Trial Handicap, is a three-year-old by Wrack from Paradox, and like many of his sire’s progeny, he stays well. He made a quick beginning, and had the race will m hand when the straight was reached. He is one to keep in mind. Ruin races in the colours of Mr G. H. Nicoll, son of the president of the Ashburton Trotting Club and the Trotting Conference Golden Harvest went a fine race in the Trial Handicap. Like her conqueror, she is a three-year-old, being a sister to Harvest Child and Sonoma Child, by Sonoma Harvester from Gwenchild. The filly has speed enough to win good races later on. An accident robbed the Trial Handicap of a lot of interest. Red Clover stumbled and fell after going a furling. Logan Fraser, Ainsworthy, Warbird. Jester, and Gunfire falling over her, while Symmetry also got into the mix-up, and several other horses had to be pulled up. D. Withers, driver of Ainsworthy, sustained slight concussion, and could not drive again during the day, but the other drivers escaped w’ithout serious injury. R. Townley produced the favourite for the Longbeach Handicap in Edith Vryage, and she won by a narrow margin. It was a very fine performance, as apart from coming from a back mark, she lost a lot of ground through going off badly, and she seemed to be in a hopeless position at the end of a mile. She is by Happy Voyage from Edith A, one of the most brilliant pacers of her day. Edith Voyage won on the Ashburton course in April, and she looks capable of much improvement yet, as she is only five years old. Fairyland trotted a solid race in the Longbeach Handicap. Making a capital beginning, the little Guy Parrish mare went through the race without a mistake and stayed on better than usual. As she is only four years old, further improvement may be looked for. She is from Dreamland, and thus is a half sister to that fine trotter, Napland, and the speedy but erratic Reverie.

Rollo’s elowness off the mark cost him some ground in the early part of the Ashburton County Handicap, but he was well placed at the end of a mile and finished on strongly. He is improving steadily, and he should get a good stake over two miles early in the new season. Dillon Logan, who was well backed in the Ashburton County Handicap, settled his chance by breaking at the start. He lost a lot of ground, but when he settled down he paced a fine race. The three placed horses in the Ashburton County Handicap—Satin King, SunnyBob, and Rollo—all joined the rapidivgrowing list of horses eligible for the New Zealand Cup, provided the conditions are the same as last year. Silver de Oro was always in a prominent position in the Sapling Stakes, and outstayed the opposition in the final stages, winning rather comfortably. She is small, but is a well-mannered pacer by Rey de Oro from Molly Pointer, and was trained and driven by S. A. Edwards. This was her first race, but evidently she had been well educated, as her behaviour at the barrier was excellent, and she went out very smartly. Tempest, who is by Wrack from Nell Pointer, and therefore a brother to Grand Canyon, paced a fine race in the Sapling Stakes. He went out well, and was always one of the front division, while he finished on better than anything i in the race, with the exception of the ! winner. He is a well-developed youngster who looks like furnishing into a highgrade three-.vear-old. He is owned by | Mr A. J. Nicoll, a son of the club's 1 president, whose candidate, Ciro, raced badly, breaking up soon after the start. Lily Harold, one of the outsiders of the field, scored a meritorious win in the Acton Handicap, after losing a lot of ground through going off badly. She has done most of her racing in the south, but she went into A. G. Wilson’s stable a few months ago, and this was her first success for the New Brighton trainer. Lily Harold is a very fine stayer, but she has taken some time to come to her best form since she left the south. Netta Oro was just beaten by Lily Harold in the Acton Handicap, but no excuses could be made, as she had every chance. The Rey de Oro pacer, who won at the Canterbury Park meeting, seems to be keeping quqite sound, and she mayget another stake at Auckland. The recent Australian arrival, Sir Voyage, accounted for the Stewards’ Handicap in fine style, although he had nothing to spare at the finish. He has thus won in his first two starts in the Dominion. Sir Voyage is by First Voyage from Lady Edna, a mare brought here some .years ago by the late Mr Edwards, when that trainer was racing in Australia. Sir Voyage is a free, easy-going trotter, and evidently is a proved stayer. W. J. Tom--1 kinson drove him a most confident race over the final furlong, and the Australian horse will do a lot more winning in the best unhopplcd company. Mountain Mist, who was narrowly defeated in the Stewards’ Handicap, has been racing very consistently for some time. He put up two good performances at Oamaru last month, and paid a big dividend when he won at the. Canterbury Park meeting. He is . a solid customer who will make further improvement. Sodium, who registered a very fast mile performance at the Canterbury Park meeting, just won the Winter Handicap, beating Arethusa in the last few strides. Sodium is now at the top of his form, and when in the mood he is a brilliant pacer. He used to be troublesome at the barrier, but he has mended his ways.. Owing to the accident to D. Withers in the first race, J. Bryce drove Sodium, whose stabiemate, Editor, was handled by G. M‘KenArethusa, who was narrowly beaten by Sodium in the Winter Handicap.. went away faster than usual and was with tne first division early. She fought out the finish with great gameness. Arethusa is a very fine stayer, and she should be a good two miler next season. The success of Some Guy in the Farewell Handicap was not unexpected by those who saw him finish second to V line Derby at. Oamaru last month. He is. a good pacer up to a mile and a-half, while he may race well over two miles later on. His sire. Real Guy, has not left manygood pacers, but most of his progeny are good trotters. Cammie, the dam of Some Guy. is a sister to the one-time brilliant pacer, Prince Pointer. Nona Bingen, who has not been long in her present quarters, raced well at the Forbury Park meeting, while at the Canterbury Park meeting she was most consistent, without winning. Her second to Some Guy in the Farewell Handicap was not unexpected, and she looks like being a payable proposition for her owner. Bracken, the favourite for the Farewell Handicap, went off badly and broke a little further on. Then she showed a brilliant burst of speed, but could not carry on. She would have been hard to beat had she jumped out smartly. The stallion Jack Potts has returned to C. S. Donald's stable, and he will be put into work, to be trained for' the New Zealand Cup and other big events at the November meeting at Addington. This American pacer commenced racing about seven years ago. and he won at his first start in the Dominion. His last perforniance was in the first division of the New Zealand Trotting Cup in 1929, won by Kingcraft. Jack Potts is a bold, free pacer, possessing great speed and stamina, but in the latter part of his career he was troubled with unsoundness. As a result it was difficult to give him much work, so he often raced when half ready, but even with this disability he put up some great performances. He has been at the stud, and he has some highly promising young progeny, who are now

Satin King atoned for his failures at I £ ein " “ fe , d % .' Th f T ll ' f,om racing may Addington early in the month by winning ha ™ + £ the Ashburton County Handicap de- aiid it will be interesting to see if h cisively, after being one of the leaders stands up to a solid preparation while reall the way. It is evident that he has taming his speed and stain . quite recovered from his slight accident. D. Bennett is working a likely looking His performance showed him up as a young trotter by Author. Dillon from high-class pacer, and it is obvious that Madam Shaw, the dam of Cannonball, his Southland successes earlier in the T. G Fox’s pacer by The Sheik from season were the reward of merit. He Lovebird is furnishing into a quality-look-will get a lot of money yet in the best ing mare. She was big and angular when company. first put into work, and she has not been The performance of Sunny Bob in Sh « has a good way of doing running second in the Ashburton County Vv r v,or S’ , and s^e s ’ la I les being mor Handicap was a very fine one. He was than usenn. up with the leaders all the way, and he ' Happy Land appears to be feeling the put in a fine late dash. The racing at of his recent racing, and in the Addington appears to have done him I*aparua Handicap he failed to show much good. dash. He did not have any of the best of

the running, however, and he was forced to cover a lot of extra ground. • C. Tasker is working a two-year-old filly by Guy Parrish from the useful trotter Bridget Galindo. The youngster shows a lot of quality, and goes at the trotting gait.

Linkman continues to go on the right way in his work, and he should be in his best form to commence the new season.

W. J. Morland has Gold Country in steady work, and he looks none the worse for his race at Ashburton last month. The Rey de Oro pacer has started twice, winning each time. He is furnishing into a very fine horse, but he may not be raced again for some time. 'lhe pacer Loco, who has been trained on the West Coast, is now a member of G. Isaacson’s team at Addington Although the pacer Colonial Boy has not done any racing lately, he looks in fine order, and he is now a regular attendant at Addington. Prirce Wrack looks all the better for his recent racing, and he may be a competitor at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting next Saturday. The pacer Great Chenault is in fine cioer, and A. E. Bussell may take this promising young horse north for the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting.