TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 8, 14 February 1914, Page 10

TROTTING.

THE METROPOLITAN CLUB'S MEETING. THE FEBRUARY MEETING. Favoured. with ideal weather conditions, the February-meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club held at Addington to-day was an unqualified success. '. The attendance was decidedly above the average of previous seasons, and included his Excellency the Governor and Lady Liverpool, who were entertained at luncheon by the stewards. Though rather dusty in consequence of the easterly wind, the course was otherwise in good order, and the fields seen out in most of the events were of ample proportions. Recently the centre of the course - has been levelled and sown in grass, an improvement that will add considerably to the appearance of the track when the sward is well grown. The West Coast-owned Norah M'Kinney had a rather lucky win in the opening event, which attracted no less than 24 competitors. When going comfortably in the lead half a mile from home, Norval King swerved right across the track and collided severely with Able Boy, thus completely upsetting the pair's chanpes. *Only for the mishap Norval King and Able Boy would probably have fought out the .finish. Just prior to the start of the Ladies' 'Bracelet, Franz Coralis fell and broke his sulky, taking no- part in the race. A serviceable field of seventeen, all capable of going a mile and a half in 3.45 or better, went out to contest the Spreydon Handicap, Lady Bella being elected favourite. It was an interesting race for nlo're than three parts of the at whicli . point; Moness, Erina, Espiriel,. and Our Angel all looked to have equal chances of success. A little further oh Our Aggie drew to the front, winning with a little to spare from Espinei;and- O.i.CT in the good time of Bmim 35 2-ssec. . ■ -.

A particularly'(fine 'field of twelve, paraded for: the Parliamentary Handicap, and the public-were fairly equally divided as' between the respective chances of Ivy Dillon,.Lord Dillon,, and Eedmac. After reeling off his first mile at a 2,18 gait Lord Dillon looked to have the result in safe keeping, for Aberfeldy and.; Princess Louise, his nearest attendants, were being driven to keep their positions. In the meantime Adonis, who had always been in a handy position, gradually improved it. Two furlongs from home he put in a brilliant run, and easily, cutting, down Princess Louise, and Aberfeldy, only had Lord Dillon in front of him as the home straight was entered. The latter held his advantage till Within a hundred yards of the post,* where he tired to'i nothing,' enabling Adonis to go. on and win comfortably in 4.38.2.5. .Princess Louise; struggled on gamely, and just headed Bright the -judge's box was reached, though\had the latter started better he would' have been amongst the placed horses. Ivy Dillon, the v favourite, stood oh : l;iie mark 1 and took no part in:the race, while Eedmac could not be induced to strike'a gait.

A. staunch favourite ifl White House made good in the February Handicap, but she had to do her best over the first mile to shake off Ottawa, who was going..;, nicely, ;. Half, a v inile from home, Blackness had taken second place, but; he tired in the last two furlongs, and was passed by Vermont; who was going particularly-well at the finish. ..'.. „ : A lot of interest, was taken in the •Stewards' Handicap, from which Adonis -was tlie'only . 'TBe"fteh' starters apparently got off in good order, j But Bellis stopped before going a, hundred yards, and tried to run off the course. Brooklyn showed such a great turn of speed in the. early stages that' with half the distane'gone he was right out on his v own. Country Belle put in.-a. great effort from the home turn, and she did a great performance in finishing within eight lengths of the. winner. Adventuress looked all over a winner of the Members' Handicap within half a mile from home. Then she commenced to stop in double quick time, so that Master Raymond was going two yards to her one at the finish. Betel Nut also passed Adventuress in the last few yards, while Monsoon was going as well as anything in fourth place. Time, 4min 52 4-ss"ec.; Details of the racing are:— . LADIES' BRACELET, of '75 sovs; second 7 sovs from stake. One mile-and ahalf. , (2) Mrs Kitchingham's b m Norah M'Kinnev (Galindo Beautiful Bells), 6: lsec (Mr H. Hafley) .. 1 (4) Miss Doyle's b m Better Luck, aged, 3 sec (Mr W. J. Doyle) :. ... ,2 (11) Mrs J. C. Wilson's br g Imperial Park, aged, 3 sec (Mr J. Wilson) 3. Also started: (14) Lionheart scratch, (13) Golden Way lsec, (15) Willow Tree Ssec. (8) Macwood 3sec, (20) Aim Sa 3sec (6) Norval King 3sec, (20) East Lynne 3sec, (-19) Exchange 3sec, (18)' Topsy-Wallace 3sec, (16). Happy Child 3se'c, ; -(19) W.M. 3sec, (7) Rothiuo 4sec (20) Kairaki 4sec, (12.) Francoralis ssec, (9) Rio, Grand 'ssec and Chocolate Soldier ssec Wild Sun ssec, (1) Joan Dillon ssec, (5) No Sheuanaghan ssee, (10) Leonatus ssec, and (3) - ; _ .■.

Able Boy soon established a commanding lead from Norval King, the others following, in, straggling order. With a round completed Norval King, headed Able Boy and Norah ; M'Kinney had- taken third plfCf. Going along the back, NorvalKing and Ablt Boy collided, putting .themselves completely out of: court. Norah M'Kinney then had matters all her own way, and won by a dozen lengths from Better Luck, who was -a length in front of Imperial Park.- , Then came; heart and No Shenanaghari. Time, 4mm 6- 2-ssec. • ■

SPREYDON HANDICAP (in harness), of 135 sovs; second 19 sovs and third 1.3 sovs from stake. 3.45 class. , One mile aiid a-half. (.6) J. Brice's ch m Our Aggie (Savoy- - .j ard —Miss Louie, 5: 9sec (Owner) 1 (9) J. Smith's b m Espinel, 6: llsec (B. Hart) .... • • • • 2 (8) J. H. Oiliver's b m 0.1.C., 4: lOaec (F, Holmes) . . ..••,. ;• • .• • . 3 Also started: (15) Baron Fran,z 4aefl, (7). Huon Drift [ 7sec, (4) Soda 7sec, (17) Selected-Bsec, (.13) . Skylark Bsec, (11) OurThorpe Bsec, (13) Ottawa 9sec, (5) Van Corando 9sec, (14) Azile l.Osec, (1) Lady Bella" 10sec,\ (l' 6) Erina Usee, (12) Penelope ' (10) Apple Pie Usee, and. (3) Moness llsec. >.'■■'• ; Moiiess led for the .first circuit, closely fol-. lowed by Erina, Espinol, and Our Aggie.. A little further on Espinel" was on terms with Moness, and in the back straight Our Aggie closed on the pair. . Two furlongs from home the last-named worked her way to the front and won comfortably by six lengths_from Espinel, who was a length in front of 0.1.C., with Erina and Lady Bella close up. Time, 3min 35 3-ssec. . PARKftMETARY HANDICAP (in harness), of 350 sovs;' second 52 sovs and third 35 sovs from stake. 4.42 class. Two miles;. ..'■■'-.'.■''.■■■.■ (10) J. Dennett's' b h Adonis, by Harold Dillon—Thelma, 5: lsec (F. Holmes) 1 (2) R. JL'Millan .andJV, M.Alpe'.s ch g " Lord Dillon, 6: 4sec (R. M'Millan) 2 . (4). C. G. Fryer's b. m Princess Louise, ',' :aged,-3see(Ti-Price, jun.) .•'-.■■■ . 3 Also started:. (12) . Quincey scratch, (.11) Bright scratch,, lsec, *(7).Abejfeldy 2seo, (6) Crown Prince 3sec, "(8) ■Breeze 4scp, .(5) Little Tib 4sec, (I) .Ivy. Dillon 4sec, and (ft). Dr., Chutney v-ssec. "Breeze and Ivy Dillon stood on the mark; and the latter took no part in -the race. '.Dr. Chutney was in front for" a : furlong,- when Lord Dillon rushed*to the front, and at the end of-a. mile' he was\ .six lengths clear of Aberfeidy,.. Priiiceas.,.; Lxjuiae,.. apd, Adonis. Lord .Dillon held his advantage till within - a; furlong of- the post; where Adonis had -ai»

measure, and won by two lengths. Princess Louise" was third, lengths away, rotlowed at short intervals by Bright, Aberfeldy, Little Tib, and Dr Chutney. Time, 4min 38 3-ssec.

FEBRUARY HANDICAP (in saddle), of 140 sovs; second 21 sovs, and third 14 sovs from stake. 4.55 class. Two miles. (1) G. M'Bean's b m White House, by Harold Dillon —Log Cabin, 6: lOsec ..." (E. M'Dermott) .. ■■- •• •• 1 (5) J. Moorhead's b m Vermont, Bsec (J. M'Lelland) . . . . . . 2 (3) J. S.'' August's b g Blackness, 5: scr (S.-August) .. .. ..3

(8) Miramar scr, (9) Frances lsec, (12) Fusee 2sec, (6) Gertie L. 6scc, (2) Music lOsec, (4) Bold Maid lOsec, (7) Troubadour lOsec, (11) Waterlog Usee, and (10) Ottawa 13sec also started.

Ottawa was in charge for half the journey, his nearest attendants being White House and Waterlog. A little further on White House took, charge, and.-a quarter of.a wiile from home she- had -BUvikness, Ottawa, and Vermont as her nearest .attendants. From this oiit the favourite had matters all her own way, and won by eight, lengths from A'ermont, who was four lengths in front of Blackness, after ..whom came Bold Maid and Music. Time, 4min 50sec. STEWARDS' HANDICAP (in harness)," of 250 sovs; second 37 sovs, and third 25 sovs from stake. One mile and aquarter. (4) H. A. Taylor's ch g Brooklyn, by Prince Harold—Hard Times, aged scr (C. Piper) 1 (6) W.\T. Moreland's b m Country Belle, 45yds behind (Owner) .. ..2 (7) P. Delargey's b h Prince Alert, aged,

25yds behind (Famor) . . • • 3 (1) Hiiia Dilon scr, (10) The Whip scr, (9) Mains 13yds behind, (2) Manderene 13yds behind, (5) Bellis 25yds behind, (8) Bell Metal 25yds behind, and (2) Emmelme 83yds behind also started. Bellis was slow to leave his mark, and Brooklyn had established a lead of ten lengths when the stand was reached. Going along the back stretch Brooklyn was. quite holding his advantage from Huia Dillon, Country Belle, and Prince Alert, while Emmeline was well up. Two furlongs from home Country Belle passed Huia Dillon, bttt she could not .make the least impression on Brooklyn, who won by eight lengths from Country Belle.. Three lengths further back came Princo Alert, who put in a good run over the last half-mile, folowed by Emmelrne, The Whip, and Huia Dillon. Time, 3min 53 3-ssec. s .

MEMBERS' HANDICAP (in harness), of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs, and third 20 govs from stake. 4.55 class. Two , miles. . (1) H. Sink's ch g Master Raymond, by Rothschild—Lincoln Yet mare, aged, ,-''"" Bsec (A. ' Butterfield) . . .. . 1 (2) N; L. Price's ch h Betel Nut, 6yrs", scr (Owner) .. .. : ..2 (5) T." G. Fox's b m Adventuress, aged, •) Bsec (Owner) ', . . ■'■.., . . 3 '... (4) Treasure-seeker ssec and (4) Welfare lOsec (coupled), (3)"' Little Stranger lOsec, (6) Monsoon lOsec, and (7) Craibwbod lOsec also started. ■■■<•- - ■ . . Adventuress soon took charge, and with a mile left behind she was a dozen lengths clear of Welfare, and Master Raymond. Halfway through the last round Master Raymond and" Betel Nut closed on the leader, and ■ in- a good'finish master Raymond won by v three lengths from Betel Nut, who was a length' in' front- of Adventuress. Time, 4min SPEEDWELL HANDICAP (in harness), of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs, and third 17 sovs front stake. 24 class.- One mile. (6) A.' J. Laurence's, b m Bonny Jenny, ! by Bonny Direct^—Jenny. Mac, aged, "■'. 4sec (Owner) . •• L • • • • * (7) G, Stringfellow's b g prince Poole, syrs, lsec (J. Br'ankin) <: " ' . . 2 (4) H. Nathan's ch m Kirwee, lsec (A. ; Wilson) .'.'. ; ; ! . . ■■ :< . 3 FINAL "HANDICAP (in saddle), of 175 sovs. One mile. . (4) J. MiDonnell's gr m "SUyer Prin- , "cess (Prince Imperial—Barbara), 6: • 3sec (R. M'Donriell) .f ;. '.. .1 (G) M. Maher's br g Tuatara; 6: 4sec (•A. Hendrickson):. /. . . ... . . 2 (9) T. Wark's br g Harold Minto, aged: ■■; 4sec (T. Wark) . ; '«.-.- . . "'3

THE SOCIAL SIDE. There was. a time when the trotting meetings in Christchurch represented ijn'en 's outings only, aii'd ■ femininity was conspicuous merely by its absence. •Now,, things.', are quite otherwise, and the '"■tr'dts" are" 16'oked/upbn"' a:s ' "smart"' social, functions,' as well as important sporting events.' -Added from a social point of: view, was given to the New Zealand : Metropolitan Trotting Club,'s, meeting to : day by the presence of theiirEicellencies -the Governor and Lady Liverpool (accompanied by their suite), who arrived '. just j)rior to the first race. Her Excellency was in cigar ,brown satin, trimmed v with ■ soutache braiding and buttons. Her hat was in large effect; and was trimmed wifefi nattier blue ostrich plumes. En passant, mention may be made, of the suite of apartments which the club reserved for the use of the Vice-Regal party, consisting of a boudoir and dressing room (for her Excellency), and dining room. All the rooms, particularly the firstmentioned, are furnished and fitted up, and arc really on a scale to "do the club proud," as a gentleman who was being shown them expressed himself. The box reserved for the ViceRegal party is approached- from the suite, and is handsomely carpeted and provided with easy, chairs and settee. Altogether, those responsible are to be congratulated on the very efficient and commodious provision they have made for the entertainment, of Vice-Regalty when attending their meetings. \-. Their Excellencies lunched as the guests of the club, and were accompanied by several prominent, members of the club. A number of other visitors also lunched in the dining room with their Excellencies. ' ■

The. day being there was a large number of people present, and amongst the ladies were noticed:—Mrs Ghas. Louisson, in a smart black, costume, hat en suite; Mrs E. O. Duncan, in sand-coloured silk, hat in pale maize straw; Mrs Nanearrow, black crepe de chine, small black hat; Mrs G. G. Stead, liattier blue Ottoman' silk, black liat Avitlf black-and-white feathers; Miss Balliri, cream and black striped serge, black velvet hat with black plumes; Mrs, Cecil Ollivier,'"mole : coloured costume, worn w ; ith white feather boa, hat of. pale green tagel; Mrs Dalgety, white embroidered frock with touches of scarlet, white hat with red roses; Mrs J. Williams, navy costume, black-and-white hat with ornamentations in old rose shade; Mrs Stringer, shantung silk in deep lemon colour, black tulle hat with shaded roses; Mrs Cargill, black-and-white muslin, black-and-white hat with h'ielio bow; Miss Nanearrow, blue coat and skirt, mole-coloured hat; Miss Cracroft Wilson, fawn-coloured coat and skirt, with white hat trimmed with navy blue'; Mrs Nicol, navy coat and skirt, burnt straw hat with black tulle and tangerine roses; Mrs Grantley Norton, mole coat and skirt, large black hat with black satin roses and , green leaves; Mrs Murray, grey coat and skirt, faced with lavender, old rose silk hat," ; massed with wisteria; Mrs Chas. Cook, black tailored suit, collar of ivory guipure; and small black hat with torches of cerise; Mrs Graham,; black coat and skirt, black hat with ostrich feathers; Mrs Harnier, grey coat and skirt, black-and-white . hat; ,Mrs Nedwill, black coat and skirt, black hat. -