CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2390, 21 December 1899, Page 41

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Bt Feitz.

■ .Tho was only a fair attendance- at New Brighton on Saturday, when the phristchurch Racing Club opened its summer gathering. Heavy rain fell in ths early morning, and although the weather cleared up at mid-day, many intending visitors were afraid to venture to the course, which was in fair condition, as some of the times registered will show. The starting was punctual, and though tho last race was set down for decision at 6 o'clock, the field was despatched a couple of minutes after that time. The totalisator turnover was not particularly heavy, the sum of £1776 10s going through the machines. Proceedings opened with tho Nursery Handicap, for which only throo started, Macintosh (Qanrauald — Black Cloud), Clytio (Phaethon — Neroli), and Whirlwind (Stepniak — Tompest). The last-named was sent out a I slight favourite, and getting quickly to work, sho led all tho way, and won comfortably from Clytio. Whirlwind is just about tho samo size j as was hor darn at tho same age, though she is probably a much handsomer filly. That she can gallop is shown by the 51 l-ssec recorded against her for the half-mile. Of the three, however, I should say that Macintosh, who is a fine colt, should develop into a useful sort, and Clytie, who can evidently gallop, will probably improve with age. Leather Medal was selected as « fair medium for speculation in the Maiden Plate, and the chestnut pulled through comfoilably frcm Fireside, who made nearly all tho running. Gold and Legerity collided at the top turn, both horses falling, but fortunately without injuring either their riders or themselves. 'Ihe Burwood Trot, two miles, fell to that consistent old favourite Sam Slick, who was giving away yip to 45sec start. At the end of the first mile tha old follow had picked up two-thirds of his handicap, and with another four furlongs covered he was on terms with the leader, Vancliffe, after whom came Waituna. The winner got over the journey in smin Gsec, a creditable performance, and paid the substantial dividend of £6. Tho Windsor Handicap, ono mile and a distance oil tho flat, brought out Huku 8.4, Ben Farley 8.3, Lapidary 7.5 (car. 7.8), and Sequin 7.3. When clear of the straight and bottom turn, Sequin quickly placed sonso lengths betwoen hetsell and her antagonists, of whom Huku was running in the rear, though close up. The field took close order at the entrance to tho straight, and though Sequin held premier position a quarter of a mile from home, Huku here ranged alongside the mare, and comfortably holding hor, ran home a winner by half •& length, with Ben Farley four lengths away third. This horso slightly injured hirnsolf at Riccarton, and he showed the effects; of it in tho rn-io. Under the circumstances, .it was a pity ho was started. Huku is credited with covering the railo and a distance in lmin 58sec, which is particularly fast clocking. Gold had no difficulty in defeating The Dodger and Ringwood in tho Selling Hack Race, subsequently boing bought by Mr D. O'Brien for £22— a cheap horse. Old Skirmisher showed his partiality for seven furlongs by securing the Flyng Handicap in good style from Phryne, after whom •came Belligerent, Susannah, tVis favourite, sadly disappointing | many friends. The winner paid £'6, which is perhaps not very surprising, as the old fellow, though looking in capital condition, had done but httlo work of late. The seven furlongs was covered in lmia 30 2-ssec. Veronica led from start to finish in the Mile Trot, and won :is she liked from Annie Rooney, afto; whom came Peggy. The sl:u t for this lace was .somewhat uii'-.aligf.ictory, many of tho contestants getting {•.way before xh^ir time. Shekel effected a surrvrisa in the High-weight Handicap by defeating a warm favourite in Rivngefinder. Pensioner nnd Simpleton, an upstanding three-year-old /illy by Artillery— Credulity, also started. Shekel has been usually regarded as partial to a shorter couise than a mile, but in this case he ran right home without being touched, registering lmin 47 2-Ssec. , "Dc Slate arrived hero on Thursday last from Sydney with four trotters. They appear to be a nico team, Huon Prince being a taking looking horse. The horses have all been entcied at tho C.T.C. Summer meeting.

Gler.o^le, who goi away from his lad ore morning List week, was caught after, he hud galloped haiinlcsaly üboui the course.

A few usually well-ri formed backers here are supporting Tire for the Auckland Cup Explosion is tha ruling favourite, but a fair amount has beeu accepted about Sant liaiio's chance.

R. Reay refused to accept £10 for Sliekei after ho had won at the Chriatchurch Racing Club's meeting. Pilch and Toss looked really well when she left here for the north.

Sequin and Shekel will ba on their road to coastal meetings when theso lines appear in -print. Both are in nice condition. Owing partially to lack of patronage, it is possible tuaV Lakeshell will be put into work ng>! ; :i.

Whirlwind was making her first pubic app&aiancs when she won ut Now Brigfiton on Saturday. Macintosh! was a:\ot!iev beginner.

Bjin Djin is net being unduly wcrriic-d with work of late. His trakier has had enough to do to keeo him sound. '

Nof.nthataiidir.g tho larga amouu'. of grumbling usually hoard as to the pars,iruo:)y ot the CJ.C. authorities in dispensing complimentary and free passes, I am informed on authority that thera are probably not two clubs in the colony whe behave ho liberally aa docs the C.J.C.

Sally (by Stcppitik — Soitie), in 11. Lunn's stable, made a poor display in the Maiden Plato nt the Christchurch meetiu;; on Saturday.

Monte- Carlo, the well-known Iroitar, has bec-n turned out for a lengthy (.poll, if necessary, after being heavily bl istcroct.

Tho Brat, dam of Vesta Naah, has been put to Specification.

Vickery wa3 set to give Sam Slick 12sec at New Brighton on Saturday. 0 little mare

would have required to register unde.- 4mra 54sec to win. Peggy, who ran third to Veronica on Saturday, is credited with covering tho journey in. 2min 35sec, or thereabouts. A few seconds can safely be added to this time. Tho case Citizens v. tho Canterbury Jockey Club, to test tho right of the latter to enact certain by-laws, may shortly come before the Supreme Court.

Jib should run well in the Hururmi Cup, to be run at the Hurunni Turf Club's Hack meeting on Boxing Day. The same mare may also run well up in the Waitohi Stakes. The Ashburton County Racing Club has ro ceived a fair number of nominations for its Summer meeting. I have only just had time to look over tin handicaps for the first day's events to be decided at the Canterbury Trotting Club's Summer meeting. I would suggest the following horses as likely to occupy prominent positions in their respective races : Trial Handicap, Rothschild Boy and St. Lawrence; Pony Handicap. Little Harold and Cordelia; Champion Boxing Day Handicap, Sing Sing and Pleigher; Three-year-old Handicap, Weary and Rothschild Boy - Piogressive Handicap, Kingston and Mis 9 Brownwood; Midsummer Handicap, Collector, Almont, and Jessie Palm; Electric Handicap, The Premier and Polly Huon ; Hack Handicap, Honest Jack, Clifton, and Hollis H