CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 51

CANTERBURY DOINGS

By Fritz.

The withdrawal of Cruciform from the Auckland Cup has proved a bitter lesson to those early birds who flew straight for what they supposed to be a good thing, and they have had theii wings grievously clipped. It" seems strange that backers, despite many similar experiences, cannot resist the temptation to have a wager, frequently accepting absurdly short prices, and then grumble if an owner dares to scratch his horse. Cruciform appeared to possess a capital chance, and her defection, whilst possibly giving satisfaction too ther owners, has robbed the race of much of its interest Whilst being led into the pauuock at Plumpton on Saturday, Magnificent, who is particularly aggressive with his heels, lacked a gatekeeper just under the left ear, knocking him down. The man almost instantdy got up on his knees, his pipe, still in his mouth, and was at once assisted to the stewards' iocun. After recovering fiom the blow somewhat he was sent to the hospital in case it might be necessary for him to receive medical assistance. Though hard hit, the skin did not break., although the horse was shod.

At the Ohristehurch Eacing Club's meeting on Saturday, Mr H. Piper used a starting machine invented by himself. The barrier is simplicity itself, is very light in construction, and can ba made any width. An imTide post is fixed at all starting points, the outer one being movable, and can be carried and set up opposite any post and at a suitable angle, which is an advantage when a race is started at or near a turn. The outer post is simply strutted and guyed down, very little strain being placed on the^single strand foinimg the barrier. The starter, when sending his field awaj', pulls two coids, one running across on the top of the posts and down to the gate, and the other being connected with ihe cuter post, near which he stands. The action of pulling the cords raises the barrier, which goes up straight, being carried on slides affixed to each post. The machine gave eveiy satisfaction, and should prove of great use to clubs who desire to have a cheap and effective Parting apparatus.

ahe Plumpton Paik Club is lo be congratulated upon the great improvements it has effected pir.ee the last meeting, and the buildings now compare favourably with those erected on the enclosures of more pretentious clubs. Kecent additions comprise a stewards', strangers', and pi ess stand, the balcony running along its Hill -wjd'th being divided into three parts. On the ground tioor are secretarial, committee, weighing-out, and jockeys' rooms, and upstairs are stewards', strangers', dnmg, and piess rocrns. The building is a convenient and welcome addition, although the press room is much too 'small. This, however, will be enlarged. On Wednesday last Sir G. Clifford's horses To-morrow, Signalman, and Quarryman were shipped north to fulfil their engagements nt the Auck'and meeting. They were joined by their stable companion Golden Vein at Wellington. The quartet should give a good account of themselves. TJie^- aia i& charge of E. Cufcta.

' Ailsa and Crichton were also shipped to the north on Wednesday Glancing at the Handicaps for events to be contested at the Cheviot Kacmg Club's meet- , ing, I would suggest that Wet .Blanket should prove dangerous in the Cheviot Cup and Mackenzie Stakes, and softer him I like — igarho in the former and Martin O'Brien and Kulnina in the latter race. Kiigarlic and Rangefinder ■ ought to have something to say in the dcciI sion of the Ladies' Bracelet, and Panic may win the Maiden Stakes. At an informal meeting held on Wednesday evening, Ma- L. \\ Hson presiding, it was decided to iorni an organisation composed of owners, breeders, and trainers of light harness horses. Addresses were delivered by Messrs ! Robertson, Layng, Bowie, Albaugh, and severai j others regarding the benefits to be derived from such an organisation, and the great assistance it would be to the trotting clubs. It was decided that the name of the organisation should be the New Zealand Trotting Horse- ! breeders' Association, and a Provisional Com- ! inittee was appointed. A general meeting will I be held next Thursday evening, when the assoi ciation will be reguiarly organised, officers I elected, and committees appointed. The following members were appointed a Provisional - 1 Committee : —Messrs C. Piper, F. Freeman, A. ! Prinze W. J. Wootton, A. Robertson, L. I Robertson, W. E. Albaugh, K. E. Hall, and E. I Bowes. I feel sure that the proposed associa-. tion will be alive -to considerably strengthen all departments of the sport of trotting, and the movement, I trust, will meet with strong suppoit from owners, breeders, and trainers all over the colony. It is intended to strong.y a°itate for the publication of a Stud and x ear .book, both sadly needed, and I feel sure almost every trotting club and enthusiast will subscribe thereto. . . On Saturday last, during tine progress of the Christchurch Racing Cub's meeting, and prior tc the decision of the x>rincipal event, 1 heard y o-ood deal of grumbling regarding Mr Stead s action in nominating Lady Lyonors foi that race. It was urged that he had done very well at the C.J.C. meeting, and should therefore give other ov.ners a chance. The filly was made favourite, but she could only get third 1/- Marjess and Stepdancer. I believe that backers would support any screw if it 1 omy came from I"aldhurst, and on Satin day they paid no attention to past form, but ! blindly supported Lady Lyonors merely because she was trained by Mason. The nlly is not a Cruciform, and. except for her breediii" she would probably have been disposed ot ere now. Her nomination, by the way, was helpful to the cub, and this fact no doubt had something to do with ncr nomination. ' The weather was fine at the beginning of ■ the Christchurch Racing Club's meeting on I Saturday, but just after the fourth race a ! strong sou- west gale sprang up, bringing with i it heavy ram, which, fortunately, only lasted ! a- short time. There was a ca-pital attendance, ' and recent rains had put the course into good condition. Ihe meeting supplied an inte1 resting afternoon's pport, whilst nothing | occurred tc mar the pleasure of a well-con-ducted gathering. The olub has not been very fortunate regarding- the weather for some years, I and although it might 'have been better on I Saturday, it is satisfactory to note that the i returns show a financial success. The meeti ing will be continued on Friday next, the anniversary of ihe province, and given 'fine RUffroundings, there is sure tc be a large attendance. Of the eight youngsters saddled up for the opening event, Hilarity was in1 stalled favourite, s and she landed the stake in tbe easiest possible fashion, Ingleneuk finishing second and Handel third. The winner was sired by Castashore, her dam being Pleasure Seeker, and is one of the first of her sire's get to race. Ingleneuk was silred by the imported horse Ben^nin, from Fireside, whilst Handel claims Medallion as- sire, her dam being Choir Girl. The other starters are scarcely ready ±o show of Iheir besi, but on looks and breeding many of them should prove useful. They ,vcre Astrachan, by Stepniak — Irene {full brother to Belrovna, Tsaritsa, and Master Alix) ; Westwind, by Cyrenian — Windmill-; Highland Fling, by Multiform — Marion; Saratoo, by Stepniak- -Nenuphar ; BuecJeuch, by Benzom — Reverie ; Farley Grcve, by Ben Farley — Sporting Grove; and Ka.lypso, by Finland—Melusma. Oathrow, by Obligado — Catherine -effected a surprise by winning the Maiden Plate with something in hand from Wet Blanket, after whom came Melinda, the fortunate supporters of the winner receiving a dividend of £18 18s. Cathrow was the last to get away, but he gradually threaded his way to the front, and won by a couple of lengths. Another rebuff was experienced by investors in the Windsor Handicap, which -formed the principal race of the day, and for which a fine field of nine went out. Lady Lyonors was sent out favourite, and though the daughter of Belhcent ran creditably, she could get no nearei than third. The pony Manjess wrested the lead from th£ favourite after two furlongs had been covered and she was neve, subsequently seriously threatened, winning by a little more than a length from the fast-finishing Stepdancei, who *was nearly a length in advance of Lady Lyonors. The Hornby Trot was captured by Revenue, after a -somewhat uninteresting contest over the latter portion of the journey, Edward R. filling I second and Young M'Kinley third positions. | The Mohican, Merrymaker, and Conal weTe the first to bleak the line in the fSpringston Welter Handicap, and at the half-distance the last-named was phowinj, the way to Merrymaker and The Mchican. In the straight The Mohican had his opponents sattled.. and he ran home a comfortable winner from Merrymaker, who was followed by Speexilate. Nothing had a chalice with Master Alix in the Flying Handicap, as he went (to the front and romped kom" an easy winner from Boau Seaton, King's Guest occupying the remaining posit'on. Call easily appropriated the Avon Tiot by something like 50yds froni Abbey Fail, Lilly C. a poor thit-d. Carl weigfieci in 2ib over, but the steward? used their discretionary power, and taking the weather conditions into consideration, declined to disturb the judge's placing. Shellfire appropriated the last raco of the doy — the High- weight Hack Handicap — defeating Bayonet by four lengths, Slow Tom, who had made play over the first part of the journey, in .third place I have only just had time to glance at the weights for the second day, but I should say that either Hilarity or Vardo may win the Kindergarten Handicap, Lea-Enfield or Stepdancer the Midland Welter Handicap, Terrapin or The Mc-hican the Anniversary Handicap. Master Alix, Beau Seaton, or Pensive the Electric Handicap, and Lolah or Antigone the Farewell Handicap. Roseneath, Revenue, and General Ma; appear tc possess winning prospect* in the Templeton 'Irot, and Alice V.'cod and Imperial Polly in the Islington Trot. At the monthly meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club on Tuesday, programmes were approved of the Springston sports, Sludholme Mounted Rifles' sports, and Horoiata Racing Club. 'I'he fo'lowing licenses were granted :■ — Gentleman rider's, to E. W. Gay; trainer's, to A. G. Miskm; jockeys', to A. J. Death, H. Thompson, C. Bolger, and G. Prince ; apprentices', to L. Roden and F. C. Thomson, the latter to date from January 1. J. M'Combe's application for a remission of his disqualification was refused. An" appeal was received from H. M'Kay against a decision of the Kaikoura Racing Club, hut could not. be entertained, as the time allowed by the rules

for appealing had lapsed. The judgment i» the Petrovna case was read, and the stakes ordered to be paid m accordance therewith The disqualification of M. Connolly was removed. A sub-committee was appointed fa make the necessary arrangements for collecting jockeys' losing mount fees fiom ov.ners prior to weighing out.

T!he monthly , meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association was held on "Wednesday, there being Bresent- -Messrs P. Sehg president), T. MaTr, W. Hay ward. W. G. Garrard, and A. L. Myers.. Apologies for absence -were received from Messrs Howell ami Pollock, 'ihe Chairman, before the. official meeting opened, referred to the death cf Mr Hugh M'lhvraith. who had been always a warm supporter of trotting in New Zealand. He moved a vote of^ condolence and sympathy with Ivlr M'llwraith's wife and family in their bereavement. The motion was carried, and ordeied to be recorded \ipon the minutes. The application of C. Wake (Auckland) to remove the disqualification from the horse Diavolo for having competed at an uniegisiered n.eefjng was granted, subject to the favourable r- corn" mendation of the secretary of the Auckland Trotting Club. A similar application ficru Westport, in respect of several horses stu-iir^ at unregistered meetings ac Charleston, visa also approved.' It v.-as decided to remove the disqualification from horses, owneis, and r-oers participating- m the Wakatu Mounted I^fles 7 sports. The action of the Havelock Racing Club in paying over the stakes tc Monitor, the winner of a trot at its meeting, who was protested against on an alleged flaw in registration, was approved. The Havelock dub further wrote with regard to the treatment of small clubs. It was pointed out that incst of the hoises competing at such meetings v ere hacks that were traiued and ridden by Uieir owners in daily work, and on y appeared once a year on the tracks. The "nvners very reluctantly paid licenses for owners, horses, trainers, and rideis, and thought that ther; shouJd bs some differentiation for hordes only starting once a yeai, as was done by jMetropolitan Racing Clubs. He thought a Zee of 5s should be sufficient, the money to go to the club. After a short discussion, it was t'tcided that the association could not see its vav tc discriminate. With regard to the case rMhs trotting mare Norice. the secretary of the National Trotting Association wrote that if Mr Mi.ls, from whom Mr Pettie bought the mare, had given a guarantee that she was not suspended, it was a matter entirely oeiweei' Mr Mills and Mr Pettie. The mare was jn the suspense list. It was decided to conmmiiicate the pmport of the letter "to Mr Pettie, and to pay over to the National Association the £15 lodged by Mr Pettie with the local association in respect of the liability. 'With, regard to the question of registration, toe President said he was strongly of opinion that registration should be completed with the association before nomination, instead of "rnak'ng it optional, as at present, to effect preliminary registration with clubs before acceptance. It •was decided to make a suggestion^to this effect in the Conference Suggestion Book. A number of sales, leases, and registrations were aporovod of, and programmes passed-. The owner oi Ostrey was fined. .£2 for breach of the legist cation rules.