LATEST CANTERBURY NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 767, 12 November 1886, Page 13

LATEST CANTERBURY NEWS.

(Bv “ Fossicker.’’]

Christchurch, November 9.

At the Lancaster Park Trotting Meeting things were most unpleasant owing to the weather, remarks being passed by some visitors presentthat we were experiencing Wellington weather. The heavy wind that prevailed, however, did not affect the sport very much, as there was a considerable amount of interest taken in the events. These were purely local, and it would be of little use for me to recapitulate them here. One thing occurred which is of colonial importance. The bookmakers present, finding that there was not much business doing in their own ,legitimate business, sfcsrtedv*to lay totalisator odds, the result being that, from being idle, they commenced to do a roaring cash trade, and one that was considered by tho Stewards to be damaging to their interests, so much so that they met and decided to put a stop to it. This, however, they found more difficult to -do than they anticipated, and it was carried on duiing the remainder of tho day fairly satisfactorily co the met lUcians. To-day at tho Metropolitan Meeting,

the practice Las been practically stopped by two of the gentry—not our regular metallicians however—being arrested and charged with a breach of the Gaming and Lotteries Act. The case will cause considerable interest here end elsewhere, as it will decide this vexed question once and for all. Of course the alleged miscreants were at onoe admitted to bail, and I presume the case will bo beard at the latter end of the present week. The great event is over, and ell excitement

over the N. Z. Cup of 1886 is a thing of the past. With a beautiful day, a much larger attendance on the course than has ever been seen there before, and the arrangements as nearly perfect as possible, it is gratifying to know that the Cup has gone to a most painstaking and intelligent owner. I need not go over the story of the race, but to give,, what everyone agrees with, a word of praise to that game horse Nelson for bis share of the performance. With the almost crushing weight of 9st 101 b, to run the distance in 3min 32 ec, stamps him as a perfect performer, and one who, with Bst 41b in the Melbourne Cup, must have walked away with the big Southern Hemisphere event with comparative ease. His form to day was simply perfection, and he left the field with a perfect ovation. The game little mare also came in for her share of approval, which she certainly deserved, as she was a perfect mass of muscle, and looked every inch a stayer, wiiich she proved ; for, though ho’ding a backward position during tho first mile and a half, when she came to the home turn she fairly shot out from her field and assumed the lead, only Nelson challenging her at all up the straight. By her win, I am credibly informed, Mason wins a large gum in addition to the stake, which is not to be despised, as directly he purchased the mare he took a long shot about her chance, and on Saturday night took a good sum at the short odds of 100 to 14 andl6. The favorite, Disowned, wasnowherein the race from the Btart, and finished sixth, while the next in command, as far as the market is concerned, Loebiel had to be content with third honors, os he was extended at the commencement of the race if anything a trifle too much for his chance to be a good one. His condition when stripped was simply perfection, and there is little doubt he iB an exception, ally fine horse. The other events to-day were equally interesting, though of course the excitement was comparatively nothing when compared with the Cup. In tho Spring Hurdle Handicap there was a good contest, 1 and had Peter Osbeckgot away with the rest of the field, he must have won more easily than he did. As it was he was ridden a waiting race, and availed himself of tho gaps which were made in nearlv all the fences, rendering his effort more a trial of speed than otherwise. Tres Sec., whose capabilities run in- the direction of jumping, was the leader throughout, and did most of the heavy part of the ■ work. The Criterion Stakes proved an in. teresting r»-c,e. Although there was rather a straggling start, theSeldgotwellawaytogetlier, and there is no doubt the best horse won. Forthree Apremont two-year-olds to be placed, the Welcome proves the value of that stock, and should much enhance tho sale of the Middle Park yearlings on Saturday. One word in praise of the st.artcr. Mr Campbell, except in the Instance above alluded to, proved himself a perfect George Watson.