CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 45

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Feitz

The New Zealand Trotting Association, in discussing the Winchmau-Dagmar case, sent forward by the Alexandra Jockey Club, expressed its satisfaction at the thoiough manner in which the club had prosecuted its inquiries, and which enabled it to mete out justice. The reading of the sworn affidavits sent up for perusal did not, however, strike the members ,as satisfactory, as it was evident that false statements had been made, and they decided to suggest to the clubs to whom these affidavits had been sent the advisableness of taking some steps to punish the offenders. In taking this step the association i& well aware that it may cause the clubs no small amount of trouble, but -unless some severe measures are taken, the offenders can afford to laugh at the paltry punishment already meted out to them. Absolutely the club proved that a horse had been rung in as Wmchman, and to cover up their delinquencies the parties behind the hor3e swore that he was sired by a horse named Spot and was bred at Miller's Flat. The offence of rmging-in plone merits lifelong ostracism, but when to this is added wholesale lying, I feel sure the members of the Alexandra Club will see that the strength of their efforts have at present been weakened by the penalty inflicted. The form of disqualification inflicted by "the club is also weak, and the association is quite right in suggesting that it should alter its decision to a definite period instead of during it 3 pleasure. Such a verdict means anythng, and experience has proved that disqualifying clubs are liable to have pressure brought to bear upon them in less than six months to have the embargo removed. The personnel of clubs change, and the new memhers d» not, pel chance, feel quite so strongly on the point. By making the sentence a fixed number of years it then rests with the association to endorse or remove, whereas it is questionable whether under our present rules the club alone would possess that power if left at "during its pleasure." I trust the club will continue its good work and follow the lead suggested. Mr Beck, owner of Dagmar, who ha 3 been awarded the race in which Wmchman rar, asked the association to return his £5 appeal deposit, which was readily granted, the Alexandra Club writing that Mr Beck had gone to 1 great deal of trouble in the matter.

Many foreign trotters have been brought to New Zealand during the past few years, and clubs should be extremely careful in looking over the sale notes or certificates produced by their owners before allowing the animals to start. The rules of trotting give clubs very great power, but it is feared that few clubs give the matter the attention it deserves. Local owners are placed at a great disadvantage if fast foreign hoises are permitted to start here without their identity being thoroughly established, for be it remembered that buyers do not bring the slowest trotters they can discover in Australia. At the association's meeting one member mentioned that he had seen the papers produced to the New Brighton stewards on which they allowed a horse to start, but he thought they were entirely inadequate, and after a discussion it was decided to ask the New Brighton Club to allow the association to peruse the papers.

A rather peculiar point cropped up at the association's meeting. The Tahuna Pprk Club refused to accept an appeal after disqualifying Little Harold, on the ground that it was a question of fact, the disqualification being endorsed. Mr Barnes, owner of Little Harold, wrote complaining that the club refused to take his appeal, but the association decided that p.s the rule bearing on th^ subject said. "It shall not be necessary," the club acted within its rights.

At the- New Brighton meeting last month Auntie ran second to Farewell II in the Electric, a protest against the latter for crossing being dismissed by the stewards. This was another question of fact, the officials by their action saying that there was no crossing. Yet they accept an appeal. Each club is right according to my reading of the rule, and if the next conference alters the rule to "shall not accept," a distinct improvement will be made. Mr Smith, owner of Auntie, withdrew his appeal, stating that after consideration he thought the stewards could do nothing else than dismiss his protest. He also asked for a return of his £5, which was declined. Had MiBarnes's appeal been, accepted, there is a probability that he, too, would now be £5 the poorer.

Regarding the registration of foreign horses, a very good suggestion was made by the members of the association that a memo should be placed in the suggestion book for consideration by the next conference whether it would not be belter to alter the rule so that the association or its appointees alone shall peruse all certificates and issue permits allowing them to race. As it is now, a man can register a horse, giving any particulars, whilst the identity of the horse has to be satisfactory to any club. The idea of the association is not only to see the papers, but the horse itself, and if everything is satisfactory, the controlling body can issue an authority which can he presented to any club. Seeing a horse, and noting any peculiarities in gait, marking, etc., is a sensible idea, and moreover, will remove &ac respousi-

bihty from the shoulders of Ciubs, for which, I take it, they will not be soiry. Bealey, lecently brought- over fiom the West Coast, is an inmate of F. Holmes's stable. H. Lunn has bold Valcan to Mr W. H. P. Woodioffe, and Redan now constitutes the strength of the Middicton stable. De Wet, who is by Lakeshell, and bred in the Oxford district, i& m Rodcn's charge at Riccaiton.

Several owners are putting breaking tackle on their youngsteis at headqtiarters. As a result of a petition signed by a large mimbei of owners, the committee of the New Zealand Metiopohtan Trotting Club has altered the conditions of the High-class find Victona Handicaps, to be decided at the May meeting, from 57 to smin or better. The change has been iipproved by the association. The Plumpton Park Trotting Cub commenced its Autumn meeting on Satuiday, a large number of visitors being drawn to the ground by the beautiful weathei. The piospect of witnessing good sport was amply realised, some exciting struggles being witnessed, whilst a perusal ot the times recoided shows that the track was m capital condition. Speculation was brisk, the sum of £3535 being handled by the totahsator officials. Of cap, Uranus was installed favourite, but he could only get third to Vanity Fair and Rosetta. The last-named led until well in the straight, where she broke up, and Vanity Fair easily defeated her. Uranus appeared to have a chance less than half a mile from home, but he could not get up. Uranus was ridden m hobbles, and nearly fell several times. It is not surprising that many trotting men intensely dislike driving or riding hobbled horses. Vanity Fair paid her supporters £36 Bs, and covered the journey m smm 33Jsec. The two-year-old Electioneer — Eladarat pony Onward monopolised the betting in the Pony Handicap, 218 out of the 453 tickets issued being taken out on the colt in a field of 12. Quickly getting to the front, Onward had his opponents at his mercy, and won comfortably from another two-year-old, Little Princess, who 19 by Prince Imperial. Onward got to the end of the 12 furlongs in 4mm 15sec. The withdrawal of Nantes and "Wizard left Dictator ssec, Lord Harold Usec, and Lady May 21 sec to contest the Sockburn Handicap, the first-named carrying most, money. The race was run at a strong pace throughout, Dictator defeating his two opponents, and running the two miles in the slashmg time of 4min 55Jsec. Lady May was second, and was unfortunate in bumping up against the son of Imperious. Mambrino King, a fine stamp of horse, won the Progiessive Handicap by three lengths horn Milroy, who finished very fast, the two miles being coveied m smin Slsec. Seventeen horses went out for the Ladies' Bracelet, two miles, Millionaire trotting a good race from the 2sec mark, and winning by six lengths horn Gather-no-Mo3s, the mare putting up smin 17sec. All Day was made a level-money favourite in the Plumpton Handicap, the field comprising Rita llsec, St. Simon 19sec, Faithful 22sec, All Day 25sec, Big Jim 25sec, Tracy Belle 26sec, Billy Wilson 26sec, Royalwood 30sec, and Lady Jane 303ec. All Day pulled to the front before half the distance had been trotted, aaid, keeping going to the end, won all out from tho fast-finishing Billy Wilson, only a length separating the pair, whilst St. Simon was six lengths away third. This is the third time St. Simon has run into a place during the past few weeks, on each occasion beating smin Tsec. All Day registered smm llsec, Billy Wilson a little less. The stewards were not satisfied with Faithful's running, and called upon Mr Pettie to explain, after which the matter was held over until Monday. Valour 2sec, who did not get away too well, trotted a fine race in the Electric Handicap, but could not reach Flavia, who won by eight lengths, the favourite, Alberf, being second. Flora G. upset calculations in the Dash Handicap, and won from the two-year-old General Lincoln by a- bare length in 2rnin 31 l-ssec. The youngster, who started from the same mark as the winner, put up 2min 32sec, a rare performance, and one which deserved a better fate. Rita filled third place 20 lengths away, Royalwood breaking when close to the post. A protest for crossmg was held over for consideration on Monday evening. Mr H. L. James, secretary of the Dunedm Jockey Club, was an interested spectator of th» trotting at Plumptou 0:1 Saturday. April 8.

The Canterbury Jockey Club's Autumn meeting began to-day m beautiful weather, but after the decision of" the principal event, ? strong sou-wester sprang up, soon foUowcd by rain, which, however, did i*ot cont.nue long. Tlie attendance was the largest yet seen at the club's Easter meeting, and the totalisator investments, £10,110, were £I*l9 more than on the corresponding day last year. The course was very haid, very little ra:n having f«llen at Riccarton this autumn, although all _ round there has been more than enough. Social Pest was withdrawn from the Hurdle Race, and Long Tom was made a slightly better favourite thg,n Ilex, who was cry sore. Long Tom won all the way, and Ilex was last. Haurin broke down, and was pulled up before reaching the last fence, but was beaten long before that point. Backers had to lay 10 to lon Mr Stead's pair for the Champagne Stakes, and the odds were not extravagant, for -their two opponents never pressed them,- but there was some surprise at the ea-sy style in which Cruciform de-feated-Men schikoff. " The winner is a vei^ lac-ing-looking filly, and has come on much since the summer meeting. Someiled was made a hot favourite for the Autumn Maiden Plate, but he sweated so profusely before going to the post that many backers sought the winner elsewhere, Komur'i and Sant llano being generally chosen. St. Martin's condition failed him when the finish came, and Komuri, coming with a strong run half-wav down the straight, at once settled his opponents, and going on, won very comfortably. The favourite was last, and Sant Ilario, who was slow to begin, was never piominent. After this success the Hon. G. M'Lean's representative was naturally made favourite for the Eastei Handicap, but Brnzoin and St. Dems, both looking particularly well, were al^o stiongly supported, though the hardness of the ground tended to dinvnish +he confidence of the connections of the imported horse. Glenogle made the running, followed at an interval of a clear length by Cora Linn, St. Den,is, arid Mcl wood in close order When they entered the straight it looked fs if Glerogle would maintain his position to the end, but a furlong and a-half from home Pampero dashed through and the lace was over. Tsaritza, who was improving her position, broke a blood vessel and stopped, and the challenges of St. Denis s>nd Melwood were fruitless, the Hon. G. M'Lean's fine colt winning comfortably by four lengths. The winner was heaitily applauded. Benzion, Skobeloff, Malatua, Military, Palaver, and Hermosa made no show at any part of the rac-e. OenaUdaJe won the Ep.som Welter Handicap in ve-ry convincing fashion, Cadet being his only opponent to press him. The Gimcrack Race brought out a miserable field of cripples, and w arrmgton, the oldest and lamest of the lot, won after a good race with Bonaparte, who was a pronounced favourite, and Bristol. His owner was allowed to retain the winner at £15. Battlecry was the public fancy for the Russley Plate, but Antigone, who was next in request, took command early in the race, and won easily from "Wepener, the others benten off Nihilist was favourite for the Sockbtirn Handicap, but he was sore, and took no part in the decision of the race. Strathnairn and Flame made the pace, and on the latter, after giving way, again asserting herselfj she w&s in twea headed lt>i CameOi whe

ft mshed \ery strongly and won by Half a length, I Scottish Minstiel just bc?ting Strathnann fci I thud place. I