CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Bt Fsitz. I

The weather continues as it ha* been for several weeks past, gloriously fine. It seems rather strange to be complaining that the weather is toe- good, but owners and trainers would have welcomed rain during the last 1 few weeks. With the holiday meetings bo \ olose at hand, there is a danger that a change In the climatio conditions might spoil sport, but rain in co badly wanted that I expect, most people would be prepared to take the rials in this respect for the benefit which would be conferred on the country in other direction?. D. J. Price ha<? purchased Munjeet from Mr G. G- &t*a<l. «n<l -the Stepniai mare will probably be taken to Australia eaily in the year. Though Munjeet is now fiva years old, i and has been racing since she was a two-year- i *W~ jthsi has not lud a eeveia iiaw of it. She . <

should be good for a lot of racing yet, as ] understand she is perfectly sound. R. J. Mason will leave for Auckland tonight (Monday), with Boniform and Arm Jet. I learn that Bonifornt is quite sound so far, but there is just a doubt as to his being as forward as his admirers could wish. Cutls expected to leave for Palmerston North on Fridaj, bat %s he could not get the neeessury accommodation foi his horses, D« Write and Sister Anne, his departure was postponed. He expects, however, to get away to-night (Monday). The third member of his team, Stratagem, may not go north till later in the week. There will probably be a big exodus, of trainers and horses during the next few days* .Mr J. F. Buchanan is » trifle undecided as to the movements of his team, but it is pro*, bable that Buceleuch and Fireiron will go north for the Ashhurst and Rangitikei meet-, ings. There will also be • few horses from here for the Dunedin fixture, from what S can learn, but I expect the West Coast circuit will attf*ct the biggest contingent from Riccarton. The Canterbury Jockey Club's regulations for dealing with the bookmakers have been freely discussed during the last few days'. They do not find favour with a section of the layers, who regard the fees imposed as tod high. Whether there is any justification fox this complaint I do not pretend to say, buf I cannot see how the club could have beent expected to make them any lower. My own) idea is that the Canterbury Club has taken! a very fair and reasonable view of the position. The manner in which the question has beep approached is certainly in marked/ contrast to the line taken up by several othen clubs. So far as Christchurch is concerned, the Gaming Act is likely to have a fairtrial. The Christchurch Racing Club decided to charge the bookmakers * fee of £10 10s pec day for the right to bet at its meeting. Fourteen men paid the fee on the first day; and did plenty of business, but competition was pretty keen, and I am not sure thati the financial results were very satisfactory. Perfect weather favoured the Christchurch Racing Club for the opening of its summer meeting on Saturday, and there was a fairljj large attendance of spectators at the Plump* ton course. Among those present were Si» Joseph Ward, and Captain England and Lieutenant Sh&ckleton, of the Nimrod expedition. The track was very hard, and several of the horses showed the effects after their races. Proceedings commenced] with the Nursery- Handicap, for which the field numbered nine. Sir Artegal, Arzib, and Traitress were in- front all the way, andY drawing out at the home turn, Sir Artegal won comfortably by two lengths, Arzib beatr' ing Traitress by half a length. fficious gotf off badly, but finished up strongly, and 'was close behind the third horse when the pos6 was reached. I do not think there watf much in the form, as time will probablji prove that they were a moderate lot. Tha three placed horses are all by Stepniak. Sin Artegal being out of Britomsrt, while Anita is from Arline, and Traitress from Decoys The race was responsible for .an unfortunntf accident-. About two furlongs and a-half froart home Step Out fell; and as examination' showed that one of his legs was broken, hot was destroyed. This is a serious loss to hiM owner, as he gave promise of being a useful colt. Eight horses lined up for the Maiden Plate, which resulted in an easy win foaj The Libyan, who, after being in front mostf of the way, had no difficulty in stalling off, a late run by Pretty Nell and Highland Re»!| Helianthes, after getting oft slowly, war running on well at the finish. The Dominion] Handicap attracted six starters. Fireiront jumped out smartly, and passing the stand he was showing dear of Medallist, with th« others in a bunch. Running down the bacla Paragon moved up to the leaders, and round-? ing the home turn St. Joe and Ivanoff began/ to improve their positions. Entering th« straight the five horses named were running, in close order, Fireiron tfiill hiving a »ligh) advantage. At the distance they were practically in line, bttt Fireiron Teiired a littl« further on, and a great race home ended in St. Joe winning by a bare bead from Paragon, with Ivanoff a good head away, jusi in front ot Medallist and Fireiron. with Mercy last. It was one of the finest finishes I have seen for a long time, and the handicapper (Mr Henrys) deserved all the rricei things that were said after the race. StJoe pulled up in a very groggy condition.' A field of nine lined up for the Hornby Trot^ Hock teller and Joy showed the way at tha start, but Fancy Girl was in front six fur-^ Icngs frofh home, and she won, pulling upij by four lengths "from Cissie Wood, with/ Cleopatra a hundred yards away, in third place. One of the other starters gave the impression that it might have done a lo* better. Eight was the main for the Springston Welter Handicap. Amboise wns responsible for the running, and she was still well clear when the straight was reacheA. At the distance Armamento put in- a strong challenge, and, running on strongly, he beat Amboise by half a length, with Southern] Cross a length away, and Somaroff clcee up.j fourth. The Orient and Nanangaire showrdy some pace in the early stages, but faded out at the business end of the journey. A fiebiof 10 faced the starter for the Flying Handicap. Clementine and The Seer ahot out at the start, and led for nearly five furlongs, • when they dropped right out, leaving ' Petrovna to win in the easiest possible manner from Tremulous and Hilarity, with Vardat close Tip, fourth. Petrovna is evidently^ getting back into something like her oldj form. The Avon Trot Handicap attracted 10 starters, an outsider, in Ashwood, winning easily by a length, and a-half from th< favourite. Miss Hugo, with Joy close up< third. The day's -sport was brought to t close with the High-weight Hack Handicapi for which the field numbered four. Patty< pan made the running, but Ruapehu caughi him on the- post,' a dead heat resulting. Huapehu was badly handled, or she would have won easily.