CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Fritz. We have had a -week of fine weather, and the tracks at Ricoarton have been in excellent order. There has, however, been very little doing- on them, most of our trainers being absent at the North Otago meeting-. A number of them returned after the racing at Oamaru, but others weavb on. to Wingatui, where they will probably be joined this week by fresh performers. Mr G. D. Greenwood met with a piece of bad luck last week, when the yearling coli by Charlemagne ll—Annabelle broke

a log, and had to be destroyed. He was, I understand, a well-grown youngster. Ho was a. half-brother to Wedge, who got his name among the winners at the North Ota.go meeting. Sir George Clifford sold Tenterhook to a.n Oatua.ru sportsman for 150 guineas at the close of the North Otago meeting. The daughter of Clanranald —To-morrow was a very useful two-year-old, but this season her form has been decidedly moderate, as t'le has not won a, race. She; is a brilliant galloper on the track, and it may be that lender fresh conditions she will "do better in public than her recent form suggests. I suopose Treadmill and Kirnomin can safely be named as two of the best performers that ever carried Sir George Clifford's colours. When mated they produced Muiroook who might therefore'have been looked o.n to do something good. So far, however, he has been a failure, and though given more than one oha.nco in moderate company he has concluded life two-year-old season without winning a race. I would not however, care to condemn him altogether, as I am prepared to find him improve next season and develop i.nto a useful horse. I understand that ho is for sale,'and ho might be a good sort to pick up for country racing. Mr H. A. Knight seems to have a strong partiality for the Oama.ru Our>, a race he has now won three times, with Lapla.nd, Tikitere, and Mumu.ra. Each of the three, it may be noted, is an example of tho virtue of the St. Sime.n —Musket cross. Lapland was by Finland —Neroli, by Artillery, while the other two, by Finland and St Ambrose respectively, are both out of Flame, who is by Phseton from Catherine Wheel, by Maxim. The victory of Mummra should not have come as such a great surprise after his display at Ricoarton last month, when he finished second to Countermine i.n a seven-furlong Welter Handicap. I quite expect Mumura to develop into a decent horse next season. H. Moragha.n looks like having a good team of jumpers under his care tin's season. Dorando has already made good, and can, I think, be marked off for further distinction. My own idea is that he may shi.no over steeplechase fences before long. It would be no surprise if he was a champion cross-country horse. He is by San Fran, a great performer, who is sirinig good ones, while on the dam's side he is descended from, a family of proved jumpers. Gold Pin, by Terrapin—Reject, is still only a novice at hurdling, but he is a promising sort that is certain to improve. He may 'never be a top notcher but he should be useful. Wedge, by Finland—Annabolle, who won on the flat at Oamarii, is also destined for jumping, a.nd he looks a likely sort for the game. I understand Moraghan is also to take St. Aida.n in hand with a view to being schooled. The son of Birkenhead —Montdread, is, cf course, an unknown qua.ntity, but it can be said that he represents good material. Of this quartet Gold Pin is owned by Mr C. W. Hammond; and the other three by Mr J. Buckley. I should say Moraghan will bo very unlucky if he does not have a successful time with his team this winter.

About a dozen yearlinigs, including some of those owned by Mr Greenwood, and the Stead Brothers, were o ; n the course at the Canterbury Park trots on Saturday, and they were sprinted down the straight by way of education. I rather took a fancy to one or two of the Boniform yearling's, which will carry the Stead colours next season. Later on I expect to have something more to say of these two contingents of juveniles. I was rather interested in the success of Appin in the Century Hurdles at Wanganu:' last week. I took a fancy to this horse when he was hero last year for the Grand National meeting. At that time he was quite a novice at hurdle racincr, hut ho gave the impression that be would make a good one when he got some experience. After all. he is bred well enough for anything being by The- Possible from Miss Beckwith, by Captain Webb —Princess Helen by Leolinus—Nelly Moore, the dam of Lochiel.

A pleasant function took place at the Now Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's rooms on Friday, when a presentation was made, on behalf of the trotting clubs of the Dominion, of a purse of sovereigns bo Mr P. Seligr. president of the New Zealand Trotting Association, in recognition of his interest in the sport. Mr Selig is about to make an extended trip in Australia, and this was the reason seized on for the presentation. The Hon. C. Loubson, president of the Metropolitan Club, had charge of the proceedings, ,and the speeches made were all highly laudatory of Mr Selig's connection with trotting. The proceedings at the annual meetinsr of the Canterbury Jockey Club last week were brief, as is usually the case. The factis that the affairs of the club are in such a satisfactory state that members do not trouble to attend the annual meeting'. Mr A. Boyle, the chairman, had<a very pleasant task. He stated that the profit for the year had been £2495. against £3637 the previous year; but the Government tax was £2560 more and bookmakers' licenses brought in £1606 less this rear, the latter being only available at two meetings. Bv way of compensation, however, the totalisator revenue increased by £2455. He mentioned that the club gave an average of £322 per race for 96 races during the season. In view of the uncertainty as to the position under the new Gaming Act, the committee is nrobablv wise in deciding to discontinue the policy of increasing stakes for the present. There is. however, no hint at reduction, and it is hoped that the caution will not be necessary for any length of time. Mr Boyle had some nertinent remarks to make concerning "the incompetence, if no stronger expression could he used, of tho~e licenser! to ride." How the stewards will net ne.xt season remains to be seen, but Mr Boyle's remarks suggest that we may see the conduct of the jockeys at Riccarton and other Canterbury courses very carefully watched—and not before it is time. The club is nlso out. it •would seem, on a crurande against illegal betting. If this question is pone into, however, it will be found that it is a very biff one to face, and the officials of the club, though probably sincere enough in their ideas, may discover that to parry the matter to its logical conclusion will involve measures too drastic to be lightly undertaken.

The St. Ambrose —A-mbuaVvenrling filly which wa.s rM».««cd in at. the Sydney yearling sales 0t,2Wl guineas will he retained by Mr J. B. Feid, and has been entered for a number of classic events in Australia. The annual meeting of tho North Canterbury Club was held on Thursday evening. The president (Mr A. S. Clarkson) occupied the chair. The secretary's Action in applying for Thursday, March 21,

1912, as the date of the annual race meetwas approved. The balance sheets, which was adopted, stated the income to have been £643 3s Bd, and the expenditure £574 16s Id, leaving- a credit balance of £6B 7s 7d. A bonus of £lO waa voted to the secretary, Mr A. J. Tutton. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr H. C. D. Van Asoh"; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Maedonald and! W. Parsons; treasurer, Mr M. Scott; stewards —Messrs J. B. Catherwood, G. B* Starky, C. C. Paterson, R. J. Parsons, G. N. M'Lean, T. W. Lance, J. Meikle, F. Beker, J. H. Power, A. Henderson, % Maher, . and S. Robertson; committees Messrs F. Beker, J. H. Power, C. C. Paberson, S. Robertson, T. Maher. D. Sutherland, B. S. Jordan, J. B. Catherwood, and J. Meikle; auditor, Mr W. A. Kelcher-;' Ground Committee—Messrs F. Beker, D, Sutherland, and C. C. Paterson. A vote of thanks was accorded to the officials of the past year. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club's meeting was commenced on Saturday, when the weather was fine and the attendance good. The totalisator investments were) £8655, against .t'4765 on the first day lasti year. There was some fine racing, bufe it was a bad day for backers, favourites going down badly in all but one race.

A start was made with the Trial Handicap, for which there were 13 starters, Bazanite being with Oceanic and Black Betty next in order of public fancy. Silver Child went off smartly, and soon had a good Lead from Black Batty. At the end of half a mile Silver Child was still in front, with Black Betty and Black Monarch next, followed, by Oceanic and Chrysos. A little farther on Silver Child lost his place, and, passing the mile post, Black Betty and Oceanic weae showing the way to Black Monarch and Chrysos. Going out of the straight Chrysos broke. Oceando then drew away, and though Silver Child finished Well, he had into chance with Oceanic, who won by 10 lengths. Black Monarch was six lengths away, just clear ojj Chrysos and Black Betty. The winner is a five-year-old mare by Maoriwood, a son; of Wildwood, but in appearance and colour she favours her dam., Ocean Wave, a roant mare by Rothschild. A field of 16 took part in the Ladies' Bracelet Handicap. A favourite was found in Prinz, a five-year-old by the Vaneleve horse Valiant, from Frauleirii, the dam of Fritz. Others weil backed were Franz Josef, a three-year-old by Franz from a Victor mare;' The Lark, by Prince Imperial—Katipo; and Thelma T., by Woodburn Chief from a Sacramento mare. Thelma T. made the early running from The Lark and Prinz, but the two last-named were done with a long way from home. King- Tracey gradually overhauled the front division, and, catching Thelma. T. at the foot of the straight, hp won easily by two lengths, Erina bein.g six lengths away, just in front of Idaho arid Franz Joeef. The winner, who is . by General Tracey/—Redjoubt, ejarted at a forlorn price, and Iris victory and dividend must have come as a surprise to the airmy of backers who supported him in a strongfield at Addington last month. The principal event of the day, the Empire Handicap, attracted a field of 12, the order o£ favouritism being Betel Nut, Franzie, Cedrioe, and Waterlog. Cedrice refused to leave the mark, and Clive showed the way for three furlongs, when Dayspring went on from Blackchild Boy, Clive, and Waterlog. A little farther on Waterlog stopped through a mishap to her gear! Dayspring led past the stand, followed by Blackchild Boy and Clive, with Imperial Polly and Prince Wilkin at the head of tho others Dayspring was still in charge when the straight .was reached for the run home, but Prince Wilkin put in a strong claim, and won comfortably by four lengths from Imperial Polly, who beat the tiring Dayspring by three lengths, with Blackchild Boy and Betel Nut close up. The winner, who is a four-year-old by Prince Imparia* —Miss Wilkin, showed good form at Addington last month, when he finished third to May Dillon and The Middie in the race in which May Dillon was disqualified for a breach of the weighiwg-in rule. Twelve was the main for the Hornby Handicap, Master Raymond, Bandale-ro (brother to Mambrino Akabah), Glendalough (sister *o Dan Patch), and Delia being fancied in that order. Bandalero and Violet C. were in front in the early stages,, and at the end of a mile they were joined! by Rosemary, the three drawing righfr away from the field. Half a mile from, home Rosemary took charge, and after a desperate' finish she beat Bandalero by a length. Violet C, 50 yards away, was not persevered with at the finish, and Link passed her on the post. Roeemar}-, a four-year-old mare by Franz Pansy wood, showed good form at Addington last month, and on her latest display she can be marked off as pretty useful. I should say she can be improved yet. Another field of 12 lined up for the Innovation Handicap, Miss Moore being strongly fancied, with St. Tre'lla, Promd Girl, and Delia best backed of the others,. Miss Moore refused to start, and Rosechild showed the way to Francita. Miss Lyor.s, and Proud Girl for half a mile. A little farther on Proud Girl fell. Francita and Lady Lyons ran together down the back, but before reaching the straight Lady Lyons was in charge. Grace Darlington then came with a strong run, but. in a hard finish Lady Lyons won by a length, Grace Darlington being four lengths clear of Francita, with Robert Erauuett and Lord Ashton close up. The winjTer, who is a three-}'car-old filly of considerable promise, is by General_ Lyons from the Prince Imperial mare Imperialeer., while Grace Darlington, also a three-year-old.* is by Harold Dillon from that good mare Mv r Mistake. were 11 starters for the Electric Handicap. Millie C. being a bettei favourite than Blue Rose, Tolni, and Fisherman. Millie C. went off at a great bat. and, cutting out the first half mile in lmin 9sec, had a big lead frcm a bunched field. A furlong farther on she broke badly. Bel lis was fW into the straight, but "Miss A. R. T. Wilkes caught him 50 yards from home, and won after a_ fine finish by a neck. Millie C. came with a) great rattle in the straight, and finished two lengths away, just in front of Tohu and Imperial Polly. The winner, who is art Australian-bred mare by Black Wilkes— Lady Svlphe, has frequently shown that slw? could go fast, but s'no has been very erratic in the past, especially at the start. On Saturday, however, sbc was irr a generous mood, and her performance of a mile in 2mm 18 1-Eeec on a track that was not particularly fast was full of merit. Millie C. was very unlucky. Handicapped at 2min 305.-e. she'did abo'it 2,mi.n %sec. after a vorv bad break. Without this mishap she could wot DOse&dv have lost. Another field of 12 took part in the Tramway Handicap, for unhoppled trotters. Rothvillo was $

very hot favourite, and, taking charge at the end of two furlongs, he was never afterwards troubled, winning b- sax lengtisfrom the ancient Vancleve gelding Will, •who was a dozen lengths clear ot.bait Air, with Master Raymond, Lula Child, ana foubioan close up. The winner » a goodlooking five-year-old, by Rothschild— Aggie, And I think this is his first appearance, since he won a Ladies' Bracelet race at Oamaiu last season. He is a showy horse that would look well in a dogcart, but there was rather too nanch waste action for the 6r«U£. m the same, he is a pretty good one, and s likely to do tetter shortly. The day a sport was concluded with the Dash Handi- . M, W which Wild Arab, Harold Minto, lo Allerton, and Adorns were fancied in SBS order. Elsie Allerton hung at the ISrt, and Wild Arab and Kenny 2. showed the way for half a mile. Kenny K. then stopped; and Wild Arab went on from El«e AikS and Harold Minto On reaching tL Straight Noreen came through with a £| Tut and beat Elsie Allerton by four letW, Wild Arab who did not finish well, being a Length away, m ?Z Harold Minto. The winoer is an aged maie feT'Mambrino King, «*d she has several good performances to her credit though S nearly equal to her latest, when she co?<Ld the mile in 2min 22 l-ssec-a smart eff < >rt - May 29. The Canterbury contingent for the Dunediri- meeting this week will include. Muamira, Puaka, Oronstadt Dorando, Wedge, White Cockade, Umeraboy Directoire, Corona, Gold Coin, Co-unter-mine. Sharpshooter, Fitaway, *™s«>; Kohinoor, .and Nightlight. I« «* one time there would be more of them, but they make a pretty good team . Sir George Clifford has sold Mccook to. a patron of the Dunedin traiwrß fLW the price paid being, I hear £IOO, at which figure he should be a good investment. -Itfyall, who is a son of Goodwood by Ascot, was schooled over the steeplechase at Ricoarton during the week, and also over hurdles. He jumped well each time, and made many friends, despite a disposition to chance his fences. •• Shillelagh and Master Leslie have been shaping well in schooling taaklr oyer hurdles It is unfortunate that Master iLeslie is not too sound, as he has a gojpd "turn of pace; but if he survives a preparation he should develop into a uselui hurdler. ..' , ~ White Cockade jumped five hurdles on Saturday, the pace being solid and the display highlv creditable. He should run well in the hurdle races at Dunedin this

week. . ~ Umeraboy was given a turn over hurdles on Saturday, but his effort was. only mode-

Cotton intends to try Canterbury over hurdles. The, son of Pilgrim's Progress--Suzannah is a very promising sort for tho jumping game. ;'.',, '. u *. -* Zetland is to be retired from the turf, and will probably do stud duty next season. As a youngster this son of Obligado—Ladv Zetland «ave higih promise, but he has not fulfilled it, and ho does not take the idea as an ideal stallion. Los Angolos and Genius have resumed work, and look in nice trim after their spell. Mr J- B. Reid .has purchased the two-*©ar-old filly Mazurka, by Martian —Two Steep, from Mr Greenwood. The price ©aid is understood to he 150 gs, and the filly who bias not bsein a success on the turf, will, I expect, take up stud duties at Elderslie, where Mr Raid is getting together a very large collection of mares.