C.T.C. AUTUMN MEETING,

Otago Witness, Issue 2507, 9 April 1902, Page 46

C.T.C. AUTUMN MEETING,

Despite the fact that Riccarton, in common with the rest of Canterbury, had to undergo the ordeal of a miniature flood a week prior to the C.J.C. Autumn meeting coming up for decision, the race track made a quick recovery, and on Easter Monday the going was much firmer than one would naturally expect to be the case. The rains had the effect of giving the lawn, saddling paddock, the approaches and surroundings of the course a fresh and pleasing appearance to the eye, as the grass, shrubs, and flowers had derived not a little benefit from the downpour. Riccarton. in fact, looked at its best. The attendance on Easter Monday was large, and prominent sportsmen from all parts ot the colony were present and ready to partake of the pleasures and pains of the meeting. The racing throughout the entire meeting was of a very interesting nature, and several close and exciting finishes were witnessed each day. The Hurdle Raca on the first day was robbed of its interest by the downfall of Huku and Vanquish when the pair were endeavouring to negotiate the th.rd obstacle. Turning out of the straight and racing to the fence Huku led Roller by about two lengths, and Vanquish lay close to Rolkr. Closing on the jump Vanquish raced up to the leader. Huku took off too far away from the fence, and although Vanquish put in a stride after Huku rose the black horso cannoned the mare when he punched tho fence, and the pair came to mother earth. Neither rider of the horses was hurt by the fall, but Roller had, by the accident, the way cleared for an easy victory. W. Higgms, who was riding Vanquish, promptly caught his mount and set sail after Roller,- but the latter had too great a lead, and seeigg successful pursuit was hopeless he merely pursued the leader with the object of obtaining second money. Roller, when being sadd ed for the race, looked very big. and this had the effect of making his chance a poorly fancied one, with the result that hid suppo'tcrs were rewarded with the handsome dividend of £4 11s 6d in a field of three. It -was a popular win, and the owner came in for an ovation from the spectators when the winner returned to the weighing enclosure. Higgins, the rider of Vanquish, also came in for a round of applause as he passed the pos>t. In the Champagne Stakes Tercelet, the colt by Clanranald—Teredina, and Stepson, the colt by Stepniak—Britomart, the full sister to Euroclydon, were withdrawn from the list of those who figured on the card for the race. Mr G. G. Stead had two representatives in the race in Orloff, the Welcome Stakes winner, and a raking big colt named Evelyn Wood, by Hotchkiss from St. Evelyn, by St. Leger. This colt is a full brother to San Patricia, aud is hard to find fault with. He has, however, a fault which Hotchkiss generally bestows on his stock, and that is the colt is rather stilty in front. He has also a fair amount of daylight under him. In the race he ran greenish, but showed pace at the tail end, after he had dropped back when the field had traversed a couple of furlongs. Orloff lias grown a trifle since the spring, and finished with plenty of courage in the race, although many consider the gelding a shifty customer when the pressure is applied at the business end of a journey. Greek Maid is a really good consistent filly and a good ad. for her sire. Welbeck looked more forward than he did at the Dunedin Clip meeting, but was never very conspicuous in the race. Golden Vein is a good cut of a colt, and in a punishing finish beat Vladimir for third money. The Dunedin colt looked bright and well, but when the barrier flew up he dwelt on the mark aud \ost ground. The colt was rushed through to the fron 1 at om-e, and, striding past the others, he turned into the straight with a commanding lead. About a furlong from home Orloff challenged, and a little later Greek Maid put in her run, and both soon had the Dunedin colt's measure. Orloff ran home an easy winner in front of Greek Maid, and Golden Vein beat Vladimir half a length for third honours Orloff had tho race won easily in the last few strides, and rerorded the first win at the meeting of the wellknown yellow jacket and "black tnp. The following are the headlines of the winner's pedigree: —

Orloff was bred by Mi .1. F Reid, at the Elderslie stud, and cost 1 is present owner 145gs a3 a yearling In the Maiden Plate two were struck out who figured on the race card. Pallas, who had recorded a good Mx-furloiig gallop is.i tho previous Saturday morning, was made favourite, and the field had not gone far before all doubt as to the ultimate issue of the race was placed beyond doubt. The Chain Armour colt was taken to the front as soon as possible after the rise of the barrier, and made every post a winning one. A notable thing about the race was the fuct that the firtt four" horses on the card ficiehed in the order of their numbers. Pallas has improved feinee hi» first appeal ance this beason, and l* now furnishing with what should be the makings of a very useful horse His dam,- Nellie, was sired by Al bany out of Seadrift, who was by Sledmere. Chain Armour, the bire of Pallas, i^ out of a mare well known in Duneriin. and that was the Apremont mare Apropos, who raced in H Goodman*!! co'our-. Cham Armour was thu le^ult of hei union with Chamsiiot. Prior to her death, a'thr.ugh a numb'r of year-3 at the stud. Apiopo- only prod'urd two foal«. and these wue a h ly by ht. Gi ora;' 1 laficrwards called Proposal) and tl'e colt to Chair shot. With tin* dc( loion of the M:>iden the way \va<- cleared f<"T the Great Ea=ter Ha-u'icap, nii'oh \vn- pnd')W< d for the first time w tli lOOOiOvs. In the paddock thp candidate* f. ,r this valuab'e stnbo w«.ro scanned over, r.tid ricne looked beUfi to the o> c than did tic flyinjt Crucif" nn. ?sLc ha-- not tlrrkoprtl much since the but the rac.ng hf has undergone in the mr.miime ha*= not done her any harm NV\t to Mr Stf-ad's filly the app»ara»ic» of Lac.v Lillian was very taking, a^ she looked even barter than she did at the Dunodin Cup meet.ng Tsaritza'E coat was irehned to -tar. . but '•hp walked round with her usual buoyntvy. Ca-ntpan. Cora Lynn, and We=>t Guard a.ll

looked as if they had undergone a good preparation for the race. Red Gauutfet found additional admirers when it was noticed how he had filled out since he was last seen at Riccarton. He is still inclined to ba narrow and a bit of a commoner in appearance. He has aleo plenty of white about him, which many old sports are inclined to consider a bad sign about a horse. Red Gauntlet is still capable of further improvement, and is one worth following in future. Terrapin looked well, but moved a bit tenderly on his feet. Calibre looked in good order, and Glenaladale presented a well-trained appearance. At the release of the barrier Canteen and We3t Guard were first to show out, followed by Red Gauntlet, who had drawn the outside position, and Cruciform. The rest of the field were close up. After going close on three furlongs, Cruciform dropped bade to the rear division, and turning into the straight Canteen and West Guard, ciosely attended by Red Gauntlet on the outside and Cora Linn on the inside, were first to get their heads straightened for home. Cruciform was now improving her position. West Guard retired approaching the distance, and a little later Canteen was also holding out signals of distress. Thia lpft Red Gauntlet and Cora Linn in the van, but when the distance was reached Cruciform apoeared <.n the scene, and, passing the leaders, lan home a winner by two lengths. She ran very easily in the last few strides, and at the turn into the straight she wa-3 a long distance awjy from the leaders. Crucifonn's last three furlong? must ha\e been very rapid, for her to have made up her ground as she did. Whei the filly dropped back as previously mentioned, to me it appeared as if some of those behind her had gollopetl on her heels, acid that her chance of success wa-3 extinguished. Why Hewitt, when occupying what appeared to be a fairly good position behind Canteen and West Guard, elected to drop back amongst the ruck I cannot say. With two or three horses in front he did not have much chance of geting boxed, but he had a good chance of getting shut ia by his action, as he had to come through almost the entire field afterwards. But to box in a mare like Cruciform and an ordinary racehorse are two very different tasks. It was a sterling performance on the winner's part, and, admitting that Cannie Chiel is undoubtedly a proved good 'un, how the latter beat the filly at the midsummer meeting is one of the mysteries of the turf It may be taken as an example of how differently horses are capable of raoing. Cruciform has proved a profitable investment for her owner, and to breed such a filly mudt be a great source of pleasurable thought to Mr T. Morrin, the Wellington Park studmaster. Her pedigree starts as follow 3: —

In the Epsom Welter, Fleka put up a very good performance, as, after getting more than his share of bad luck, he finally got clear, and won in a most convincing style. Those who like supporting their fancy in a race had better underline Fleka's name in their notebooks. The Duuedin candidate Ayrdale ran well, and finiob.ee! up a good fourth, and Rosemere was very prominent in the early part of the contest Fleka is by St. Andrew, from Flatter, the dam of Palaver, Blarney, and Zanella. Another who ran prominently was Lady Dun_das, who was in front witlv the leaders in the early portion of the race. In the Gimcrack Reflex walked off easily with the prize, and was purchased after the race by Mr T. Mortimer at £50. Bealey's rider was had up before the stewards, aad asked for an explanation of his riding. It wae deemed satisfactory by the stewards. In the la*t race of the day Djin Djin was put lound aa the best of good things-, and he went out a strong favourite Whirlwind led for a mile, and then tiring to nothing, left Magnificent in front, and going on he won easily. Djin Djin was in trouble five furlongs from home, and finished a moderate third behind Clanburn.

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