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CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By

Observer.

All the indications at present point to the Canterbury Jockey- Club having a successful Grand National meeting. Nominations for the six leading events closed on kriday night, with the satisfactory total of 214, the same number as last year. The details are as follows, last year s figures being given in parentheses. Grand National Steeplechase, 31 (29); Winter Cup, 50 (53); Grand National Hurdles, 34 (32); Beaufort Steeplechase, 30 (3-^j; Sydenham Hurdles, 34 (33); and Lincoln Steeplechase, 35 (34). Aurora Borealis, the winner of- the Grand National Steeplechase last year, is not nominated on this occasion, but Corneroff and Omeo, who filled the places, are again eligible, also Snow-fall, Matu. and Kapuna, who wore among the other starters last year. Wiltshire, with two wins to his credit, is due for another appearance, as is Tuki, who won in 1925. The list also includes most of the horses who have performed well over the country this winter, the most notable absentee being Master Lu, the winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase.

Carinthia, last year's winner of the Grand National Hurdles, has been nominated again for that race, also Mister Gamp, Nukumai, and Llyn Dhu, who were among the beaten lot a y.ear ago. Prince Ln, the Great Northern Hurdles winner, is a welcome nomination from Auckland, while Lucess, Claremore, High Pitch, Wiltshire, and Wako King are other’s from the north. Altogether it looks a good hurdle list. The placed horses in last year’s Winter Cup, Toxeuma. Nancy Lee, and Havering, are missing from this year’s nominations, as arc most of the top weights of last year. There is, however, the usual strong list of smart milers, drawn from all parts of the Dominion. It does not include any horsts of the best class, but there is plenty of material in the 50 nomimftions to provide a good field of average quality. At one time no. horse under four years was permitted to race at the Grand National meeting. This condition was amended a few years ago and since then three-year-olds have been eligible for two hack sprints. There is a proposal now to remove the .restriction altogther, leaving all the flat events open to three-year-olds. It is possible, even that the change will be made this year. There seems no sound argument against it, especially, as is considered likely, if the Racing Conference decides to abolish the nine-stone minimum for flat races -during the winter.

More than twenty Riccarton horses claim engagements at the Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting, and it is probable that most of them will be at Trentham next month. They are a varied lot, figuring in events of all classes. Among them are a number of two-year-olds, Zehrugge, Ilpse of Orange, The Quorn, Nightguard) Static, Metal. Bird, and .Belvoir, who will provide strong opposition for the North Island in the Trial Plate. Aberfeldy was sent once round the steeplechase fences on Friday morning, but it could not be considered a good effort, though he completed his task safely. He is engaged at Trentham, but his prospects do not appeal. I<oyal Mint jumped a couple of hurdles on Friday. He goes at the obstacle straight and fast, so he is worth keeping in mind. Ranelagh was given a turn in the jumping ring recently, but injured one of his legs, so he is again on the easy list. Whatnot has been turned out, and she will be spelled for a year. She can go fast, but stops .quickly. F. D. Jones is .hopeful, however, that she will stay all right with age. Shatter in training on well since he resumed work, and he may prove useful early in the new season. The form shown by Isa at South Canterbury was not up to expectations. There does not seem much hope for her to improve, and she may be retired early. F. Christmas has Red Heckle in work again, along with his two-year-old brother Conway, who is a horse of great possibilities. His team also includes three maidens, these being Waiwene, a Nigger Minstrel —Glencross two-year-old, and a Sutala—St. Leaven three-year-old. Gustavo, the three-year-old brother to Count Cavour, has resumed work with T. H. Gillett’s team. Provided he keeps sound, this will be a good horse next season. Homecoming went lame last week, and he had to miss his Ashburton engagement. . ' The two-year-old filly Lochlaggan, by Woodend from Gleritruin, rejoined C. Emerson’s stable last week after havinga spell since last spring. The -winter meeting of the Ashburton County Racing Club was held on Saturday in pleasant conditions. There was a storm overnight, a southerly gale springing up accompanied by heavy rain, but the weather cleared after a couple of hours, and the racing was disposed of in bright Sunshine. The track, though riot really bad, was a trifle heavy, but there was some excellent sport. It was a wellmanaged meeting in every way. The programme was got off with short intervals between the races', but everything worked smoothly and with commendable punctuality. Barrington, the hurdle winner at Ashburton, was responsible for a very attractive performance, as he was always travelling in good style, and he won very easily. He has been in work only a fewweeks. so it will come as no surprise if he makes a big improvement later in the winter. He has been competing among the jumpers for some time, being a capable, steeplechaser, but it is probable his best is to come. Camisader was always well placed in the Hinds Hurdles, but never looked like catching Barrington over the • final furlong. ■ All the same, he ran- a good race, and he will win later on. ■

Amorist must have pleased his admirers by hia performance in the Hinds Hurdles. He was one of the leaders for a mile, and though he lost Iris position, he was handy to the winner at the finish without being knocked out. The race should do him good. GaHivanter, who- filled third place m the Hinds Hurdles, is only a novice, but it is probable that he will become much better known to racegoers. A week earlier at South Canterbury he was one of the outsiders, but improved form was expected at Ashburton, where he was second favourite. He was in a good position early, and he finished on well, after showing some ability as a jumper. r e , ,S T. a • ve ' year ‘ o,d by Ga y Lad from Lady Fair, by Golden Knight from Fair View, a granddaughter of imported Miss Kate, the ancestress of Treadmill and many other class performers. It is obvious that Gallivanter has given R. C. Keeper cause to rate him highly, as he has been nominated for the Grand National and Sydenham Hurdles. He is not up to that class yet, but he will win races .next season. • Lancer was having his first race for about a year when he contested the Hinds Hurdles, and he had not jumped a hurdle in the interval. He made no mistake in the race, but he failed to get near the leaders. The Greyspear gelding is not U P y’ e L and . lie will be very different by August, provided he remains sound.

Tippling registered a performance of some merit in winning the Moreton Hack Handicap. He began slowJy, and at the end of a furlong he was tailing the field.' Once he settled down he put in a great run, and he got up to win on the post. He was due to score, as he has been unlucky more than once this season, arriving on the scene just too late. He shapes like doing well over longer journeys.

Moorbird attracted a lot of attention in the Moreton Hack Handicap. She is a i®’} r "^ ear "°ld (the Race Book said five) by The Ace from Moorfowl, by Autumnus. Bred by the, late Sir George Clifford, Moorbird showed early in her training that she had inherited the speed of her brilliant dam. Unfortunately, like many of the progeny of The Ace, she was not sound. She was purchased from her breeder, as a two-year-old, by Mr E. S. Luttrell, who paid a long price for her, but she had never started in a race until Saturday. She was one of the leaders from the rise of the barrier and failed only in the last stride. Probably lack of race experience accounted for her defeat. Though she has been in work a long time, she has not had much fast galloping, so she may be expected to improve a lot, and it looks only a question of soundness for her to win, later on, in good open company.

Elude ran a good race in the Moreton Hack Handicap. He got out slowly, being one of the last to leave the mark, but he made up his leeway very quickly, being one of the leaders to the straight. The effort settled him, however, and he did exceptionally well to finish third. He is a three-year-old by Nightraid from Tinihanga, by Absurd from the -brilliant Formless, so that his breeding is a good mixture of stamina and speed. He is a big fellow, who will require time to mature.

Punchestown found the conditions in his favour at Ashburton, but he had to he ridden right out to win the -Mayfield Hack Handicap by a length. The big Thurnham gelding is engaged at Trentham, where he may get some more money.

Semper Paratus has been a disappointment in many of his races, but F. E. Jones appears to have him on the improve. He showed plenty of speed in'the Mayfield Handicap, and stayed the mile and a-quarter in solid style. His future prospects now look good and he may be an early winner. Tar agon a appeared to be hampered by the heavy ground at Ashburton, though he was going much better in the straight, where the ground was firmer, than at the back of the course.

Oriflamb gave a smooth performance in winning the Droniore Steeplechase, but as the field was weakened by falls, there was nothing outstanding about the performance. He has made great improvement in one respect, however, as he now jumps brush fences well, though he had trouble with fences of this class earlier in his career. Thurina fell at the third fence in the Droniore Steeplechase, so.early that there was no opportunity to judge his form. With more experience, however, he will win good steeplechases, as he should have no trouble even with stiffer country than he met at Ashburton.

Fresh Breeze created a good Impression in the Dromore Steeplechase. He jumped in good style till he met the fence which brought him down, and he' should pay his way over country.

Quantum scored an impressive win in the Maronan Handicap, leading from end to end, while his finishing run suggested that he would have gone further. Whentrained at Trentham he was a brilliant non-stayer, but his stamina has improved out of sight during his sojourn on the West Coast, and he may win more important events.

The Southland gelding Red Boa registered a smart performance to finish second in the Maronan Handicap, as he finished on solidly, after a slow beginning. Quantum was too good for him, but he beat the remainder of a strong field decisively. He may do even better at his next start.

Francolin was very unruly -at the start of the Maronan Handicap, and she was the chief cause- of the delay before the field was sent off." She was last away, but finished up with a brilliant run that -landed her in third place. But for her bad manners at the. barrier she would win good races. j .

Rascal had every chance in tire Maronan Handicap, as he jumped out well and held a good position to the straight. Then he faded out in disappointing fashion. He may be more at home next month at Trentham, if the track is as heavy as it usually is in July. ■

. Glenrowan, who. was favourite for tire Maronan , Handicap, let his. admirers down very badly. He failed to jump out witli the front division, and at no stage of the journey did he. look like feting prominent. His best performances have been registered on firm ground, and this may explain hi§ latest ■ failure. • ,No excus.es could be offered for the poor showing of Ball Dress in the Maro-

Handicap. She began smartly, but 11 5 f * * n ,, a 6°°d position to the straight, she collapsed very quickly. Her recent form suggests' that .'she is not genuine.

. Noteworthy -was prominent for nearly furlongs in the Maronan Handicap, and though he did not look dangerous in the r Un home, Jie battled on to finish i fu. He may be found racing over hurdles before the end of the season. Craigmore was an acceptor for the hurdle race and the steeplechase at Ashburton, but he was not started in either event. He has shown evidence of lameness since his race at South Canterbury, but apparently the trouble is not serious, as he has been nominated for the chief events at the Grand National meeting. A. J. Peart was unfortunate at Ashburton, as he broke a collarbone when Thurina fell in the Dromore Steeplechase, and he will be out of action for some time.

R. Beale, who broke a collarbone when Valves fell with him in the Steeplechase at South Canterbury, is making a good recovery. He was at Ashburton on Saturday, and hopes to be riding again at Oamaru, where Cultivator will be one of his mounts. There is not a great deal of excitement on the local trotting tracks at present. The rough weather experienced during tne past week has caqsed the race track at Addington to be closed for training work. The cinder track on the outside portion of the training track affords good going, while a new track, inside the training track, is in good order, despite the wetweather. A good deal of work is being done on it. Most of the horses at Addington, however, have done a lot of racing during the season, and with nothing in view until August, the trainers are confining themselves just now to light tasks, for their teams.

Logan Park is in fine order to commence the new season. After a lengthy spell, he is back in steady work. He has put on a lot of weight, but he is very well, and quite recovered from the slight ailment that necessitated him being taken off the track. When at his best, Logan Park is a brilliant pacer over all distances. The speedy Nor’-wester is now being trained by L. Cavalier at Addington. Nor’-wester, who was for some time in R. Townley’s stable, is one of the quickest beginners now racing, and 'is a useful pacer over short courses. Our George, who scored a very popular win at the Canterbury Park meeting early this month, looks none the worse for his racing; and he is doing steady work in preparation for the new season.

A. Cox will have two representatives for the New Zealand Trotting Cup this year, Vesuvius and Linkman. Vesuvius won the King George Handicap at the recent. Canterbury Park meeting, in brilliant fashion, as he led the field throughout and went 4.20 1-5 for the two miles. While he is carrying more condition than usual, he has never looked better, and it is just a question of keeping him well. Linkman, on the other hand, is somewhat backward, but is quite sound, and there is plenty of time to get him ready for the big November races.

The trotter Peterwah is standing up to his work, but he has not yet beeri asked to go at his best speed. If the tracks remain soft he may be raced in August, but he is on a very tight mark. The spell has done Admiral Bingen a Jot of good, as the brilliant trotter has built up considerably. He is being-jogged about- in the meantime, and is doing no fast work.

N ative Prince seems to go well in heavy ground, as he was pacing in fine style without the hopples a .few days ago. The Auckland-owned pacer looks in «-ood order.

The tasks of Surprise Journey are of the lightest description at present, but the Australian-bred trotter is in fine'heart to commence the new season, during which he should show improved form. "J- Kennerley is persevering with Kelp. The Wrack pacer has been the unlucky horse of the present season, as he has gone just well enough to be beaten, lire luck may turn next season. , J- Morland is working a two-year-old fillj’- by Drustis from Logan Chimes. 1 lie young pacer has been in work only a short time, but she does her work in nne style and looks like developing into a high-class performer.

The brilliant trotter Admiral Bingen has resumed work at Addington, and is hi excellent health after his spell. W. J. Tomkinson has in work a two-year-old colt by Nelson Bingen from Regina de Oro, the dam of the brilliant but erratic Native Chief. The youngster was not forward enough to contest the SapStakes, but he is training on well. If \ esuvius and Linkman go on as they are doing at present, A. Cox will have, a couple of good pacers for the best races next season. They are in good although Linkman looks as though he will be better with some more racing? 1 - The spell from racing appears to have done Stanldy T. a lot of good. The imported trotter has never looked better, and he promises to strip very fit early in the new season. Stanley T. has improved a great deal in liis manners at the- barrier. and provided he goes away right he is likely to put up some fast' times' oyer two miles iii the new season. - -

Our George, who ‘scored his first success at the recent meeting at Addingt6ri, was given a short spell, but he is now iii work again, although his tasks are of. q. very easy character. He owed . a good, deal in his success to his excellent condition, and he looks in nice order to; commence another season’scracing. Erin’s Lynn looks all the better fo r her short spell and she is now beiiin prepared' for. the August meeting at Addington),, -. 'The committee of the - New.... Zealand; Metropolitan Trotting Club, has ' announced the . conditions for ,the ; New Zealand. Trotting Cup,, to"' be decided at .Addington in NovenibcrL ■With one slight variation they are thesame as last year. The stake remains at £4OOO, with a gold cup valued at £IOO. The race will be run in two divisions.pn the first, day, with four horses from ejicli competing in the final on the second flay;. The first horse in each division will receive: £6OO, second £2OO. third £125,. and fqiir'(li. f7_s, /while, in the final-the winner will Ic.-. ceiye £I,OOO. and the cup, second £SOO, ijii'r.'ct.r £350, and. fourth £l5O. The rage will again be for horses that have done or been handicapped at 4.26 or better. The only variation, compared witlr last year, docs not really affect the New Zealand Gup, but it is a condition that will operate

against a number of Cup candidates later in the meeting. It is as follows:— " Horses accepting in this race will, subject to penalties for a placed performance, be handicapped for two-mile races on the same mark throughout the meeting.” The Cup divisions will be drawn by lot, after the final acceptance, which is due on Tuesday, November 3. In the event of an owner or trainer accepting for two horses, one will be drawn in each division, while in the case of three acceptors, one will be drawn in one division and two in the Other. Placed horses in divisions will not be rehandicapped for the filial.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19310630.2.206.6

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 52

Word count
Tapeke kupu
3,323

CANTERBURY DOINGS. Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 52

CANTERBURY DOINGS. Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 52

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