CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9735, 25 May 1897, Page 6

CANTERBURY TROTTING CLUB.

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY MEETING.

If similar sunshiny weather should prevail in London on Record Reign Day as was experienced in Christchureh on her Majesty's natal day, the multitude* assembled in modern Babylon will have nothing to complain of on that head. What with the close holiday and the sport on the first afternoon having been so interesting, a large attendance was guaranteed for the Canterbury Trotting Club's gathering yesterday, but the delightful atmospheric conditions there is no doubt induced many to swell the company. There may have been occasions when a greater number have been presentontheShowGrounda oaatrottingday, still gate was one o£ the best. Aβ far as sitting in deliberation was concerned the Stewards had a blank day, and they might well exclaim—for this meeting much thanks. If, however, the executive board had no unpleasant duty to perform, many of the members were far from being idle, as they actively assisted the officers in carrying out their duties, and the gathering was altogether one reflecting credit on the management. The track was in first order, the going being improved by the rain that fell since Thursday. Speculation was exceedingly brisk, the snm of £5944 being handled at the totalisator, making £10,520 for the two days, or £484 10s in eicessofthe amount put through last Hay. An extra machine waa placed in the saddling paddock, but there was still overcrowding in the endeavour to get money on, and all intended investments did not get registered. The sport was interesting throughout. In the opening event Mr Mace'a two-year-old Cani ttjdau, driven by MrT. Mmt* beat a better

favourite in the Sydney mare Lettie, who did not show to be by any means the flyer that was represented. The form shown by i the winner, however, was such as to infuse great interest in the Juvenile Stakes in j Which he claimed engagement. For that j event Scrutineer had for months past been regarded as the best of good things, but Caudidate's easy victory in fairly fast time ; put a different complexion on matters. Besides Candidate, the Brooklyn studmaster had the well performed Jessie also' engaged, and as events turned out it was this filly that proved the lion in the path of Scrutineer, and Jessie Palm getting the inside berth went off in front and, travelling 'with great constancy, held Scrutineer in check the whole way, putting up the fastest two-year-old performance yet recorded in the colony. The victory of Mr Mace's filly was very popular, and the burly owner was warmly congratulated on all sides. The two-year-old Peri looked to have the pony race in keeping when a mile was gone, but she tired to nothing in the last half-mile and Coral scored somewhat easily. Comus and Opossum were the only two backed with any spirit in the big saddle handicap, and the issue lay between the pair. Mr Cassidy's consistent gelding carried too many guns for the Sydneyeidere, who, however, registered a first-class performance; and Opossum, to keep in front, did better than he has ever previously done. The North Island-owned Hassen was in strong demand for the chief event in harness, and had he not dwelt at the start he would probably have converted the small margin by which he was beaten into a victory. As it was Vain Glorious landed the stake in good style, and with it the best dividend of the day. McMillan has certainly done wonders with his horse, which was considered of very little account a few months back. Hassen secured the second event in which he took part, and Hazeldean headed him all the way, but he was at a gallop for the greater part of the second half mile, and continued on at that gait for a mile after the race was completed before he could be stopped. Under the circumstances he was not placed by the judge, Florrie won the Open Handicap with a good deal to spare, but the concluding event was a close thing between the Hawke's Bay owned Gazelle and Scrutineer. The latter, at half a mile, appeared as likely to win easily, but Gazelle gradually wore him down and caught him on the last fifty yards. Results : — MAIDEN HANDICAP (in harness), of 60 sots; second 12 sovß, and third 6 save from the stake. One mile. 138 J. Mr H. Mace* eh g Candidate, by Electioneer —Maggie L-, 2 yrs, 9sec .. . .QE. Marr) 1 20J. Mr T. fioneybone's b m Thurza, aged, Bsec (Munro) 2 46. Mr H. Williamson's br g Kai-Iwi, 6 yrs, 6sec (Rae) 3 170, Lettie, scr; 84, Monte Cristo, sseo; 29, Spot wood, 6sec ; 2£, Bosworth, 6sec ; 13$, La Mare, 7sec; 2, Kentucky Tom, 7sec ; 24£, Paradise, 7aeo ; 644, 'fracy Belle, 7sec; 344, King Harold, 7stc ;6, St. Lawrence.jfeec; and 3, Sweep, 9sec, also started. Candidate drew out going down the back and passing the stand was followed by Thurza and Kai Iwi, the favourite (Lettie), who had l>. 11 going unsteadily, right out of the hunt. All three leaders broue in the back stretch, but Candidate was the soonest to get going again, and having the pace of Thurza won easily by several lengths. Thurza was second four lengths in advance of Kai Iwi. Time, 2min 57£ sec. Dividend, £3125. PONY HANDICAP (in saddle), of 50 soys; second 10 soys, and third 5 80 vb from the stake. Iwo miles. 126. Mr J. Thompson's grm Coral, 5 yrs, lOsec (Angus) 1 PI. Mr A. Spf ton's b f Peri, 2 yrs, 32sec (D. Price) 2 25. Air A. Reid's bf Lassie, 3 yrs, 21sec (Uuoro) 3 274, Suitor Boy 11., scr; 964, Billy But one, scr ; 74, Ruby 11. 16sec; 144, Paradise, 21sec; 60, Apprentice, 22sec; 20, Skipper, 23sec ; BS4, Mini, 23sec; 21, Sambo, 24sec ; 014, Topsy, 24sec ; 48, Country Girl, 25sec; 14, Goldsmith, 29sec, also started. Peri leaving the mark well and drawn out by herself at the end of half a mile and with two circuits completed had an advantage of quite 100 yards from Lassie, Coral being the most prominent of the others. In the third round Coral took third place, and' passing Lassie entering the last half mile went on in pursuit of Peri. The two-year-old tired very much, Coral rapidly overhauled her leeway and catching Peri in the run home won by four lengths, Lassie third fifty yards away. Time, smin 38sec. Dividend, £4 10s. JUVENILE STAKES fin harness), of 200 soys ; first 100 cove, second 25 soys, and third 15 sove; nominator of winner 30 soys, and nominator of winning sire 30 sove. For two-year-olds. One mile. 2034. MrH. Mace's eh 1 Jessie Palm, by Bothachild—Messenger Maid .." .. (Frost) 1 4014. Mr F. Mulholland's eh g Scrutineer, by Electioneer—Trieaie •. ■■" .. (W. Kerr) 2 Mr H. Mace's eh g Candidate (T. Matt) 0 46. Mr P. Phillips* b c Spectator (J. Milne) 0 Jessie Palm, on the inside, led from' her stable companion at the outside, but entering the back stretch Candidate broke and Scrutineer went on second, Spectator being right out of it. Passing the stand Jessie Palm had a couple of lengths , advantage of Scrutineer, while Candidate was some thirty yards away. Going down the back Jessie Palm retained her advantage over Scrutineer, the two being hard driven. Sunning up the straight Scrutineer got to the filly's wheel, but he could not get alongside, md breaking, Jessie Palm won by two lengths. Candidate was outside the distance. Time, 2min 43Jsec.* Dividend, £2 16s. QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HANDICAP fin saddle), of 115 soys; second 23 soys, and third U4 soya from the stake; 25sec limit. Two miles. 266. Mr H. CaesMy's b jr Opossum, by Victor, aged, 19sec .. .. . (B. Edwards? 1 361. Mr R. Beckett's b g Comus, aged, 7sec - ■ ,(Milsom) 2 27, Monte Carlo, scr; 32, Dictator, 7sec; 25, Lady May, 9aec; &£, Maggie, 9sec; 204, Ned Nelly, 9eec ; 11, Prince Albert* 9sec; 89$, Kapai, 12aec; and 39, Cocky, 24sec also started. Opossum caught. Cockey at half a mile, Comns having then run into third place. At a mile Comu3 had taken second place, Lady May third, but Opossum was then going well,with a commanding lead. . Passing the stand the third time Comus had drawn to within twelve lengths of the leader, but he broke going down the back, and Opossum going well to the end won by thirty yards, Dictator finished third outside the distance. Time, smin 16isec. Dividend, £2 18s. VICTORIA HANDICAP (in harness), of 126 sove ; second 25 soys, and third 124 sove from the stoke. 55sce limit. Two miles. 764. Mr R. McMillan's b h Vainglorious, by Victor, a?ed, 30sec .. .. .. (Owner) 1 359. Mr J. Campbell's b g Hassen, aged, 30sec (Day) 2 2*4, Prince Imperial, scr ; 294, General Tracy, 4sec; 64, Viking, llsec; 1034, Jersey, 18eec ; 31i, Ruadai), ISsec; 69, Hani, 21see-; 17j, Katipo, 25sec ; 229, Kentucky Maud, 31eec; 154, Heather Dew, 31sec; 34, Loriiie, 35sec, also started. Kentucky Maud was in command passing the stand the first time, Vainglorious being second, and Haesen, who hung on the start and lost several seconds, being in fourth place. At a mile Vainglorious had supplanted Kentucky Maud in the lead, Hassen being third and Katipo fourth. Hassen went into second place going down the back the third time, and was within two lengths of Vainglorious passing the stand. The favourite made ah effort to cut down the leader going along the back stretch, but left his' feet at the top turn and fell back. Hassen came again in the straight, taking inside place, but he failed to reach Vainglorious, the verdict being a length and a half. Kentucky Maud was outside the distance third, General Tracy fourth. Time, smin 19sec Dividend £11 4s. OPEN HANDICAP, of 100 soys; second 20 snvs, and third 10 sove from the stake. Two miles. 298. Mr B. B-.wards's (ns)ch f Korrie, 3 yr», Keec (Owner) 1 44J. Mr C. Kerr's eh g Auld Sootty, aged, 33eec (Owner) 2 73, Comus. scr; SSi, Ebony, Sum; 4, Schoolgirl, llsec ; 15, Burwood Bess, 16s;c ; 8, Sam, ISsec; 134, Linda, lftwe ; 4J, Sailor Boy 11., 21sec; 6, Billy Buttons, ZUec; Cora), 2Ssec (wee pen.); 204, Imogene, 31sec; 65. Jenny 11., 3&tec; 128§, Eiectra, 34eec; and 20, F!r?flr. 36eec; also started. Firefly led for half a mile, when Florrie went to the front, and at a mile had Auld Scotty for her immediate attendant. Going down the back the third time Kerr's pony broke, and Florrie got further away, and eventually won by forty yards; Billy Buttons finished thud, but outside distance. Time, smin 22sec Dividend, £2 4a. TKLEGRAPH HANDICAP 0n huneas), of 75 sots ; second 15 aove and third 7j soys from the state; 20sec limit. One mile. > . 3524. Mr J. Campbeffe b g Haseeo. by Victor, aged, 18sec .. .. .. (Day) 1 61 Mr W. Jardin'a br m Hiss Tracy, aged, We (Farrar) 2 59. Messrs M&ng&n and Wilson's eh a Electioneer, •sred.toee .. .. (M. Edwards) 3 7J, Prince Imperial, ecr ; VBrVtah, 6sec ; 14, Kentucky WUkes, 9see; 9, Jersey, 9eec; 2*, label, H*ec; 4, Farewell IL, lfsec; 40J, Uncle Tom, 17sec; 561, Kentucky Maud, 17aec; aod 321, Hazeideaa. lSeec, also kUrted. Hazeldean was leading Hassen passing the stand the first time, Miss Tracy, Electioneer and Isabel being next in order. Hazeldean galloped down the back and round the turn, and at that gait passed the post well ahead of Hassen, with Miss Tracy six lengths farther back just in advance of Electioneer. Hazeldean went on for a mile before he could be stopped. His number wee not pat ufi, Hassen being declared the winner. Tune, 2min 44sec. Dividend, £118s. i FAREWELL HANDICAP (in saddle), of 75 soya- ! second 16 son, ami tbird 7, soy» Som Ute stake! One mite. Z174. Mr W. McFariwei b m OunOe, *g*o, 19eec

OTft. Mr P. MalboUud'a eh g Scrutineer. 21 yw, 18aec .. .. .. (w. ..tun) c si, Monte Carfo, «cr; 55. Hettie &, Jeec; U, Maggie, 7eee; 14, Danby. l&ee ; 10, Berhn JU*i, Mxe-Ui.Avon, 14eec; 49, RfcUriW, Msec; 19J, Shamrock, Mccc; 3#, Clifton, 16wc; i, S* o **** o '' 17, Lorioe, 18sec; 3, /Starlight, 19sec ; 36J, Mallow, ffleec, also started. . , Scrutineer went to the front going down the back, and passing the stand held a strong advantage from Gazelle. Toe latter commenced to make .up her ground going down the back, and although she mixed her gait at tbe top turn she was then within a couple of lengths of the two-year-old. Scrutineer led into the straight, but Gazelle got on terms half way up the running, and outstaying the youngster, who broke, won by two lengths ; the rest distanced. Time, 2min 42sec. Dividend, £3 2s.