LATEST CANTERBURY NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 759, 17 September 1886, Page 12

LATEST CANTERBURY NEWS.

[By “Fossicker.”] Christchurch, September 14. If I have been remiss in transmitting newt to the readers of the Mail during the pass two or three weeks, I am not to blame. The weather is the defaulter, as it has caused repeated postponements of our several racing events. It was only on last Monday that we were able to get off our Heathcote Winter Meeting, and even then the ground was anything but fit for racing over, the course being exceedingly heavy and though the roller was kept almost constantly at work it failed to make a fair track on which to run. The meeting however, in other points was very satisfactory, and there was as usual a large investment made in the totalisator, over £2500 being put through the * machine that never lies.’ A little favorite of mine Patrician, who though very much on the big side, looked in thoroughly good heart, pulled off the principal event, easily beating Madonna, Tasmania, Mirella and a lot of good sorts, and giving them all weight. His form gave him the preference in backing and he started favorite, not deceiving his supporters. The Flying Handicap wa3 given to Athol Daisy, but I am convinced from the position it occupied at the finish that it was the decision of ‘an unjust judge.’ Urland, a very speedy colt by Albany, out of Old Malvino, undoubtedly got his nose in front of the post first, but * what is the use of complaining/ the decision was given, though not without some hesitation. Mr Richardson may.be a very good handicapper, and I am always glad to acknowledge a success; but his judgment on this particular occasion was undoubtedly very faulty. But as he was only a locum tenens, it may be a bit rough on him to criticise his conduct or judgment. The remaining numbers on the card consisted of * lepping ’ and that abomination * trotting,’ and such an exhibition may I never see again. Of course the ground was to blame.

On the following day (and herein lies the secret of my non-correspondence last week) Captain Cotton, so well-known in the annals of horse-racing and hunting in New Zealand during the past five years, commenced his celebrated walk against time, 100 miles in. 24 hours. Interest in the match was reduced to a comparative minimum, as it was calculated that he might make a creditable walk of 60 or 70 miles, but at the start the odds were 10 to 1 against him, especially when it was known that he had been dining out the night previous, and had done a fair amount of pigeon shooting on the same morning, having been at the races the day before. But how great was the excitement on Wednesday, when all over the town in shop windows on ‘ sandwiches ’ and in the evening papers of W ednesday it was announced by his business manager that ‘ the Captain beats time,’ and that all should attend to see the finish. Of course, all Christchurch after that was there, and the cheers the plucky amateur got on passing each lap was enormous. Such excitement has not been seen over any contest before, and there is no doubt that the stimulus of his friends helped him in this dreary and monotonous task of walking 23 laps to the mile one hundred times with only two spells. No wonder our two morning contemporaries launched out with sub-leaders in praise of the British pluck displayed by the enterprising amateur, and little wonder that his numerous friends, who are so enraptured with his success, are preparing a handsome testimonial for him on his return from Sydney, whither he has gone for a well and hardly-earned holiday. The footballers engaged our attention the same day, and we showed the boys of New South Wales that we have as good grit among our boys now as when W. V. Millton piloted his team to victory on their opponents’ ground. The trotting meeting on Lancaster Park was held on Saturday afternoon, after numerous adjournments for the weather to prove favorable, and was fairly successful, as such meetings always are, and, I suppose, always will be. I was otherwise engaged, or the very complimentary invitation I received from Mr Penfold would have caused your representative to have been there to give a full report, buc as I do not deign to crib, I mu3t omit any reference to it, which would in any case have been of no interest to your readers in the*North Island. Betting on future events is slightly advancing in interest as the time draws nearer, and the announcement that the Hon. W. Robinson is not accepting for Caulfield has had the effect of hardening the price of his four horses in our market, and the list should read as follows : New Zealand Cup.

100 to 10 agst Brigadier 100 ~ 8 Nelson 100 ~ 7 Winchester 100 ~ 6 Liverpool 100 ~ 4 Torrent and Disowned The other horses in the Cup remain as per your last quotations.

New' Zealand Derby. 4 to 1 ag3t First Lord and Brigadier. 6 „ 1 Ruby and Artillery 10 „ 1 Itepo (tk)

The latter has been backed to wm hxs owner £SOO at the above price, and is, I hear, ▼erv fit There is little or nothing doing over the Melbourne Cup, only doubles on that Cup and the New Zealand Cup being booked. . .

The Spring Meeting o£ the Wellington Racing Club will be held at the Hutt Park coarse on Saturday and Tuesday, the 27th and 30th of November. Nominations for handicaps must be made by Monday, October 11. Weights will be declared for the brat day’s handicaps and for the Liocal Handicap on Monday, November 15. On Monday, November 22, acceptances must be made for the Flying Stakes, Hurdles (first day), Hutt □Park Spring Handicap, and bocal Handicap.