CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 51

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

(By Fritz.) For tho most part there has been little room for fault-finding in the weather conditions ruling during the past week, and training operations have proceeded without any interruption. The work has been of a very interesting character on account of the near approach of eo many race meetings. Nominations closed during the week for the summer meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club. There are a few horses from this side in the list, but thev do not bulk nearly so prominently as was the case a few years ago. The West Coast circuit, in fact, appears to have lost its charm for the old-time contingent from Canterbury. It seemed certain, until a day or two ago, that Mr J. F. Buchanan would have Tannhauser and Thrax racing in the North Island during the holidays. Auckland seemed most likely, but, failing that. Manawatu was regarded as certain to attract them. I learn now that Mr Buchanan has changed his nlans. and tho northern trip has been abandoned, v This probably means that they will not be raced anywhere in the meantime, as they were not nominated at Dunedin. Accordimr to present intentions. Sir George Clifford will have a big contingent of horses on tour in tho north during the approaching holidays. H’s team for the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting, which will consist of Quarantine, Stevedore, Glenfinnan. Winning Way. and First Flight, will-leave on Thursday, under the care of Albert Cults. One or two of them have been suffering from minor troubles during the week, but it is hoped nothing serious will follow. The other Chokobpre team that will be on tour in the north will be drawn from Masterpiece, Brown Owl, Veritas, Briar Patch, and SSnapdragon; these five having been nominated for the Manawatu meeting. Harrv Cutts will be in charge of this lot. So far as the Manawatu trip is concerned, however, a good deal will depend on how the horses are frosted bv the handioappor. If all the conditions are favourable. Masterpiece will make a welcomo reappearance after an iniurv which

caused him to bo spelled in the early spring. G. Murray Aynsley will leave for Auckland on Thursday with Stardancer, Warstep, and Marsa. All three marcs are in capital order. Mr Harvey Patterson will be represented at the summer meeting of the Auckland Racing Club By Sir Mault, Silver Shield, end Fabrikoff, and they are expected to get away on Tuc-stU-y uncLr the care of their trainer, G. Scobie. _. A study of the track i-c.k at ILccarson suggests that M. Hobbs w- i have a big team for Auckland, including Rinaiao, Mowbray, Salzburg, Charmilla, Peg,. a-nd an English-bred filly by Mintagon —Brig of Ayr. So far, however, I have heard nothing definite regarding Hobbs’s plans or as to the date of his departure. R. W. King will not accompany G. Murray-Aynsley to Ellerslic. According to present arrangements, he will probably go to Dunedin to do the riding on the team which will represent M. Hobbs there. The two-year-old filly. Bee, by MartianLady Disdain, has been sold by Mr C. G. Dalgcty to Mr A. Hunt, and she will go into A. M'Aulay’s stable. She will probably fulfil engagements at the summer meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club, after which she may find her way to Australia for pony racing. Mr L. G. D. Acland has disposed of Query to a patron of A. M’Aulay’s stable. I would not be surprised to find that ho has been secured for Oxcnhope’s owner. F. T. Smith, who brought Gasoline from the West Coast for the spring meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, will probably take up his permanent quarters at Riccarton, Mr D. Rutherford’s horses, which were formerly trained by W. Clarke, having been placed under his charge. Judging by the manner in which he .turned Gasoline out, Smith appears to be well up in his business. E. Giesler, who until recently occupied the position of private trainer to Mr J.- C. N. Grigg’s horses at Ashburton, has purchased the property at one time occupied by W. M‘Donald at Riccarton, where he will set up as a public trainer. i Michael Galindo, who has claims to rank as the best specimen of the square-gaitod trotter ever bred in New Zealand, mot with an unfortunate accident during the week at the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s grounds at Addington. Ho was being taken on to the track when he collided with one of the horses used for harrowing the track, and which was roaming loose at the time. J. Tasker was thrown from the sulky, and Michael Galindo careered round the track several times before he was caught. Veterinary aid was at once called in to attend to the many cuts he received in his mad flight. His condition is rather serious, there being a fear that his injuries are such that he may never race again. All I can say is that it will be a great misfortune for all concerned, including the sporting public, if this- is correct. At a, meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Jockey- Club on Tuesday the Waimate Racing Club’s programme for March 19 was approved. A gentleman rider’s certificate was granted to D. 8011, jockeys’ licenses to V. Colman and E. M'Ca-rthy, apprentices’ licenses to D. R. Anderson, F. Trilford, and A. J. Smith, the last-named license to take effect from December 15. Trainers’ licenses were granted to H. G. Coker, C. S. Pilcher, and H. A. Tinker. The following transfer was granted:— B f, lyr. by Nautiform — Heorthon, from J. Franks to G. D. Greenwood. A meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association was ‘held on Wednesday afternoon ; present—Messrs R. Solig (president), C. S. Howell, W. Hayward. W. H. Denton, W. E. Sime, and A. L. Myers. It was decided to request Mr Jesse Steer, of Greymouth, to act as advisory steward for the trotting events at the Westland Racing Club’s summer meeting. Mr Sirnes reported that he had been asked to act in a similar capacity at the Hororata Racing Chib’s meeting, and ho was agreeable to act honorarily. The appointment of Mr Simcs as honorary advisory steward was approved. The New Brighton Trotting Club wrote, applying for permission to include on its programme for the summer meeting a match between Lovelock and Emmeline, the club giving £SO to the winner and £25 to the loser. Permission was granted, on condition that the totalisator was not opened on the event. An application by Mr B C. Rutherford for the removal of his disqualification incurred by nominating the horse Toi before it was registered, was granted, on payment of a fine of £2. Mr Simes stated that on November 19 the nominations closed for the New Brighton Derby, a race that would bo run in about six months. That afternoon ho waited on the secretary of the association regarding the registration of two horses which ho intended to nominate for the race. He bad forms filled in for registration, but he did not put the papers in, as ho realised he had to got a certificate from Mr W. G. Garrard for one of the animals, wlvoh was a foreign horse. Ho nominated the horses that day, and a few days later, having received the foreign horse's certificate, ho lodged the registration papers. Ho could have lodged the papers before nomination, but they were incomplete, and he preferred to wait till they wore in order. He therefore applied to the association to remove the disqualification incurred by the hcross on account of being nominated before registration. The application was granted, on payment of a fine of £2. Correspondence was read in connection with the application of J. Ward, of Ahaura, for ’trainer’s and rider’s licenses. It was decided to call on Ward to show cause why lie should not bo disqualified under the Rule of Trotting dealing with corrupt practices, and to inform him that he would be permitted to appear before the board if he wished. A report was received stating that J. Sutherland, whose application for a license had been held over pending an explanation why he had not filled in the form correctly, had in' the meantime won both trotting events at the Springfield Hack Racing Club’s mooting on November 22. with his mare. Miss Rite, The Springfield Club had in consequence been instructed to impound the stakes. It was decided that Mies Rita was ineligible to receive the stakes won by her. and that the Springfield Hack Racing Club should bo instructed to pay the stakes over to the horses that finished second and third. It was also decided that Sutherland should be fined £5 Programmes as passed by the executive were approved. On the recommendation of the Foreign Horse Committee, a certificate was granted for Lossc. The Licensing Committee recommended that applications for a number of licenses should be granted; that William Grant’s application should be granted for three months

from January 1, 1914; that the applications of John Ward, John Sutherland, and K. J. O'Brien should be held over; and that that of J. W. Fraser should bo refused. Iho Forbury Park Trotting Club having informed the association that its letter of May 23, 1910, regarding the caution to W. T. Hazlett, was wrong, his application, which had been held in abeyance, was granted. In connection with this case the committee desired to mention specially that any responsibility attaching _to the- holding over of Mr Hazlett’s application rested entirely with the club, and not with the association. As requested by the board, two holders of licenses had been called before the committee regarding their conduct both on and off courses. The committee recommended that £lO should bo voted to J. Finlaysou in respect of his accident.—ldle report was adopted. December 3. The Hororata Racing Club’s meeting was held on Saturday, and attracted a largo attendance. In the old days there was always a big special train for this meeting, but now many people prefer a. 40-miio motor ride, the result being that on Saturday there must have been well on 100 cars on the ground, while the train was only moderately patronised. An advantage about going by road was that Christchurch was reached by 7 o’clock in the evening, whereas the train did not arrive back till’ two hours later. Since the last meeting the club has erected a new stand, which was badly needed. The fields on Saturday were of fair size, but the racing was only moderate. The most interesting event was the Hororata Cup. Gnome sot a solid pace, and he was still in charge at the homo turn, where he looked like seeing the journey out in front. A little farther ou Counsel shot through on the rails, and he won with a hit in hand. Gnome just lasted long enough to beat Joan, with Gold Coin and Chrysotis close up. This was one of the best races Gnome has run for some time, and he should land a stake during the holidays. Joan again demonstrated that she is a useful filly, and she looks like staying fairly well with a bit of ago. Gold Coin ran a good race under a big weight, but Chrysotis did not shape quite as well as 1 expected. Possibly the uneven track hampered her, as she is one of the sort that gallops very close to the ground. Ovar showed a bit of pace, but failed to slay. Glenlin also stopped some distance from home. Colleen Mary cut up badly, and I am afraid she is hopeless, though she can still show some pace on the tracks. This was Counsel’s first win, but he looks hke doing his owner further service yet. Ho may not be brilliant, but he stays pretty well He is by the English-bred sire Vasco, who is now at Mr Harvey Patterson’s stud, his dam, Silkgown, being by Pilgrim s Progress—Portia, by Bill of PortlandHappy Land, the dam of Hova. Counsel was bred by Mr J. B. Reid, and was purchased by Mr Greenwood as a yearling lor 450 gs. On being put into work Counsel turned roarer, but he was operated on by Dr Ring, of Auckland, with happy results. In the Farmers’ Hack Handicap there was a dead heat between Blythoboy and Star Blue, who cleared right away from the rest of the field. It struck me that Slar Blue was a trifle unlucky, and possibly his rider fancied he had lus head in front. Forest Belle won the Bangor Hack Handicap very easily after being in front all the way. Second ‘place was filled by Judith, a three-year-old sieter to r ihrax. Some of tiro others ran over a lot of ground at the turn. Hope, the favourite, ran moderately. Later in the day ho gave a much more impressive display in the Coalgatc Welter Handicap, in which he made a useful field look common. The two performances were hard to reconcile. Madama registered a smart performance m the Brackendale Handicap, and she looks like turning out useful. In the Haldon Handicap Miss Kolmar ran away from her two opponents. Ada Merling was favourite, but her effort was distinctly disappointing. That it was her true form I cannot believe. The trotting events were moderate affairs. In the Glondore Trot Elsie Franz showed a lot of pace, but tired, and the favourite, Myrone, a sister to Pygmalion and Galatea, beat her homo by a length. There was one competitor in this race whose performance might have been inquired' into. In the Snowden Trot Professor was favourite, and looked a sure winner at the end of half a mile, but be faded out badly, and the race went to Lass o’ Gowrie," by Pygmalion. The meeting must have turned out well for the club. The gate takings were large, while the totalisator investments were £5015 compared with £4633 10s last year. In some respects, however, the fixture was not altogether satisfactory. The running of more titan one horse seemed to require explaining. Mr R. O. Duncan, the stipendiary steward, asked a few questions, but 1 am afraid that we cannot look for great results until the stipendiaries are invested with full power to deal with offenders. Mr A. Hunt, the new owner of the Martian filly Bee, has placed her under R. Longley s care. It transpires that A. M'Aulay is the purchaser Of Query. The price is said to have been 350 gs, at which figure ho should prove a good investment, as he is a speedy sprinter. Sir George Clifford has sold the Gravitation —Discipline gelding Downstroke, and he was railed to Port Chalmers last week for use as a hack. Scottish Star, by Clanranakl—■Safeguard, was mated this season with Antagonist. She has boon sent home to her owner's station, accompanied by the Treadmill—Elusive gelding Politician. The latest addition to Cntts’s active brigade is Taskmaster. The aged eon of Treadmill —Madowla looks lusty and well after his respite. A large contingent of local horses will make the journey to Dunedin for the summer meeting. As the total will bo about 40. the Railway Department will put on a special train on the Monday before the races. .F. Holmes intends going to Auckland next week with the hurdler Umcraboy. Ho will also take the trotters Corbell, Bonista, and O. I. C. W. Kerr, with Admiral Wood, E. L. Barnes, with Cameos, and R. Allan, with Don Oaasar, are others who may assist at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting, at which M. Edwards will also be present with his throe Australians —Denver Huon, Mahomet, and Lady Edna. PURCHASED FOR AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, Decmebcr 8. Mr Sol. Green, tihe well-known bookmaker, and owner of Comedy King, has purchased from Mr J. B. Joel, the English stallion White Star, for 8000ga