CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3103, 3 September 1913, Page 50

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

(By Fritz.)

We have had a week of decidedly mixed weather. A lot of rain fell in the early part, and some parks of the North Canterbury district experienced a mild flood. During the last few days, however, the conditions have been very pleasant, and it looks as if wo had got to the end of the severe snap. We are now fairly launched into another racing season. The Arnherlcy Steeplechase Club's meeting, held on Thursday, provided excellent sport for the hunting enthusiasts, with a few flat races thrown in. More to the liking of the general body of sportsmen will bo the Ashburton County Racing Club’s fixture, which will be hdd next week, marking the first of 1 110 spring fixtures in these parts. Nominations closed during tho week, and they must ho regarded as highly satisfactorv, a far us numbers are con-

oerned, the fields being very Large in most of the events. The only race, in fact-, leaving room for disappointment is the Ashburton County Handicap, the chief event of the meeting, which has only attracted eight horses. They arc, too, a very moderate leu, four of them being still eligible for hack company. In the other events the quality ia about up to the average, but there will not ' be so many promising three-year-olds as usual at the meeting, while we will also have very few New Zealand Oup candidates to provide interest in the proceedings. The first acceptance for the New Zealand Oup is due on Friday, when I expect! a few of those with no winning prospects will drop out. Most owners, however, win probably prefer to wait a little longer before , abandoning hope. The first foal to make its appearance this season at" Messrs W. G. and G. L. Stead s stud at -Brackenfield, North Canterbury, is a fillv by All Red from Kilrain s dam, Grand Rain, by Gipsy Grand —Rainbow, by Oadogan—lris. Grand Rain, who is owned by Mr Bruce Christie, of Oamaru, will bo mated with Boniform. It was only intended to take 20 mares for Boniform this season, but his services were in considerable request, and Kis owners eventually booked 24i The Amberley Steeplechase Club s meeting was held on Thursday in fine, but cold, weather. There was a record attendance. The special train from Christchurch was ■well patronised, while large numbers of city sportsmen, as well as visitors from ad parts of North Canterbury, journeyed to tho course by motor cars. The array of cars, lined up three or four deep inside the course, for a good part of the straight, made an imposing show, there being about 150 in all. Speculation was brisk, the totalisator investments running out to £5271 10s, compared with £3638 10s last year. 1 he fields in most of tho events wore large, and the sport was excellent, a special feature being the fine jumping. There was only one spill during tho day. Myall falling in the Hack Steeplechase. The steeplechase fences were all fixed up in good style, and with excellent going between the obstacles, they presented no special difficulties to proficient jumpers. All the brush fences were provided with a broad board on the take-off side, sufficient to attract t'hc attention of the horses, and this alteration probably contributed to the improved jumping d splays. Mr R. O. Duncan filled the position'of stipendiary steward. At his instigation an inquiry was held into the running of Margo in the Hurdle Handicap. The explanation of his rider, T. Humphries, was accepted, but tho stewards informed him that they were not quite satisfied with his riding, and he was given a caution. Proceedings opened with the Hurdle Handicap, for which there wore only four starters, Margo having a slight call in tho. betting over Terry Flynn. Early in tho race the favourite got into a hurdle and dropped bock, never afterward# threatening danger. Buster and Terry Flynn ran in close • order, with Buster in command most of tho time, until half a mile from home, when Terry Flynn drew out and won easily by six lengths, Marco being a dozen lengths further back, with King Gama, a brother to Bill, beak’ll off The winner is by Terrapin, by Clanranald —Torodina, his darn, Flint, being by Musketry—Crown Jewel, by Bundoora— Miranda. Terry Flynn cut up very badly in a hack hurdle race on the last day of the Grand National meeting, but he may develop into a useful sort. There were five starters for the Brackenfield Plate Steeplechase, with Tirn Doolan a warm favourite. Kingsway went off in front, followed by the favourite. There was never much between them, but Kingsway hold his place io the end. beating Tim Doolan by two lengths, with Tairiki throe lengths away. The winner is a good cut of a hunter, with a nice turn of pace, but be is an erratic customer, and frequently runs off. In this race, however, ho gave a fine exhibition of jumping, and his performance was full of merit. Eight hacks lined un for the Kowai Handicap, Kimona and G it Edge being best backed. Kimona and Miss Rosslyn showed the way for throe furlongs, when Miss Rosslyn dropped out and Baritone took second place. At the entrance to the straight Baritone took charge, and beat Kimona comfortably by two lengths. Ada Merling, a Martian filly of promise, was four lengths away. The winner,, who ; s owned by Mr G. Watson, is a four-year-old gelding by Finland —Do Murska, by Gipsy Grand—lima, by Stepp i-ak—Ranee Nuin. He is thus closely related to some good performers, including Soldiers’ Chorus. Tannhnuser. Cherubini. Obsono, King Billy. Aborigine, Maori King. Our Queen, and Our King. Unfortunately, however, ho is not sound, and he was lame after the race. Savon was the main for the Hunters’ Flat Handicap, Umer-aboy, Tyrant, and Margo being fancied in that order. Backers were well on tho spot. Tyrant made most of the running, but the other pair joined in at tho entrance to the straight, and a good fhrsh ended in Umeraboy beating Margo by a length, with Tyrant another length away. The winner is a veteran eon of Pilgrim’s Progress and Field Lily, and in h's day ho was a useful sort. A big field of 14 took part in the Farmers’ Hack Race. Glenor was a hot favourite, and he led all tho way, winning easily by two lengths from Sartosta. who was a similar distance in front of Dan Cameron. Glenor is by Gienapp from a sister to Slew Tom. by St. Ives—Queen Bee. He can muster » p some pace, and will win again before long. Among tlie unplaced lot was .Mr G. D. Gronwood’s Valhalla, by Hierarch—Peace, who finished close up. but the effort was Vnot impressive. A field of eight took part in the Hack Stcep'eohase. Kingsway being favourite, with Tairiki second in demand. The race was well contested all the way, and. save that Myall fell, : t provided a fine exhibition of fencing. Kingsway made most of the running from a bundled field, but Tairiki drew out at the last fence and won easily by ten lengths. Kingsway being a similar distance in front of Singleman. The winner is owned bv the South Canterbury sportsman Mr H. Ehvorthy, a regular pat pan of Amberler meetings. Thirteen lined up for the Waipara Hock Handicap, and Kimona. the favourite, led all the way, beating Foil by a length, with Joan another length away, followed by Expect and Ada Merling. Tho winner is a five-year-old by Conqueror—Bloomer. Ho can gallop fast, but is troubled in the wind The day’s sport was concluded with the Welter Handicap, for which there were eight starters. Merry Lass being a warm favourite, with Tyrant second in demand. Canterbury and Tyrant were in charge most of the way. and a desperate fiirsh ended in Tyrant beating Canterbury by a bare head, with Optician two lengths away. The favourite was well placed at the homo turn, but then her weight anchored her. Mr G. N. M'T.ean, a popular hunting enthusiast in North Canterbury, has a great

record in connection with tho Brackenfield Plato Steeplechase, which ho has won live times in seven years. Dcerslayer was successful three times in succession, and filled second place in his fourth attempt. On this last-named occasion Kingsway was third, while ho won tho race two years ago, was third last year, and won again last week. For this year's race Mr G. N. M‘Lean presented a cup, and rather unexpectedly won it himself. Mr D. W. Gibson, who has acted as stipendiary steward in the South Island since the beginning of this year, and who recently resigned h’s appointment, left last week on his return to Australia. September 1.

Masterpiece, who ranks os the Riceartou favourite for the New Zealand Oup, has been eased in his preparation, as one of his legs has been causing h ; s trainer some anxiety. The big son of Clanranald was out doing steady pacing this morning, and, though his near foreleg was carrying a bandage, he appeared to be quite sound. Masterpiece has been a particularly sound horse, and it will bo unfortunate for his connections should he go amiss at tho commencement of the racing season. R. Dcrrett met with a nasty accident on Wednesday, being kicked in tho back by tho English filly Madama. Ho had just fixed the rugs on the English filly, when she lashed out, and Derrctt received the full force of the blow, lie was dazed, but was able to walk homo, and was getting on well till Friday; then the pain become greater, and medical aid was summoned. An examination showed that no bones were broken, and with a few days’ rest it is expected that Dorrott will bo lit for his regular duties again. The veteran trainer E. Cntts has boon confined to his room since Friday, suffering from a severe cold. Nightwatch, who has had a turn at hacking on tho roads, was on the course this morning doing steady pacing. Ho appears to have thrown off much of tho soreness he displayed a few weeks ago. Sir George Clifford’s stable will not be represented at the Ashburton meeting. He*, has decided to retire Scottish Star and the daugiiter of Clanranald —Safeguard will be mated w'th Antagonist.

R. I). O’DonneJ was down at Riccarton twice last week with some of the Yaldhurst team, including Bon Ton, Bon Rove, Somniform. Souci, Bandeira, and several two-year-olds. They were confined to steady pacing, with the exception of the two-year-olds Prelusive (by Bozeman —Prelude) and Dew (by Boniform—Drought), who sprinted a couple of furlongs.

Mr G. D. Green woo I is sending Poircno and a fi'ly by Boniform —Lady Wayward 11 to Australia to bo mated with one of tho fashionable sires there. They will leave this week.