PRINCE’S DAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18410, 17 May 1920, Page 7

PRINCE’S DAY.

ROYAL RACE MEETING. ,GREAT CROWD AT RICCARTON. The sport of kings, which has a proper pre-eminence in all British communities, thanks to its Royal patronage as well as its intrinsic merits, is never so popular as under sunny skies and soft breezes- The kaleidoscopic picture of silk racing colours, white saddle cloths, and shiny gleaming flanks as the field thunders down the green ribbon of the straight is one that takes on a special brilliance under sunny conditions, while the froeking of the feminine racegoers can be fully indulged in perfect independence of dirty weather. Saturday’s Royal race meeting was favoured with a bright blue sky, flecked by only an occasional cloud, and aftor the drizzling drabness of the previous day ono imagined t-lio Prince paraphrasing the well-known lines ‘‘Now is the winter of our dicrontent

Mado glorious rummer by this - Vi of York. ’ Christchurch, for its part, provided the necessary human set ting at Riccarton for an impressive sporting event, and blue skies, green turf, fleet horses, “fair women and bravo men,” awaited the arrival of the young Prince to set a new record in the sporting history of the province. The Royal Marine Band from H.M.S. Renown set a new musical standard entirely for Riccarton, and the opening “Poet and Peasant” overture took on an entirely new quality' under the able baton of the overseas conductor.

THE PRINCE’S ARRIVAL. The hurdle race was over before, the Prince arrived. Tie came by way of the course proper. The Royal car was preceded by a pilot police car. His Royal Highness wore a grey overcoat and a black hard hat. He had field-glasses slung over his shoulder and looked the model sportsman as ho drove up the course with Admiral Halsey, bowing nnd raising liis hat to the cheering crowds. On his arrival at the double gates on the lawn the Prince was met by tlie chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club (Mr A. Boyle) and the stewards.. After a momentary.

standing at attention, while the band played the National Anthem, the Prince shook hands with Mr Boyle and the stewards, and then walked over to the Royal box in the main grandstand. There was a cheering ‘lane of people, including many bluejackets, who are 6aid to bo absolute worshippers of their young Prince. The Royal box, carpoted in red and furnished with easy seagrass chairs, was adorned with two simple vases of cream chrysanthemums. After watching the Renown Steeplechase the Prince lunched with the chairman and Mrs Boyle. STARTING A RACE. After luncheon the Prince mounted on a smart hack rode out to the mile post to start tthe big race of the day, the Marlborough Stakes. His appearance on horsoback caught the sporting fancy of the crowd, and he was cheered as he rode out with Admiral Halsey and Mr Boylo. At’ the starting post ho mounted the starter’s perch with the official starter, and after one breakaway the field were despatched promptly. The Prince rode back to an accompaniment of further cheering, and then completed the circuit of the course. On dismounting he gave a very’ affectionate patting to his mount, a closely clipped dark brown horse, Mr Hugh M’Carthy’s Gaiety, a notable winner in the list- hack class at agricultural shows. The Prince was quite gay and exhilarated as he appeared in the stewards’ stand smoking a cigarette. Perhaps it was a compliment to Canterbury that he wore a dark red and black tie, the colours of the province.

PRINCE CLEARS A FENCE. In doing the circuit! of the course the Prince put his mount at the steeploch.aso fence by the carriage padd-ock, and took it beautifully, but at Cutts’s fence his mount ran off, as the Prince was without spurs, and he came off over the horse’s shoulder. Fortunately he was quite unhurt. He was anxious to put the horse over the sod wall, but was dissuaded. Later the Prince visited the totalisator house. Previously he had had a bet of £5 on a horse which had run into second place, paying £1 Os 6d, so the Prince was 2s 6d up on the transaction. On returning to the stewards’ stand he entered the bird-cage, where Amythas, the winner of the Marlborough Stakes was paraded for his inspection. He shook hands with tho owner and trainer, and Admiral Halsey “snapped” Prince, horse and owner as they stood together.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS LEAVES. Just before the last race was run the people on the lawn commenced to gather in great numbers near the Royal box. Tho Prince saw tho race over, and immediately the band played “Hod Save the King.” Cheers were continuous as the Prince and his party passed through the long lane of spectators. The Prince drove off waving his hat to the crowds who gave him a wonderful send-off. In response ,t-o a very hearty, cheer from the stewards’ stand the Prince looked back and raised his hat. THE RACING.

The race programme, consisting of but six events, was of a varied character, and it was responsible for someinteresting sport, though the actual finishes, with one exception, failed to provide much excitement. Mr F. C. Cother, the acting secretary of the club, had all his arrangements well in hancWvnd everything event smoothly, a feature of the proceedings being the punctuality which was observed. Speculation was brisk, the totalisator investments for the day amounting to £49,686 10s. Proceedings opened with the Welcome Hurdle Handicap, for which the field numbered nine, Gaylight, Kolm and Seadown being evenly backed. It was an interesting race most of the way, but Gaylight was out in front half a mile from home and from that point lie never looked in serious danger of defeat. He has come on a lot since ho wont into R. Long ley's stable, and ho looks like gaining further honours during the winter. Hylans carried his big burden like a tradesman and beat all but tho winner, though ho had tobe kept going to stall off Seadown’s challenge, lvohu gave an inglorious display, as lie tailed off early and he was pulled up at the end of six furlongs. The ten competitois for the Renown. Steeplechase were drawn from all parts of tho Dominion, and they included some of the best cross-country horses in training. It was not an exciVng contest, however. Manawapango went to the front at the start, and p(radite ally increasing his advantage ho was so far in front a mile from tome that apart from a fall there seemed r:o chance of defeat. His backers got a fright when he made a faulty jump\ at the second last fence, but his rider, L. Hagorty, made a good recovery, and, making no mistako at the laslfc fence., he won easily. He was successful in the Enfield Steeplechase at the lastGrand National meeting, and he scored at South Canterbury on Wednesday, but this was easily his best performance, and tile manner in which he accomplished it augurs well for his future ■ prospects. Waimai proved- the best cf the top-weights, and he was staying on at tho finish. San Sebastian ran a decent race, but his effort over tho last' furlong was not impressive-. Tho Marlborough Stakes, the star event of the day, aroused a lot of excitement. There were only foujr competitors, but they represented the highest class, and the chances of-three (of them were freely canvassed. Tho race gained additional interest from the fact that the Prince of Wales accompanied Mr A. G. Wood on to the starter’s pedestal, -and pulled the lever for thci start. Right and Loft got out on tuo move and opened out such a gap that many people regarded the race as aIT over. Arrowsmith led the others in the chase after the two-year-old, who was in trouble at the home turn. Amythas put in a run at this stage, he and Arrowsmih both: heading Right and Left at the entrance to tho straight. A few strides further on it was apparent tha Amythas had the measure of Arrowsmith, and ho won easily. It was an impressive performance, which must have convinced the last doubters that Amythas is an exceptionally high-class three-year-old. Had tho three old horses got out on even terms with Right and Left, the race would have been ran very differently, but the conditions made for a solid test of metrit-, from which Amythas emerged with flying colours. No excuses could reasonably be made for Arrowsmith, while Karo never threatened danger. The performance of Right and Left made the season’s two-year-old form look moderate.

A useful field of ten took part in the Royal Handicap. Kilrush and Sunart were evenly backed. It was an interesting contest all the way. Sunart set out early to force the pace, and he just failed to hold first place to the end. Royal Star, after being handy right through, tackled the leader inside the distance, and gradually asserting himself, he won by a narrow margin, with Sunart going a trifle the better of the pair in the last couple of strides. Kilrush was close up third, finishing very fast. Ho came from a long way back, being last all the way until the straight was reached, and it looked as if he would have been more troublesome bad liis rider mado his effort a little earlier- Royal Star was not much fancied, but his success did not come out of turn, as he has raced with a lot of bad luck this season.

The Cornwall Handicap, the most valuable hack race ever provided in the Dominion, drew a useful field of fourteen. The race was full of interest till well into the straight, but over the nst furlong it was a procession, Starland drawing away and winning easily from Will Oakland, while the others were strung out-, well back. Starland’s performance stamped him as a very useful tliree-year-old, who should win more good races over a distance next season. Will Oakland showed fair form when he won at Ashburton recently,

but this was his first appearance over 4 long journey. In a field of eleven that contested the Sandringham Welter Handicap, Silver Peak, Mustard Pot, Hetaua and Torfreda, were evenly supported, finishing in that order. Backers had estimated the chances well, as nothing else had a chance with these four at thw finish. Torfreda showed a great burst of spefcc, but she was stopping over the last furlong, and Silver Peak won in brilliant stylo from Hetaua and Mustard Pot, both of whom finished well. Silver Peak, who is owned in Southland, won earlier in the week at the South Canterbury meeting, her performance on that occasion leaving no doubt as to her ability as a sprinter. The following are the details of the racing:— WELQOME HURDLE HANDICAP Of 475 sovs and cup valued at 25 mvi; second horse 100 boys and third horse 60 bov3 from the stake. One mile and threequarters.

1— Mr F. O.' Snlmond’s br g Gaylight, by Gayspark, 6yrs, lOst 41b (W. Scobie) 1 6—Mr P. Dclargy's b g Hylans, by Hymettus—Temerity, aged, 12st 2lb (J. T Humphries) a B—Mr Loring’s br g Seadown, by Downshire—Sequin, aged, list 61b (H. M’Swoeney) S 2 Exors. late W. J. Douglas’s ch g Kohu, syrs, list 13!b (R. Thomson) 0 4—Mr F. S. Easton’s blk g Gong Awa, aged, list 6lb • (Lorigan) 0 6Mr J. Smith’s b g Crib, aged, lOst 13lb ‘W. Foilding) 0 7 Mis- F. Shaw’s ch g Jack Symons, agea, 9st 71b (G. Feildmg) 0 6—Mr R. J. Taylor’s b g War form, aged, 9st (G. King) 0

Gang Awa and Warform were together in tho lead at tho second hurdle, where Jack Symons lost his rider. Tho first pair -were joined seven furlongs from home by Gaylight, Hylans and Seadown. A little further on Gaylight took charge and he won easily by four lengths from Hylans, who stalled off a late challenge from Seadown by half a length. Crib was fourth, with Gang Awa end Warform well back. Kohu was pulled up. Time—3min 15 3-ssec

RENOWN STEEPLECHASE Of 725 boys and cup valued at 25 sovs; second horse 150 sova and third horse 75 sovs from tho stake. Two miles and a half.

2Mr J. S. Barrett’s ch g Manawapango, by All Black—Dear Heart, aged, 9st 131 b (L. Hagorty) 1 4 Mr T. Wilson’S b g Waimai, by Spal-peen—Cap-a-pie mare, aged, list 181 b (Bennie) 3 3Mr R. C. Gillies’s br g San Sebastian, by San Francisco—Brave Heart, aged, <Jat 131 b (J. T. Humphries) ® 5Mt F. S. Easton’s br g Master Strowan, aged, list 121 b (H. Lorigan) ® 1— Messrs V. and E. Riddiford’s b g Coalition. aged, list 91b r(H M’Sweeny) 0 6Mr P. T. Boyle’s b g Silverspire, aged, lOst 91b (J. M’Chesney) 0 2Mr J. S. Barrett’s br g Merry Lad, (coupled with Manawapango), aged, £#t 13lb (F. Douglas) 0 B—Mr H. A. Knight’s br g Bore, a<u>d, 9st 81b <G. Foilding) 0 7 Miss K. Holmes’s b g Sonny, aged, 9st 71b (W. Feildmg) 0 o—Mr W. Parkinson’s br m Tumult, Syrs, 9st7lb (Murfitt) 0

Manawapango took charge at the start, leading over the Kennels double from San Sebastian, Morey Lad and Waimai. At the sod wall Manawapango had drawn away several lengths, and he had increased his advantage to a dozen lengths at the stand, where he was followed by Merry Lad, Son Sebastian, Waimai, Sonny, Coahtion, Tumult Silverspire, Master Strowan and Bore. Going out of tho straight Tumult dropped out, and Merry Lad fell at tho sed wall near the milo post At this stage Manawapango s roahine along in front with Waimai next, followed £? San Sebastian, Coalition, Sonny and Ur < s i rowfin From this out M&nawaSL was never troubled, and though he blundered at tho second last fence, he won = bv six lengths from Waimai, who beat S tafa t) four lengths. Then came Conlißon, Master Strowan, Silverspire and Boro. Time—4min 53sec. MARLBOROUGH STAKES Of sovs and cup valued _at 25 sovs; ~ 'nd horse 250 sovs and third horse 125 bovs from tho stake. For two-year-olds and 3 upwards. Weight for age. One mile.

Mr F S. Easton’s b g Amythas, by Demosthenes-Gold Mr H* W. Brown’s br h Arrowsmith, by. Mr G D. Greenwoods br m Karo, by Demratheues—Kautukn, § Mr Gr. L. Stead’s blk c Right and Left, by Marry Moments—En Parole, n rat 31b Eeed) 0 Right and Left got the best of the start and Lon opened out a big gap, tho order of tho others being Arrowsmith, __ Amythas and Karo, who wore in closo order along the back. Racing round the homo turn Eight and Lcit commenced to stop, and at the’entrance to the straight Arroiwimll l and Amythas had caugnt him. Amythas then drow out clear and bo won easily by two lengths from Arrowsmith, with Karo five lengths away and Right and Left eight lengths further back. Timo-lmm 40sec. ROYAL HANDICAP Of 1225 sovs and cup valued at 25 sovs; seoond horse 250 sovs and third horse 125 eova from the stake. One mile and a half. 9—Mr G. L. Rutherford’s b g Royal Star, by Martian— Lady Victoria, 4yrs, tet 13lb (A* Ehte 1 2 Mr R. A. M’Kenzies b g Sunart, by Sunny Lake-Latcbet, Syrs, 7st 101 b (M Carton) 3 I—Mr H. W. Brown’s b g Kilrush, by Kilbroney—Frank, Syrs, Sst 111 b (H. Gray) 3 4—Mr J. J. Corey’s br m Imaribbon, kjrs. Sst 21b CW. Boll) 0 e- r Mr J. Neylon’s b g Melee, 4yx*. 7st ■l3lb (A. Reed) 0 3Mr P. Soames’s b m Bonnio Maid, Syrs, 7st 121 b • (B. Deoley) 0 6Mr W. Slone’s br g Elens, 4yr3, 7st 111 b (G- Young) 0 k Mr F. S. Rutherford’s b g Brackenfield, 4yrs, 7st 91b ' (T. Reid) 0 10—Mr T. Deegan’s b g Kilkcp, eyre, 6st Hlh (T. Metcalf) 0 7 Mr P J Benoni’s ch g Almoner, 4yrs, Gst 71b (car. 7st Sib) (R. Reed) 0

Almoner, Sunart, Royal Star anjl Brackenfield showed the way out of the straight, with Meleo and Kilrush bringing up the rear. At Cutts’s Sunart was showing the way to Almoner, Royal Star and Brackenfield, with Elens, Kilkee and Imaribbon handy. Kilkee moved up turning into the back stretch. nnd at the mile post he was just behind Sunart, with Royal Star, Eleus and Almoner next, Bounio Maicl and ‘Kilrush being last. Kilkee had joined Sunart at the six furlong post and. they led round the homo turn, with Royal' StaT and Eleus handy, and Kilrush still last. Kilkoo was in trouble when the straight was reached, and at the distance Royal Star taokltd Sunart. The pair fought out a great finish, which ended in favour of Royal Star by a short neck. KilrusS, who finished fast, was two lengths away, followed by Eleus, Imaribbon, Bonnie Maid, Brackenfield, Almoner, Kilkee and Melee in that order. Tirno —Trnin 4-osec. CORNWALL HANDICAP Of 675 sovs and cup .valued at 25 save; second horse 120 sovs and third horse 60 sovs from the stake. One mile and a quarter. 4 Mr G. L. Stead’s br g Starland, by Nassau —Stardancet, 3yrs, 9st 51b (R. Reed) 1 7 Mr R. E. Hall’s b g Will Oakland, by Finland —Trobelli, 4yrs, 6at 10lb (C. Lansdown) 2 2 Mr J. S. Barrett’s ch m Bondage, by Boniform —Portland Lass, 4yrs, Bst Blb (L. Hagorty) 3 8 — Messrs Clarkson and Pearson’s blk g Clean Sweep, 4yrs, Sst 31b (J. Campbell) 0 3 Sir Georgo Clifford’s b c Nightraider, Byrs, Sst 31b (H. Young) & 2—Mr J. S. Barrett’3 ch g Foo Chow, Syrs, Sst Sib (coupled with Bondage) (A. Ellis) 0 6—Mr J. Barr’s b g Sisyphus, syrs, 83t 61b (K. S. Bagby) 0 9Mr G. Fulton’s br f Chaaroma, 3gr». Sst 51b (S. Walls) 0 5Mr W. Stone's ch g Primum, Syrs, Sst 3lb (G. Young) 0 13—Mr John Grigg's b g Admiral Talbot, eyrs, 7st 131 b (T. Metcalf) 0 I—Mr G.. D. Greenwood's b g Adopted, - Syrs, 7st 131 b (B. Dooley) 0 10— Mr L. G. D. Acland’s ch a Glentanner, 6yrs, 7st lllb (T. Reid) 0 11— Mr T. Sheenan’s b h Nautical, syrs, 7st 101 b (D. Cotton) 0 12— Mr 11. Ensor’s b g Go?sard, 4yrs, 6st 10lb (A. Jarvis) 0

Foo Chow, Clean Sweep, Bondage, Will Oakland nnd Primum showed the - way into the back stretch, but at the end of two furlongs Will Oakland had taken charge, followed by Foo Chow, Primum, Clean Sweep, Bondage, Sisyphus nnd Starland. Two furlongs further on Clean Sweep retired, and at the half-mile post Will Oakland was show-+’-o - ny to Foo Chow, Primum, Bondage and Starland. On reaching the straight Will Uruiaua was showing out clear, but Starland caught" him at the distance, and drawing away, he won by a length and a half. Bondage was four lengths away, followed by Clean

Stfeej), Foo Chow, Chaeronia, Primvtm Nightraider and Sißyphus. Tim©—2tnin 9sec.

SANDRINGHAM WELTER HANDICAP Of 475 so vs and cup valued at 25 sovs, second horse 100 sovs and third horse 50 eovs from the stake. Six furlongs.

I—Mr1 —Mr W. Stone’s b ru Silver Peak, by Adjudgo— Oblong, 4yra, 83t 101 b (G. Young) 1 B—Exors. late W. J. Douglas’s blk c Hetaua, by Demosthenes —Fairy Gold, 3yrs, 9st 111 b • (Roy Reed) 2 St—Mr G. B. Starlcy's ch g Mustard Pot, by General Latour —Prudish, 3yr9, 9st 31b (A. J. M’Flynn) 3 4Mr A. M'Donald’a b xa Torfreda, 4yrs, 9st 51b (R. S. Bagby) 0 11—Mr J. G. Emslie’s b h Burrangong, .6yrs, fist 7lb (F. M’Kay) 9 5Mr G. L. Rutherford's hr g Caverock, 4yrs, Set 31b (F. C. Porter) 0 7Mr T.'D. Montford’s ch f Sundance, Byrs, 7st 9lb (M’Carten) 0 6Mr W. Nidd’s ch m Moorabbe, syra, 7st 71b (T. Reid) 0 8— Mr D. J. Stockwell’s b f Link Up, 3yrs, 7st Tib (T. Metcalf) 0 ]o—Mr K. B. Bain’s blk g Mare Anthony, aged, 7st 71b (C. Lansdown) 0 9 Mr G. L. Stead’s b g Astray, 4yrs, 7st 7lb (A. Jarvis) 0

Torfreda led to the course proper, just olear of Sundance and Silver Peak, with Caverock, Hetaua and Mustard Pot prominent smon- the others. Sundance dropped out below the distance, and Torfreda was in trouble a little further on. Silver Peak then drew cut and won by two lengths from Hetaua, who beat Mustard Pot by a Bhort length. Time—lmin 12 4-ssec.