CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2387, 30 November 1899, Page 41

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By M. Qtuo.

The doings here during the past week so far as horses are concerned are scarcely worth recording, interest being principally confined to the doings of our horses and others at the Dunedin and Wellington meetings. Fultnen ■was generally looked upon as the likely winner of tho Otago Cup, and his defeat by Jupiter wa3 anything but p.ilatablo to the majority of the punting brigade. Tho winner was scarcely mentioned hero; but though bookmakers escaped chep.ply in this instance, backers had their revenge when Explosion got home in the Wellington Handicap. The remainder of the events at both gatherings were made tho medium -of some spirited speculation, but few supported Dundas, whilst the dividend paid out on Melita on the second day came as a great surprise to local sportsmen.

As there appeared to be but little hope of St. Lucia recovering from her attack of paralysis, Mr Stead gave instructions to have her destroyed. However, Mr Franks asked to be allowed to have her, and she- was accordingly handed over to him.

So -far nothing has been done by the Plumpton Park stewards in tho Little Horo case.

The. stewards of- the Plumpton Park Trotting Club have decided to recommend to the other clubs that somedno shall be appointed to act as official pony measurer for all the clubs. The suggestion is one that should commend itself to all concerned, as a great deal of discontent has manifested itself among owners of little ones.

Tho Riccarton Cricket Club has been started under conditions which can scarcely fail to conduce to its success. A strong executive has been formed, and at tho first meeting of the club a hearty vote of thanks was passed, to Mr Stead for his gift of cricketing material and also to tho C. J. C. Committee tor laying down a concrete pitch.

Very little local interest was manifested in the Wellington Trotting Ciub'a meeting. The well-known trotting maro Taradale has foaled a fine filly to Electioneer.

Monte C^rlo developed symptoms of lameness after his effoits at the recent trotting meeting, and he has been turned out for a short spell. Great interest is being taken in tho forthcoming mcetiug of the Canterbury Trotting Club. Whilst I expect to see a fine nomination, I shall be surprised if it more than equals the number received for tho corresponding meeting last year. A few discontented or interested individuals have so far failed in their efforts to get up an agitation against Mr H. Brinkman, the trotting handicapper. That gentleman has admittedly made mistakes; but I havo yet to meet the handicapper who has not. It has been suggested that Mr Brinkman is not solely responsible for his declarations, but so far as I know, and I can speak with some degree of atithority, he most certainly is. If a club is dissatisfied with his work, why not ask him for an explanation, and if that is unsatisfactory, request him to resign? Let any one club ask every interested owner in a given race to produce a handicap. Then let them bo compared, and I am sure their ptiblication would let in a' flood of light on tho subject. An old bandsman once said to me: '' Of all the cantankered lot of men I ever "met, commend me to a musician" ; but ho vmis not acquainted with trotting men, or I am fairly positive he would havo handed the fork to them. The suggestion that three men should undertake the work would not, I feel sure, have the effect its advocates desire. My experience tends to show that all such committees are really governed- by one strongminded man, and it is safo to assert that in nine cases out of ten he gets his own way. If Mr Brinkman is incapable, ho should not be allowed to hold the position one day longer; but trotting men ought not to allow their minds to be poisoned against him by those whose inteiested and selfish motives prove conclusively that they are incapable of judging. It matters not a. scrap to me if Mr Bnhkman never handicaps another horse; but fjive him, or any other man, fair play. Let the committee interrogate him if necessary, but they should not li&len to the empty vapourings of tho3a who, Diogenes-like, are always looking for that they do not want tc discover — an honest man.

I notice that two of the Chokebore cast-offs, Falka and Weary, secured stakes at tho Wellington meeting. Crow's Nest reared up and fell on his rider, M'Clusky, last wook, but fortunately without serioubly injuring him. Rubin v/as shipped to the north on Thursday. Rochester ran most disappointingly at -Wellington. He was heavily supported on each occasion by his connections. F. Holmes has purchased five acres of land adjoining his property on tho Riccarton road. Glenogle, looking extremely well, is again in commifesion. Fatigue and Bloomer havo both dropped colt foals to Lakeshell. Tht Labourer is still at Chokebore loose stables. He will shortly bo sent home. Cannie Chiel is almost sure to be taken to Auckland. The colt is galloping nicely, and judging by thf form shown here by Beddington, the Clanranald colt should at least hold his own with the .northern youngsters. He is being galloped left-handed, in view of his Auckland engagements. Hermosa. is enjoying a short spell. Heritas has also been turned out. His feet are giving him a. lot of trouble.

St. Ouida' s successes at the Otago meeting came as a^bit of a surprise, especially on the second day. Phryne's downfall in the Maiden was totally unexpected.

Melita has vow won three races in succession. H. Beatty is to be congratulated on her victories.

Bush Rose suffered a severo attack of influenza here, and a few others are also affected.

It is intended to give Heliograph a lengthy spell at his owner's place at Timaru.

The Ashburton Couniy Racing Club is making pvery effort to put the prettily-situated Tim&ru track in order for its New I'eaT's Day meeting. The club now pays stakes in full, and this, added to tho fact that the affairs of tho club are in competent hands, should induce owners to pay a- visit to the district.

I notice Canterbury owners have freely nominated animals for the coastal meetings.

Skirmisher, who was unsuccessfully tried at the stud at the beginning of this season, is in work again. Ho has been nominated for events to be decided at West Coast Christmas meetings.

After making the second payment, the following horses remain in tho Canterbury Trotting Club's Fourth Juvonilo Stakes, of 200sovs, to be decided at the Winter meeting of the club nest May: — • Mr T. S. Manson's b f, by Rothschild— Dolly

Muggin3. Mr J. Martin's b f, by Wildwood — Gentle

Zephyr. Mr J. Martin's br f, by Ha Ha — Maxina. Mr J. Martin's b f, by Ha Ha — Boston mare. Mr J. Martin's b c, by Ha Ha — Rosie. Mr J. A. Buckland's b g The Heir, by Vancleve

— Fraulein. Mr J. A. Buckland's br g St. Simon, by St.

Louis — Verbena. Mr V. Harris's blk g Goodwood, by Wildwood —

Black Rose. Mr W. Jenkins's b f, by Wildwood — Young

Traducer ma-re. Mr A. Quigley's br g Vanity, by Imperious —

Billy Button maro. Mr R. Siraderland's br f Wildfiower, by Wild-

wood — Pauline. Mr H. Mace's b f, by Brookholm — Puella. Mr H. Mace's b f, by Rothschild. Mr J. Hanna's b f Wildwave, by Viking— Lin-

ton. Mr T. Walker's eh f Grandchild, by Roths-

child — Mistake. Mr W. Lenhart's eh f, by Rothschild — Beatrice. Mr C. Raynes's b c, by Rothschild — Emerson

The following sires have been nominated for the Fifth Sires' Produce Stakes ,of 200sovs, to be decided in May, 1901: — Vancleve, St. Louis, Huon, jun., Specification, Prince Imperial, Wildwood, Lincoln Yet, Dictator, Rothschild, Electioneor, and Ha Ha.