CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 41

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Goldleaf and Catherine Wheel arrived from Melbourne on Friday. They had boon on a visit to the St. Simon horse, Bill of Portland, and Sir George Clifford's enterprise, it is to bo hoped, will result in the production of another Bobadil or Merriwee. Catherine Wheel is ly Maxim, and as the Musket — St. Simon cross has proved so successful during the past few years, this mating ought to produce somethnig good. The secretary of the Ashburton County Racing Club has dropped me a line with reference to the penalties to be carried at the meeting at Tinwald on New Year's Day. It was stated in the programme that the weights would be published on or about December 18, and hb

the first day of the Christchurch Racing Club's meeiing fell on December 16, local trainers whose horses had won at the latter gathering were in a quandary. The secretary informs me that the penalties provided for in the programme will have to be carried by winners at New Brighton on December 16. It was a mistake to publish the Ashburton Handicaps until after the Christchurch meeting, as even with the penalties added the first day's events are already robbed of much of their interest. A delay of two or three days cculd have made but little difference, as acceptances are not due until Thursday next. "As it was, the weights appeared in local papers on Monday, Deoember 18, after the acceptances had gone in for the second day of the Christchurch fixture. Many of the local trainers argue that the penalties cannot fairly be inflicted for winning here two days before the weights for Ashburton. appea-red. The position is a somewhat unfortunate one, certainly, but the words in the programme, "on or about/ will probably cover the ground.

Mr \ Dowse was manifestly placed at a great disadvantage in having to compile the Askburton handicaps without being conversant with the form exposed at New Brighton. In the Ashburton Cup Skirmisher 8.12 is asked to meet Huku ov> 3lb worse terms than at the Christchurcb. meeting, and though Huku did not win, he will now have to put up a penalty of 71b for winning on the first day. Ben Parley 8.3 ran second at New Brighton, defeating Huku 9.5. and he is now asked to meet the latter on a stone worse terms. Even with penalty added, it is difficlt to see what is to defeat Huku at Tinwald. Some of the other races aro much worse. Sub Rosa simply walked home at New Brigbjton, and with her penalty added she can scarcely help winning either tho Flying Handicap, Now Year's Gilt, or Braemar 'Welter. At the Chribtohurch me-st-ing this mare, on receipt of 71b from. Vulcan, ran away from him. Now, in the Braemar Welter, Vulcan is asked to give her 17lb, so that with her 7lb v penalty she still has 10lb tho best oi the position, to say nothing of the drubbing she gave him. Belligerent is asked to give Phryne 231b at Ashburton, and a,t ChristchuTch there was only 61b between them and Phryne was in front oi Belligerent. As Phryne was only second she gets no penalty. Belligerent will not start. These instances are only a few of the mistakes which might have been avoided by waiting a few days. I should say Huku -would win tho Ashburton Cup. Sub Rosa or her stable companion Phryne the Flying Handicap. The same pair are well treated in the New Year's Gift, and I cannot see anything better than those two in the Braemar Welter. Heiiades may secure the Galloway llaco, and I like the look of Berlin Mac and Jock M'Quilla in the Trot.

The conditions of the Welter Handicap, decided at the Christchurch Racing Club"s Summer meeting, provided that the winner of any race after the declaration of the weights should put up a 7lb penalty. Sub Rosa had previously secured the Hurdle race, and her trainer weighed out with the psnalty, but it is undorstood that the president of the club informed him that winners of hurdle races were not penalised for flat events, and Sub Rosa went out and won without carrying the penalty. When tho race was over, J. Lewi3, the trainer of; Relic, the second horse, asked the. secretary to be shown the rule bearing on the point, and why Sub Rosa, did no; carry the extra 7lb. Mr Rattray irumediate'y looked about for members of the committee, but failed in his quest, not a single steward beii_s available. Lewis did r.ot, in the absence of the owner of Relic, Mr J. C. N. Grigg, entci- a formal protest, so the totalisator paid out on Sub Rosa. The Rules of Racing provide that winners of hurdle races arc not subject to penalties in a flat race, unless, the last clause *states,specially provided for. The advertised programme of the club states that the winner of "any" race should carry a penalty of 7lb was so passed by the C.J.C.. and piintcd in the raea books. This being s(5, it appear? to me that Sub Rosa should have carried the penalty. Doubtless a mistake was maclo"ni inserting tlic word '"any," but there it was, and though a meeting of stewards may be held to consider the point, the stakes not having been paid over, they enn scarcely alter tlieir own programme after tho races are decided. At tho same time, it would ba hard if the Btakcs were now diverted from the owner of Sub Rosa, seeing that he intended to race the maro with the penalty.

A reDort was circulated here during the past week that there was a probability no permit would bo forthcoming for the Canterbury Trotting Club's meeting. So far as I can learn, a memo, was received by Mr Hat tray asking if any steps had been 'taken regarding the amalgamation proposals which had bcea laid before the' Colonial Secretary. A reply was sent to the effect that nothing had been done in the matter sinco the deputation discussed the position in Wellington. On Saturday morning the permit "arrived.

Heavy overnight rain and a threatening morning seriously minimised the attendance on the second day of the Christchurch Racing Club's meeting; but the racing was decided in beautiful weather. Tho course was in capital order. The amount put through the totaliEators was considerably less than the amount handled at tho corresponding gathering last year, the investment's this year being JSKJ9BO, as against £4SQ2 for the corresponding meeting a year ago. Sub Rosa opened the racing by cantering home in the Hurdle Race from Pensioner, Shekel, and Umslopogaas, neither of whom had a hope with tuo winner for pace. Umslopogaas jumped in fine style, but he is unsound, and could not -see it out, finishing last. Pensioner also fenced well, but Shekel showed an inclination to run down his fences. St. Roaald merely had an exercise canter in the Trial Stakes, Simpleton being unable to get anywhere near him over the last quarter milo. Booser was in front the whole way in the Two-mile Trot, Miss Brownwood, who came very fast at the finish, defeating Milliugton by half a length for second place. Sequin jumped away in front in tho Christchurch Cup Handicap, and keeping possession to the end, won with ease by three lengths from Ben Farley, who went out with blood mid matter running from his injured leg. Notwithstanding this, however, he ran well, whilst Huku, who was kept rathei too far away from Sequin over the first part of the jonrney, failed to make any impression on her when he tried at the top of the straight, and Skirmisher, though running well to the straight, finished some distance behind Huku. Tho unsound Maximum was a class above his opponents in the Selling Kace, and won with the greatest ease, subsequently being bought in at £10. Gold, purchased by D.- O'Brien out of a umilar race on tho previous day, was second, and Miss Rudstone third. Hawthorne jumped away in front iv the Electric Handicap, and never being headed, ran home a winner by three lengths from Phrync, after whom came Suzannah. Annie Kooney easily took the One-mile Trot, the hot favourite Necklace, trotting badly, and finishing la<?t. Sub Rosa, had no trouble in securing the Welter Handicap, Relic dividing the winner and the favourite Vulcan, aftt-r whom came Rangefinder. The Cheviot Racing Club's meeting on NewYear's Day should provide an interesting afternoon s sport. Wahoo may win the Hurdle Race, The Pest the Maiden Plate, Jib or Camel the Cheviot Cup, Mattie J. the Maiden Trot, Camel or Jib the Mackenzie Stakes, and Mattie J. the Open Trot. The Amuri Turf Club's annual meeting will be held on Match 17 next.