CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 32

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By M. Quab.

A. Robertson, Mr Rathbone's trainer, was extremely unfortunate to lose the services of Zanella. The mare will in all likelihood be unable to run for some time. Her injury has not been exactly located, but it is thought she has sprained her shoulder. During the progress of the Lancaster Park meeting, a man named Parker, who was acting as private detective for the club, was rather severely handled by a Wanganui bookmaker. Parker viewed the visitor as an undesirable attendant, and the latter hit the detective. Judging by the appearance of Parker's face, his assailant's fingers must have been pretty well covered with jewellery. It is understood that a magistrate will be asked to give his opinion on the matter.

There was a fair amount of wagering here over the Doncaster Handicap, ran in Sydney on Saturday. Syerla was well supported, as was Vedette and Talavera ; indeed, so strong a run was made on the last-named that the pencillers declined to go on writing his name. Talavera was wired here as a good thing. Highlander, the hurdler, is looking big and well. If he stands, which is doubtful, lie should be about ready at National time. Annoyance will probably be in the list of entrants for Maiden Hurdle honours at the next National meeting. He has already been schooled, and has shown fair a-ptitude. Marquis of Zetland is occasionally seen cantering on the tracks. He might stand another preparation. Albaugh has been given charge of Captain Popham's trotters, recently imported from Australia.

Last year, Mr Beckett, of Sydney, brought over Comus, Hettie S., and Lettie. I am informed that the Australian sport has again determined to invade our shores. Should he do so another interest -will be added.

The final payments for the Juvenile Stakes shows that only four were withdrawn, lep.ving 18 to contest the stake. According to the conditions of the race it will have to be run in two or three heats, which means a monetary addition to the stake. It was at one time thought that this class of race would not catch on, but it evidently has, and the result must be pleasing to the club, and also to Mr Tonks, who, I understand, first suggested the idea to the crab. The monthly meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held on Tuesday. Trainer's licenses were issued to R. Longley, A. -M'Cormick, and T. Clark; jockey's license to W. F. Jackson, and apprentices' licenses to A. Jackson and R. Post. The application, ot S. Johns for a jockey's license was refused, as was also that of F. G Harris, on the ground of lack of experience. It was decided that in. future no apprentices' licenses will be issued except to lad's m recognised training stables. It was resolved that pony races included in programmes passed by the club will have to be run under the rules of racing. The transfer of Mr T H. Lowiy's purchases at the last Wellington Park sale from Mr Morrin to the present owner was registered, also b c Antares from Mr J. G- Green to Hon. H. Mossman. The transfer of the Apremont— Whim filly and Apremonfc— Charity geldmg from Mr W J. Marshall to Mr Hans Morrison was not approved, pending payment of fees clue. It was decided that Remorse II was not eligible to stajEt in the Great Easter H.an,d.ioag.. £jj e dj&ft

programme for the Grand National meeting was approved. The programme provides for the increase -of the stake for the Beaufort Steeplechase by £:09, and the Eufield Steeplechase by £100 ; also increases to some of the flat events. With the approval of the donor it was decided that the cup presented by Mr SteacT should be an addition to the New Zealand Cup prize. The Course Committee reported thai arrangements had been made for increased seating accommodation, and for enlarging the luncheon room.

Mr J. A. Buckland has notified Mr A. T. Rattray that he intends to leave Sydney on. April 19 by the Talune. Mr Rattray has obtained accommodation for the horses and those accompanying them.

The Autumn meeting of the Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club was commenced on Saturday. The arrangements at the meeting were well conceived and carried out, all the officials being particularly anxious to do thenbest to carry the meeting to a successful issue. The attendance was fairly good, though not quits up to anticipations, but the investments showed that money was not scarce, the suxn of £4533 being put through the machines. Owing to the long spell of dry weather the track was dusty, but the unpleasantness caused by a nor'west breeze was considerably minimised by, the frequent application of water. The stewards were wide-awake and carefully watched for non-triers, with the result that two persons were asked for explanations. A feature of the afternoon's sport -svas the fine form shown by Mr, Mace's horses, Allerton capturing the Autumn Handicap (in saddle) and Mambrino Abdallah the following event — the Limit Harness Handicap. Jessie Palm finished second in the Easter Handicap, and occupied a similar unenviable position m the Dash Handicap. The peculiarly-named Rats paid the sensational dividend of £60 18s when he won the Progressive Handicap, thus following up his success at the New Brighton meeting, when his victory enabled his backers to receive a dividend of over £70.

The x^ublic made Linda a warm favourite in the opening race, the Maiden Saddle Handicap, but she once more sadly disappointed her connections and backers. Linda had caught everything but Jewel seven furlongs from home, and at this point she got alongside of Jewel, when the race appeared to be all over ; but from this point the favourite could not be persuaded to, try, and Jewel beat her easily. Thi3 race was a .most peculiar one to watcb. When Linda reached Tenui the latter allowed her to go up on the inside, and the rider of Jewel was good enough to do the same, thus giving the mare t-very chance. The stewards called Stace, the rider of Tenui, before them and asked for an explanation of his mount's form. After inquiry the matter was held over for a time, and subsequently another rider was put up*- This time the horse did far worse, as might have been expected. The rule giving stewards the power to put up another rider is a most useful one, providing they had a man of their own to try a horse, but there exists an esprit de corps amongst trotting men which is not calculated to work out to the detriment of one of themselves. They cannot be well blamed for this feeling, perhaps, and if the club deem, it necessary to have such a rale then they must appoint a man entirely unconnected with the sport to ride for them. Of course, if a protest is entered, then the protestor can be asked to ride, but no "good is likely to result from a haphazard selection when the stewards take action for themselves. As a matter of fact I do not suppose one single steward believed that Tenui would put up better time in his trial, their action being more to show that they were on the look-out for 'non-triers. Jewel took smin 58 2-ssec to coyer the\wo miles, whilst Tenui' a time was considerably over 6min. The Pony Harness Handicap provided the best finish of the day. Skipper was in front for three rounds, closely pressed by Master Irvington; Dorothy and Worthington, both of whom were mixing their gait, gradually overhauling the leaders. Ruby II soon dropped back, as did Empire, and commencing the last lap Master Irvington held a fairly long lead of Worthington, who, despite several skips, was travelling in great form. It looked ' any odds on him half way round the lap, but here he went up. Turning tho corner for home he was sent along at a rare bat, but failed to quite ge+. up, Master Irvington winning by a neck, •with The Skipper third. Time, 6min 4sec. Dividend, £6 Bs. General Luck and Mallow got well away, but before this pair had gone to the half Allertun was alongside them. Here he broke, but quickly settling down he raced up to General Luck, the pair trotting side by side for 100 yds, when General Luck went up, and Allerton going on won by over the distance from Dictator, from scratch. Allerton trotted his best public race in this event, travelling much kinder than is his wont, but Dictator's gait was much slower than he recently showed at New Brighton. General Luck, Mallow, and G wynne scarcely trotted up to form. Allerton got over the journey in smin 19sec, and paid" £3 6s. The Limit Handicap could scarcely be described as interesting, as, despite one rather bad break opposite the stand, Mambrino Abdallah had not much difficulty in winning. Getting well away the pony, putting on his best gait, soon showed that bar accidents he could not lose. Little Willie did not shape at all well, but Monte Carlo and Sam Slick trotted well. The first-named trotted at a splendid e;ait for a mile, but the effort killed him, for despite a too liberal application of the whip he could make no further impresion on the leader. With half a mile to go Sam Slick was going splendidly, and although he passed Monte Carlo he could not reach Mambrino Abdallah, the little horse winning comfortably from Sam Slick, the veteran trotting the last two laps splendidly. Probably the winner and Sam Slick are two of the best stayers in the colony, and both were heartily applauded, as were their respective pilots/ Frost and Rae. The time, smin 16sec, is fairly good, but troth Little Willie and Monte Carlo have clone much better than they showed. Kentucky trotted well, but he is probably not the horse he was. Miriam seemed to have a mortgage on the Progressive Handicap Stake after a mile had been got over, but half way round the last lap but one she broke. Rats and Firefly were trottin"- steadily, but when Miriam again skipped, Firefly who was gradually overhauling Rats,alao broke, whilst Rats kept going, Farrar ridm<* him for all he was worth. Firefly might have won had she kept down. Rats paid £60 18s, and put up smin 40sec. The Easter Handicap was one of the best contests of the day. From the outset Heather Dew, Jessie Palm, and Manton were prominent, and when Jessie Palm got to the front she seemed to have the race in hand. She tired badly, though, over the last quarter, and Manton, staying wonderfully well, passed the filly and won easily. Heather Dew third, Stockholm fourth. Manton has improved a great deal since he last appeared in public, and his rider and trainer was congratulated on his success. Manton put up smih 24sec for the two miles, and paid a dividend of £21 4s. F.B. had an easy win in the Electric Saddle Handicap, Merrylegs and the unfortunate Scrutineer in the places. The Dunedin-trained Sacramento did not shape any too well, although he could scarcely have won on his best form, a$ the winner covered the distance in 2mm 38sec t and Sacramento had to give her 4seo. Miss Tracy at last broke her long spell of illluck by appropriating the Dash Handicap very, easily, Jessie Palm again fimshing.second, with, Manton, who had been put back 2sec, third, The winner paid £6 16s, .and registered 2rni^ 43sec.

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