THE ASHBURTON MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3085, 30 April 1913, Page 49

THE ASHBURTON MEETING.

In tho general march of progress that has been klontified with racing in the South Island during recent years the Ashburton County Racing Club has not been a laggard on the -way. From a somewhat crudely-appointed racecourse it has kept in line, and now stands well equipped in po:nt of accommodation for its patrons, whilst the stakes have also grown from season to season. Tho Ashburton Cup, to be decided on May 8, carries a stake of 270sovs, and has attracted a field of 19, whilst the balance of events on tho programme have filled in a manner which must be gratifying to tho club. A double-winner in Thrnx at tho Timaru meeting is at the head of the list in the Ashburton Oup with 9.3, or a increase of 61b on what he carried over a mile Thurs-

day Tiiiax now meets Spccialform on 111/, worse terms over an additional quarter of a mile. Gold Coin conics on 261 b worse terms than in the Timaru Cup, when she fines lied a fairly close fourth. Murmura conies in on 2Vlb better terms, and Sunbeam has 161 bin his favour on Timaru Cup form and 151 b on the Autumn Handicap running. In both races he did not run up to expectations, and it appears as if he will require at least all that poundage in h. : s favour. Mr J. F. Buchanan holds a .strong hand with Thrax, Tannhauser, and Bulletin, and whichever one he may elect to depend on should give a good battle for the colours. In the Dunedin Cup Tannhauser gave The Cornet 101 b and a handsome beating, and beat him again at 191 b in the D.J.C. Handicap. The Cornet has since run a good second in the Sockburn and won the Final under 7.9. He was a better horse at Riocarton than at Wingatui, and now comes in at 131 b undbr a higher scale. Tannhauser struck himself whilst running in the D.J.C. Handicap, and has since been let up a bit, and although the figures read in his favour, hrs condition may not allow him to demonstrate a true tost of the handicap. Bulletin has latterly been showing winning and improving form. If Spocialform’s running in the Waahdyke Welter is correct, ho roads better than his stable companion Thrax. 11l the Washdyko Bulletin won under 10.5 when giving 121 b to Spccialform, who finished a fairish fourth. Bulletin beat Spccialform with apparent comfort at 121 b. '■and Thrax had a bad passage a»s well as 13lb to assist him in boating her over a mile. The honours seem in favour of Bulletin, who now meets her on 71b worse terms, whilst Thrax pays 111 b for his success. Another point in Bulletin’s favour is that he was regarded as a 121 b better horse than Thrax when the figures were made up for the Timaru Cup, and has 171 bin his favour. Glenfinnan was handicapped at 61b behind Thrax in the Timaru Cup, and now has an extra 111 b to help his chance, and as he also has shown winning form he has nothing to complain about in coming as a practically beaten horse. ( Gapon won at Timaru, but be failed under 7.8 in the Southland Cup when ridden a perfect race. It is distance rather than weight which Oiay trouble him; but he should run a good race, as none of the top-weight division represent Sombrero at 8.32 when the latter won the Southland Cup. Canute and the others that follow should help to make the race interesting. It looks fairly open, and should result in attracting a good field. \