OUR CANTERBURY SPORTING LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1895, 16 March 1888, Page 24

OUR CANTERBURY SPORTING LETTER.

(From Our Special Sporting Correspondent " St. George.")

Cheistchuhch, March 14. There was some capital racing at the Autumn meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club last week, but the attendance was not so large as usual, and I fear the financial results will not be altogether satisfactory to the executive. The weather was simply perfect when sport commenced on Thursday afternoon with the Timaru Hurdle Race, for which Tres Sec, who was turned out in the best of condition, was made a strong favourite. The big son of Leolinus won just as he liked from his stable companion, Golden Butterfly, who still over- jumps himself at the small fences. Master Agnes was among the competitors, but he had only just finished a season at the stud, and would have been better at home. Monteagle, a brother to Effigy, and a big, useful looking gelding, ran well forward for a mile and a-half, but could not slay home with the two chestnuts. Odds were laid on Brewer for the District Plate, but College Boy, on whom M'Donald rode a capital race, got up at the distance, and won with a bit in hand. Maniac made a sorry exhibition of his half-score opponents in the three-mile trot, as he caught the limit horse at the end of two miles, and then finished at his leisure in Bmin 37sec. I timed the first mile as 2min 40sec, and if the distance be correct the Dunedin horse is a marvel. Marlborough was regarded as the good thing in the Timaru Cup, and a casual glance at Hermitage did not suggest that the change in his condition since he left O'Brien's stable would enable him to upset the useful son of St. George. But appearances are deceptive, as Hermitage was well placed throughout, and won a dashing race by a length. Pippin, who is said to be by Daniel O'Rourke, and was the centre figure in some disgraceful proceedings at Tinwald a few years ago, beat Miss Webster in the Novel at at a difference of 211b; but there is a very general opinion that a smarter 1 lad on the mare might have obtained a different result. There was some talk of a match between the pair on the last day of the meeting, but it ended in smoke. Tho winner was bought in at £6, which about represents his value. The District Welter fell to Sir Julias, a much improved colt that performed very indifferently at the Geraldine meeting in the spring, and College Boy floored the odds of 3 to 1 that were laid on La Rose for the Flying. The weather on the second day was again all that could be desired, and the focal sportsmen were at once placed on good terme with themselves by Monteagle, who now met Golden Butterfly on 51b better terms, appropriating the Hurdle race. J. Cotton had the mount on the winner, and I fancy he out-genera!led the lads by whom he • was followed. Random, with 80sec start, won the two-mile Trot, but Maniac covered the full distance from scratch in smin 20sec, which, if the measurement be correct, constitutes the New Zealand record. I am assured by the secretary that the course was recently surveyed, but looking at the time made in some of the other events, and having regard to the terribly rough condition of the track, I am compelled to doubt the accuracy of the operation. Anyway, Maniac is tho best we have seen at this business since the departure of Maid of Munster, j and Mr W. J. Taggart seems to try harder and longer than most of our local owners and riders. Marlborous[h, Erin-go-Bragh, Ruby, and Hermitage were all better backed than La Rose in the Jockey Club Handicap, but after a magnificent race all down the straight, which must have j afforded exquisite satisfaction to Mr Dowse, the mare got up in the last 50yds and won by threeparts of a length. La Rose certainly had a bit the best of the weights, but she finished so much like a stayer that I am inclined to think she will yet distinguish herself in better company over a distance of ground. Prir.e handled Mr Stephenson's mare in capital style, and Goodman may take a good deal of credit for having made a horseman of a lad who had few early opportunities. St. Agnes won the Selling Race, but no one could be found to make an advance on her upset price of £30, and The Brewer, on 121b better terms, avenged nis previous defeat at the hands of College Boy by beating the son of John Bull by half a length in the County Plate. The Hack Race went to Talebearer, an aged gelding by Kauri, and Erin-go-bragh credited " Mr W. Russell" with the Consolation. Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin worked the totalisators as usual, and passed £2929 through the machines during the two days. My inability to be in two places at one time prevented me~attending the Hurunui meeting on Friday, but a correspondent has sent me the following particulars :— " Our races came off on the 9fch in capital weather. There was a good average attendance, but Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin could not manage to get more than £300 through the totalisator. Kauri, by Guy Fawkes, a gelding that has been doing good service for Mr Prior in Marlborongb, won the Hurdle Race by a head from Landsborough. Egypt, by Leolinus, won the Working Men's Race; and Premier, by Anteros, beat Lady Evelyn and three others in the Hutunui Cup. A protest

has been lodged against Premier and Lady Evelyn for not being qualified under the conditions of the meeting, but it has not yet been decided. Securus, by Apremont— Macsiccar, won the Waitohi Plate 5 and Beauty, by Norseman, who ran third in the Cup, by the way, took the District Plate. Premier again scored in the Ladies' Purse. There is not much to say about the racing, but everyone appeared to enjoy themselves, and the management was very creditable."

The owner of Brewer was very loud overnight in his condemnation of the handicap for the County Plate at the South Canterbury meeting, and when his horse won on the following day, Mr Dow&e did not forget to remind him of his criticism. Mr Dowses handicaps, I may state, gave very general satisfaction, and the grumblers were chronically afflicted. COURSING. There seems little prospect of much being done in coursing here this season. A meeting has been arranged under private management at Rakaia on Good Friday, and perhaps a score of second-rate dogs may be engaged. Mr Bell has issued a programme containing Derby, Oaks, April Cup, and Members' Plate for Plumptcu Park on' April 4 and 5, but none of the stakes are likely to fill well. I had a look over Marti n Taylor's kennel yesterday, The veteran has his string well forward, and Fawnhope, who is now owned by a Dunedin sportsman, is my early fancy for the Waterloo. Bird, whe trained for Messrs O'Brien and Butler last season, has gone to Messrs Alexander Brothers, at Rakaia, and has charge of some very promising youngsters. Mr Rons and Mr Mahoney, of Timaru, have all their last year's performers in kennel ; and Mr Digby, of Ashburton, will again take the field with a strong team. A Plumpton at Forbury would be cordially supported by Canterbury owners. CRICKET. The inclement weather on Saturday afternoon prevented much progress being made with the concluding ties in the cup matches, but the trophy will certainly fall to the Lancaster Park Eleven. FOOTBALL. The season was opened on Saturday, but rain prevented large attendances on the various grounds, and we had no opportunity to discover new talent.