CANTERBURY METROPOLITAN MEETING.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1618, 15 January 1868, Page 2

CANTERBURY METROPOLITAN MEETING.

. Eiest Day—Tuesday, Jan. 14. ' The programme for this meeting is without doubt a most liberal one ; it is not only the best in New Zealand, but bears favourable comparison with most meetings in the Australian | colonies, and would do credit to many ; of our country gatherings at home. > Three years ago the " big event " was a sweep of fifty soys., with one thousand added money. There can be ( no doubt but that to give an amount like that as added money for one event required resources far beyond this province, though even now the Cup is worthy of the notice of sportsmen from a far greater distance than they come from at present. The Austra- ' liana never gave us but one chance of i trying our horses with theirs, and i then Ladybird carried off the palm

from their crack horse. Wβ presume the length of the voyage and the difficulty in getting a racehorse insured for the jouruey are the principal reasons why our turf is not graced by the presence of a few representatives of the Australian stables. Early dawn yesterday morning was anything but promising for the great event of the meeting. Heavy rain fell, and dark clouds filled the horizon in every quarter, and many were the long faces amongst the early risers. This, however, was not to be of long duration, for seven o'clock brought us sunshiny weather, and every promise of a fine day. Still, however, there was the fact that a certain amount of rain had fallen, and there was the important subject to be considered as to whom it would favour, or whom it would tell against. There can be no doubt but that it would tend to make the course heavy, and greatly in favour of Knottingley, who is, without exception, the strongest horse we have ever seen on the Canterbury course. The heavy rain had the good effect of making the road almost pleasurable ; for though even in the worst of times it cannot be called monotonous, yesterday being free from dust, those that patronised the road were able to enjoy a pleasant ride through some of the most fertile country in New Zealand, and without exception, some of the most homely looking farms in the colonies. The farms passed through are certainly all on nearly the one level, but the monotony of the view is completely done away with by the ever improving hand of the husbandman. On leaving the town we at once enter upon Hagley park, for some time past, and occasionally at the present time by some facetious wags called " TJgly " park ; but we can now bear testimony that it no longer deserves such a name. Thanks to the judicious management, it now abounds with trees and plants of all kinds, and not only promises to become an ornament to Canterbury, but would do credit to places that pretend to far greater things than we do. The road was not the only means of transit to the racecourse. The much abused Great Southern Railway came in handy for once, and conveyed the majority of spectators, free of dust, and out of the reach of the sun, which was literally pouring down at the time the bulk of the visitors were going out. The fares by this mode of transit had been reduced to meet the times, as also were those demanded by all the conveyances along the road. Cobb and Co's coaches carried passengers for " the small sum of five shillings each all the way there and back again." The course was in very bad order. Whom we are to blame for this we could not rightly ascertain, but whether it is the lessee or the officers of the club, we care not; some one is responsible, and deserves great blame- We have no hesitation in saying that it was not fit for any well-bred horse to gallop on. There had been an immense lot of what appeared to be the clean-ings-out of stable and stockyards scattered over the ground, with the usual mixture of stones, sticks, old hoopiron, bits of leather and wood, &c, &c. If it was deemed necessary to manure the course, why on earth, was not guano used ? That would have given a sound, close bottom to the sward without any chance of the &c.; and, more than that, would not have left some two or three inches of,halfdecomposed straw for the horses to sink in. „ ' The attendance was not nearly so numerous as last year, although we understand that the receipts for the grand stand have been good, and after making some sligh.fc..allowance for the additional attraction of the Governor's visit last year, they have been quite equal to any previous season. The sport yesterday was really good, and the racing first-class. Up to the time of starting no race could be considered a certain thing for any horse, and to-day we anticipate, if possible, closer struggles than we saw yesterday. The first race on the card was the Maiden Plate, for which there was a really good race. Five out of the seven entered put in an appearance for this race. On stripping to. saddle Ake Ake decidedly took our fancy. He has much improved since last year, but in his canter he seemed to exhibit slight signs of lameness. Slander is a fine upstanding filly, and in our opinion did not deserve the strictures passed upon her for the race ; she certainly appeared to have a fair turn of speed and good bottom. The others appeared in fair condition, but there was nothing about them that calls for particular mention. The Lottery Plate attracted four of the five entered, and proved, as was generally supposed, an easy thing for Virginia, who, by-the-bye, was looking better that ever we remember seeing her before. Omen seemed remarkably fit, was in capital heart, and appeared a very dangerous animal. Presto looked as game as ever, but Jeu d'Esprit ought to have kept with her colours—all in the dark. Now came the event of the meeting. Magenta stripped in splendid fettle, and seemed fit to run for a man's life ; he, however, appeared rather low in condition, although what he carried was firm and good. Belle of the Isle was in tip-top condition. The state of the course kept her back in a gteat measure, but we think the heavy weight she carried had a great deal more to do with her shortcomings on this occasion. Backbiter proved a genuinely good horse, and acquitted himself in a manner that we certainly thought he would, but far beyond the general public opinion. He is a big horse, with immense propelling power and staying qualities, although rather i of a ragged finish. Stormbird appeared quite out of form, and had not even a small chance of winning. Roebuck I was wrong, and scratched. Waimate .! and Romp were struck out of the Criterion Stakes, the remainder going to the post; for this race Virginia after a sharp contest came in first, but

a protest is laid against her, on the ground that her jockey drew her across Presto and caused him to run foul of a post,,thus losing him all chance of the race, and doing serious damage to his jockey. "We refrain from giving our opinion either pro or con, as the stewards are engaged in au enquiry about the matter, and it now stauds adjourned until to-day for further evidence. The day's sport was brought to a close with a hack race, for which nine entered, and resulted in a capital contest. The Maidest Plate of 200 soys, added to a sweepstakes of 20 soys, h. ft. Second horse to save his stake. One and a half miles. For all horses that have never won a sweepstakes or plate previous to starting. 7 subs. Mr Brabazon'e b f Slander, 4 yre, by Traducer, dam Annie Laurie, 9sfc (Reay) 1 Mr H. Redwood's, jun., bo Ake Ake, 4 yrs, 9->t3lbs (Powell) 2 Mr Mallock'e b f, by Tom King, 3 yre, 7st lllbs (Carter) 3 Mr Douglas's c f Abbess, 3 yrs, by Malton, dam The Nun, 7st lllbs ... (Fuller) 0 Mr Barnard's b g Flying Jib, 3 yrs, by Leotard, dam Weteail, 7efc Ulbs (Jones) 0 Betting—6 to 4 against Abbess, and 3 to 1 against any other. Within a quarter of an hour of the advertised time Mr Swinley had the horses in charge at the post, and at the first attempt the lot were despatched in good order. Ake Ake was the first to show in front, Slander lying well up, Flying Jib taking third place. After going a quarter ot" a mile they were all of a heap ; Flying Jib soon after appeared at the front, Slander lying last, the rest well together. At the far corner Ake Ake went up to, at last collared, and finally passed Flying Jib ; he was however unable to maintain his position, and on entering the straight, Flying Jib was again at the fore, but with Slander in close company. Before reaching the distance post the whipe were seen at work on Abbess and Ake Ake, and Eeay had set down to ride Slander in earnest. On they came plying whip and spur, but all to no purpose ; for Eeay, sitting as still as a dormouse, won a good race by rather more than two lengths. Ake Ake was second, beating the Tom King filly by half a length. A neck separated the third and fourth. Abbess was last. Time, 3 mm. 2 sees. The Lottery Plate of 50 soys, added to a sweepstakes of 5 soys each. Three-quarter mile. 5 subs. Mr Carson's b m Virginia, aged, 9st 41bs (O'Bryen) 3 Mr Stafford'e r f Omen, 4 yrs, 9st (Fevan) 2 Mr Mallouk's b m Jeu d'Eeprit, 5 yrs, 9st 41bs .. • (Carter) 3 Mr Delamain'e eh g Presto, 5 yre, 9st 41bs (Jones) 0 Betting—Even on Virginia, 2 to 1 against Presto, and 5 to 1 against any other. At the time the flag fell the horses were all in a capital line, but from some cause Presto would not start, and was left several lengths behind, and lost all chance of the race. We were unable to distinguish the colours of the horses from the start, owing to the very strong wind that was blowing at the time. Virginia however jumped off with the lead, the rest, well together except Presto, who never was in the race. On entering the straight Omen went well up, but could not maintain her position, and the whip was soon seen to ply. Virginia was never headed, and came in an easy winner by a length, Omen second, beating Jeu d'Esprit by three lengths. Time, 1 mm. 19 sees. The Cantebbuby Cttp of 500 soys., added to a sweepstakes of 25 soys., 10 soys. forfeit; second horse to receive 50 soys. out of the stakes. Three miles. (Eleven subscribers, five of whom paid 10 soys. forfeit.) Mr Studholme's eh h Knottingley, 4 yrs, 9st. 31bs (Reay) 1 Mr Mallock'e bk g Backbiter, 4 yrs, 9st. (Carter) 2 Mr Stafford's eh g Magenta, 4 yrs, 9st. (Fevan) 3 Mr Carson's eh h Stormbird, 6 yrs, lOst. lib (O'Bryen) 0 Mr Delamain's eh m Belle of the Isle, 5 yrs, 9st. 81bs (Jonee) 0 Betting—2 to 1 on the field, 3 to 1 against Stormbird, and 10 to 1 against Backbiter. Directly the flag was dropped Knottingly went away to the front, and commenced cutting out the running at a good pace? Backbiter took second place, but on enterng the straight Magenta ran up and passed him. Immediately after passing the stand for the first time, Belle of the Isle took second place, and ran up to the favourite. Backbiter at the time was last, but was roused by Carter, and at once gave Stormbird, who began to show signs of distress, the go by. From this time he began to improve his position, and gradually beat Magenta, and on entering the straight for the run home, he went up to Knottingley, and for a moment almost looked like a winner. But this was not to be, for Eeay seemed fully alive to the customer he had to deal with, and at once called upon Knottingley, who at once gamely answered, and coming away from the " black 'un " in a few strides, won a comparatively easy race by three lengths, Magenta a very bad third. Stormbird passed the' Belle inside the straight, and made a wretched fourth, the old fancy mare pulling up last. Time 6 mm. 6 sec. Cbitebion Stakes of 50 soys, added to a Sweepstakes of 5 soys each. One mile. (Seven subscribers.) Mr Carson's b m Virginia, aged, 9st 61bs (O'Bryen) 1 Mr Stafford's eh m Nebula, 5 yrs, 9st 51be (Fevan) 2 Mr Mallock'e b m Jen d'Esprit, 5 yre, 9et 5 lbs (Carter) 3 Mr Delamain'e eh g Preeto, 5 yrs, 9st 51bs (Jones) 0 Mr Morten's eh f Lady of the Lake, 3 yra, ' 7atHlbs (Sturgeon) 0 Betting—2 to 1 agst Virginia, 3 to 1 agst Presto and Nebula, and 5 to 1 agst any other. The horses got away well together, and kept all of a heap until entering the straight, when Virginia came to the front, and was never headed. Nebula was well up, and Jeu d'Esprit a moderate third. Presto in this race came to grief, whether from his own fault or not we will not state, as the matter is now under the consideration

of the stewards, and it would ill become us to side either with the one or the other. The Hack Eace of 10 soys, added to a sweepstakes of £1. Catch weights. Three quarters of a mile. Nine entered for this vace, which, after a smart spurt, was won by Mr H. Baker's Medora, beating Mr Col-lisson'sStrike-a-Light and seven others. 1 his brought the first day's sport to a successful close. There were the usual amount of minor attractions that are now looked upon as necessary adjuncts to a race meeting. An immense amount of interest lias been displayed up to the present time about this meeting, and as far as we can judge, there is no sign of its flagging, in spite of the first day being over. His Honour the Superintendent acted as judge, Mr F. Swinley was entrusted with the onerous duties of starter, Mr E. Hustler officiated as clerk of the scales, and: Mr C. W. Millet acted as clerk of the course. The following is a list of the races for to-day, with the entries for each event, and the weights for the Grand Stand Handicap:— DERBY STAKES. Mr Barnard's b g Flying Jib, 3 jrs. Mr Douglas's b c Roebuck. CHBIBTCHtTRCH PLATH. Mr Brabazon's b f Slander, 4 yrs. Mr Delamain's cb m Belle of the tele, 5 yrs. Mr Srudbolme'e c h Knottingley, 4 yrs. Mr Stafford's c m Nebula, 5 yrs. Mr Stafford's c g Magenta, 6 yrs. Mr Corsan'e c h Storm bird, 6 yrs. Mr Douglas's b c Roebuck, 3 yrs Mr Douglas's b m Abbess, 3 yrs. Mr Mallock's b g Scandal, 4 yrs. Mr Morten's eh f Lady of the Lake, 3 yrs. GBANB STAND HANDICAP. Mr Corsan's b m Virginia, aged, 10s t 41bs. Mr Mallock'e bg Backbiter, 4 yrs, 9st 51bs. Mr Brabazon's b f Slander, 4 yre, 9?t. Mr H. Redwood's, junior, b g Blackboy, 6 yrs, Bst lOlbs. Mr Delamain's eh m Atalanta, 5 yre, Bst 71bs. Mr Morten's b g Lochinvar, aged, Bsfc 71bs. » Mr Nosworthy's b m Romp, 6 yrs, Bat 71bs. Mr W. Taylor's eh g Molyneux, 4 yrs, 7st 121bs. Mr Stafford's r f Omen, 4 yrs, 7et lOlbs. Mr Douglas's b m Waimate o 6 yrs, 7et 91bs. Mr Mallock'e bm Jeu d , Esprit, 5 yre, 7et 91be. Mr Mallock's b f, by Tom King, 7st 21bs. Mr Barnard's b g Flying Jib, 3 yre, 7et 21bs Mr G. Willmer's b m Stonechatter, rged, 7st 21be. HAM STAKES. Mr Stafford's r'f Discretion, 3 yrs, by Towton, dam Caseandra. Mr Douglas' c g Bobby Burns, 2 yrs, by Golden Grape. Mr Morton's oh f Lady of the Lake, 3 yrs. TTBO STAKES. Mr Brabazon's b f Slander, 4 yrs. Mr Delamain's <j g Presto, 5 yrs. Mr Stafford's c m Nebula, 5 yre. Mr Moneys b g Artemus Ward. Mr Douglas's c f Abbess, 3 yrs. Mr Mallock's bl g Backbiter, 4 yrs. Mr Mallock's b m Jeu d'Esprit. The following are the acceptances for the Eree Handicap of 10 soys. each, with £50 added ; £5 to be paid oa accepting, and to go to the race fund, and £5 before starting to go with the stakes. If miles. Knottingley, 4 yre, 9st 41bs. Blackboy, 6 yre, Bst 71bs. Scandal, 4 yrs, Bat 21bs. Omen, 4 yre, Bst. The Miller, 5 yrs, 7at 121 be. Atalanta, 5 yre, 7et lOlbs. Slander, 4 yrs, 7st lOlbs. Star of the South, 4 yrs, 7st 71bs. Waimate, aged, 7et. The Abbess, 3 yrs, 6at lllbs. Flying Jib, 3 yrs, 6st lllbs. Lady of the Lake, 3 yre, 6st 81bs.