CANTERBURY DOINGS

Otago Witness, Issue 2823, 22 April 1908, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS

By Fritz.

The weather duiing the past week was fine. Rain fell on one or two days, but not enough to interfere with training operations. As a consequence some very interesting work has been witnessed on the tracks. However, m view of the fact that the Canterbury Jockey Club's autumn meeting will be oveT by the time these lines are read, it is not necessary to refer to the track doings. General disappointment prsvails over the fact that Fleetfoot and Boniform are both under a cloud. These two crack performers looked like proving the star attractions at this week's gathering at Riccarton, and a meeting between the pair m the Challenge Stakes, .was being eagerly anticipated. There is, of course, still a bare chance that one, if not both .of them may be Eeen out, but I do not expect they will meet m the Challenge Stakes. The second batch of yearlings from the Stonyhurst stud, consisting of four -fillies, arrived on Saturday, and m due course Cufcts will put on the breaking tackle. The following are the particulars: Ploughshare, by Treadmill—Golden' Vale; Thistledown, by Clanranald—Elusive; Fasnakyle, by Clanranuld— Terettina; and Cresset, by Treadmill — Golden Crest. With the six Stonyhurst-bred colts which came down earlier, and the two colts purchased m the North Island, Cutts will have a dozen youngsters^ under his care to represent Sir George Clifford m next seasou's two-year-old races. The home-bred lot are all particularly well grown ; m fact. I think they are easily the best collection that has ever been sent down m one season from Sir Gorge Clifford's select breeding establishment. D. Moraghan has taken m hand a three-year-old gelding by Banner — Apremete, that looks like developing intd a useful sort. Euclid has gone amiss, and will have to be treated to a lengthy spell. This is hard luck for his connections, as he was galloping well, and was expected to win some races before the season closed. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Easter meeting was commenced on Saturday m dull but fine weather, and m the presence of a large crowd of spectators. In every respect it can fairly be regarded as one of the most successful dßy's trotting ever held on fhe Addington course. The fields were laTge, there being a total of 129 starters m the eight races which comprised the programme. Speculation was very _ keen, the totalisator investments amounting to £10,005 10s, es compared with £9944 10s on the corresponding day lost year, and this notwithstanding the fact that 13 - bookmakers paid the fee of £15 15s demanded for the privilege of betting. The racing during bhe day was of a high order, several of the finishes baing exceptionally close. Proceedings opened with the Introductory Handicap, for which the field: numbered 13. Tuxedo- Chief went off smartly, and_ soon established a good lead, eventually winning by six lengths from Prince Alert. Baron Luegen was a hundred yards away third, followed by Txixey V and Lady Clare. The winner is a Sydney -importatkm, and is a decent sort. Prince Alert, who was making

his debut, did not leave lhe mark well, or he would have been very troublesome. The field for the President's Handicap numbered 14. Seaweed led for a mile and a-quarter, when Aberfeldy ' drew out and won by five lengths from Matubrino Girl, who beat Wildwood Junior by a neck. Wildwood Junior, who is a horse with a big private reputation. is a bad starter, and he lost his chance through getting off very slowly. Even as it was he ran a great race, and if he had left the mark smartly he could scarcely have lost. Eighteen was the main for the Advance Handicap. • Special Boy was m charge for nearly a mile, when Tutu passed h.im, and won by six lengths, Ballwind beating Rotholia by 10 lengths, with Bessie B and Ngaire close up. Another field of 18 lined np for the New Zealand Handicap. The race lost some of its interest through Kinj^ Cole playing up at the start and ruining his chance. Ratawood showed out m front for a mile, with Master Pcoie and Lady Lilian as his nearest attendants. In the second mile the two last-mentioned closed on the leader, and after a gocd finish Master Poole beat Lady Lilian by half a length, with Ratawood six lengths xway, and Miss Florrie and O.Y.M. close up. Ths Autumn Handicap attracted 11 starters. Mah Honey made the early running, followed by Previous. Slewee, Lcdi, Brown Ribbon, Houhere, and Kentucky Yet. Two furlongs from home Lodi had taken charge, and she won, with a bit to spare, by two lengths from Mah Honey, who beat Hoxihere by a length. A big field cf 29 turned up for the Ladies' Bracelet. The Boss was alone on the limit, and be led all the way, winning by six lengths, while Lady General beat Gossip by a head for second place. Nine faced the starter for the Flying Handicap. Dumh-bell was responsible for the pace all ihe way. but Joe Davis caught him on the post and won by a head, with Tohn two lengths away, just m front of Mavoureen. The. day's snort was brought to a close with the Express Handicau, ior which there were 18 starters. Dumb-bell was m front from the staTt, and looked like winning easily, but Tcliu gradually overhauled him, and getting on terms m the last tit, won T>y .a. lai« ie«<a. -wrdili "Pr±*i<s<» Randle four lengths away, followed by Sadie Mac and Ashwood.