CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 45

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By V eitz,

The summer meeting of the New Brighton Trotting CJub passed oil very suucessiully. The weather was line and the track in hue order, the result being that some fast times were registered. 'Jhe racing was of a mixed character, some of the contests being disappointing, thougn many oi them wound up with exciting finishes oetween the placed horses. The starting was by the seconds system, and there were just as many horses who failed to go off right as there were under tho yards system at Adding ton last month. If the clock system is to be retained there must be stricter supervision of tho horses at the startingpost. Tho totalisator investments for the two days were £38,057, compared with £28,936 last year. ... Proceedings opened on the first day with the Amateur Handicap, a saddle race tor unhoppled trotters. There were 22 starters, Bohemian being a little better backed than tho bracketed pair, Sherry and Wild iMght, with Culverden third choice. In a fane finish Kuuston just got up to win by a head. The Clogs being six lengths away. Paddy Lynd was close up, but no was called off for anticipating his bell. ihe winner has done a lot. of racing lately, but had not been successful since last Boxing Day at Ashburton. He was one ot the outsiders of the field. Bohemian gave a poor display. Tho held included the four-year-old Estall, who is the first of Antonio s progeny I have seen racing. The Innovation Handicap attracted It) competitors, Gipsy King being a warm favourite. Ho got off well, and raced in front with Bcewood nil tho way. Over the last couple of furlongs Beowood diew away and won comfortably. Her task would have been harder had the favourite been more judiciously handled. The winner, who is a "-ood pacer, is by Blackwood, a Wildwood horse who has not many progeny racing. Muriel Star finished third, after pacing a sound race. Prince Berlin was a good favourite for tho Mare Memorial Handicap, for which the field numbered nine, but he never looked like a winner. Reggie Huon caused some trouble at the start, but eventually got off well, while Young Tohu, Irving wood and Oinako got off badly. Once ho settled down Oinako paced well, and at the homo turn he was out in front, eventually winning by a head from Author Dillon, Witt) Roggie Huon 10 lengths away, well clear of Tamarisk, Young Tohu, and Prince Berlin The winner is at times factious at the post, but ho is a good pacer when he is '"'For the Bowhill Handicap the field numbered nine. Cora Dillon was favourite, but she broke up early through a mishap to her gear. Rorke's Drift and King Karri gradually drew away from _ the others, Rorke's Drift outstaying his rival and winninjr bv six lengths. The winner, who is a four-year-old bv Driftwood, is a good, honest pacer, not brilliant, but a stayer. He will do bettor yet. Fourteen was the main for the beaview Handicap. Lady Moth being a hot favourite with Bank Note and General Joffre best hacked among the others. Dora M Kinney, Bank Note, and Trooper Dillon raced in company most of the way; but Dora M'Kinn'nv outstayed the other pair. L,nrty Moth lost a lot of ground at the start, but afterwards paced solidly, finishing second. She should win good races. Thirteen unhoppled trotters took part m tho Waimairi Handicap, Miss Rye and Madam Shaw being evenly backed. Miss Rye went off smartly, but stopped halt a mile from home, where Madam Shaw had the race in hand. She entered the straight with a good lead, and jogged home, though over-confidence on the part of her driver nearly brought disaster, as Paul Huon got within a head of her at the finish after breaking 100 yards from the post. Mayficld was third, trotting a good race after going off badly. . , , _ . TT ~ Fifteen was the mam for the Dash Handicap Bryce's bracket (Takio and Sir Elmo) being a little better backed than Queen Patch and The Bronzewing. The lastnamed had a good lead at the end of half a mile, when she broke up. Queen Patch and Sir Elmo then looked like haying most to sav with the finish ; but Ben Dillon came on in good style, beating Queen Patch by a lono-th. with Sir Elmo a neck away. Seychelles headed the others, and he can be marked off as an early winner Bon Dillon is bv Harold Dillon—Lady Elmo, by 4.lmont—.Tildah. He is not reliable at the post, but is a brilliant pacer. King Lear was favourite in a field ot to for the Electric Handicap, but he broke up early Annie Dillon. Quixialdine, and Nordica were together for six furlongs, when Nordica dropped out. and Annie Dillon boat Quinaldino comfortably. O.T.C. being a poor third, followed by Bloomfield and Louie Drift. The winner is trained by H. Frost, who is meeting with some success since he set up for himself. On the second day a start was made with the Amateur Handicap, for which the field numbered 28. Lady Toddington being favourite, with the bracketed pair. Lord Agapanthus and Agnes W„ second choice. Ladv Toddington was soon out in front, and she won easilv from Lord Agapanthus and Accelerate. The winner is one of the fastest maiden pacers ever soon here, and her success was well received. Her owner «nd breeder. Mr F. Vale, who was in tho sulky, is a popular sportsman, who recently recovered from n severe illness. Lady Toddington is bv Toddington. by Bnzaino from Goorcina. the dam of Myosotis and Revenue. Lord Agapanthus was unlucky to moot such a smart opponent, as ho hnd to put up fast time without being able to win. Commander Bell was favourite m a field of eleven unhoppled trotters who lined tin for tho Shirley Handicap. Wild Tree and King Capitalist wore called off for anticipating their bolls. Arcadian began very fast anrl soon had a long 'lead, but ho was in trouble at tho end of a mile and anv.irfor. Havana then wont on in tho lead, winning very easily, while Able Boy just got up on the post' to bent the tiring Arcadian. The winner trotted her host race to date. She is a big', heavy mare, but has developed a lot of speed, anrl stays well. The Now Brighton Handican, tho chief event of the d.nv. wafl responsible for a fine contest, as -well a? for one of tho fastest races ever soon hero. There wove nine starters, Admiral Wood being n little better ! backed than Author Dillon. Most of the

field wove in close order at the home turn, and in n groat finish Author Dillon heat Admiral Wood bv a length, Adokide Direct boinsr three lengths away, with Sherwood and Frandooin olnr-o up. The winner's formnnce wn.s full of merit. His race on the first day had evidently improved him, as ho

paced in great style. Last year he won the Derby on the same course, and his latest effort shows that he has come on well, his time, 4.30 2-5 being ahead of anything previously done by a four-year-old. Although his performance was so good, however, it was overshadowed by the effort of Admiral Wood, who easily accomplished a race record, though not a winning one. His timo was 4.23 3-5, and the big pacer has never shown anything like that speed previously in a race. He is a long stridor, and the big course suited him. Adelaide Direct put up a One performance, and but for a bad break at the end of seven furlongs it looked as if she would have won.

For the first time tho club put on a mile and a-quarter race, this being the Summer Handicap, which attracted a field of 10, Willie Lincoln, Woodacro, and Scenery being backed in that order. They all raced well, being handy at the finish, but Sceptre, pacing solidly, beat Willie Lincolr by over a length, Scenery being third and Woodacro fourth. The winner has always been under suspicion for unsoundness, but she is a solid pacer. Willie Lincoln went a good race, as he did not begin too smartly. Icicle was sorted out as a good thing for the Beach Handicap, but this disappointing gelding made several mistakes, and finished a long way back. Nordica. who has raced unluckily of late, was in front early, and won comfortably from Bundura and Rorke's Drift. The 'winner is by King Cole, and is a good sort, though she does not seem to stay. Bundura went a sound race. She is by Harold Dillon, from the American mare, Bonny Jenny, who raced successfully here before going to the stud. Rorke's Drift found the pace too hot, but he will do bettor.

Eleven was tho main for the Park Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, Rod Heather being a little bettor backed than Eruption. Kelso set a solid pare all the way', and though ho broke in the straight, he just boat Red Heather, while Miss Vivian was a moderate third. Kelso has had many owners during his career. He is a very fast trotter, but a bad breaker. In this race, however, Brankin kept him well together. Rod Heather trotted a fine race, .going 4.42. Madam Sihaw would not. settle to her work, but Eruption trotted in good style for a mile and a-half. There wore 11 starters for the Avon Handicap, Tahio being a _ hot favourite. There was a good raoe for six furlongs, but Tahio won comfortably from Lindetta, with John Dillon close up. just in front of Louie Drift. Eirst. and second horses hail from Southland. Tahio's success was overdue, as he raced a lot last season for_ only ono win. John Dillon covered tho milo in about, 2.12. and must have gone an exceptionally fast second half-mile. The'Maid, Young Tohu, Jack Ashore, and Bloomficld wore backed in that order for the Farewell Handicap. The Maid was going well nt the end of two furlongs, when she stumbled and nearly fell. First Alarm and Quinaldinc had a long lead at the homo turn, but they tired, and Lodestar won easily, paying a big dividend. There was a sensational finish for second place. Young Tohu just beating First Alarm, with Submarine next, and the rest in a bunch. Harold Dillon sired five winners at the meeting (Oinak'o. Sceptre. Author Dillon. Annie Dillon, and Ben Dillon), and no other sire had more than one winner. A big contingent of horses has gone from hero for the Auckland Trottine Club s meeting. Adelaide Direct will tackle the mile record, while Admiral Wood will try to set fresh figures for two miles. A. M'Aulay is one of tho few trainers left at R-iecarton. but he will leave for the south in a few davs. His present intention is to ero to Southland, but he may have to vary his plans, as ho has not completed his arrano'oments with the Railway Department. R. W. King is still at home, having nothing engaged durirwr the holidays. Bee has freshened up a lot since her return from Australia, and may race at Tronthnm next month. Her stable companion. Znland. has been showing signs of soreness, and is on the easy list. . . . Wrestler has reioined the active division at Chokeboro Lodge, after Veins in yoth-n----ment since the spring. If all <roes well with him tho Antagonist colt will probaby be raced at Trentham. . R LonHov has ius* taken m hand toMr C 0 T Rutherford a three-year-old gelding: named Red Cent, by All R-l-Mint Queen'. He is a. well-grown young horse-. Art and Banian are m work again, otter a short rest. They will probably bo whir on the flat at some of the autumn meetings.