LATEST SPORTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8832, 7 May 1914, Page 4

LATEST SPORTING.

ASHBURTON COUNTY

RACING CLUB.

AUTUMN MEETING :. FIRST DAY

GREAT FINISH IN BIG RACE

TANNHAUSER AND GLENFINNAN

PASS POST TOGETHER.

Officials :—President, Mr J. C N. Grigg; vice-president, Mr W. B. Denshire: stewards, Messrs J. R. Brown, J. Davison, W. B. Denshire, H. Friedlander, E. Gates, E. F. J. Grigg, J. C; N. Grigg, J. Hampton, L. de C. Malet, G. W. Nicoll, H. F. Nicoll, J. Stewart, and T. E. Upton (chairman); lion, treasurer, Mr J. ; Davison; handicappers, Mr J. &. Henrys (gallops) and Mr H. Brinkman (trots); judge, Mr R. H.. Aidworth; starters, Mr H. Piper (gallops) and Mr H. ..Reynolds (trots) ; clerk of the scales, Mr W. Anderson; hon. timekeepers, Messrs J. V. de Beer and F.-n B. Robilliard ; hon. v" clerk of the course, Mr R. Curtis; hon. vet. surgeon, Mr W. P. Begg, M.R.C.Y.S. (L.), F.G.V.M.A. (G.); secretary, A. A. Fooks.

The Ashburton County Racing Club experienced mixed . weather conditions for the opening of its 1914 • autumn meeting, the morning being dull, but fine, and" in the afternoon light showers' fell. The rain, however,/was not sufficient to interfere to any extent with the going. The course was in fairly good condition, but \ slightly holding, and towards the end of the day it got heavy, and slightly affected the going. The attendance was large, and appeared to be fully up to the average. The special train from Christchurch brought down a good number of- enthusiasts, while the South train was also fairly well filled. The Ashburton sub-centre of the St. John Ambulance Association had a squad on the ground, but its service::; were not called into requisition.

The programmej as usual, provided for seven events, including a hurdle race and one trot; and the entries were numerically good in every case, and compared more than favourably with those or many previous.years. In the Lagmhor Plate the number of horses that accepted was 34, whilst in the case of the Longbeach Handicap the number was 16," the others being: -Fan-field Welter 13, Grove Farm Handicap,- 13, Melrose Trot 13, the Hurdle rac© 11, and even in the big race—the .Ashburton Cup—with the _ scratching of Thrax and Spec.ialfdrm /— there were/ sufficient /starters to compel more than ordinary interest. , Many of the performers to-day have records which would claim attention on any course in the Dominion, and in this respect the meetings of the Ashburton County Itacmg Club are improving with the years. To-da-y tho racing was good and attractive, and those patrons who were present for no other reason than a desire to witness good clean sport had then* expectations fulfilled to.the uttermost. A particular interest was attached to the Lagmhor Plate race, and the performances of several youngsters ; some of whom made their first appearance in a race, were watched closely.

The Club is an ambitious one, and each meeting sees some improvement or another carried out. This year, besides increasing the stakes over the two days from £1465 to £1890, the Club ; has also been able to erect and use for the first time, the new stewards' stand. This contains the jockeys' weighing room, jockeys' room, secretary's office and stewards' room. The structure is a good substantial one, and, the work of the various officials was given an added facility by its presence. Part of the new Tea Kiosk was also used to-day for ■the first time. •

The general management of the races was good, and left very little to be desired. The handicapping of Mr „J. E. Henrys (gallops) and Mr H. Brinkman (trots) was satisfactory, and as starters Messrs H. Piper (gallops) and H. Reynolds (trots) upheld their respective reputations. A brass band was on the ground, and discoursed selections of music throughout the" afternoon. Mr T. A. C. Pearce was, entrusted with the catering, while Mr,J.W.Halliday, of the ' Chertsey Hotel,, had licensed booths-on the grounds;'/ Much praise is due to Mr A. A. Fooks (secretary) and his assistants. Their duties were carried out methodically and' in a courteous and genial fashion, and everything went off without ji hitch.

The totalisator inv&stments . for the first five races,-aggregated; £6305 10s, as against £6114 10s. for the. first five races on the first day of the autumn meeting Inst year. • v The following are the results up to the time of our going'to press: —

FIRST HURDLE HANDICAP, of 100 soys; second horse 15 soys and third horse 5 sovs'from the stake. Over six flights of hurdles...., About II miles. '

Mr H. Nurse's b g Conn' the Shaughran, by Coronet—Clemam, 6yr 3 , lOst 51b (L., Hogarty) 1 Mr R. Baxter's eh, g Cardiff, agod, lOst 51b (JV Beard) 2 Mr H. D. Leaman's b g Goldseeker, aged, 9st ,(E. Redmond) 3

Also started: Milo lOst 41b, Kilts lOst 31b, Simon Pure '9st 131b, Freak 9st 81b, Rock Ferry 9st 21b, Wreckage 9st. Daylight Bill list lib. and Tho' Brewer 9st 41b, were scratched. Cardiff, F/reak and Conn the Shaugh-.l ran went^in front passing the stand, and led out strongly. Towards . the back Kilts ran off. Going along the back stretch Goldseeker closed up-on the leaders, and round the turn ho and Conn the Shaughran drew away from the others. In a good finish Conn the Shaughran won by a length and a-half from Cardiff, who finished fast, and beat Goldseeker by a long neck. Wreckage was fourth, and Simon Pure fifth. Milo pulled up very lame. Time," 3min 19 4-ssec. LONGBEACH HACK HANDICAP, of 100 soys; second horse 15 soya and third horse 5 soys from- the stake. Six furlongs. Mr M. Hobbs's eh m Scotch Melody, by Scottish King—Busy Girl. , 4yrs, Bst 111b (F. Jones) 1 j Mr 11. Baxter's b g Trireme, 4yrs, Bst * (j. Beard) 2 Mr P. Power's b v g Firmhold, syrs, 7st 101b (W. Scobie) 3 Also started: Gregory Bst 81b, Hops' Sst lib, Andrea Bst lib', Bonne Bouche 7st 131b, Don Chart 7st 71b, Quirklaml

7st 71b. Scratched: Slogan 9st 41b (inc. 101b pen.), Forest Belle 9st, Madama Bsfc 101b, Bon Bst 91b (inc. 101b pen.), Steperina Sst 71b, Master Hamilton Bst 3ib (inc. 101b pen.), and Bridegroom 7st 131b. Andrea, and Quirkland were the first to get away, Firmhold getting a Sad start. At the turn Hops and Scotch Melody put in. a great run, and got level with the lenders. At the entrance to the straight .Scotch Melody improved her position, and won by a bare length, with Trireme second, three lengths in front of Firmhold. Gregory finished in fourth place, and Hops was fifth. Time, lmin 16 4-ssec.

ASHBURTON CUP HANDICAP, of 300 soys; second horse 40 soys and third horse 15 soys from the stake. One and a-quarter miles. Mr J. F. Buchanan's br g Tann-

hauser, by Martian —Grand Opera, syrs, 9st 31b (F. E. Jones) t Sir George Clifford's b g Glenfin-

nan, by Clanranald —'Lady Annie, 4yrs, Sst 31b (inc. 101b pen.) (W. Scobie) f Mr G. D. Greenwood's b g Canute, - 4yrs, 7st 71b (W. Humphreys) 3

First Glance Bst 91b (inc. 101b pen.), Gapon Bst lib, Gnomo 7st 71b, The. Cornet 6st 121b, and Gold Coin '6st 81b also started. ThraxQst 31b, and Specialform Bst 91b, were scratched: From an indifferent start Tannhauser, .Canute, Gold Coin, and Glenfinnan got away badly. Gnome went to the front, with Gapon next, and this pair led towards the back. Going down the back stretch .Canute, who had made up,, ground very quickly-, went to the fore.There was little change till nearly theentrance to the straight, when Canute ; dropped back, and ; Glenfinnan took , charge. In the rim home Tannhauser / ranged himself alongside Glenfinnan, j and a great finish resulted, the judge being unable-to •.segarate. the Fair> an<l gave a verdict-for a'"Head heat. Canute was'five lonths away, third, and The Cornet was fourth, First Glance fifth, and Gapon sixth. Time, 2min 10 2-5 " sec. . -

LAGMHOR PLATE, of 100 soys; second horse\lo soys and third horse 5 soys froni the stake. For horses that have never won an advertised race at time of starting of over the value of 50 soys. Five furlongs.

,Mr D. Rutherford's g m Free, by Charlemagne ll—Female Franchise, 4yrs, Bsf 21b

(H. Donovan) 1 Mr A. Boyle's eh m Madama, syrs, Bst2lb (L. Mcßandel) 2 Mr E. Scouller,'is b m Cosy Corner, 4yrs, Sst 21b (F. E. Jones) 3

Also started: Inland Bst 51b, Master ' Hamilton 3st 21b, Forest Belle Bst 21b, Messona Bst 21b, Grand Cup Bst 2lh. Craig Athol Bst 21b, Salathiel Bst 21b, Franganui 7st 111b, John Riley 7st 111b, Moddite 7st- 111b. Atheldana 7st 31b, Purseform 7st 31b, Hornbeam 7st 31b, Deep Sleep 7st 31b, De Aar,7st 31b. Scratched: Allenwater Bst' 51b, Firmhold Bst 21b, Clanterry Bst 21b, Lady Kathleen Sst 21b, Miss Finland 7st111b, Curcas 7st 111b. Vanna 7st,lllb, Rosecnr 7st 111b, Martial ' 7st' 'lllb, Chorale 7sfc lllb, Bon 7st lllb. ,Charlotte 7st lllb. Gargaron 7st 31b. Stephonotis 7st3lb. Fastradi 7st 31b, and Fire God 7st 31b. Fro;> va« in front the whole of the way, and Purseform was her nearest attendant, for the nret half of the jonrney. Madama was in third place. At the" entrance to the straight Madama ran up into second place, but she was unable to reach Free, who won by a ■ good length. 'Cosy Corner finished third, a- length and a half behind Madama.. Franganui was .fourth, »v length and a half away. Time, lmiffT . 3 3-ssec. •'

FAIRFIELD WELTER HANDICAP. of 100 soys; second horse 15 soys and third hors© 5 soys from the 1 stake. Seven furlongs. ■ Mr D. Rutherford's b g Sunbeam, i by Sant Ilario —Mona, 6yrs, 9st ' olb (inc. 101b pen.) (11. Donovan) 1 . Mr M. Hobbs's br m Peg, 4yrs, lOst 51b (F. E. Jones) 2 Mr H. A. Knight's br m Troon, 6yrs, Bst 131b (P. Gibbons) 3 Also started: Glenowl 9st 111b, John Bunyan 9st lib (inc. 51b pen.), Mu,mura Bst 131b, Trilby Bst, and Eaglestone Bst. Carolus 9st 91b, Mosgiel 9st 31b, Twelfth Night Bst 101b, Judith Bst 71b, and Palotte Bst were scratched. Trilby and Peg made the early run- . ning, and Trilby was loading when the entrance to the straight was reached. Peg and Troon then moved up; and the former was in the lead below the distance. Sunbeam came up'with a strong * run, and won by a length from Peg, Troon being a length away," third.- -, John Bunyan was fourth, arid Eagl«- ' stono fifth. Time, Imin 30 l-ssec.' •