CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2430, 10 October 1900, Page 41

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Fritz,

CHRISTCHimCH, October 8

'The Ohoka and Eyreton Jockey Club's annual race meeting, which took place on Thursday, is the most "up-country" in character of any Canterbury meeting remaining on the calendar. The accommodation, is very fair, there being a convenient little stand, and a commodious paddock with offices, jockeys' and weighing room and horse stalls. The stewards are genuine sportsmen, but they don't know much of the intricacies of racing law and practice, and there is- a go-as-you-please air about the whole proceedings. Generally the judge used to place only first and second horses, sometimes only the first, but this year there was an advance, the first, second, and third being placed in every race but the last, and in. that a distinct mistake was made, the really second horse being placed first. There was* a good attendance,- and though a few bookmakers were present, they did comparatively little business and .the totahsator investments amounted to £L7G4 103 — an increase of J693 upon last year's amount.

The racing was fairly interesting, though there was not much clasa amongst the performers, and no new talent vrs,a unearthed, as

has often been the case here. The owners of Crash came to gnei once more, backing Mr Wilfred Stead's cast-off as if he were a certain winner. It may be said he had no chance of siiccess at_any part of the race, and Cadet (whom Mr Paul Holmes was just well enough to ride) won, all out, from Redan. The latter was favourite, the public being better radges than the Crash party. Huku was, of course, favourite for the principal handicap , but Lttie Whirlv»:nd Mas very well, and weathering the gale better than either oi her two opponents, made every post a winning one, and lasted ju&t long enough to win. Cameo was m a galloping niooa, and won the i\i.andeville Welter Handicap pretty comfortably, after "Larry" Maikey's nice horse St. Martin — not quite in racing condition — had made all the running. Phryne ran disappointingly, and is evidently a long way fiom first-ciass, and Belligerent did no better. The District Welter Handicap was a gift to Camel, and the Hack Selling Race to ±Jlucher, who wa& gold to a- We3t Cop at buyer for £10— quite enough. The Flying- Handicap produced a close race between Bonaoarte, Ladykiller, and Whirlwind, who finished in the order named, heads seppratmg them; but the judge gave the veidict to Ladykiller, whereat there was an uproar, but, of course, without affecting the decision. The Trots were won. very easily, tho mile event being a, record, the winner being bttckeJ down to 6 to 4 on in a field of 31.

Cutts cannot understand Canme duel's poor form, at Wanganui. It %vas too bad to be true. As for Scottish Minstrel, he was attacked by influenza a day or uvo beiore the meeting, which, accounts for his poor display. 1 J.o not fancy either will prove a top-sawyer. Those who saw Advance run ai> Wanganui are greatly impressed with his display. He won in a hack canter. Tortulla also ran well, and must have a chance in the New Zealand Cup.

Last week Mala tua had the better of &ulitary iv a good gallop. The week before the icsult waa tlie other way. Contrary to Hie rule in such cases, they are both good ones.

Dundaa is very bright after a- physicking, and is galloping in his best track sty^e. If he would repeat it in his races, he would soon be amongst tho top-weights.

There j.s an unusually good lot of two-yeai-oLls at l-ticcaiton and laldhurst this seaton, and as those at Hawke's Bay are reported to be also above the average, the Juvenile events at Riccarton in November will be particularly interesting.

Next to nothing is doing in Cup betting, though the meeting is so close at hand. Thousand to one trebles on the Caulfield, Melbourne, and New Zealand Cups are the only lorm oi speculation indulged mto any extent. Ihe' odds for favourite picks are cut down to 500 to 1.

At the meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association on Wednesday night Mr T. Thornton's refusal to repay the stake won by Scrutineer was brought under notice by the T&hrui* Park Club. It was shown that the pioper course was for the club to first deal wiih the csse and leport to the association for cciiiimstion, and the matter wa3 referred back fc r tuat puipose. The enormous sums charged in tLe Tahuna Club's balance sheet for '"Rent and expenses" — some £1200 for four meeLugs — was the subject of some criticism, anql it was lesolved to ask for details. It was suggested that balance sheets should be audited by an auditor appointed by the associ-r.ion, and also that the Government auditors should be xequestsd to act, and a^ lCho.ution to mquue wliether the latter could be arranged was adopted. The as sociation is determined to keep a sharp eye on balance sheets. The Vincent secretary having for the third time sen's m a programme to be passed unaccompanied by the fee, was directed to be written a jJiarp reminder to observe Ihe ride in future. 'Jj. Robertson, owner" of Motuiti and other trotters, complained that the Wellington Trotting Club had wrongly placed him on the foifeit list for entrance fees, and the handicaps of his horses had not been published on the stated day. The secretary of the Wellington Club stated that the handicaps- were withheld pending the receipt of the feea, and weie published on receipt of a promise from Robertson to send an order on another club for them. It was resolved that the makL-:g of the entries rendered the owner liable for the fees, and that he clearly must pay tha amount. The examination of Motuiti >>- an independent person is to be made in order to complete her entry in the register.