LATEST CANTERBURY NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 766, 5 November 1886, Page 13

LATEST CANTERBURY NEWS.

[By “Fossicker.”]

Christchurch, November 2

The great excitement over the result of the Melbourne Cup is now at itß height as I sit down to write, as at this time (4 p.m.), the great event is being saddled up for on the other side. Here we have an excited group of metallicians, sporting men, turf scribes, and others in front of the usual trysting place, viz, the Empire Hotel, all in turn giving effect to the scene and awaiting the result of a totalizator draw which is being conducted in a building cloae by. There was a most successful gathering on the Lower Heathcote Racing Club’s ground yesterday despite the number of other attractions that are in store for sporting men during the present month. The day was the most enjoy, able one we have had this spring, and though the attendance was not as large bb usual, there was nothing to complain of particularly ou

that score. The programme, thanks to the recent action of the C.J.C, was on a more liberal scale than formerly, the stakes being worth competing for, and hence there was not the amount of * squaring the yards ,f that we are in the habit of hearing of at some of our country meetings. The big event, viz, the Spring Handicap, fell to the lot of Mr R. Sherwin’s Meteor, who had the advantage of an excellent jockey in Huxtable, by whose tactics ho was landed an easy winner by a couple of lengths from Mr H. Hammond’s Madonna. a mare who has had to cry content with more seconds than anything else this and the past season. The same gelding appropriated the Flying Handicap, but it was due to the execrab’e starting that he did this. Mr Calvert has posed before the public of Canter, bury as a starter for a few years (whether for honor or reward this deponent bnoweth not), but he never made such a wretch expose of himself as he did in this race, and I have no doubt all my colleagues of the pen will endorse my remarks when I say that it is high time some one else should wield the flag in his Btead. I would not like to say how many false starts he gave away in this raoe ; but I never heard such discontent expressed in more vigorous tones. As a fact, when they got away there were only two horses going, viz , Meteor and Master Agnes, who had seven or eight chains of a lead all through the racein consequence.

In connection with the Heathcote Club, 1 may here note that there is a glowing feeling of dissatisfaction at the reticence of the members of that Club as to the manner in which they conduct their business, which has so far gained ground as to crop up in print by means of two letters to the sporting journal, * The N.Z. Referee,” in last issue of that paper. One pertinent writer calls upon Mr H. Horsford, W. H. Wynn Williams and other leading gentry, whose names be contends are used as a sign of respectability only and who know nothing of the affairs of the Club any more than the proverbial man in the moon, to withdraw their support if the Club does not grow honest enough in the interests of sport to spend their earnings from various sources, in stakes instead of, as is alleged, putting the proceeds into four speculative individuals’ pockets. The other writer demanded a public expose of the Club’s ccounts since their inauguration, and expresses the hope that the public will not give the Heathcote Club any patronage oa Boxing Da} , when they purpose racing in opposition to the C.J.C. Summer Meeting. A number of horses are now arriving daily to take part in our big meeting, the last arrivals to day being Trickster, the Cup candidate by Leolinus —Revoke, who I had an opportunity of inspecting at Captain Cotton’s stable this afternoon. He seems far too much on the big side for racing purposes, and has a leg which gives one the opinion that all is not right. Still from all accounts he has been doing good work at Island Bay recently, and he may yet be brought into form ; but there is only a week to do it in. In a box alongside him, C. Joyce has the hurdle racer Reputation a nice compact little horse who should give a good account of himself. Of the horses working on the racecourse, I regret being unable to give latest accounts, as business prevented my getting out to the course this morning, but from what I saw on Saturday I have formed the conclusion that the winner of the New Zealand Cup of 1886 will be found amongst the following three, viz., Nelson, Lochiel, Torrent ; but how to place them ut this distance of time I am somewhat at a loss. Nelson, there is no doubt, is going like great guns again, as the other morning he went once round the tan track in I. and did not seem distressed in the slightest. Waitiri did a capital gallop that morning also, and though I could not time her, I looked upon the performance ns one that marks her * dangerous.’ Disowned undoubtedly owes his position in the betting market solely to the prestige of the Hon W. Robinson’s stable, and their can be no doubt that his stud are generally there, or thereabouts, and that the weight of metal invested in the right quarter by the stable ha? brought Disowned to his position. But I look upon Torrent as a beautiful horse, and believe him to be a better horse than Disowned, if only his temper will allow him to put bis best foot foremost. This temper causes all sorts of talk. In fact, the other morning it was as much as Bob Ray and a whole host of assistants could do to get the pair on to the racecourse at all, even a stockwhip having to be brought into requisition for .the purpose. The Derby will be the most open race of the season. I look forward to eight starting for it, each one of whom will be well backed. But as I shall have an opportunity of discussing this, I will not make my selections now for this event.

Since my last communication there has not been a great change in the betting, as far as prices are concerned, though there has bean a good amount of business doue. Mr Redwood’s pair, since their arrival on Thursday, have been well supported, the two colts being much fancied by tha stable, and they are now pencilled at the short odds of 100 to 8 (Alpine Rose), and 100 to 4 the double. Tasman has has slightly advanced in favor since the payment on Saturday was made, and he is now on offer at nothing shorter thau 100 to 9 ; other prices remain the sates. The following handicaps were posted this afternoon : *

The Criterion Stakes, a handicap sweepstakes of 3 sovs each, with 150 sovs added ; second horse,2s sovs, and third 15 sovs from the stake. One mile.—Maligner, 9st 71b; Rabina, 9st 41bs ; Fusillade, 9st lib ; Pasha, 9st; Russley, Bst 12lb ; First Lord, Tit Bit and Rocket, Bst 81b ; Marion. Bst 41b ; Forester and Hermitage, Bst -21 b ; Jack and Cremorne,Batllb; Torrent and Leon, 7st 131 b ; Galatea,Sierra, Aproposand Deceiver,7st 101 b ; Molly Bawn and Meteor, 7at 91b; Puck, 7st 71b; Longwaist, 7st 61b ; Kingask, 7st 41b ; Queen Margaret, 7st lib ; Tarantalus, 6at 12lb; St. Ives, 6st 71b ; Madonna, 6st 41b; Malvino, 6st.

Selling Plate Handicap, a sweepstakes of 1 sov each, with 100 sovs added ; second horse 20 sovs, and third 10 sovs from the stake. Winner to be sold for 100 sovs. One mile and a quarter. —Ike, 93t; Athol Daisy, Bst 91b; Deceiver and Cramorne, Bst 7ib ; Meteor, Sat 51b; Vinaigrette, 7st 111 b; Madonna, 6st 121 b; Lavender, 6st 101 b; Sweetbriar, Bagßhot, Tickle, Gaiety, Urland ana. Pretender, 6st. Riccarton Welter Handicap, a sweepstakes of 2 sovs each, with 100 sovs added ;

second horse 20 sovs, and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. Minimum weight, Bst. Six furlongs.—Rocket, list; Talebearer and Jack, lOst 71b ; Ike, lOst 51b ; Forester, lOst 31b ; Athol Daisy and Derwenter, lOst ; Master Agnes and Kingask, 9st 131 b ; Sierra and Apropos, 9st 121 b ; Meteor and Fog, 9.4 111 b ; Vanity Fair, 9st 51b; Vinaigrette, 9st; Mirella, Set 121 b ; St. Ives. 84 lOib; Malvino, 84 71b ; Brilliant and Ploughboy, Bst.