CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 56

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

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Jlicckton racecourse looted' at its test on -"Waay, when- the- Canterbury Jockey Club 9 feting was commenced. There was a large . represbntetive.-attenaaßce among $*» uresent^being visitors horn all pa*ts of the STvestmenta (£23,722) s W a increase over la^.vear's "total, notwitnstanding the- fact that £& totaWor/wMc^accom^ to ever £2000 12 ninths ago, was. not used J£» y-ar The figures, however, are slightly, below ithfl besrb-on record for a Cup day. • NoSorm's New Zealand Cup victory was one of the most meritorious in the lustory-of "he rac. He got away. well, and P*w»fJJf stand the first time he was mnmng m fcont m 'the rails, abreast of Mahutonga. and ■Achilles. Going out of the rtnught Matt* tonga shot out," and- as -Noctuiforin was r Steadied, and several of the others were racing fcTpoßiticns at the tim*;:tb ? favourite was soon shut right in. At the mile post he was lying about seventh, paid in a very bad position, having, apparently, no chance of extri«*ting himself from the bundh He ran like this to the home turn, when Hewitt dragged him out from the rails. ,A* this point his chance looked hopeless, as he was a long way fcehind the leaders. - His Tider,- however, drove Mm along in gjwut style, and by the time the distance was- reached he had made up a, lot of "round. Even then, however, he had a big task before him, but he stack to his task well, and gradually cutting Sown the leadeisi he sol to the front abo-uit 50 .yards fromfhome, and won by a length' andj-a-half. _Und«r the circumMances, it was' a, 'great performance,, and stamps Noctuiform as a .high-class colt Better placed in the "early .stages JSToctuifprm - would have won very easily.- • As it was, though he secured the verdict by a fair margin, it was only after one of the "most .brilliant runa ' ever seen at Riccarton. ' ■ ■ ' The' victory of Noetuiforcn. adds another to the many records Held* by Mr Stead, as he ig. the first owner to win the Cup two yeaTS in succession. If I- mistake not, indeed, he is .the only owner who has won the race moiro than once, and he has now captured ut three times— with Lochiel, Grand Rapids;' and Noetuiform. An additional source of satisfaction to Mr Stead over Saturday's race will be d'elived'from the fact that he bred 'the winner fcimself. NoctuiToian's dam, La Notte, was purchased by Mr Stead in Australia, and went io the stud without being raced. She nas pro-red a great bargain, the only foals she has Jifcd to represent- her "being Nightfall, and •NootmfoMn. I ■ Paritutu, who acted, as runner-up to Noetuiform on Saturday, was well placed all through *he race, and' gave a good account of himself. ttfo must bs accounted' unlucky in -that, after shakang off the rest of the field', he had to xespond to suc^ a challenge as Nocigiform ■Jlrrcw out in the closing stages' of the journey. \ Quarryman, who filled thirdi place in the 'Cup, got a very bad passage, worse even than SNectuiform. He was a long way behind 1 turning fox home, but he was putting in some great work over the last two Jurlongs, and v-uth no apparent effort he cut down his> opponents one by one. He never looked better 'than when he went out to contest the Cup, and I should say he is certain to pick up a teood race before long. Achilles ran disappointingly, and at no stage cf the race, after the fir.st" mile," did he look ■hike a winner. Mahutonga "ran well for a mile and 4-half, when he compounded suddenly. He showed' signs of his efforts after the race, and lie is probably capable of ja. lot of improvennentv Calibre ran nmch better than I expected," but his stable "iiiate, Golden Knight, elhapecl' badly. Donehe was, another that gave «, good account ' of herself, arid, she narrowly missed place honoiurs. "Veneer, Mystification, \snd Melodeon 'rani moderately, but St. Joe E-haped fairly well. Stepdaneer surprised many people by her 'display in the New Zealand Cup- ~ I must admit, however that I was quite prepared to see •her run a good race. She was going very strongly m the early stages, and a mUe from home she joined Mahutonga in the lead. Four furlongs farther on, when Mahutonga was beaten, Stepdaneer went on in front, and was first into fhe straight, A litle faarther on, however, *he began to" tire, and halfway down ihe etraaght she was done with, fifth being hey {place at the finish. It was, however, a. good It is worthy of nienjion thai P. Jone3, who rode Stepdaneer, had' never previously ridden in a. rac«, but despite his want ef experience, he acquitted! himself with great credit. Jones is an apprentice, attached w> •35. Cutt&'s stable, and I think he has a good Suture before him. j The greatest • disappointment of the Cap ■was the poor showing of Ghoorka. He never flattered his backers' at any stage of the jouraiey and eventually finished? a bad last. It afterwards transpired that he had been kicked •while at the post, and I have heard since that le has a very bad leg a 9 a consequence of the ftmwelccme attention he received 1 . * Mr' G. G. Stead timed the various' stages of the Cup as follows :— Half-mile, uOlniM.; six furlongs, lmm 17sec; mile, lmin 432 sec; jnile "and' a-quarter, 2min lOsec; mile and ahalf, 2min 37sec; two miles, 3min 29 l-ssec. 6overal private watches made the time for the race 3min 28sec. TM Stewards' Handicap was spoilt to » fcreat extent by a.wretchedl stork There was %. Jong delay, due to the fractiousness of one fcr two of the competitors. When the barrier ■wag raised Vladimh' was left at the post, and {Machine Gun, Munjeet, Crichton, Alexis, and To-morrow got badly away. After seeing the *ace, I think the start affected the lejsult materially. Had they all got off on terms, n ceemed to me that MunieeA wrarH have \van-

and! she was catching the leaders fast m the last bit. • Solution ran a good race in the Stewards' Handicap. She was lying handy all the way, a.nd inside the distance she drew away and won by a comfortable margin. Tilley had her in fine fettle-, and- the connections of the , . stable were very confident/ I learn, in fact, -that owner, Mir' R. Paterson, ad]nitte'd to having v had the best win of his racing career. , | Chivalry tried to win. the Stewards' Handi- | cap fronn end to end, biafc tbo hot pace he set i at the start found him ort a furlong from home, and he faded right out in the run home. Despite his failure, however, he will wan a

race before long. 'I " never caught light, of Ailsa in tha Stewards' Handicap; but his stable mate, Apollodoris, ram a good race, and he should be heard of before tlie season is inuchi older. Kimemuir, the half-sister to' Quarryma.vi, was served up a strong favourite for the Welcome Stakes. She got a bad bump at the start, however, Lady London also suffering similarly. Once- on her legs Kirriemuii overhauled- Ihe field in good style, and at tbe distance she was second, with every appearance of catching Jvauoff. The effort proved too much, and she died away in the last 50 yards, Huascar iieading. hei again on the post. Ivanoff, the "Welcome Stakes winner, is a neat-iooking colt by Stepmafc— Arline. Ha has a good dash of pace, but ,1 will ba surprised if he proves himself the best of the youngsters that took part in the race by the time the season closes. All the same, however, I expect to see Jiimi win plenty of, races yet. Seal Bock, the half-brother to "Gladsome, is not likely to distinguish ln.Tnipg.lf over sprint courses, in' the' meantime at anyrate. He gave a decidedly moderate display in the Welcome' Stages. Zimmerman performed indifferently in the -Welcome Stakea.- It was thought the would ahaps well on' the firm going, but he never looked 'dangerous. The Mohican, who won the Spring Hurdle has improved a lot* since the Grand National meeting. -It would have taken a pi'fitty good one to have beaten him" on Satur-

day. ■ ~ Waiwera created- a surprise in the Sprang Hurdle Handicap, by fading,' out some distance 'from home: 'He is generally looked on as a great stayer, and just when he dropped out maiiy good judges were expecting to sep him draw right away from his opponents. ' Handsome Rose lost a lot of ground in the Spring Hurdles by a faulty jump in front of the stand.* He fenced well afterwards, and was galloping strongly in the closing stages of the race. Hewitt rode a nice race on Pas Seul in the Maiden Plate. Turning for home, he shot her through on the rails, and she won very comfortably. The opposition, however, was very \weak.> . Gay Spark; was- left, at the poet, and the Yaldhurst filly, Beresina, 1 proved to be very moderate, as she shut up at the end of half a mile, and finished a very bad last. " Petticoat put up an attractive performance in the Riccarton Welter Handicap, as she was in front all the 1 way She was, however, a triflo lucky to beat Clanchattan, who wa9 (latching her fast at the "finish after losing a lot of ground through steering an erratic course in the straight. Clanchattan is a. useful looking sort, and he should easily pay hi? way. Delaware, the favourite for the Riccarton Welter Handicap, will improve on his showing in that raie before long, as I fancy he is a long way -from being at his best just now. Judging by bis display in the Ladies' Purse, run over a mile and a-half, I shou-ld say that . Blaick Diamond is not partial to a long 'course.' ■

Matuku showed; a glimpse of her best form! I when she won the Shorts, and a* £30, the price her owner paid to retain her, she should not prove' expensive. She has lots of pa*ce, but unfortunately, she frequently gives trouble at -the "post, and it is never a certainty that she will get away. > j The layers had a bad time over the New ; Zealand Cup and the Cup and " Stewards' j double. ' Noetuiform was heavily supported \ straight out, while the winning double, Noc- ! tuiforra and Solution, was extensively backed, j there being a late run on it in addition to the ' -money secured early. I The £2826 invested on Noetuiform in the ! New Zealand Cup on Saturday constitutes a | record for 'one horse in .the history of the j race. The total investments on the Cup, j however, fell considerably short of the besfc i on reccxrtl, -wliicli was established, in Ha,lber- I dier's year. ! Mr E. Cutts's Dudu, by Somnus — Fame, and i t.he dam of Epaulet and Djin Djin, has been | mated with the imported horse St. Ambrose. | Mr G. G. Stead ha? sold Noetuiform, and . the -Multiform — La Notte colt will be shipped ! to England at an early date. Neither the price nor the buyer's name has been disclosed so far. ' The monthly meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Olub was held on Octo^ I ber 31. The following programmes were approved: — Hcrorata Racing Club, Christchurch Racing Club, Amuri Turf Club, and Hurunui Turf Club. Jockeys' licenses were granted to E. J. Neill, C. C. Bolton, and W. Porter. T. Oanill's licen&9 wa9 reinstated, with a severe caution. The transfer of Martello from C. Leicester to Wi Tokeno was approved. In reply to a communication from Messrs L. C. and W. T. Hazlett, the committee decided that, in its opinion," Rule 1, part 16, was ambiguous, and it would probably be^rudent for Messrs Hazlett to adhere to the rulg, and enter their horse in the name of one of the owners, whose 1 interest was equal to at least that of any other person. A donation of £5 5s was made to the jockeys' hall. The question of extr:t, cloakroom accommodation was (referred! to the Course Committee to report. It was decided that, except immediately prior to and during .the progress of a Canterbury Jockey Club race meeting, the racecourse gates should not be opened on Sundays. 1 The monthly meetinc /^ f the New Zealavul

Trotting Association was held last week. There were present — Messrs P. Selig (chairman), C. S. Howel), E. Ciarkson, J. H. Pollock, C. F. Mark, W. G. Garrard, A. L. Myers, and T. Marr.» Mr G. B. Starky. president of the Amberley Steeplechase Club, wrote acknow-, lodging receipt of a letter from the association with reference to the Wild Wind inquiry, the association's communication being described as "impertinent." It was decided to send a copy of the letter to the secretary of the club, and to a«k if it was an official reply, authorised by the committee. The disqualification of persons and horses taking part in an unregistered meeting oH the Ross Caledonian Society was removed. It was decided to endorse the disqualification of the New South

dorse the disqualification of the New South Wales Trotting Club of G. M. Slate and the mare Juliette, and of T, Martin and the pony De Wet, for 12 months. Mr F. C. Thomas iwrote stating that the Trotting Stud Book was nearly leady for the printer. He had obtained full particulars concerning 25 imported sires, 29 imported mares, and 212 colonial-bred mares. He suggested that the breeder's name should be included in future lists of registered horses. It was decided to reply expressing satisfaction with the progress being made with the book. Licenses, a.s recommended by the committee, were granted, those of J. Broomfield, H. E. Barnes -and H. Donovan being granted with a caution. E. J. Cliitham's application wa3 held over. The Foreign Horse Committee recommended that certificates should be issued for Stranger, Pansy, and Value, and that, on the receipt of photographs and fees, certificates should be issued 1 , for Garry, Lady Cedo, Floradora, Sir Joe Hate Joe), Master Leo (late Leo), Tempest, Myrtle Girl, and Pride of Burwood. Programmes as recommended by the executive were passed. ~ ' November 6. Magnificent confirmed! his first day's form, by winning the Middleton Hurdles' with a bit to spare, after being in frorA practically the whole way. Waiwera showed an improvement, but he bad no chance with Magnificent. Tho Mohioau cut up very badly, the change of riders being very unfortunate for • his owner. His poor display did not surprise me greatly, as I have never seen him ruin a good race for

as j. nave never »een mm ruin a gcoa race lor [Jane. Master Alix ran right vp t to his best 'fermi in the Criterion Handicap. *He jumped -away in front, an6s was 1 never caught, though I 'he was all out to defeat Black Reynard, wno I caught Solution a few strides from; home-. : Clicliton performed fairly in the Criterion \ Handicap, but the other Otago candidate, ' Brighton, was last oIJ the way. His form is | hard to undier&rtand in view of his recent run,5 j-.ingaat Oamaru and Gore. Clanchafrtan, who : won <the Epsom Hrigh Weight Handicap, hopped out .smartly, and halfwsy down the ! straight he was running along comfortably in j front of Pas Seu4'. When the pressure was, i a-pphed, however, 'Clanchattan ran about a lot, , but when he .was straightened he finished gamely enough^ and! won by a good margin. He is 1 a pretty useful sort, and I will be s-ui-prised if ho does net continue his winning- lecord now that he has pnatSe a start. The Derby was responsible for an unusual amount of exoitement. Mr Stead relied solely on Noctuiforns, the only pair to- oppose him being Gay Spark | and Notuia. When the barrier was raised Gay Spark whipped round, and lost about 50 jardls. In the meantime Noctuaform was showing the way to Notuß, but all interest was centoed in Gay Spark, who was gradually overhauling tho other pair. By the time the wx- furlong post was reached lie was within striking distance, and half a mile from home he was cn]y a couple of lengths behind Notus, on whom M' Combe was making a move. Turning for home Noctuiiormj was two lengths in front, Gay Spark and Notus being, oai even terms. From.' this' point Noetuiform easily held

j his* owr, but a desperate finish all the way down the straight ended in Gay Spaa-k gaining | second pl^-ce by half a length,'. Gay Spaark's performance was odo of the most meritorious in the history cf the Derby, and it has certainly never been approached by a defeated horse. Under the circumstances it is unfor- ] tunato that the half-brother to Treadlmill did not get off on terms witfi lie other pair, as ! ho would have compelled! Nooturform to put j up a prertity gocd performianoe tc- beat him. j [ All the same, I think the Multifoim colt j { would have won /just tSie same. When, the horses returned to the weighing enclosure alter the Derby the ovation that greeted Gay S^ark and his rider (V. Cotton) quite drowned the cheering that was accorded th« wanner. Never, indeed, have J seen a horse receive such a reception after a defeat. The running of the Darby io-day suggests vciy -st'iongly that tke Maiden. Plate* on Saturday would' have been an absolute certainty for Gay. Spark if he hadi not turned the wiomg way at ihe atari. The times for the various stages of the Derby I were- Two furlongs, 2825e0; half-mile, 65sec; six furlongs, lmin 21sec; mile, Smin 48i&eo; mile and 1 a-ha]f, 2ninn 41 l-ssec QuaiTyman r&n a fine race in the Metropolitan Handicap 1 . He wa,« well placed all through, and three furlongs from home Cotton drove him along in great style on, the rails. For a. time it looked as if Nightfall would make a run with him 1 , but he shook her off some distance from , home. Then Vladimir appeared on the scene wath a run which must have reminded many people of the challenge he threw out in the last Great Autumn Haaidirap. On this oc/»4Bion, huwever, Quarryman turned the tables \ on the Dimedin horse, lasting long enough to •win by a bare length. On present form th»re are not many better horses) than Quarryman , in tie colony. St. Michael was strongly fancied for the Metropolitan Handicap, but though he ran a decent race he had no interest , at' the finish. Mahutonga, is coming on with i every gallop, and) he ran a really good race, ; being close up at the finish of the Metropolitan . Handscap, and Veneer was also prominent for , some distance. The result of the Juvenile Plate to-day suggests that Kirrienruh- was , very unlucky to lose the Welcome States. ■ Ivanoff had no chance with Glen- , owlet, who, on track form, is a good deal behind Kimemuir. Lapland, who won the Irwell Handicap to-day from the big field

of two-year-olds, is a nice-looking gelding 1 , oy Finland— Nercli. I should take him to hi easily the best Finland we have seen, and I expeot to see him wwi a lot moi-4 races before long. Mythical, who finished second in the Irwell Handicap, is a nice cut of a filly, by Bundook. Mythical's preparation was interfered with a week or two ago, and she is ' likely to do better work yet. The three wins scored by Sir George Clifford's horses to-day v.ere very popular, ad indeed 1 the successes of this sportsman always are.