CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS

By Fritz.

Mr G G. Stead left for Auckland on Saturday night, in order to witness his horses' running at Ellerslie. His team is a fairly strong one, and I should say that some of the northern stakes wi'.l go to increase Mr Stead's banking account.

L. Hewitt registered a particular* y fine performance at the Cnristchuroh Racing Club's meeting held at Plumpton on Friday. There were six fiat races on the programme, and Hewitt's mounts captured no fewer than five of them, whilst he finished second in the other. Hewitt is riding particularly well just now. It is suggested that the strong nor'-wester blowing on Saturday considerably helped him, as his crouching seat enabled him to escape the great wind pressure. Many good judges affirm, that Hewitt's assistance means at .east a stone to his mount. This, however, is problematical; it 15 oeriairdy peculiar that hordes run so well when ridden by Hewitt. On Saturday he rode a horse to victory which had previously shown a great reluctance to break quickly out of the slips. He was told to ride with hooks, but, taking these off, and using only a flail (which he administered pretty freely prior to starting), he persuaded the aminat to liteially bolt out of the Blips, and he remained iv advance pf his

field the whole journey. If the contention that the crouching seat assists a horse to the extent of a stone is correct, it will be difficult for handicappers to fairly assess an animai's ability, inasmuch as it may not always have the assistance of such a rider. A winner, so ridden, must-, of course, be proportionately handicapped, and then\if another horseman rodo the horse, it might be hopelessiy defeated, and apparently show great inconsistency. However, the who'.e interesting subject has been threshed out years ago, and it is scarcely worth while going into the matter fully now.

Hewitt left for Auckland on Saturday evening, where he will ride Mr Stead's horses. Mr J. F. Buchanan, having withdrawn his horse Secret Society and also his two-year-old Ingleneuk. from their first day's engagements at the forthcoming Dunedin meeting, is not likely to pay a visit this year to the southern city.

'JLhe owner of Terrapin, Mr J. Holmes, has not yet made up his mind whether he will race the son of Clani-anald at Dunedin, but probably Hilarity will make the trip.

Free Holmes left on Saturday night for the north, several of nis charges being engaged at the Auckland meeting.

Mr C. G. Dalgety, one of the unluckiest owners in this or any other land, was . lie recipient of hearty congratulations when the hitherto disappointing Stepdancer appropriated the Anniversary Handicap at the Christchurch racing Club's meeting on Saturday. Mr Dalgety is somewhat sorry that he had not nominated the mare for the Dunedin meeting. Stepdancer is full sister to ilenschikoff, now doing stud dirty at Mr Moirin's establishment at Auckland.

Mr George Palmer, another unlucky owner, also had a much-delayed turn t of Fortune's wheel at tile same meeting, his highly-bred colt Handel, by Medallion — Choir Girl, winning the Kindergarten Handicap. During the running of the Templeton Handicap Trot at Plumptoea on Saturday. Austrey* came down, owing to her sulky getting foul of another vehicle.

The tiotting races, decided at the Ohristchurca Racing Club's fixture on Saturday piovid-ed two of the most interesting contests ever seen on the course. The Templeton Handicap was especially exciting, the result being in doubt right up till within 50yds of the post. Thirteen horses went out, Sunol and .Belroy being almost equal favourites. Sunol quickly took command, and led until well in the straight, her nearest attendants during the early stages being Austrey, General Mac, and Belroy; and with the exception of Austrey, who came down, Sunol was followed into the straight, by the horses named, Vangline a few lengths away. Racing for home Sunol gave way to Belroy and General Mac, Belroy winning by. nearly two lengths, with Sunol close up thir<». and Vangline a good fourth. All iJay, from scratch, paced well for a mile, and appeared to have a chance; but he would not see it out. A two-year-old named Sal Tasker, by Rothschild — Jessie, was sent out a warm selection for the Islington Trot, and justified the confidence by winning by three lengths from the pony Dearest, the latter being in charge w!hen half the distance had been covered. Roseneath caught Dearest a few yards from home, and defeated her by a narrow margin for second place.

For the Hurunui Hack Race meeting, Good Gift or Lepanto may win, andi probably one of the same pair wLI appropriate the Waitohi Handicap.

The Plumpton Park Trotting Club's meeting will begin on Boxing Day, and in the absence of acceptances I would suggest that the following horses may trot prominently in the respective contests: — Trial Handicap, Sonbrino and Glenroy; Ladies' Bracelet, Alice Wood, Sal Tasker, ana Protest; Sockburn Handicap, George L. and Moutere; Innovation Handicap, Alice Wood and S»' Tasker; Islington Handicap, Frederick, Verax, and Monte Carlo; Riccaxton Handicap, Moutere and Abbey Fail; Electric Handicap, Velvet and Gertie; Dash Handicap, Austrey and Yanglme.

A meeting of the Trotting Horse Breeders', Owners', and Trainers' Association was held at the Cafe de Paris on Thursday night. Mr L. Wilson presided, and there was an attendance of about 20 persons interested in the movement. Mr L. Wilson was elected president, Mr C. L. Russ&l secretary, and Mr F. Freeman treasurer. The acting committee, appointed at an earlier meeting, was empowered to draw up iites for submission at the meeting to be held next month. Though Friday last, Anniversary Day, was favoured with one of Canterbury's typical nor'westers, there was a capital attendance at the Plumpton course, when the Christchurch Racing Club's meeting was brought to a successful termination. The totalisator investments amounted to £5462 Jlos,J 10s, as compared' with £3795 Jast year. The total turnover for the two "days was £8926 10s, which represents a comparative increase of £2081 10s. Racing opened with the Kindergarten Handicap, Czarwena being s.low to begin. Handel was quickly rushed to the front, and was with Ingleneuk running for the straight. The latter retired, and Handel, resisting a strong run by Vardo, won by a length, with the favourite, Hilarity, in third place. The Midland Welter Handicap was comfortably secured by Lee-Enfield, who drew out from Ordnance and Elibank at the straight entrance, and easily holding the pair named, ran home a wiriner by a length, Ordnance five or six lengths away third. Srepdanoer was sent out a strong favourite for the AjjsiversaTy Handicap, Terrapin being next in demand. Antdgone began very quickly, and passing the -stand she was leading Ability and Stepdancer, Terrapin last. Antigone was still in front at the half-distance, Stepdanoer ajid 1 unity being just in advance of Sandy. The last-named was beaten before reaching the straight, into which Antigone led from Stepdancer. Ability and De la Key formed the next division. Stepdancer easily raced past Antigone, and finally won by a couple of lengths, with Ability about three lengths away in third position. The Hack Handicap was very comfortably annexed by Wet , Blanket-, who led all the way, and 1 won as he liked from Calotype, after whom came Conal. The contest for the Electric Handicap needs but the descriptive words that Master Alix was in command the whole journey, running home four lengths in fiont of Beau Seaton, the penalised Lee-Enfie d fi-i&hing third. The scratching pen left onix *.jj- in the Farewell Handicap, The Mohican accounting for the Stake, with JJanjess second and Quickfire third.