CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 54

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Fktt*.

I cannot remember ever experiencing such a continued spell of wet sonable weather at this period °L h f m.t, as we iare at present suffering . * Scarcely a day has passed lately without ranging The position of the tr = has been an unenviable one, and it would have been more serious but for thefor® thought of the caretaker in allowing the use of the outside of the course proper for gallops. Under the circumstances therefore, the trainers have fared as well as could be Expected , , The Gold Reef gelding Ideality broke one of his hind lege while doing a gallop a few davs ago, and had to be destroyed. He was being worked on the outside of the course proper, and was going fast just post the mile and a-quarter poet when he fell He was carrying his head high m tho air, and the accident was no doubt duo to his failure to observe the uneven nature of the ground. The near hmd mg was broken clean off at the fetlock joint, the shin and back tendons being all that kept the hoof and pastern joint from being torn clean away from the leg. Ideality, who had only been purchased by h. t/hristmas from J. Y. M'Cracken a few weeks ■previously, won a couple of races at the Grevrnouth spring meeting m November, so that he returned his new owner a portion of the purchase money. I£ was, however, bad luck for Christmas to lose such an improving young'horse as Ideality, who would probably have been a useful stakeearner. _ , j The two-year-olds Brown Owl and Lourdes, who have been enjoying an enforced spell, are again in active commission, and appear to have thrown on tho effects of their lameness. Antagonist is being hacked about preparatory to going into hard training in view of autumn engagements. He looks well, and is apparently quite sound again. Canterbury horses have done very well so far at the holiday meetings in various parts of the Dominion, and by the tune the campaign ie over they can bo relied on to add etill further to their winning total The chief disappointment, in this connection, was, tho failure of Martino in tho Manawatu Cup. The daughter of Martian appeared to be in fine fettle when, she left for Awapuni, and her failure to make any sort of a showing in such a slowly-run race and among such moderate opponents was very disconcerting to her admirers. The Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting on Boxing Day was the most successful trotting fixture ever held in that Formerly the club held two meetings a. season, each of two dayß, and when the Racing Commission report compelled a reduction to two fixtures of one day each, tho supporters of the club growled strenuously, but without avail. Under all tho circumstances, however, I am not so eure that the club has suffered at all by tho ne'w arrangement. Tho general scheme of reduced racing dates brought about by tho report of the Racing Commission left Boxing Day vacant, and the Ashburton Club secured it. At one time it looked as if rain would ruin tho meeting, but tho weather cleared just at the critical period, with the result that the special train from Christchurch was the largest I ever remember seeing journey to a race meeting. Local siKirtsmon also turned out well, and tho attendance was easily a record. So, too, was tho totalisator turnover. Tho investments totalled £5562 10s, compared with £4293 at the two days’ meeting in September, 1910, when bookmakers were also licensed. The club was very fortunate in securing such a popular day for one of its meetings, and I can see that in future years the fixture is likely to grow more and more popular and important. So far as the racing was concerned, _ last week’s gathering was a very interesting the fields being largo and many of the finishes very eloso. A start was made with the Trial Handicap, for which Azile, who had finished second in a race at Uororata, was a warm favourite, with The Lark and Lady Rattoo next best backed. These three filled the places, but scarcely in the popular order, as The Lark beat Azile very easily by two lengths, with Lady Rattoo 50 yards away third. The winner is a four-year-old by Prince Imperial—Katipo, and is a really good sort, of whom more will be heard yet. Ten square gaited trotters lined up for the Mitcham Handicap, Rothbury, Ahta, and March Hare being the order of backing. The favourite never struck a gnit, and ran in the ruck the whole way. Lionheart and Ophelia led

for a mile, when March Hare drew out with Lionheart, with Alita., JMerrywood, and Ophelia next Six furlongs from home March Hare had a good lead, but at the entrance to the straight he wat? by Alita, who ®broko 100 yards from ,the finish, leaving March Hare to win easily by 10 lengths from Clive, who came with a strong run and boat Alita by a length, with Lionheart, Merry wood, _ Ophelia, and Rothbury next. The winner, who is a six-year-old gelding by has been racing for some time without success, but he i<? a useful sort that will improve yet. Seven was the main for the Electric Handicap, with Betty Martin much better fancied than Rolf Boldrewcod ad Quinceland. For the first six furlongs Betty .Martin, Rcdfern, and JTrancita ran. together, when Betty Martin drew out 1 Snd won easily by six lengths from Francita, with Redfern, pulling up. 40 yards away, and Maid of the Forest fourth. The winner is a five-year-old mare by Prince Imperial—Peri. She has a great burst of speed, but has a reputation of being erratic. A field of eight contested the Ashburton County Handicap, Boid Maid, Betel Nut, and Piecework being moot 'fancied. Florin and Music collided at the start, and took no part in the race Bold Maid showed the way in the early stages just clear of Lyonnais, this pair being 50 yards clear of Betel Nut at the end of half a mile. At the mile post Piecework and Gianella joined Betel Nut. They could never get near the leaders, however, and after an interesting finisn Lyonnais outstayed Bold Maid and won by half a length, Betel Nut being a dozen lengths away, followed by Piecework and Gianella. The winner is a -good-looking five-year-old stallion by General Lyons Jessie B. His success was well received, as his owner is a popular Ashburton sportsman who has quite a big team in training. For the Amateur Handicap there were 14starters, Celtic being a solid favourite, with Espinal and Gee Whiz next best backed. Maggie Wylie led for half a mile, ■when Celtic went to the front. He was tiring at the finish, but lasted long enough to win by four lengths from The Lark, who boat Gee Whiz by two lengths, with British Lion and Miss Lyons close up. The winner is a fair sort of a three-year-old by General Mac —Imperial Nell. Twelve started for the M'Lean Handicap, Bold Maid. Lady Lyons, and Rolf Boldrewood being the popular picks. Bandalcro broke up badly at the start, and FVancita and Bermaline showed the way, well clear of the field, for over half a mile. Then CVdrioe took charge, and he went on to win comfortably by lour lengths from Prince Wilkin, with Rolf Boldrewood six lengths away, followed by Bold Maid, Lady Lyons, Betel Nut, and Yiewmont in ii bunch. The winner ia an aged gelding by Prince Imperial—Tracey Lovett, and .he looks as if he would earn further distinction later on, as he is a really good sort. Maelstrom, Hue Elect, and Marie Narelle were fancied in that order for the Boxing Day Handicap, for which a high-class field of 13 lined up. Daysprinr led for half a mile, and then gave way to Maelstrom, ■who was followed by Hue Elect, Marie Narelle. Dayspring, and The Needle. Three furlongs from home Emmeline appeared on the scene, and, cutting down the leaders in great style, she won by four lengths from Marie Narelle, who was two lengths in front of Hue Elect, with Scottish Mac, Adonis, Dayspring, and Wallace Junior close up. Emmeline, who is by Rothschild —Imperialism, lost several at the start, and her performance ‘was a very brilliant one. I should say 2.10 for a mile would be for her under favourable <-onditions. The meeting closed with the Final Handicap, for which there were six starters. Empress Eugenie, the favourite, cut her opponents down like a good one. and won by four lengths froip Maid of the Forest, with Black Pride who pulled up very lame, two lengths away. Empress Eugenie, who ia a three-year-old by Prince Imperial, will be found bolding her own among our best milens soon, as she has a wonderful burst ' of f?pe«L It w-as a great dav for Prince Imperial’s stock. Six of the winners were sired by the sort of Hambletonian Bell Bov, and the other two. by ‘General Mac and Rothschild respectively, were from Prince Imperial mares.