SPORTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8258, 26 December 1911, Page 5

SPORTING.

SGXSNG DAY MEETING.

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB

OFFICERS. President, Mr H. F. Nicoll; vice-presi dents, Messrs D. F. Knight anc Thos. Langley; stewards, Messrs W Anderson, A. Bray, R. Curtis, J Davison, W. B. Denshire, Jas. Hes eltine, D. F. Knight, T. Langley, D McDonnell, H. P. Nicoll, i<\ B Robilliard, J. H. Rule, J.. D. Stewart, M. fetitt; judge, Mr T. iang ley; starter, Mr H. Reynolds; clerlof scales, Mr W. Anderson; clerk oi course, Mr R. Curtis; handicaoper Mr H. Brinkman; timekeepers Messrs J. J. Lewis and F. B. J^obil , liard; yet< surgeon,' Mr F. C. Rob- . \ertson, ..M.R.O^y.S.; secretary, A 'A. Fooks. *' ' "'.'■' The Ashburton Trotting Club wai favoured with fin© weather for its summer meeting on the Racing Club's .course to-day. The attendance waj very lai'ge, and those who came fron Christchurch far exceeded expectations Nine extra carriages had to be attached at Christchurch before the crowd could be accommodated. The course, owing to the recent rain, was soft, and by iio means favourable to good going; but with this exception everything was favourable to a good day's sport. The Ashburton Municipal Brass Band, under Bandmaster C. B. Gass, was in attendance, and played a number oi selections during the afternoon. The arrangements made by the Trotting Club were very complete, and gave entire satisfaction. For the first five races, a sum of £3456 10s passed through the totalisator. The following axe 1 the results up to the time of our going to press— ~ .... .' : TRIAL HANDICAP (Optional), of 35 soys, second horse to receive 5 sqvs from the stake. For horses that have never won more than £20 in one stake at time of entry. One mile and a-half. ' ■ ■ Mr W. Begg's b h The Lark, 4yrs,.. .... by Prince Imperial—Katipo 9sec (Owner) 1 Mr J. H. Rule's blk g Aziie, llsec ' (J. Brankin) 2 Mr D. Clark's b in Lady Rattoo,! 6sec (G. H. Berry) 3 Mokau 9sec, Mangitini llsec, Rural llsec, and Maggie Wylie 12sec, also started- . Azile led for half a mile, when Tho Lark went to the front, and easily holding his own for the rest of the journey, beat Azile" by two lengths, Lady Rattoo being 50 yards away. Time—3mins 48secs. MITCHAM HANDICAP (Opti mai), of 86 soys, second horse 7 soys, and third horse 3 soys from the 1 stake. For unhoppled trotters. Two miles. Mr. S. O. Pilbrow's b g March Hare, by Prince Imperial, 6yrs, 21sec (Owner) 1 Mr T. G. Fox's b g Clive, aged, by Cleveland—Peggy, scr (Owner) 2 Mr I. Lewis's br m Alita, 6yrs • i, (Owner) 3 Miss Ngapara 21sec, Merrywood 27 sec, Matilda 29sec,' Manuka 29sec, Rothbury 29sec, Ophelia 31sec, and Lionheart, 34sec, also started. Over the-first mile. Lionheart and Ophelia were in the lead, At that stage March Hare went to the fore with Lionheart, and Alita and Merry- | wood drew up with Ophelia. At about 16 furlongs from home March Hare (had a good lead, but on entering the straight Alita joined him. About 100 yards from home Alita broke, and March Haro won easily by ten lengths from Clive, who. beat Alita by a length. Lionheart, Merrywood, Ophelia and Rothbury were close up. Time —smin 12secs. ELECTRIC HANDICAP (Saddle), of 65 soys, second horse 7 soys, and third horse 3 soys from the soake. . For horses that can do 2.35 or better. One Mile. Mr W. J. Morland's blk m Betty Martin, by Prince Imperial— Peri, 9sec (G. Payne) 1 Mr J. Smith's b m Francita, 6yrs, Ssecs (R. R'aey) 2 Mr J. Spring's Redfern, 4yrs, 9sec (R. McDonnell) 3 Betty Martin quickly took the lead, and > until coming into the straight' was closely followed by Francita and Redfern. * She then quickly drew away, and won by six lengths, Francita being abojut ten lengths away from Redfer.n. Time—2min 27sec. * Rolf Boldrewpod osec, Quinceland 6 sec, Bandelero Bsec, and Rerfern 9sec, also started. ;, ' ASHBURTON COUNTY HANDICAP, (Saddle), of 120 soys, second horse 13 soys, and third horse 7 soys from the stake. For horses that can do 3mm or better. Two miles. : ;. Mr J. Cass's eh h Lyonnais,'syrs, •. by General Lyons—Jessie 8., 19sec . (G. H. Berry) 1 Mr I. M. Thompson's b m Bold Maid, 6yrs, 20sec (M. Edwards) 2 Mr N. L. Price's eh h Betel Nut, syrs, 14sec (Owner) 3 Quincey scr, Gianella 7sec, Piecework Bsec, Florin 12sec, and Music 17sec, also started. Florin and Music collided soon after the start, and took no part in the race. Bold Maid drew off in front, closely followed by Lyonnais,, and at the end of the half mile these two were well clear of Betel Nut, who in turn had a substantial lead from Gianella. Going along the back Piecework and Gianella were close on Betel Nut, and within half a mile from home these three/were 50 yards behind Bold Maid and "Lyonnais, who were still together. Bold Maid had an advantage coming into the straight, • but Lyonnais drew. up 100 yards from home, and in a fine finish won by half a length, Betel Nut being a dozen lengths behind, with Piecework and Gianella next. Time—4min 54sec. AMATEUR HANDICAP (Optional), of 30 soys, second horse to r< reive 5 soys from the stake. One mile and a-half. Mrs P. McNeilf's eh g Celtic, 3yrs, by General Mac—lmperial Nell, lbsec (T. J. Watts) 1 Miss Begg's The Lark, 4yrs, lOsec ,(W. Begg) 2 1 Mrs J. O. Whiteman's b g Gee Whiz, Byrs, osec (H.,8. Hubbard) 3 Miss Lyons scr, Midnight Isec, Mokau lOsec, North Bank "JOsec, Quickeye llsec, Rural 12sec, Merry Lyons 12see, Lionheart 13sec, British Lion \o sec, Maggie Wylie ISsec, and Espmal i 13sec, also started. ■-, Maggie Wylie led for half a ™\°> after which Celtic went to the tront, and maintained the lead till the nmsn, winning by four lengths. When neaiing tho winning post. The Lark, who had occupied third place coming up

the straight, pass into second place, beating Gee Whiz by about two lengths. Time—3min 57secs. McLEAN HANDICAP (Saddle), of 90 soys, second horse 7 soys, and third horse 3 soys from the stake. For horses that can do 3.48 or 'better. One mile and a-half. | CEDRICB, lOsec (J. Brankin) 1 PRINCE WILKIN, scr ,2 ROLF BOLDREWOOD, iSsec... 3 Lord Heathcote (7sec.), ■ Hazelfield (lOsec), and Lyonette (17sec.) were scratched. Won by about four. lengths, six lengths dividing the second and third horses. ...... ' '