CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS

By TmiTK. We have had a big change In the weather during the past Treek. Bain 'set in on Thursday night, and continued steadily during :the greater -part of Friday. Since then the weather has been dull and showery, «nd "there is not likely to be much complaint fox. v time regarding the need for rain, as even, the farmers are beginning to wear smiling faces. The tracks at Riccarton are a trifle soft, but there is still plenty of good working ground. Nominations closed last week for the August meeting if the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, and the response of owners was highly satisfactory. All through the programme the events have filled well, and it looks as if we were gomg to have a very successful meeting. The "Ladies' Bracelet Handicaps show no decrease in popularity; one of the events confined to amateur drivers having attracted an. entry of 50. The North Canterbury Jockey Club held its sports .meeting on the Hangkrra Racecourse on Friday in wretched weather. Heavy rain was falling when the special train left Christchuich in the morning, and it wes therefore no surprise that it was only moderately .patronised. The rain continued at intervals throughout the day, so that the meeting could soarcely he described as a successful one, the attendance being email and the fields also very poor, both in numbers and quality. There were four starters for the Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase, but Purimu and Jollification xa» off

at the first fere*. Deerslayer and Storm Petrel raoed in company most of the way, but Beesshcyer always had a lot in hazkd, sw3, drawing away half a mile from home, he won -easily by a dosen lengths. Hie Trot Handicap Attracted the one big field of the day, JL6 lining up. Sacrifice was in front fcr over a mile, when Bags gradually overhauled him, and eventually won easily by six lengths. Silvery finished fast, and was only half a length behind Sacrifice when the post was reached. There were four starters for the Open Steeplechase. Wchine led for half a mile, when she ran off, leaving Sir James and Purimu to carry on the running. The latter "was done with six furlongs from home, and Sir James went on by hsmeeU. Jack Snipe put in a fast run in the straight, and Sir James won by only half a length. It looked at one stage as if Sir James would win easily, bat he might easily have been' beaten had J. Belby, on Jack Snipe, not kept so far out if his ground in the early stages. Five lined Tip for the Hack end Hunters' Flat Handicap, and Wahine led all the way. Her rider took matters very quietly in "the straight, and was nearly caught napping. Reform geting within a head of her a* the finish. The Tony Handicap attracted six starters, Little Ben winning very by three lengths from Rita and Sunny Jim. The winner is « three-year-old by Benzoin, but I do not think he -will ever be a good one. There were only three starters for the Hunters' Steeplechase Handicap, and Wahine lost her chance by running off -easily in the race. Deerslayer and Jack Snipe were together till Wlf a mile from home, when 4 Deerslayer drew out, and won easily by eight lengths. Eight lined up for the Hunters' Welter Handicap. Lady Faulkner, despite a total lack of condition, Zed for half a mile, when she retired. Makuxi and Salute then drew ou>t, -and Majrari going on, won with .ridiculous -ease, Maringa being third. Red Knight, a "North Canterbury hunter that died a few days ago, is, I understand, a full brother to Magnificent, by St. Leger — La Dauphine. Derrsiayer, who won two races :>t the North Canterbury meeting last week, is an aged .gelding by Linstock. He. is in D. Moraghan's stable, and is getting plenty of schooling, in company with Phaetontis. Deerslayer is a fine fencer, and the Ricoarton country should not trouble him. After perusing the list of acceptances and nominations eceived on Friday night, there can be little doubt «bout the success of the -Grand National meeting. The 25 horses left m the Winter Cup should ensure a keen contest, class being well represented among those still engaged. The Grand National Steepleohase, the only raoe I feel at all doubtful ibout, is not, after all, likely to !ause any misgivings, as with 17 horses left in we have ample material for a great raoe and) it is aleo worth noting that all the best cross-country performers in the colony are included. The Grand TNtetional Hurdle Handicap has drawn a record acceptance of 33, among those engaged being practically the ful] strength of the colony* hurdlers. The minor events have all filled well, and altogether the prospects for the meeting are very bright a*t present. A meeting of the committee of the Ashburton County Bacing Club was held 1 on Friday afternoon, Mr T. E. Upton in the chair. It wae resolved that the club should not use a double-event totalisator. The Chairman of the Ground Committe seported that the erection of horse-boxes and improvements to the jockeys' room at the racecourse were almost completed. It was decided to apply to the Bailway Department for special trains to leave Christchurch at 10 a.m. on September 11 and 12 for the club's spring meeting. Mr H. .Reynolds was appointed to start the trotting events at the meeting. Boniform, the Yaldhurat candidate for the next Sydney Derby, accomplished a great gallop a' Biccarton last Tuesday, when he badly defeated Count Witte over six furlongs on the outside of the course proper in lmm 17 B-ssec. This is, I fancy, a record for this part of the Biccarton course. Sunglow, the yearling sister to Boniform, shaped very well in a sprinting task the same morning. W. Higgins, who rode Phaetontis in the Grand National Steeplechase last year, has been engaged to pilot him again, and has arrived at Riccarton, where he is busy at riding work, each morning. Leeaide is in great fettle just now, -jnd if the journey is not too far he may have to be reckoned with in the Grand National Hurdle Race. Slow Tom. has not done much work since he returned from the North Island. He looks well, but one of his forelegs is :ausing trouble, and he may not be at his best for the approaching meeting. Magical, Boyal Shell, Somateria, Inniskillen, Shrapnel, Paritutu Waihuku, Creueot and Romany Lad are among the arrivals j at Ricarton. j Julian has been engaged to ride Slow lorn in the Grand National Steeplechase. Quarryman has been leased to the Hon. G. M'Lean, and will do stud duty at the etud next spring.