CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3270, 15 November 1916, Page 43

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Another Carnival \Vcek lias gone into luc-lury, mid euuuit.uns nave oiieu 111010 L'OCll l-I.::UUi. li. As L.'-.ILUi, LilC I'ilCC meetings at Kiecuriuh auu ;;.- tract, el largo crovwis, including many visitors trom oiin r pans oi the Dominion; but i doubt if tuc attendances wore quite up to in-, h.-ghest standard. There was a slight tailing oti in fchu volume of totalisator buain-. -.->, but it amis- not a .serious matter. a ho opening day of tho New Zealand Metropolitan i'rotting Club's fixturo was probably tiie most sensational ever experienced on uny raccourso in the Dominion. Ihere was a large attendance, in anticipation of some high-class sport, among those present being many pillars of tho galloping game, who never trouble about trotting meetings except when they are in Christchurch assisting at a Riecurton fixture, Two races had been got off, and the horses were being got out for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, some of them being actually on the track, when a fire was discovered in the top story of the stewards' stand. For a time it was thought that it could be got under control; but the flames had too strong a hold, and it was not until tho top story had disappeared and the next story had been gutted, leaving the ground floor, that they were subdued. Itie stewards were _ faced with a difficult problem, under the circumstances, in dec : diug what was best to be done. Eventually they arranged to go on with the programme; but there was a delay of an hour and a-half before the Trotting Cup was got off. Some of this time was caught up, but the last race of the day was not started tili a-quartcr to 7, or nearly an hour after tho original schedule time. 'lhe officials were, of course, very much inconvenienced; but they got through their work in a creditable manner, everything working smoothly. Racing opened with the Spring Handicap, a saddle race for unhoppled trotters. There were 10 starters, the Dunedin-owned Parkfield being_ favourite, with Eruption second choice. Miss Salisbury was in front some distance from home, and she won easily. Sho is owned in tho Waikato, though trained in Christehurch, and though not a good-looker, sho is a solid trotter. The Empiro Handicap attracted a field of 13, Hannah M being rather better backed than Young Tohu and Queen Tracey. The favourite and Cold Drift got off badly. There was a good race till, six furlongs from home, when Young Tohu went right away, and was never again troubled, winning with a bit in hand. Then tho fire took charge of affairs, and there was a long delay before the New Zealand Trotting Cup was got off. The field numbered 17, Our Thorpe being scratched on the ground. It was a good betting race, Bryce's bracelet (Cathedral Chimes and Admiral Wood) winding up favourite, just a little better supported than M'Donnoll 8 pair (Evelyn and Emiiius) and Erin's King. The race, however, was very disappointing. Most of the field raced in fair order till half a mile from homo, when Cathedral Chimes drew out, winning easily from Evelyn, while Admiral Wood finished ■wi well in third place, followed by Manderene, Jewel Chimes, Frandocia, Wallace Wood, and St. Ursula. Don Cresar never got near tho leaders, and Tommy C, once ho got into his stride, paced in fine style till ho got into trouble through Emiiius breaking. Cathedral Olvmos, the winner, is owned by Mr J. B. Thomson, of Inverearp,ill, and has improved a good deal lately. Ho qualified for the Oup when ho won tho chief event on the first day of the August meeting. A week before the meeting he was responsible for a sensational mile and a-half, which brought him into great prominence for the Oup._ He is not usually considered a quick beginner, while ho was also unreliable at the start; but ho has improved a lot in both respects, and in the big race ho' was always near the leaders. Evelyn, who finished second, was not thought likely to beat her_ relative, Emiiius; but while the latter did not go at all impressively, Evelyn was on her best behaviour. Commencing well, sho was early out with the front lot, and though beaten half a mile from home, she struggled on very gamely. By her latest performance the sister to Emmclino demonstrated that she is one of the solid sort, much better in a race than on the track. Admiral Wood covered the two miles faster than any of the others. Ho did not begin as smartly as was expected, and made only a slight impression on tho leaders over tho first mile ; but he paced home in brilliant style, and was close behind Evelyn when the post was reached. Manderene went a solid race, never being further back than third till Admiral Wood passed her near the finish. When so many sensational performances were being registered on the tracks, on the eve of tho meeting, it looked as if great, time would bo recorded; but Cathedral Chimes only improved two seconds on his handicap mark to win. A fine field of trotters. 16 in number, contested the Middleton Handicap. Woodchild and. Commander Bell, from T. Annetf's stable, coming in for most support, with El Carb'ne second choice. Olive L. was soon out in front and trotting in fine r-tyle throughout she won rather easily from El Carbine, who went solidly, registering a really good performance. The winner is a sister to Wallace Wood and a halfsister to Lord Chancellor, being by Wallace I/, from Cissio Wood. Thirteen was the main for the Lvttolton Handicap. Soda. Trvar, and Sh- Fulham being backed in that order. Soda soon worked her way to the front, and she won ensily. Pince being purchased by Mr J. B. Thomson, at a low figure, Soda has run some good races; but, tin's was her best to date, the two nvles being covered in 4.37 3-5. She is only a pony, but sho is a rare rrood one. Eight hisrh-olnss horses lined „n For the Riccarton Handicap, a mile and a-half race, cla«S 3.27 or better. Author Dillon was a hot favourite, with Sir Fnlham and Persuader next in order of fancy. The favourite lost a lot of ground through fail in<r <-<v strike his trait at the start, but. once going, ho paced in brilliant; form, finishing second. The consistent Sherwood began well, and won oomfortaHv at the finish. There were some fa«t horses in the mile r"-"es. but thev provided very poor contests. There were 17 starter': for Ihe St. Albans Handicap, Quinoey Maid being a little bettor fane" ' !' 'he Oamnru bracket. Vanee O'N ;! nd ! "--r bus. They had not gone far b-- : ' Ariadne went to the front. p.nrl ho wd? ticv r troubled, winning with ridiculous < from Qnincey Maid and Law ChiwiA. Ariadne has h>d a reputation For •mum time m a spec 'y horse, hut ho let

his admirers down several times last sea on. cap, Brown's Nugget, John Liiion, and | ' an od bring back, d in thrt order. Ro; Udion bt i'nu smart!v, and m el-.- th ' ■• •■■■ "■■ ! look :,,'; 'ordinary," 03 "h- ran aw . fn m them. L'oimena, who '.'..,.■ seCe-hd, is a: utiuv r .. ■.; bi: ..... v. hiell v. . , iui t'u*Jl id . prov.ng very un,.;,,'.-. : ant. \ \ irs couiei not h ip be-aig oii'iiciC with the traijiJioriuation wuieii had been effected. \Yln.ii tiny ieii tiie ground on luesday there was oyidenco in every direction oi the iiro winch destroyed the stewards' stand; but they returned to-day to find tho whole place comparatively ship-shape. The debris had been cleared away, and door., had been freshly panelled or new ones provided where' necessary. A great portion oi the ground floor had been undo habitable, the secretary and the cleric ot the fecales transacting their business in their own quarters, while tho jockeys' dressing room was one oi the littio injur. a! portions oi. the building. The pressmen were unable to occupy their working room, tiie floor having disappeared entirely; but they were accommodated under tiie balcony, where canvas wails had been stretched to provide the wails i3i a room. Upstairs, on the second storey, there was canvas everywhere, used to cover openings which had once been windows or doer.-; while tarpaulins spread over a light wooden framework did duty as a temporary roof. Ihe balcony had escaped without much damage, and on it gathered visitors, officials, pressmen, and trainers, viewing tho races from their usual quarters. Jn many ways the arrangements were not nearly so convenient as when the Gtand was intact, but no one was disposed to complain, there being a general feeling of satisfaction that any of the stand was habitable. There was'a largo attendance, bur, not quite so many people as on the opening day. Tho track looked in good order, but tiie wind was against fast times. Fields were large, but tho racing was not particularly exciting. The totalisator investments amounted to £36.109 10s. compared with £36,813 on the corresponding day last year. Thirteen unhoppled trotters took part in tho Whiteleigh Handicap. It was a, good race between a bunch for half the journey, but at tho end there were only three in it. Rummy was out in front with a mile to go, and a little further on he was beingchased by Jessie's Dream. Then Commander Bell headed Jessie's Dream, who finished -well and je.st got second place, beaten a length by Rummy. Jessie's Dream really owed her position to a break near tho winning post. It was not a particularly high-class field that contested tho November Handicap, m saddle, but it produced a great race between three horses, who were in close order early and ran together for the balance of the journey, Capriccio finally winning, with nothing to spare, by three lengths from Irvingwood, who was a length in front of Moorland, with the others a long way back. There were a dozen starters for tho Courtenay Handicap, in harness. The Australian horse Black Eric, who was making his first appearance since being brought hero by J. Bryce, was made a hot favourite. He began well and paced brilliantly for a mile, when he broke down in the near fore leg and was pulled up. Bryce pulled tho horse across the track, and Stanley's Child collided with him, R. Logan being thrown out. Moneymaker was soon out in front, and he never let anything get near him, eventually winning easily from Hal Zolock, with Frandocia third, followed by St. Ursula, Sherwood, and Emiiius. Tho winner is by Rothschild from that good mare, Cocoanut. The - Metropolitan Handicap attracted a field of 13, and it was a very interesting race. Turning for home Colmena shot out with a brilliant run. and sho beat Sinocta by four lengths, Nordica being a length away, just clear of Ariadne, with Racburn and Agathos almost on terms. Ten useful horses took part in the Sockburn Handicap, which was confined to the unhoppled division. Over the closing stages Norvai King drew away, followed by El Carbine, who seemed to have a great chance when ho broke, at the entrance to the straight, having Norvai King to win by three lengths. Ho trotted a sound race, but was tiring at the end. The; milo races were poor affairs. In the Railway Handicap Law Chimes, Sungod, and Quincey Maid wore together most of tho way, but Law Chimes held the other pair easily, and at the end she went rightaway, jogging homo from Quincey Maid, with Sungod third and Soda finishing fast, the rest of the field being 100 yards away. The Royal Handicap was not much better. John Dillon being out in front early, and beating Mintson comfortably, with Don Ocesar, who is not at his best, in third place, followed by Rena Pointer and Havoc. John Dillon is a brilliant customer, but he does not stay well. The meeting was concluded on Friday in glorious weather. There was the usual People's Day attendance, the regular patrons of the club being augmented bycrowds of visitors from tho Show, where many people spent the morning, winding up with the afternoon on the trotting course. On this subject, however, I doubt if the attendance has been qtiitc up to tho highest standard on any day this week. The totalisator investments amounted to £45.247, compared with £43.278 10s on Ihe corresponding day last year, making £118.790 for the mooting, as against £125.343 at last year's The track looked in good order; hut this was not borne out by the racing results, tho times being comparatively slow, while the racing was not so good as I expected. The Recovery Handicap was the fastest class mile ever put on a. programme in Nnv Zealand, being confined to 2.15 horses or better. It provided a. great contest. Frank Trncey was favourite in a. field of eight, lint Rena Pointer. Jewel Chirms, and Sherwood were also well hacked. Dillon Bel] showe'd brilliant speed, and at tho end of half a mile lie must have been at least 60 yards in front of Frank Tracev and Eccentric, with Jewel Chimes, Rena Pointer, and Sherwood handy. Tho second division was in close order at tho entrance to the straicrht, Dillon Bell still being well clear, but lie stopped over the last couple of furlomrs. There was great excitement, but D'llon Roll lasted long enough to win bv two l ngths. while Eecentric finished well and beat Jewel Chimes by a bare lensfh. with Sherwood, Frank Tracey, and Rena. Pointer in a bunch._ It was a. capital wind ]]\i to the meeting. Dillon P>ell was a hrilliant two-year-old, and later on registered some smart performances at two miles; hut he is at over a short course. lie was lucky, like several

j A {. •;] of i'li'/000 \vn • d' ;tr!!.mt( d in i &t. k - d i-ir. ■ tiv rhn-c davs o! the Meti )- ! ! l!ji.".:i/JV, ■.'■ '< ! ': .V ■': ... ,f. 13 ;.:- ':i I en: trii uted. whi! • six other iin.i-it s ci the | stable fail d to - ! _ mto (lie morey. ton J. Bryoo and A.. Bring! each piloted four winner.-, while E. M'D-n'inott had three end M. Edwaids two, 11 others scoring one success em h. Tiio imported sire. Ilaroßl Dillon, was responsible for four winners at Aldington, and Rothschild had two; but no other sire claimed more than one winner. Mr J. Fleming disposed of three horses last week. Tin' crack pacer Our Thorpe was passed on to his trainer. A. Fleming, for £525; Mr G. lies, another of A. Fleming's patrons, bought the trotter Hardy Wilkes; and Brown's Nugget was taken by Mr W. Abbot, of Auckland.