CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2413, 31 May 1900, Page 36

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Fbitz.

Prom every standpoint the two-day meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Club established itself as one of the most successful ever held here. Oil Queen's Birthday there waJ a splendid attendance, which^ naturally fell away somewhat on the Saturday. The caretaker of the course desc-ives no small amount of praise for the manner in which he had prepared the track. It was in capital order, and many of the times registered upon it will take a great deal of beating. The officials d:d everything possible to ensure the success of. the meeting, and they showed by their actions that they were keenly alert. Unfortunately, they felt compelled to as£ L. Robertson, the rider of Bellman in the "Winter Handicap Trot, for an explanation of his riding of the horse, which was 1106 considered altogether satisfactory, and had a rider been available, it is probable that the horse would have been tried over the distance. However, time did not allow for anything to be done, but as Bellman was a, tisrfcer in the next race (the Limit Handicap, in harness), the stewards decided to wait and watch, the horse's running. This time .Bellman went right away fioni his field, and won by a little more than 100 yds. The stewards again mot, and after taking "evidence resolved to award the race to the second horse, Prince Imperial, to return the money invested on Bellman in the totaasatora, and to disqualify L. Robertson, the driver, and Bellman for 12 months. An appeal to the New Zealand Trotting Association, was at once entered, and in the meantime the stakes and totalisator money have bsen withheld. Bellman would hare paid £12 14s. He covered the distance m 5.3. As the matter is sub judice, I will refrain from offering any opinion on the merits of the case. Whil3fc this incident unfortunately broke the harmony of the proceedings, it is pleasing to no^e a, few Ol the sterling performances registered on. the admittedly first-class track. They are: Monte Carlo, two miles in harness, 4.51 2-5 Monte Carlo, two miles in harness, 4.51 2-fr Bellman, two miles in harness, 5.3 Occidental, two miles in saddle, 5.4 1-5 Ipswich, two miles in harness, 5.16. Victory, two miles in harness, 5.17. Jessie Palm, one mile in saddle, 2.22. Jessie Palm, one mile in saddle, 2.28. Val, one mile in harness, 2.30. - Val, one mile in harness, 2.25. Jessie Palm's 2.22 constitutes a record for New Zealand-bred animals, whilst Monte Carlo's two performances stand out as somewhat unique, as he registered exactly the same time each day. Val won easily when he put up 2.30, and he clipped this time by ssec on the second day. It would be interesting to see what Fritz could do on this track. His record of 2.13- is clocked from a flying .start in harness, whilst Jessie Palm's time was made from a standing start in saddle. The mare is trained by B. Edwards, as also is llonte Carlo, and for each horse to win a race on both days proves in what condition the animals were brought to the post. M. Edwards . also dirl fairly well, and there is little doubt that Val is probably the fastest miler we have. His 2.25 was registered in the dark, which wag a pity, as' the race would have been worth close watching. The Trial Handicap, the opening event' of the meeting, was secured by the Young Irvington pony pacer Dusk, Cincinnati and JTarregansett being his most dangerous opponents. The time for this race -was 5.53, but on the second day Dusk came out and won the Pony Trot in 5.38, and of course won comfortably. The old stager Lady Warbeck succeeded in easily defeating 31 others in the Pony Eace on the first day, registering 5.43 2-5. .This pony has been racing here and in the north for a great number of years, with an occasional retirement on account of maternal duties. Monte Carlo, J.H., The Baion, Viokery, Prince Imperial, Thelma, Lauderdale, and Bellman made up a capital field in the Birthday Handicap, of whom the first-named proved to' be the best, J.H. and The Baron finishing second and third respectively. Bellman was in front for some considerable distance, but after throwing a toe weight he dropped away to the Tear, on the second day old Monte Carlo, put back

style, the horse on each occasion piling on a •torrent of pace over the last mile. Vickery trotted well, but she is not quite at her best. J.H., Prince Imperial, Thelma, and The Baron have scarcely ever appeared to better advantage, but. Collector was not probably at his best. "Victory secured the Advance Handicap comfortably from Miss Child and Wild Pooie, and this gave to Price his first win since last New Year's Day. The grey gelding Occidental and General Grigg finished in that order in the Addington Handicap, C. Harold bringing General Grigg with a late run in the straight, and finishing less than a length behind Occidental. Ipswich comfortably defeated Bellman and Manton in the Victoria Handicap, for which Collector was sent out favourite. Jessie Palm just as easily got home from Lexington and Simon R. in the Telegraph Trot, Gerty being sent out at less than even money in a field of 13. She played up at the post, and though travelling at a great pace when she Eettled down, it was then too late, and she could only finish in fourth position. Vai had his opponents well beaten before he had travelled 600 yds in the Final Handicap Trot, and thence out he paced along at_ his leisure. The Baron was second and Ipswich third. Peri began on the second day toy appropriating the Innovation Handicap, and after Dusk had secured the Pony Race, Dakota went out and annexed the Winter Handicap comfortably from Dictator and Bellman. The last-named animal's performance in the succeeding race is dealt with -above. Senator Had no trouble in winning the Piogressive Handicap, Fiowerwood, the favourite, and Florence filling the respective positions. I "have already dealt with the other winners — Monte Carlo, Jessie Palm, and, Val. Local sportsmen consider it most unfortunate that the handicaps for the-£LOO Champion Trot at Oaniaru made their appearance before the local meeting was concluded. Monte Carlo, Almont. Collector, All Day, and Gerty constitute a dangerous division, and if the last-named settles down pretty well everything else can stay at home. 9 l would suggest that the following horses ou^it to run well at the North Canterbury Jockey Club's annual meeting on Thursdaynext, acceptances for which have not yet appeared: — "Winter Oats, Cameo and Speculator; District Welter, Camel; N.C.J.C. Handicap, Paladin; Flying Handicap, Rougernont and Lapidary. Hawthorn jumped well when tried recently over the small obstacles. She will not be asked to do much jumping until next season. Local backers held their own with the layers over the Dunedin gathering. Glenogle's defeats wer-3 not palatable, and Boaaparte's running behind Ga'iieo was a puzzle to many. The TTiuslow Racing Club heid a successful mesting on Mpj 24, Hurunui won the Maiden Handicap, Braemar the Maiden Tiot, Gloaming 'the Winslow Cup, Stiuan the Publicans' Trot, Pauline, you are a Belle the Poay Race, Weasel the Ladies' Purse, and Faircliild the Consolation Handicap Trot. Good reports reach me as to the doings oi Sir G. Clifford's j'earlings. Wee Drappie is considered to be very like Cannie Chiel. The latter's full sister, Windwhistle, is a nice beast, as also a,re Goldenmere and Battlecry, and but little fault can be found with Jeseult. , Melita will not sgain be raced until the spring. The Christchurch Hunt Club notifies that the Farmers' Selling Steeplechase, owing to a mistake baing made in the course at the meeting on Saturday week last, is to be run again, and have awarded the Selling Race to Merrie Maid. Seeing that Merrie Maid admittedly ran inside a flag, it would probably have been wiser to have also run that race again. A meeting of the Hurunui Turf Club was held on Saturday evening, when Mr W. C. Bridson was in the chair. The balance sheet in connection with the last race" meeting showed that there was £41 in hand after giving £5 to the Canterbury war fund. Presentations wers made to Mr W. M'Naught, secretary, and to Mr J. Hayes, for services rendered to the club. Votes of thanks were passed to Colonel Fox, judge; Mr W. Thomson, starter, and other officials.