SPORTING INTELLIGENCE

Evening Star, Issue 12381, 20 December 1904, Page 1

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE

OHRISTCHURCH NOTES.

[Special to the Star.]

CHRISTCHURCH, December 19.' What would otherwise have been a lovely day on 1 Friday lor the second day's raciugof the Christchurch Racing Club's summer meeting was spoiled in a mea&uie by a gale which raged practically throughout the whole of the afternoon. The sun, however, shqne brightly, and the, temperature was a deiightlul contrast to the cold weather that has reigned throughout the present spring. The racing was not very interesting, the handicapner was much less Ruccessful than usual, and favorites won very easily with monotonous regularity' But if the ■ day was not remarkable for interesting racing, it is likely to be long remembered for something eke. Of the six galloping events on the programme no less than five fell to horses ridden by' Hewitt, and in the sixth the Yaldhurst horseman was on the back of the second horse. This is a record which, as far as New Zealand is concerned, is likely to hold , good for many a day. The Stepniak— Gitanella filly Cxarewna was made iavorite for the Kindergarten Handicap. ' She got off badly, however, and Laudel slipping his opponents at the start} lasted long enough to win without much to spare. Lee-En-field's victory in the Midland Welter Handicap was achieved in very similar fashion, except that it was a more easy one. The son of Musketry had the race won practically all the way. Stepdancer, who was made_ favorite for the Anniversary Handicap, justified the confidence reposed in her by winning with something to spare from Antigone. Stepdancer had owed her persevering" owner a win for a long time. Now that she has got her head in front at last she may go on winning, especially as the time of the year for mares is approaching. Secret Society and Terrapin shaped badly, but Sandy and Ability were prominent for most of the journey. Wet Blauke.t easily Landed the short odds kid on him in the Hack Race, and Master Alix spread-eagled Lee-Enfield and his other opponents in the Flying Handicap, while the Mohican had no difficulty in winning the Farewell Handicap.

F. Holmes left for Auckland on Monday with Czarewna, Beau Seaton, Catherine Gordon, and the pony .Red Action from Aynsley's stable. H. Cuits is due to leave for Palmerston North to-inorrow with Cannie Chiel. Tesssra and Chrysfe, who have engagements at the Manawatn summer meeting, are under orders to leave for the North this evening. The Riccarton-trained contingent for the. West Coast meetings will take their departure to-morrow, and Speculate, who js engaged at Dunedin, left for the South this morning. Beau Seaton and Czarewna will be ridden in their respective engagements by L. Thomson.

Mr G. Palmer is among the Christchurch racegoers who will be present at the Auckland meeting. He left on Saturday. Slow Tom, while, being schooled over the big fences in company with Catherine Gordon on Wednesday last, fell, and nearly broke his neck. . As it was he injured it, and the id jury may have the effect of delaying his departure for Australia. Catherine Gordon fenced none too well, but she can, I'think', be depended onto geb over the.Ellerslie country safely. ROWING: The final of the Thompson Fours vas rowed off by the Otago Rowing Club last evening, and resulted as. follows:—Brewer (stroke), Steveneon, Wbittakor, Fenwick (bow), 1; Seelye (stroke), Harris, Webb, Thompson (bow), 2, Won by three lengths.

The Otago Centre of the N.Z'.A.A. have deddpd to send a cheque for £45 to Ghristchuxch as part of the guarantee of £7O in connection with the yirit,6f Messrs Shrubb, Duffey, and Morton, the balance to be forwarded in a few days. Permite to, run amateur racee.-at their, meetings were granted to the Oumarii, and >Waikcjuiiti Caledonian Societies. Applications : in Messrsf LeydCn and Ban* natyne were 'forwarded to the Council at OhristchuTchv \ ->' "■ ;'■ ;--; 7 ■--'';> ;■ ,-■'>■:■,;■

For the Auckland, Clip the • following prices were quoted lasfnijpit.kt Auckland": —7 to 2-against Romeo (4'B takei), 7 to 2 Starskoot .(offered), 4 to .I'MalratanKa goffered), -4 to Melodeon (offered),. 6 to 1 &»tty (offered); 10 to 1 Ida* (lffs takm), 20 to 1 Gladstone (offered). ' Savoury is a strong favorite for tlie Riwlwuy Handicap.