CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 37

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

2t M. Q.iut».

i The elements were not favourable on the first j day of th 9 South Canterbury Jockey tilub's Autumn meeting. A cold -wind, accompanied by I heavy rain, was blowing when racing commenced, and though the rain held oft after i the first two events had been decided, the weather* remained cold and wintry. This naturally considerably affected the attendance, and the club's prettily TSJtuated course at the Washdyke consequently did not appear in its best [ garb. The track v/as very heavy m places,* and the enclosures did not afford an attractive promenade. However, notwithstanding the unatj tractive nature of the weather, a fairly inVerestj ing afternoon's sport was enjoyed. On the second day fine weather was experienced, but the track was, if anything, nhghtly heavier than on the first day. Several improvements have been effected since the last meeting ( was held, the judge's box behrg an attractive pavilion-like structure, though perhaps occupying rather too much ground space. No fault can be found with the -management 'of the meeting as a whole, so far as the racing was concerned, the officers evidently endeavpuring to catei to the wants of visitors, but there were many complaints as to the manner in which the tolalisators were worked. I do not suggest that the .officials were in any way to blarnej except co far as regards their control of the machines, | but they would be studying the interests of investors if they insisted that the investments should be shown on the face of the totalisalors for, at least, five minutes after the conclusion of every event. There would then be plenty of time to rearrange the machines for the following race, and nothing apparently gained by the uneeeasary haste displayed in ringing off the figures. Seeing that there is usually 45 minutes between the races there is no reason why investors should not have tho privilege of inspecting the figures and, if they so desire, work out the dividend for themselves. Mr Gordon Wood, the energetic secretary of the club, was particularly attentive to his duties, and I have to thank him and also Mr W. Gunn, tho lion, treasurer of the club, for their efforts to make my visit enjoyable. Several bookmakers were licensed by the club, and they appeared to do a fair amount of business. Notwithstanding their presence, however, tho 'totalisatoi turnover showed a material increase on last year's returns, and the meeting will probably result in a small profit. Lapidary easily accounted, for tho High Weight Handicap, Clinker, tho favourite, failing to repeat his Riccarton form.- Probably be was troubled by the heavy going. Grandshot, a rather good-looking full-brother to Cannon.shot, comfortably annexed the Washdyke Welter Handicap, Neva, by Stepniak— Whirlpool, who might havo been more judiciously handled, finishing second, and My Lord, who failed to run «up to anticipations, third. Hypnotist vas never really extended in thrs Hack Race, Izal running a poor second. When the winner weighed in it was discovered that his rider (Hewitt) was 2£lb overweight. The jockey weighed exit 2Jlb over, but the horse's trainer declared lib over, and as the stewards, after discussing the matter, felt disinclined to interpret tho rule, it was decided to state a case for the decision of the Racing Conference. Perhaps they acted wisely, as the verdici of the conference will be a great help to country stewards. The winner was bought in for ±18. Double Event, who has nevei looked better, was made favourite for the Autumn Handicap/ and he justified the position by winning easily. Pitch and Toss was slow to begin, and untjl well in tho straight seemed quite unable t( get near her field. Then she made a capital run, and only missed third position by a head. Jupiter held a good position throughout, a<s alno did Vandyke^ but neither was able to race with Double Event, who camo through at the lop turn and had the race well won a furlong from home. Heliades, a three-yfar-old by Phaethon — Jess, secured the Po;iy Race in ea.sy fashion, Maimoa acting as runner-up. The Soiling Race was a gift to Lepanto, Izal, the only other starter, being unable to extend him. Lepauto returned to "his ownei at £21. Gladys IT was in front tho whole distance in the Flying Handicap, and skipped past the judge an .easy wiun,er by foiir lengths, with Rochestet and Edelweiss, neither of whom appeared to relish the heavy going, second and third respectively. Medium And had no difficulty in securing the Twomile Trot, Wanaka being her nearest attendant. The Stewards' Stakes, with which the second day's proceedings opened, was a gift to Vandyke, Clinker defeating The Orphan for second position. Neva was made favourite in a restricted betting race in the County Plate, but nothing had a chance with Hypnotist. Double Event, though occupying a rear position during tho early stages of the Jockey Club Handicap, came through on the outside at the entrance to thr straight and catching Sequin, s capital struggle eventuated between the pair, Double Event winning by a bare head. A protest was entered against the winner on the ground of boring Sequiv on to the rail, l)ut, after taking lengthy and somewhat contradictory evidence, the objection was dis-

missed. R. Reay, owner of Sequin, stated bs* fore the stewards that ne had never previously, entered a protest, but after what he had been told by the jockey, Rainbow, he felt compelled to take action.* In dismissing the protest, the stewards expressed the opinion that Sequin's owner, owing to what he had been informed, could scarcely be blamed foi entering the objection, and decided to return his deposit. Whilst I fully agree with the verdict of the stewards,* no explanation was given as to why, Double Event, whe was on the outside when wfell in the straight, should have got over so close to Sequin, who was on the rail. Both horses suffered thereby, as Double Event perceptibly stopped when Wilson tried to pull him out, and there is. no doubt that Rainbow was unable to properly ride his mount. Considering the contradictory nature of the evidence, it would probably be wise if the stewards in future stationed one or two of their number just inside the entrance -to the straight. Had! this been done, much authentic light might have been thrown on the question. Pitch anci Toss was last all the way, 'and it was evident that the mare had gone off a great deal sinco she won the Great Aiitumn Handicap. Jur\iter, who was withdrawn from the Stewards' Stakes Welter Handicap, never flattered hia supporters, but Vanilla ran a really capital race out of her distance. Double Event was probably greatly favoured with the heavy-going, but his performance stamps him as very nearly, first-class. Lepanto again won the Novel Raco easily, this time having Magg as his most immediate attendant. He was bought in for £17. The Shorts Handicap was a capital betting race, G-ladys II being most Savoured, and after she had occupied a leading position to within 80yds of the post Vanilla cut her down with the greatest ease, whilst Shekel, who was slow to begin, finished a good third, and he might have troubled the winner if hq had got well away. Edelweiss and Rochester: ran disappointingly, as also did Jewel, who •was slow to Ijegin, Heliades, though burdened with the steadier of 9.12, fought out a great finish with Maimoa 8.3 in tho Pony Race, and won 'by half a length. Bizarre was sent out favourite for the Farewell Handicap, and sho secured the stake by half a length from Metlnllius, a- similar distance between second and third, the latter place being filled by Edelweiss. Bella, and Toby finished bo closely together in the Mile and A-half Trot that only tho judge could decide the point, the first-named being accorded the coveted honour, with Highland! Laddie third. A protest on behalf of the lastnamed was entered against Toby and Bella on the ground of inconsistency, which was dismissed. Toby trotted in a most peculiar style, and wound up by cantering past tho post.

Mr P. Mulholland, wb6 has decided to sell his racing stock, is in treaty with a North Island prospective buyer foi one or two of them

Last .week I mentioned that Sii George Clifford intended sending down from Stonyhurst a few youngsters to E. Cutts to receive the rudiments of their education. They ara Mackintosh, by Clunr&nald — Blnck Cloud, Testudo, by Clanranald — Toredo; Cannie Chiel, by, Clffnranajd — Weathereye; and Terrapin, by, Clanranaid — Teredma. They all appear fairly well grown, and are a credit to their breeding, especially Terrapin.

Djin Djin is going on well in his work, and is an almost certain Btarter in the Thompson Handicap at Wellington. Dundas ib the favourite here for the race, but thero is no betting quotations to report. Tho son of PerKn Warbeck II is doing well. Edward R. and lola, trotters, wore disposed of at TattersaH's on Saturday at £15 tnd £5 10s respectively.

Tracy Belle (who is in foal to Electioneer), Lord Cadmus, Beauty, and.Struan, trotters, "have been sent io their respective owners. At the meeting of the South Island Trotting Association on Wednesday Mr V. Harris asked the chairman's ruling cjl the question as to which horse should be placed third in the Firal Handicap, decided at the recent meeting of the Lancaster Park Ciub. I referred to thia case last week. Ipswich finished first, Hazelclean second, and Manton third, but the latter was outside the distance when Ipswich won, and defeated Johnny 111, who was inside tho distance. The president ruled that any horse outside the distance when tho winner passed the posl could not, according to his reading of tho rule, participate in the stake, and he thought the club would be correct to so decide. Hcwever, he would state a case to the National Trotting Association, if the delegates so desired, a course subsequently agreed to. , During the discussion on the point, several delegates held that Manton, who finished third, was entitled to third, money ; but^ whilst I can, conceive that the rule on the subject is open to amendment, I can scarcely understand the attitude jadopted by those delegates whe opposed the chairman's ruling, seeing tlu.t tho association had previously adopted the chairman's luhng. The rule does not work equitably, anS I shall be quite prepared to find the next trotting conference amend it in the direction of the practice followed m flat racing. There is no upparent leason why one horj-a should, if he distance his field, take the whole stake, and there is no doubt that many r'dei-q cease to persevere when they see a well-treated horse away out by himself. " Distribute the stakes into as many pockets ac possible " is an excellent creed, but, under the present system, that course is frequently rendered impossible. The Lancaster Park Club have not -held a meeting ain,co the ruling was sought, and as the amount involved ia small, it is just possible tho plob will await the reply from the. National Trotting Association . Mr Dowso was blamed by many for asking Double Event to give Pitch and Toss 151b ia the mile race at Timaru, but he was evidently right to ignore Riccarton form and adjust hia handicaps on the first day's form on the heavy Our railways do not appear to be worked for tho convenience of racegoers, to judge from the time it look the 8.0 a.m. train from Christchurch to reach Washclyke. Visitors from town by that train arrived on the course just in time to see the fourth race, and by the tima tho express i cached Ashburton on the return journey she was 30 minutes late. The Ashburton County Racing Club's Autumn meeting commences on Thursday next, and will be concluded on the following day. Tho events will be decided on the old Ashburton ourse. Acceptances arc not tc hs>.nd at the time of writing, co I must attempt a selection without their aid. Doublo EvenS fully deserves the 9 7 awarded hi:» in th« Ashburton County Handicap, one mile and aquarler, but it is difficult to obtain a line aa to, his chance with the other animals engaged. In the Sockburn Handicap, run over the same distance. Double Event carried 7.11 and defeated' Huku 7.0 by between fovft and fiva lengths. Huku now meets' Double Event_ on 81b better terms. The pair have not met sinca they ran at Riccarton, and I should say that Double Event will again defeat Huku, and I fancy he will alsc beat Skirmisher 8.11. Rangefinder 7.7 is not badly treated, neither ia Peerage, but at present I see. nothing likely to defeat tho 'top weight, especially if the going b» holding. Mauser will nrobably .find Vanilla a hard one tc defeat in the Grove Farm Handicap, and these two should trouble the remainder of the field. In the Flying Handicap Mau-,er reads well at 9.3. In the Addmgton Plate ai Riccaiton, the samo distance, he carried 9.* and defeated Alcestis 8.2, Bizane 8.2, and The Orphan 88. Now he meets Bizano on •* 1 « brtter terms, Alcefatis on 111) woi«e terms, and The Orphan on 51b worse teim". As Muumt lutd only bwn in work - month v.hen ho won, he should detent tliosi thi'-e a'-am. V.uulia. on Timaru form, meets

Rochester and Shekel on 6lb worse terms. A ■great deal" will of course depend on the going, Jjut Mauser, Vanilla, Shekel, on recent running, and probably Nantes 7.2, who is nicely treated, are a quartet that will require a lot of beating. Bloomer ought to win the F.airfield Highweight Handicap, with Belligerent handy, and it will take a good pony to defeat Hehades in the Pony Race. Dandy is a fair pony and so is Pickles, but Mania will scarcely start, as »he broke down at Timaru. In the Laghmor Trotting Handicap, I should say it would take a fair horse to keep away from. Harold ±J. if the track is good 1 and he is -in the humour, and Shylock and Bazaine have been given a 6 The chairman of the racing conference inionned the Marlborough Racing Club on Tuesday last that he disapproves of the name of Miss Sykes, under Rule 51. The 'owner will, therefore; have to change the name. The ordinary meeting of the South Island Trotting Association was held on Wednesday evening! present-Messrs P. Selig (chairman), C. S Howell, V. Harris, J. Chadwick, E C ark•soni D. MT^ean, H. J. Derrett, and F. Mulholtand. An apology for absence was received Irom Mr Myers. Correspondence was read : — From Mr James Wright, Woolston, asking that -the disqualification imposed upon Jessie Grey, who competed at an unregistered meeting at iLower Heathcote, should be removed. Ihe application was "granted. From the secretary «of the Akaroa County Racing Club.-statmg that fcia club suggested the disqualification imposed wpon G. Mason, on account of his connection «with the horse Homeward, should be removed. Agreed to. From the Gore Racing Club, .replyinK to the Association with reference to the jmlre Pansy, alias Edith, and asking what steps the Association required the club to take. •From the Hastings Club, dealing with the same eubject, stating that it was unable to obtain any evidence. It was decided that the president should communicate with the Southland )Club, at whose meeting the ,mare had been Bominated, suggesting that her nominator "ehould he informed that he ran the risk of disqualification, pending inquiries as to the mare's bona fides. It was ako decided that the Gore Club should be asked to make inquiries. 'A letter was read from Mr J. L. Boult, in reply to the Association,, with reference to a gelding '•by General Tracy, who, the writer admitted, tad' been nominated as " Teddy," " Ted,' and " Sweep," at different meetings. The owner Tiad previously informed the Association" that he was unaware of the duplication oi names until after he had purchased the horse, and asked if he could nominate him as " Teddy." It was agreed to communicate with the Tahuna Park Trotting Clul) on the matter. After the evidence taken by the Greymouth- Trotting Club previous to the disqualification of the horse Blackpool and owner, C. W. Bird, at its Summer meeting had been r«d, it was decided to endorse the disqualification. The Chairman reported that, having noticed that Blackpool had started at the Marlborough Racing Club's meeting, he had telegraphed to the club, calling at--tention to the disqualification. His action was 'approved. It was agreed, at the request of the stewards of the late Geraldine Trotting Club, •.to remove the disqualification for life infrrbted neon Frank Bull. A letter was received from tile Winton Racing Club, declining to submit to the ruling of the Association in sustaining ♦he appeal against the club's decision entered \tj Mr M'Kenzie, owner of the disqualified "fcorse Waikaka, and giving reasons for its rejfusal, one of which was that the programme stated that there was "no appeal atjainst the •"decision of the stewards in any court of law." yThe Chairman pointed out that there was lanother clause in the club's printed programme '(■■which it appeared to have forgotten, which was jbo the effect that the trotting races were run under the rules 'of the South Island Trotting 'Association. In his opinion, the club must submit to the ruling of the Association. Several other members spoke to the same effect, and St waa decided thai the Winton Club be informed that it must abide by the decision of the 'Association. A letter was read from the ,Tahuna Park Trotting Club to the effect that after the dismissal of the protest against St. George on the ground of crossing, an appeal pad been entered, which had been refused on Hie ground that the stewards had decided on a ■question of fact. The action of the stewards jwas endorsed. Several licenses were granted. •Mr V. Harris asked, on behalf of the Lancasjter Park Club, for the Association's -ruling svith respect to a case which occurred at the jeluh's recent meeting. Ipswich won the Final Handicap, Hazeldean and Johnny 111 being the. only two within the distance," but in the tun home Manton defeated Johnny 111. Which Jiorse was entitled to third money ? The Chairjman said he must rule that the club would be justified in deciding that any hor"se outside the Histance when the winner passed the post could fcot participate in the stake; but- he would Btate a case to the National Trotting Associaiion of England.

_, / April 18. There appears to he every probability that Mr Steads champion horse Multiform will be >ent to the old country next month by the Ruajiine. It has been pretty generally recognised »n colonial racing circles that it was probably *>nly a question of time before this fine horse Would be expatriated. Whilst Multiform's opportunities in England will naturally be much r eater than in New Zealand, I must say that shall be sorry to see the horse leave the colony. Ono after the other of our best horses havo left us, and the finest of the contingent is now about to depart. Somehow I very much question whethor Multiform, will ever win a arace in- England, as he is probably 'anything ,tout an easy horse to train. It can safely be Baid that he leaves our shores with an' unbeaten certificate, as his defeats by Gold Medallist, thoueh the latter may have been his superior, can scarcely count against him. : Goldleaf is an improbable starter in the ffhomßon Handicap. She will probably be laken north on Thursday in company with D.iin^Djin. Mason leaves on Wednesday with Screw Gun Mid Altair, and Ben Farley and Roderick Dhu )nay go on Thursday. Dundas and Starshot may leave here on Friday. Haria is now in H. Thomson's stable, having arrived from the Coast on Friday. Bold and St. Ouida have also been brought I>ver from the Coast. Benzoin is not shaping very well, and pulled BP core this morning.