CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 50

CANTERBURY DOINGS

Bt Fbitz.

Another New Zealand Cup has been nunfbered with the past, and never before has it» decision been witnessed by such a crowd of visitors, every part of the colony being- represented. The early morning hours were very hot, and before racing commenced the wind went round to the south-w«st, bringing showers with it, and many were unable to secure adequate shelter. Great drops spoilt many of the feather-decked hats and light dresses, but fortunately the leather cleared, and probably, the lawns and enclosures have never looked nx>re brilliant. Everything was in capital order, and the flower beds -were gay with, colour. It is estimated that th. attendance constituted a- record, whilst the investments for the day amounted to .£22,661, as against £22,073 for the corresponding- day las* year. Unfortunately, Kiore fell whilst running in the last race of the day, bringing down Zealous-. G. Price, who rode the former, had his collarbone broken; and Mr G. Crowe, who had th« mount on Zealous, has his right leg broken. JFhe race for th's Cap w*B one of the prettiest ever seen on any course in the world up to three furlongs from home, but from that point it was obvious that only three horses— Canteen, "Welbeck, and. Halberdier — held winning prospects. Running for the straight the last time the whole field closed up, and hopes weri raised that we were likely to witness a great finish. However, though this was- not forth-. „ coming, everybody" present — winners, and loser* alike — were forced to ' confess that they ' had seldom witnessed a finer race. Cannie Chiel * was the only late withdrawal, his stable com-; panion, Glenaladale, representing the stable! Afc the candidates were being saddled; .up they vrere eagerly scanned, and as they' paraded ifiS the paddock and in fion* of the- kiwn the condition, of the 11 starters was freely criticised. Nonette appeared to be somewhat fine, and his friends were not at all sanguine. As a. matter of fact, there was less money on his number on the totalisator than on either of his antagonists, with the exception of Punamu. He is a nice horse withal, but he was asked a severe task to carry 9.9 over two miles, and though he was close to the leaders at the turn for home, the weight told, and he dropped away beaten. Tortulla- is naturally a bi£ mare, but she appeared almost too big. She raced prominently until reaching the straight run home, but she failed t hold her place. Pcrirua, Tortulla's stable companion, appeared to be in the pink of condition. He is only a little fellow, but he ran really well, finishing up in fourth place, a couple of lengths behind Canteen. Halberdier, who it might be mentioned was purchased by his present owner for something like £26, is a plain-looking, powerful horse, carrying more fetlock hair than is usually noticeable in blood stock- but there was no doubt about his condition, and ho proved that ho ia » stayer. He was always in a handy position, and when it came to racing over the last furlong he quickly silenced Canteen and .Welbeck, and ran home- a winner by three lengths. He appeared to -win with s> little to spare, and he pulled np wonderfully fresh and well. The race was run in a strong wind, and the tiim. consequently was slow. Halberdier was bred in Auckland, and affce* being, sold h came on quickly, and has won some good stakea for his owner. He is not quite as sound aa could be leaked, but he showed little signs of soreness when pulled up. That his success vfaa anticipated is shown, by the face that h& was aent out third favourite ; though in. reality he was second in favour, aa Tortulla and Poriroa were coupled. Halberdier had registered some good gallops prior to th& meeting, and these he repeated in the race. Glenaladale looked well, and ran equally well, bub he could not quite see the journey! out, and occupied fifth position. He is m rather plain-looking horse, but He gallopr' pleasingly; but the distance appeared ti trouble him. The downfall of Siege Gun, the favourite, was a severe blow to those who have so staunchly supported him right through the winter, and would not hear of his defeat when he went out to contest the race. No less • • sum than £1861 was invested on the Yaldhurab horse, but he never once flattered his baokersw He occupied a position in the middle of the field throughout the contest, and finished up sixth. The horse was turned out in capital condition, and no excuse can be made for his downfall on that score. He held a fair position three furlongs from home, but whan asked for an effort in the etzaight it was not forthcoming. He is a good-looking animal, but appears to lack brilliancy, as the distance did not appear to trouble him. Probably more money haa been, lost over th» last of the Frailtys than on any horse w any race «ver run in the colony, and him defeat should point a yery obvious, moral. The_ horse has been trained privately, and only hfa immediate connections really knew what his prospects were; but herein lay the chief cause of backers' discomfiture. Anything trained e.t Yaldhurst in always supported, and usually with good results; but should Mr Stead have a. horse ia the Cup next yexr backers, I fa-ncy, will not burn their fingers co deeply. Canteen was one of the best-conditioned horses in the race; and it can safely be asserted that' the gr«yi son of Castor has never looked better or run. a better race. At the half-distance he was leefing for his head, and when he was let out to make a run in the straight he went to tho head of affairs. Ho only held command, However, for a short time, and failed to stay home. Welbeck, -who also appeared to be fit to run, a great race, just failed to secure tlie coveted stake. Unfortunately his pilot was unable tc< hold him, end when he wa* joined by Funamn at the head of affairs after half a mile had been traversed he reefed away and showed his opponente a lead all down the back stretch and round the top turn. Here the field closed up, but he was not yet done with. Canteen passed him, but the latter failed to hold his position, and just as Welbeck mad©- another effort, and forced Canteen to yield, Halberdiea made a strong run in the middle of the course, and went on and won. Welbeck ran a remarkably game race. When he was brought back to the enclosure it was evident that his condition was not so good as could have been desired, as he was sweating profusely, the water running off him; but his respiratory organs were all right. The colt ran a gieat race, and it was no disgrace to be beaten by ft six-year-old horse at a difference of 10lb. Welbeck was carrying 21b undei weight-for-age, Helberdier 17lb under, so that the young horso performed creditably. Fakir, who carried 3ltt overweight, could not see the distance out, and, despite the statements to that effect, hei is apparently unable fe stay. Sirius was well befriended— more so than I anticipated, as he haa no recent form to austify the support accorded him. Punamu has greatly improve^ but she was set a task above her present) ability. The best horse at the weight* undoubtedly won the Cup, but the honours, of tho race rest with Welbeck. I do not think he could have won, no matter how the racehad been run, but it wa» run to suit the older horse. Th« times for th© different stagM of the Cup, as taken by Mr G. G. Stead, were: Half-mile, MJsec; six furlongs, lmm 21fsec; on« mile, lmin 48Jsec; one mile and aquarter, 2mdn 16sec; one mile and a-half, amin 42sec; two miles. Bmin 33Jsec. It may prove interesting to give the amount each horse weald have paid, to win, a* compared with the pdeee S» cflet ATaaudU:**

The public favoured the prospects of Evening "Wonder in the opening race of the day, and the North Island horse won fairly easily. The race was run to suit him, Slow Tom and Bellman cutting out the pace as to effectually prevent them finishing up strongly. Evening Wonder was a long way in the rear a mile from home, but he was on terms with the leaders at the straight entrance, and, with the last hurdle knocked down and cleared away, the finish was on the flat, and Evening Wonder •won by five lengths from the fast-finishing Kohunui, who made a marvellous run down the straight. Scottish Minstrel came down at the second fence, and interfered with Huku, ■who was running close behind him. The latter pulled up very lame. „ , The Grafton gelding Exmore was picked out ma possessing a gn-'at chance of annexing the Maiden Plate, - He is a speedy-looking customer, and getting quickly to work, he was ■oon showing the way to Kvelyn Wood, Bombaxdo, anil Stepdancer. At the half-distance Evelyn Wood nearer to the leader, and ■was on terms with Exmoor when the pair landed in the straight. A short struggle ended in favour of Evelyn Wood, who easily held ms field and galloped home a comfortable threelength winner. ' He is a son of Hotchkiss and Btf. Evelyn, *nd has greatly improved since he was last seen out. The colt was offered for ■ale at Yaldhur3t, last autumn, but he was then in a bad way, and he was at once withdrawn from the ring He is still a little narrow, and does not possess the best of forelegs. That he is a useful horse goes without saying, but judging from the fact that Mr Stead took kirn out of the Derby, preferring to rely upon Orloff, it is possible that he cannot stay. General Symona, who filled third place, is coming on nicely, and should win a decent stake betore long. Stepdancer failed to run up to expectations or track form, whilst Bombardo Jell, though fortunately, without injuring hun•elf or his rider * -Regulation effected a surprise in the Riccarton Welter Handicap, the Regel mare winning comfortably from Ayrdale, whilst Oingo finished in third place. Regulation has not been running well about here this season, and ker success was not generally anticipated. The stewards asked ths owners for an explanation, ■which was forthcoming and accepted. Rosemere galloped prominently for the greater part of ihe journey, as also did Battler, who finished fifth. The Yaldhursfc stable only started King Log in the Welcome Stakes, and the sturdy son of Stepniak and Fairymaid was Bent out in the field of eight a decided favourite. He ran a fair, race, but could not get nearer than third place, a neck behind the Dunedin colt- Sychem (Lard Rosslyn — Mistral), who finished very strongly, amf got to within 9 length of the speedy Bill of Portland— Elusive filly To-mor-.row, who "won comfortably. This filly was not herself a> few days- ago, owing to having contracted a mild attack of influenza, but she won - her race in most attractive style. This is the first Bill of Portland to race at Riccarton, and it is evident that Sir George Clifford possesses a brilliant youngster. The Napier colt Starshoot did not run quite so prominently as he did in the north; Roscommon is not a good one now, but Bandmaster should develop into a useful horse. Gladsome is a fair filly,-' but of the lot I must say I liked Sychem and King Log of the colts. Only three youngsters went out to contest the Sapling Stakes, which was secured by Enna, a compact filly by The Officer irom JSnid. Leonorc, by Seaton Delaval — Leocant, finUhed third, and Bayonet (Mnsketry — Psyche) brought up the rear. The Stewards' Stakes attracted a field of 12 fast sprinters, and in a fairly open betting race Ghoorka, a member of ihs Porirua establishment, was seized upon as a promising investment, though Red Gauntlet was the actual favourite. The latter and Westguard began quickly, whilst Somerled got slowly to work, and kept in the rear the whole way. At the end of the first quarter mile Pallas Taced to the aead of affairs, and entered the straight ■with a commanding lead. Below the distance Vladimir became prominent, and ranging alongside Pal?as, easily held him and passed the post a comfortable winner by a little more than a length, Westguard finishing well up third and Orloff fourth. Blazer 's evidently not himself, as he (failed to show up, and Red Gauntlet could get no nearer than fifth. Clanburn, Magnificent, and Camelot Jrere the only three possessing winning prospects in the Ladies' Purse half a mile from home, where the first-named was being ridden, whilst Magnificent was racing well. When- well in the ptraight .Magnificent appeared to have the best oi the " struggle, but Clanburn, finishing N strongly, won by nearly a length, with Camelot a couple of lengths away, third. So ended a capital day's racing. • I hear that Reverie, the dam of Welbeck and Dundas, has had to be watched night and day for the last week. She is due to foal to Benzoin. - ' Mr E. Gates suffered a serious loss last week by the death of that great racing mare Lady Zetland, by many considered to have been the best' mare ever raced in the colony. She died just after foaling to Benzoin. Her career is so well known that it is almost unnecessary to entei at length into her many great performances. In hei young days she appeared to be sadly in want of a feed of oats, but she was a delicate mare, and it was a long time before she began to put on condition. She was only raced over short distances at the beginning of her course Jife, and she proved wonderfully brilliant. Later on she developed great staying power, and her victory in the New Zealand and Canterbury Cupa will long be remembered. Lady Zetland left the turf 83 sound as she was on the day she was foaled. At the •tud she has left -us Lady Icilhan, a very good mare, whilst her yearling colt foal by Obligado is one of the best ever foaled at Mr Gates' e stud. The monthly nee ting of iSe New Zealand Trotting Association was held on Wednesday night, when there were present — Messrs P. Selig (chairman), E. Clarkson, D. M'Lean, C. E. Calcutt, W. G. Garrard. A. L. Myers, G. King, and Hon. H. Gourley. An apology for absence was read from Mr C. S. Howell. Cor"respondence was read regarding the case of .T. Hoy, who was disqualified for life in June, 1900, foi ringing-iil at the Hawke's Bay Trotting Club's meeting. Ar> application from Hoy, asking for. mitigation of his sentence, was refused at the last meeting, and afte. hearing that the man had been following his trade «s a butcher since his disqualification it was decided to- take nr action. Letters were read '.from H. Milwraith and J. Chadwick regarding the issue of a trotting etud book. The president and secretary were appointed to interview Mr Chad wrick on the subject. Corre'epoodence was read from ihe Wmtort Jockey Club regarding money dur by R. Logan in connection with the horse Moree. The action of the club in retaining nomination and ac«ept*BC* fee; txw» monej afterwards received

as a deposit on a protest was upheld. The removal of the disqualification of G. S. Wallace by the Tahuna Park Trotting Club was endorsed. An appeal was received from the owner of Manibrino Abdallah, against the decision of the New Brighton Trotting Club's committee in disqualifying the horse. Mambrino Abdallah won the Final Handicap on the second day of the New Brighton meeting, and the disqualification." was decided on an appeal by Mr W. H. Martyn, owner of Ricketty, on the ground of inconsistent running as compared with the first day. Messrs W. H. Martvn and W. Longton (the latter representing the owner if Mainbrino Abdallah) were piesent. The evidence taken by the stewards and a long letter from Mr Longton in support of the appeal were read. Messrs H. M'llwraith, A. I. Rattray, and C. Hood Williams gave evidence. A decision was held over till next meeting, the whole of the evidence to be referred back to the New Brighton Trotting Club, and Messrs L. Wilson, F. C. Jagger, and L. Robertson to be asked to attend that meeting and give evidence. The decision of the Auckland Trotting Club, in disqualifying Johnston M'Carty and the horse Nobby for life on a charge of ringing-in was endorsed, and it was decided to send a copy of the evidence in the case to the secretary of the New South Wales Trotting Club, there being reason to believe that the horse is now is Sydney, running under another name. It was also decided to thank the Auckland • Trotting Club for the exhaustive manner in which it conducted the inquiry. Correspondence was read concerning a horse named Maori Lad. The horse, which had beer registered under that name, and ran about -two years ago at Ashburton and Tinwald, was sold to a North Island man named W. D. Wataon. Not knowingjthe horse's name or that he was registered, he "named him Black Boy. (but omitted to register him), and raced him at Greytown. Later on he discovered the horse's name and all the facts, and explained the whole matter to the secretary of the Masterton Trotting Club, at whose meeting the horse afterwards raced and won under the name ot Maori Lad (late Black Boy). A protest was entered, and the club referred the matter to the association. It was decided to inform the Masterton Trotting Club that, on account of tKe horse starting at Greytown as Black Boy (an unregistered horse) it was necessarily disqualified under rule 126, and that the stakes won by him at Masterton should be paid over to the owner of Timothy. It was further decided that if a request was made for the removal of the disqualification it would be favourably considered by the association. It was decided to make further inquiries regarding tEe identity of a mare that ran at the Marlborough Racing Club's meeting. A number of prsjrrammes were approved, riders' and drive.2?' licenses granted, and registrations of foreign horses passed. A meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held on Tuesday. Getlemen iiders' certificates- were issued to Messrs R. Bradley and J R. Macdonald, and jockeys 'licenses to G. Hare and W. M*Lachlan. The disqualification was removed from all horses that competed at the Ellesmere Mounted Rifles sports. It was decided to instruct the starter to declare no start if the machine failed to -act. If the Canterbury Jockey Club had had the opportunity of ordering the weather for the second day of its spring meeting they could not havo struck a more beautiful day, and the attendance was fully equal to the weather — indeed, I never remember' seeing bo many visitors <jn *. second day of any C.J.C. meeting. The racing was again particularly interesting, whilst the tota-lisator investments, amounting to £16,783, showed a slight increase on last year's receipts, which were £'16,540. Bellman made all the running in the Middleton Hurdle Race, and ran home one of the easiest winners at a hurdle race ever seen at Riccarton. Roller was his nearest attendant all the way, and finished second, whilst Evening Wonder defeated a beaten lot somewhat comfortably. Scottish Minstrel fenced clumsily, and failed to occupy a prominent position throughout the journey. The Criterion Handicap was generally regarded as an open Tace, which, peculiarly enough, resulted exactly the same as the Stewards' Handicap on Saturday. Vladimir won just as easily as be did on the first day, with Pallas and Westguard in the respective places. Lady Lillian and Blazer raced prominently until reaching the distance, but here they both fell away. Ghoorka again ran disappointingly, whilst Somerled, as usual, was slow to begin. Only Achilles and Dirk were sent out to contest the Juvenile Plate, which the former won with the greatest ease, covering the five furlongs in ltnin l l-ssec, several private watches making the time half a second faster. The Derby Stakes furnished one of the best races ever contested on the course. On public form the race appeared likely to be won by Welbeck, who went out a strong favourite. He looked none the 'worse for his efforts in tbe Cup, and under instructions he was at once taken to the front. The pace was solid, and when Welbeck was almost joined by Porirua it was readily recognised on the watch that the pair were travelling a great gait. When well in the straight Orloff ran up to Porirua, and shortly afterwards lie challenged Welbeck. Opposite the outside stand the three were almost abreast, but Grloff, vigorously udden, gradually forged ahead, and when he passed the post he was a length and a half ahead of Welbeck, Porirua half a length away in third position. It was a capital race, a Derby worthy of the name, and Orloff fairly deserved the decoration bestowed upon him on the lawn. The time, 2.37 1-5, constitutes a record for the race, and what is more, it was registered by a gelding. The Metropolitan Handicap was, unfortunately and most unfairly, responsible for one of the strongest demonstrations I have ever seen on a racecourse. The cause thereof was the success of the Cup favourite Siege Gun, who defeated Canteen by a couple of lengths, while Halberdier was close up third. No sooner had Siege Gun passed the post than some of the idiots commenced to give vent to their pocket howls, and these, long continued, added to ilie counter cheers, constituted a perfect pandemonium. Anything more unfair I have never witnessed. Had Halberdier, Canteen, and Siege Gun, carried the same weights as they did in the Cup— and let anybody examine them— they must confess that Halberdier would easily have defeated Siege Gun, yet they throated their cash losses for fully five minutes. In the meantime Welbeck and Porirua, both of whom, finished in front of Siege Gun in the Cup, had contested the Derby, and they inconteatably showed by the weights they carried and the time they registered that if they had started in the Metropolitar they ought to have defeated Siege Gun. The demonstration was most regrettable, and many men would have registered a solemn vow never again to race a horse. A efegraceful exhibition was made by those who monetarily only view racing, and do not care how much discomfort they inflict. Cannonite just lasted long enough to win the Shorts from the fast-finishiug Goldenmere, Witchet running into third position. St. Denis simply played with his antagonists in the Epsom High-weight Handicap, and easily discomfited General Symous by half a length, Cameo a couple of lengths away. A pretty race eventuated in the Irwell Handicap, Starshoot winning by haK a length from Eunn, who was a length ir. advance of Sychem, one of the best colts I htive seen. I regret to report that there is little probabiktj of Kouette

starting again at the meeting; his Cup race left him somewhat sore, and it is extremely unlikely that he will race for some time. The stewards of the North Otago Jockey Club have accepted the resignation of Mr Sewell (better known in racing circles as Mr J. R. Longfellow) the motion for the resignation of all the stewards has been withdrawn. The stewards are now asking Mr Buckley for the reasons for his resignation as president.

tnvesfcments. £ 1038 607 608 442 1362 594 1861 634 737 178 DiviHorse. dends. £ a d Halberdier 6 18 0 Welbeck 11 16 0 Canteen 11 15 6 Nonette 16 4 O •Porirua 5 3 6 Glenalad*'le 12 1 3 Siege Gun 3 17 4 Fakii 13 8 6 Sirius 9 14 0 Punanra 40 5 0 * Cfeupled with Tortnila. Quoted odds. 6 to 1 .8 to 1 8 to 1 6 to 1 6 to 1 10 to 1 2J to 1 20 to 1 14 to 1 25 to 1