(By Sir Bedivere.) [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL TO THE POST.]

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 29, 4 February 1910, Page 4

(By Sir Bedivere.) [BY TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.]

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. In strict accordance with the Ghristchurcb usual good fortune, the summer meeting opened in brilliant sunshine. Riccarton has never been seen to quite such advantage at this season of the year as it is to-day, for both the course itself and the enclosures are as bright and green as in the first blush of spring, i. he attendance was limited; the setting was too l arge and the picture was inclined to get lost in the frame. Still the racing was far from uninteresting, and though favourites contracted an objectionable habit of running second, the outing was an enjoyable one. Outlander was a strong favourite for the opening event, and judging by his past performances it seemed as though he only needed to be fit to win. Personally, however, I thought he did not look ready, and was not in the least surprised to see Uuianforte, whose form as (.'rentham was fai from discreditable, beat him. The fact of the matter is Outlauder's fore fetlocks have always shown signs of weakness, and his trainer has had a considerable amount of bother with him — more's the pity, for he would win good races if he were thoroughly sound. His rider, R. Hatch, was toned £5 and severely cautioned by the stewards for crossing Genius in the back stretch. To the astonishment of most people Federal, who looked far lighter in condition than he used to do, and ran badly at Trentham, easily beat. Rose Noble, and the others in the Hornby Welter, hi which Brasenose, who lost a length or two at the start, finished third. Cute came up from Oamaru way with a bit of a reputation, but she failed to get a good passage, and never looked dangerous, whilst Merry Lass, who was severely left alone on the totalisator, ran accordingly. Backers had a turn in the Filly Stakes, the winner and runner-up being fivst and eecpnd favourites respectively. Lady Reina stripped a little bit finer than she did at Trentham, but she can spare- a lot of condition yet, and seeing that she was only receiving 31b for a year's difference in age she did wonderfully well to finish as close to Fasnakyle as she did. Ingoda stripped in nice order, but she could not begin quickly enough, and will be seen to better advantage over a longer journey, whilst Boutade looked all to pieces and is to be treated to a lengthy spell. Prim having unfortunately gone amiss at the eleventh hour, a field of six was left to contest the principle event of the day— the Midsummer Handicap, for which Gwendolina, Field Gun, and Tikitere were fancied in the order written. The last-named has never been turned out 'in anything like such good trim as she is at present. After lying in a handy position untiJ the home turn was met with she drew away and won easily by three lengths. Hatch, however, handled the favourite in anything but an artistic manner. Instead of allowing the mare, who has a fine turn of speed for a final run home, to lie in behind the leaders on the rails, he took her up soon after; passing the six furlong post, and covered a considerable amount of* Aground unnecessarily by keeping her on the outside of two horses whilst negotiating the top turn. Field Gun looked as though another gallop or two. would benefit him, and the remainder of the field were as no more than moderate non-stayers. 'The public would have nothing but Countermine for the Lyttelton Plate, and laid odds on her ability to score. Her connections, however; were fair from sanguine of success, as since, the -bruising- of her feet, which necessitated htt, being spelled, she had- not been showing any form worth speakifig of. The winner , turned up. ir . Kora, . who, after being disappointed in an attempt to get through in the rails at the distance, came with a rush on the outside and won cleverly by a length. Flitaway carried a lot of coin in 4 he Craven I'late, but she got badly away, and was a long way back when the last three furlongs were entered upon. It is highly improbable, however, that she could have beaten the winner many other circumstances. Passion had previously proved hersolf to be a filly of much more than average ability, and, both fit and well, Flitaway will never he able to concede 201b. Gravitation ' is not ready to show his true form yet*' and after getting bumped on to thi. rails near the half-mile post, he finished last. When I saw him stumble I thought his near fore leg must have' again given way, but a distinct white mark down his side left no doubt as to what had occurred. ' Perle DOr led for a couple of furlongs, and then subsided, and White Cockade got chopped out as the field swept past the live furlong post. The day's sport concluded with the Halswell Welter. Merry I?ass returned her supporters a nice dividend, bnt she was considerably more fancied than she had been earlier in the day, and she svon very easily by about five lengths. Lovelorr, an English-bred filly, by Melton from Hebrew Maid, who though ranking as a three-year-old has not actually attained that age, was the popular selection, and after getting none the best of the luck, she finished a very moderate third. She will, of course, be valuable as a brood mare, md Martian, whom no doubt she will eventually visit, should be a good mate for her. But as a racehorse she does not promise to be more than a iecond« rater at best.