CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 59

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Fhiiz.

W-e-have just concluded the most successful; Gsaod* National week on record. The weather throughout the w-eelo was- gloriously .fin©-— in fact, even the historic "oldest inhabitant" cannot r-eoall an-

other winter carnival bein? conducted under -such favourable conditions. There was a very large- attendance each day. and the sport witnessed was of a very high order. Financially the nesulte must have 'been eminently satisfactory to the two clubs concerned, the Canterbury Jcckej Club and th« New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. Both at Riccarton and Addington there was a slight Balling off in fotalieator receipts, but when the bookmakers' fees were also taken into account the clubs really received about 50 per cent mor-o for betting privileges than they did last year. The steeplechasers seen out at Riccarton Jast week were, on the whole, a much poorer lot than we are accustomed to associate with a Grand National meeting. There ■w-ene eatrugh of them to mafce up. ctecent

fields, it is true, but quality was looking. Eurus, the winner of the Grand National Steeplechase, would have had a good cr-css-oountry race to his credit long ago but for the fact that he had a strong objection to the fences, and had run off several times when his chance of winning seemed bright. Last week he started in the Sheeplechase each day. and he finished the course on all three occasions, so that there is room for hope that he has been cured of bis bad habits.

'Kiatere is not the horse he was a year ago, though he ran well each day. He was

going strongly on the first day when he lost his rider, and on his other two races hehad to put up with second place, being unlucky enough each day to meet a promising young horse with a Tight weight. Le Beau xan two good races, but his effort on- the second day was disappointing. He is a decent sort, and next year he ehould ■be' hard to beat across country. Niadador was a disappointment. She caused a surprise by falling in the Grand National Steeplechase, and on the- other two days she never appeared to have a winning chance. Three horses that competed across country took my faney — Audax, Gold Seal, and

Piiot, — and I should say the trio will be

heard of again. Audax has only started twice, and the way in which he won the Hunters' Hurdle Handicap and the Lincoln Steeplechase last week was very impressive. He has an attractive pedieree. being by Blrkenhead — Temeraire, and it would not surprise me if he developed into a champion later on. Gold Seal ran two good races. He was in the leading division all the way in the Grand National, and he soored in the Beaufort Steeplechase in good style. He has not done much crosscountry work, so he should improve yet. Pilot's two victories were gained in

moderate company, but ho won each time in a manner which suggested that he would hold i his own against horees of much better

olaes than he met last week.

The hurdlers that raced during the meeting were not a high-class lot. Stormont's three performances showed clearly that he must have been short y>f a gallop on the opening day of the meeting. He put up a good race in the Grand National Hurdl-e Race but his best effort was in the Sydenham Hurdle Race, in which, though he only squeezed home after a gj<eat fimVh, he was carrying a good weight. Stormont has come on a Lot as a hurdler, and he must now be regarded as a pretty good performer, though by no means a champion. Paritutu ran a good race- and was unlucky in filling second place for the second year in succession. Scotty gave a fine display in the ~~ Trial Hurdle Race, but he- hit one or two hurdles hard in the Grand National Hurdle Kftoe, and never looked like winniziff. £bo\y,-

man showed up prominently in the Grand. National HuaxUe Race, but that »^ his only good effort. Ghoorka, was a trifle drr appointing, his jumping being poor. Pretty Maid and Aorangi shaped badly in the Grand National, but ran well on Hoe last day in the Sydenham Hurdle Race. Top Rose performed consistently throughout the meeting, and Oasis was another of the eeoond-ra.ters thaf ran well each time he started. Stronghold ran a fine race in the Sydenham Hurdle Race, and I Aink we may not have to ■wait long before he carries off a decent race.

, The flat racers were a fine lot, numbers and quality being strongly in evidence throughout the meeting. It is safe to cay, in fact, that we have never had so many good horses competing in the flat events at any previous Grand National fixture. Penates, the winner of the Winter Cup and August Handicap, is a brilliant horse, c quick beginner, and therefore able to secure a good position in the early part of his races. He will win again before the season, is much older. Motoa was unlucky in twice having to suffer a nacrrow defeat from. Penates. Be is a fine stamp of a sprinter, and after seeing ham p-erform I am not surprised: that has- owner placesi a big price on. ..him. .Lupulite ran well each day, but faded out at the business end of his race. Ido not think he is quite at bis best just now. All Red was a disappointment, never threatening danger any" day. Simplex showed a good turn of pace, and he should win races this season. Wailethe ran prominently each day. and she well deserved her win in the last day. She is somewhat unruly at the post, but for which she might have troubled Penates- and Motoa in the Winter Cup. North Head was well backed each time he started, but ran badly. Prim won on her only appearance. Her victory was gained in attractive style, and she looks like being worth watching this season. Chief Lochiel. Helianthes, Heorthan, and Vasa were other winners, but I do not think they will ever develop into good ones.

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting J Club's meeting was continued on Wednesi day, when some great racing was- witnessed. A start was made with the Trial Handicap, in which Lady Disdain took the lead before half a mile had been covered, and won easily. Ten lined up for the Progressive Handicap. The Middie and Lady Linton mad© the early running, but Wiidwood, Jun., was almost on terms half a mile , from, home, and finishing well, he won by two lengths from Imperial Girl, who beaV Lady Clare by a similar distance. A field of 15 took part in the Lincoln Handicap. Foreman soon took charge, and was never* ' headed, warning by five lengths from Turk, with Mis* Vera 10 lengths away. Class was well represented in the 13 that took part in the Midwinter Handicap. Derringeotte and O.Y.M. showed the. way in the eaily stag*<s, followed by Miss Burlington and Elector. In the second mile the back- markers commenced to close up, and half a mile from home -Alhsrtorious was almost on terms with Derringcotte. He took th« lead at the homo turn and beat Derringcotte- by two lengths, Elector being a length a-way, third, just in front of Fuse© ajicJ Verax. Ten; started for th© KingEdward Handicap. Scotia led for a mile, Storm taking second place early. Lodi was on terms with the leaders three fuTlongy from home, and Redehild was aleo within striking distance when he broke badly. Storm fell at the top turn, and Lodi boat Scotia by a length, Vitella being a poor third. Thirteen took part in the Avon Handicap. Welfaie, Th© Mooress, Keteo, and Sir Joa were responsible for the pace, but turning for home Rosene^th joined in-, and a great finish ended 'in Roseneath beating Sir Joe by a head, with The Mooress a length away. Thirteen was again the main for the- Dash Handicap. Patrick G., a Sydney pony, shot <yut at the start and was never caught, winning by six lengths from Wilkie, who beat Norval dj two lengths. A field of 12 took psurfc I in the Telegraph Hamdicap. Alice Wood was first to show out, but Withington was in front at the end of half a mile, and he won by two lengths from Grey Echo, with The Needle a similar distance away. i

| The meeting was brought to a close on Friday, when the sport was again excellent. Eleven lined up for the Addingtan Handicap, which provided a good race between Curfew Bell and Baron Luegon, the former winning by four lengths, with Mis 6 V-era a similar distance behind Baron. Luegen. Eighteen took part in the Ladies' Bracelet. Merry May was in front all the I way, and «he b?at her stable mate, Plain Tom, by eight lengths. The National Cup was responsible for a fine performance by 7 Durbar. There were 10 starters, and at the end of three furlongs Wallace was well j ctear of the field. Durbar put in a fast first mile, and six furlongs from home he was in front. From this out the race wa<s all over. Durbar winning by eight lengths from Aibertorious, who was a length in , fiont of Lord Elmo, with Sir Hector and Wallace L. close up. After the race Mr i G. Payling (vice-president) presented the | cup to Mr H. F. Nicoll, arrd congratulated him on the excellent, pe-rfcrinance of his i horse. Eleven, turned out for the Canter- • bury Handicap. M:ss Florrie O. and Success were fighting for the lead 1 nearly all j the way, but Laud-ervale caught them two j hvriongg from home, and won by four , lengths from Success, who beat Scotia by j eight lengths, with Miss Florrie C. and ■ Yitella close up. The Federal Handicap, for which there were 14 starters, was responsible for an accident, the favourite, Advocate, falling, though fortunately without causing- e-erkras trouble. Imperial Girl took ch&Kge before half a. mile had baen covered, and she won by four lengths from Al Franz, who spoilt his chance of winning by a bad break. Tuxedo Chief was three lengths away, third, with Lady Clare and Sir .Toe cloW up. Durbai was penalised 3sec in the Speedway Handicap, but this did not prevent him easily beating his dozen opponents. He had the race in hand two furlongs from home, and 1 won ea«ily by tbree lengths from Norval, who boat j Mi«? Burlington by five lengths, with Lodi ' and Wilkie in close attenda-nje. The International Handicap provided a great contest. Elector took cha^s?^ afifr going two furlongs, followed by Thr> Needle, but at i the home turn Florin and Lord Elmo movd up, and a great finish ended in Florin beating Elector by a h<*ad. with Lord Elmo another head away, half a length in front of Yerax. The meeting was brought to a close with the- Farewell Handicap, for which there were nine starters. Vivid lcl for half a mile. Nga- Raima then challenged, and drawing away in the straight. =,he won by three lengths. Vivid beating Belroy by two lengths, with Gxey Echo and j JTu£ee close «a. *