CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 50

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

(By Fiirrz.)

Wo have had another week of fine weather, and as a consequence trainers have boon able to finish off thoir candidates for r'ne Grand National meeting under very favourable conditions. The track work, however. has keen, on the whole, of an uninteresting character; in fact, I do not remember a. year when the training operations for a Grand National meeting provided less excitement.. There has been very little good '•■hooh’mr. either by steeplechasers or hurdlers, and even the work on the flat has been just ordinary. No good purpose would he served hy detailed reference to the traek work during the past week, as by the time

these linos appear in print the meeting will be in full swing. There has boon the customary crop of casualties in the preliminaries for the Grand National fixture. Kauroa. who was greatly fancied in some quarters for the Grand National Steeplechase, cut up badly in a schooling task on Tuesday, finishing up with a fall. Ho was badly cut about the logs, and I am afraid he can be marked out for the meeting. The Gisborne horse Gaily Budge, who had friends for the Grand National Hurdle Handicap, is also amiss, and an unlikely starter at the meeting. So, too, is Aberbrothock, another hurdle candidate; but in his ease there is no room for emprise, as lie was under a cloud before he left homo for Rkcarton. Field Force got badly cut in a fence while running in a paddock, and may not be fit to race. The local representative, Query, is also on the shelf, one of hi; legs having filled, and it is pretty certain ho will not race for some time. Kelp showed signs of soreness early

in the week; but he has worked since, so the trouble was probably not serious. Already. however, the list of casualties is quite big enough. Expect, who was one of tho favourites for tho Winter Guj> from the time the weights appeared, did not make the final payment on Friday, to tho dismay of a large army of supporters. He will not be

seen at the meeting. The annual election of tho New Zealand Trotting Association is creating a good deal of interest. I have heard many expressions of regret at Air W. G. Garrard’s absence from the list of candidates, together with opinions that there are too many drones in tho association hive. At least one of tho candidates is canvassing very hard, and his friends are confident of success. Claude Piper, ihe well-known trotting

trainer, who had the handling for some years of the horses owned by Mr .7. A. Auckland, of New South Wales, has been a resident of Sydney for some months. He has evidently decided, however, that New Zealand offers better inducements, as he returned last week, bringing a team of trotting horses.

The following nominations have been received for officers of tho Ashburton Trotting Club for the ensuing year;—President, Mr H. F. Nicoli; committee —Messrs J. D. Stewart, A. Bray, and J. M’Donnell; honorary treasurer, Air J. H. Rule. Twelve stewards were nominated for 10 vacancies, and a ballot will be held. A meeting of the stewards of the Amberley Steeplechase Club was hold last week. A full attendance of officers was present, Mr G. B. Stark.y presiding. Owing to the alteration of tho half-holiday in Christchurch to Saturday, a proposal to alter .the date of tho annual meeting from Thursday to Saturday was freely discussed, and it was finally resolved that tho original date, August 28, should bo adhered to. It was decided to erect a skeleton stand. 90ft in length, to accommodate 100 to 200 people, for race day. Owing to the enlarged totulisator building, the xiaddock enclosure was extended to twice ifs original dimensions. Privileges wore dealt with privately by the stewards. Officers were appointed for supervision of the work for race day.

At tho annual meeting of the Waian Racing Club the report and balance sheet, showing a credit balance of £l7 5s lid, was adopted. It was resolved to write to the Hon W. 11. Harries thanking him for his assistance in obtaining alterations to the Rules of Trotting in regard to protest fees and the number of trots at non-totalisator meetings, also to the New Zealand Trotting Association for forwarding remits, at the request of the Waian Club, to the Trotting Conference. It was resolved to bold the annual race meeting early in January, and that the committee should draw up the programme to submit to a future meeting. The election of officers resulted as follows : Patrons. Messrs D. D. Maefarlane and W. A. Banks; president, Mr Cordon Fulton; viee-prosid'Kits—Messrs C. W. Forbes, M.P., Thomas Chapman, J. A. Xorthcotc, W. 0. Rutherford, G. E. Rutherford, E. E. Avrton. E. V. IT. Burbury, W. J. Smith. If. I). Crosslev and Colonel Chaffey; stewards

Mcasrs W. T. Puthorforcl, 11. T.unn, T. AT. Marr. F. C. Forbes. K. Pettigrew, T. Gilbert. W. Breekon, IT. Henderson, J. Sanian, A. Dunbar. E, Rinaldi, G. Harper, A. J. Runckell, C. S. Parnham. R. Harper, L. Dvford, L. J, Pulley. C. Thomson, A. W. Rountree, and F. Foster; committee —- Messrs R. Crumpton. A. Henderson, P. Creed, AV. Hi!! W. J. Smith, F. C. Forbes, W. Thompson, J. Kennedy, A. W. Rountree. J. Wilson, A. Dunbar, P. R. Dunbar, J. O’Donnell, AT. M. Crampton, H. Alandor, E. Rinaldi. H. A. Nielsen, E. E. Ayrton, A, J. Sunokell, E. Ayrton, jnn., 1,. Lyford, and F. Foster; judge, Mr W. A. Ranks; starter, Mr IT. T.unn; clerk of the course, Mr A. J. Dunbar; clerk of scales. Mr A. Henderson ; handicapper and timekeeper, Mr W. APNaught; treasurer, Mr A. J. Sunekell; secretary, Mr T. M. Marr; audi-

tor, Mr H T. Heaven. Several new members were elected. A well-attended meeting of those interested in tho Rakaia Racing Giuh was held in the Rakaia Library on Thursday night. Mr Oxlev was voted to the chair. It was resolved to hold a race meeting this season. Office-bearers were elected as follow: Patron, Mr 1.. White; president, Hon. C. \. C. Hardy; vice-presidents—Messrs IT. J. Harrison, E. Fox, L. Oxley. T. Blackly, and T. Langley; judge. Mr L. Oxley; honorary secretary, Air E. S. Leversedge; honorary treasurer. Air George Hardy; stewards -Alcasrs W. Alorland, 1.. Ruddock, A. J. Alagson. F. C. May. R. Harrison. W. Baxter, and J. Davison. The rules of the old club were adopted, knd it was decided to leave tho matters of drawing up the programme and deciding the date of the meeting to the stewards. A rneetmg of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held on Tuesday. The programme of the Chatham Island Racing Club was approved. The following transfer was approved : - TV. Davies to D. Sullivan, b f. 3yrs, by Field Battery—Wish. The following gentlemen riders’ cerFficates were granted:—G. A. Balfour. IT. Elworthy, T. APDonald. Stewart Barr. Thomas Hobbs, John APG'rr, A. Beattie, A. C. Judd, O. L. Orbed. W. O. Berryman. A. R. R. Keith, L. Parkinson, TT. A. Bovle. A. G. Macdonald, W. A. Parsons. E. Butcher, John Maze, A C. Selbv. C. R, Campbell. S. Cardwell, IT. M. C Dampier-Crosdey. J, S, Molr Byres, L. A. Stewart, and J. W. Woodhouse, The fol’owing trainers’ licenses were granted : - G. AT. Aynslev. F. Bolton. J. A. Bridges. F. Christmas. F. P. Claridge, W. 0. Clarke. T. W, Cotton, jnn., T. AV. Cotton, sen.. E. Cutts. TT. E. r’nits. R. Derre»t, AT. Duggan. R. E ! lis. R. Emerson, J. R. Franks. E. T. George, C. Giese’er, T. TT. Gillett, W. F. Gillett. J, Granger. E. Griffin. AT Hobbs. F. Holmes. A. J. Jackson. TT. D. Lea man, R. C. Keener. J. J. Lewis John Lmd-av. R. Longjev. F. AT. Mahe.nev. P. V. Mason. TT. P. Moraghan. A. APAulav. J. APAuliffe, AA T . APDonald,

I’. M’Grath, R. D. O’Donnell, G. A. Pine, G. J. Pine, W. Pine, juu., P. Reardon, E. Redmond, D. Roberts, E. J. Rotten, A. Rore, G. Soohie, E. Peculiar, T. Sheenan, \V. H. Thomson, and P. 'inltord. The following' jockeys’ licenses wore granted: —J. vd. Ashov. J. T. Beard, R. Bony, H. J. Carr, W.‘ 11. Bush, E. J. Cotton, \V. 11. Emerson, 11. Donovan, A. G Podding, P. Gibbons, W. P. Giliett, L. llagerty, J. T. Jlumpiirks, P. E. Jones, J. R. Kuan, L. G. King, R. W. King, Joseph Levi. P. Milne, J. M’Cluoky, J. 11 M. "Gregor, 11. Paul, 11. M Kearney, James O'Brien, G. A. Pine, James Pine, ,E. Redmond, \V. Scobie, A. Trilford, R. Wilson, and F. Woods. Tlte following apprentice jockeys’ licenses were granted : J. Collier, J. F. Dowtnie, A. J. Gritfen, E. P. Griffon, W. Hands, F. G. Holmes, W. A. Lowe, E. F. MXarthy, W. L. MTLindall, R. K. M'Peveney, T. Mussen, P. Paterson, John Reid, anti F. Wells. August 11. A start was made to-day with the August meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. The weather during trie last couple of days lias been threatening, and a fair amount of rain has fallen. To-day the sky was overcast, and a few light showers fell in the morning; but then the conditions cleared, and the afternoon was tine, though inclined to bo cold. The track was a trifle dead, and therefore against fast times, so that some of the performances during the day were even more meritorious than would appear. The racing on the whole was very interesting, a special feature being the failure of backers to find winners. I have rarely seen such a succession of b : g dividends, only one winner failing to pay double figures! The tota lisa tor investments for the day wore £19,974 10s, compared with £14,117 on the opening day last year. Racing opened with the Introductory Handicap, for which there were 21 starters, Little Joe being rather better backed than D.C.L. and Salcombe. The favourite, who had done an attractive mile a few days ago, broke up at the start, and was never troublesome. Princess Bruce led for half a mile, when she dropped out. leaving Provocation and Pa loom bo in charge. A lap from home D.C.L. was in third place, and, going down the back, he was on terms with the leaders, with Blackness handy. Salconthe was beaten three furlongs from home, and Blackness took charge at the entrance to the straight, winning comfortably by three lengths from Provocation, who was a similar distance in front of D.C.L., with St. TrelLT and Salcombe some distance away at the head of the others. The winner is a five-year-old gelding by Blackehild. who has given ns a few good performers, though it has to he admitted that; ho has not produced a big crop of winners yet. I should say Blackness is quite the best of them. The Maiden Handicap attracted a field of 22 unhopplcd trotters, and, as might bo expected, they were a very mixed lot. The bracketed Violet Rothschild and Koromiko carried nearly a third of the total investments, the money being piled on confidently. The hot end of the bracket was Koromiko, a four-year-old by Galindo from Manama, who is a sister to Rihbonwoed. However, she got off badly, as did a number of others, ami was not again seen near the front. VictorChief jumped out smartly, and at the end of a lap he was rix lengths clear of Rebe, with Better Luck, Hardwood, and Rose Palm next. Half a mile from home, when a good finish seemed in prospect, Rebe and Rose Palm broke, and Victor Chief won easily by eight lengths from Better Luck, who beat Hardwood by four lengths, with Jessie’s Dream 10 lengths away, and tho others strung out. The winner is a five-year-old by tho imported stallion Albert Victor, and he shapes like being a fair

horse. I doubt, however, if there were any champions in the field. The August Handicap, the chief event of the day, came next. Twenty-one horses went out, but Delia went wrong in her preliminary, and examination showed that, she had sustained a fractured hock. All investments on her were returned. Tins aecident showed up a weakness in the club’s all noin finent, as the mare was left on the side of the track till the day’s racing was completed, when she hobbled off under great difficulties. It was a good betting race, Galvanita, Frandoeia. May Dillon, and Centrewocd being fancied in that order. There was a bad mix-up at the start, Frandoeia colliding with May Dillon, whoso driver was thrown out. May Dillon then went on without! a driver, and dragging her sulky, which performed all manner of duties. After galloping a circuit she was luckily run off the track. When she came hack to tho paddock she was bleeding freely from a cut on one of her hind legs. Tho collision rather spoilt the start, quite a number of (be horses having their chances spoilt. Frank Tracey, Centrewood. Ripon Child, and Franzie were in the van for about a mile, when Centrewood broke, and Ripon Child went on in front. f>ix furlongs from homo Persuader was in second place, with Solo, Franzie, Frank Tracey, and Frandoeia next. Going down the hack Frandoeia moved up. and he was just behind Ttinow Child and Persuader throe furlongs from home, where Bingana was at the head <f the others. In a good finish Persuader drew out, and beat Ripon Child by two lengths. Frandoeia being a length awav third, with Bingana a poor fourth, and Crown ""Prince next. Persuader registered several smart performances last season, and on either occasions only failed through starting badly. To-day he went smoothly all the wav. and demonstrated that ho is quite in the first, flight, Frandoeia was unlucky, as he lost a lot of ground at the start, though a number of others also suffered in a similar direction.

Twelve lined up for the Alexandra Handicap, the Southland mare ATati'da Tt. Vteimr a good favourite, with Chi'd !i" f ) Breeze best backed among the others. The favourite mef, with a m : «lnn to a. stirrup leather at the start, and took no part in the race. The Lark and Oceanic led for a mile, when The Lark lost his place. At the home turn - fh'l were in trouble, and ?>ledill;on led and beat Oceanic bv f'.nr knell. . re, " being- tlu-ne lengths away with Cert ie L. \ferrv Oh"Id, and Breeze next. It was ore. of the best saddle races T have seen for a lontr time. Medallion put up a fine performance. Tie showed none of the waywardness associated with some of Ids previous racing efforts, but went kindlv rill •k.-oiierb TT.. >•« -I fiim of n hewo, IT’s p"fli m- ee is reminiscent r f the da vs when "the rVos=an Brothers, of Berwick, were in the front .-. t .k of Ota-o, owners T T; eke. Cirr.ri'n M Batch. .. I • 1.. T>r,t hc f .t-il 1 Teuton, bv (be tboi-ouQ-bbree? Bundoorn. and I> : s dam. Sne’e W :! d. In W :, dwood- '-i-’.itr The Steward-’ Tbplkn f- r urbobbled t>-ejtej-s attracted a fn hi of F * venitc.'T). AT v’tle being- a hot favourite. She was

always near the front, and lasted right to tho ond and won by two lengths from Belvic, with the speedy but erratic Mayflower a similar distance away just in front of Midas. These four in tact comprised the leading division practically all the way. Mystic, who is an improving mare, is by Albert Victor, the sir© of Victor Chief, sc he. claimed both tho winning unhoppled trotters during the day. Fifteen was the main for the Sclwyn Handicap, Huon Drift being a strong favourite, with Soda second in demand. At the end of a mile the field was in close order, with Soda, General Wylie, and Wereroa in charge. A little further on Huon Drift joined the leaders but he was in trouble three furlongs from home, and Wereroa won a good race by three lengths from General W yhe, who beat Soda by two lengths. Then came O.LC., Don Caesar, Specification, Junior, and Huon Drift The winner has not done much racing, but he is a rare good sort. Fourteen lined up for the Speedway Handicap, Goldwood was a warm order, but ho was never dangerous, Cute niadc most, ot the running, but The Whip gradually c\oihauled her, and won comfortably hv two lengths from Franzalea, who finished fast and beat Cute bv a similar distance, with Harold Minto, ‘Child Beldon, and I'ho Soout close up. The winner is a much improved horse, his win in 2.19 1-5 being very impressive. Ho is by the ctreat Ko.nschild, his dam being by tho thoroughbred Son of a Gun, by Anteros \ ivandiero, the dam of Canteen. Tho day’s sport was concluded with tho Electric Handicap, for which there Were 21 starters. Rema Rosa being a slightly better favourite than Rosemary. Franz Josef. Rosornary, and I-orct Victor were hi front in the early stages, but First Alarm joined in throe furlongs from home, and just beat Franz Jo»ef by a. length. Rosemary stopped at tho finish, and was eight lengths away, followed by Miss Wallace, Ariel, Roma Rosa,_ ana Luck.v Chance. The winner is by tnc Australian bred sire 0.Y.M.. who is getting some speedy stock, and Ida dam Rita will be remembered as one of the best performers in this island back in the nineties.