CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 42

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Observer.

For many years, while its headquarters were at Little River, the Akaroa County Racing Club’s meeting provided a very pleasant holiday outing for many Christchurch residents. The racing part of the proceedings took only a secondary place m the scheme, the chief attraction being the chance it afforded for a family picnic. A few years ago the club shifted to Motukarara, which is much closer to the city. It has a first-class racecourse, and In time I expect the meetings to take a high place. Already there has been an improvement in the character of the racing, while increased stakes are likely to attract, later on, a much better class of horse. Last week s meeting was enjoyable, though the racing, on the whole, was only fair. The principal event, the Peninsula Cup, attracted a held of seven. Disdainful was a good favourite, and she led all the way. She was being hustled along at the x entrance to the. straight; but sho responded in good style, staying out tho mile solidly and winning easily. It was an attractive performance, as she can be improved a lot yet. Achiliedcs finished strongly, and gained sci.pnd place from Brambletye and Comely, ine performance or Comely disappointed her connections, and a proposed trip to aixarapa was cancelled. Battle Eve looked dangerous, at the home turn, but subsided a few strides further on. There wore six starters for tho Maiden Plate, Carol Dinger being a hot favourite. She was out in .front from the start, but All Pink tackled her in the straight. There was an exciting finish, All Pink getting the verdict, though the backers of Carol tSinger did not like the decision. All Pink is on the improve, and she may win another race before long. Jingo showed some pace, but only lasted a little over half a mile. He can be written off as not much good. Harlequin was favourite for the Welter Hade Handicap fn a field of four, and he won easily. It was a mile and a-quarter race, and Harlequin stayed too well for his opponents. His backers got a fright, however,_ as ho lost a stirrup on tho journey, and his-rider only <ust drew weight. The Kinloch Welter Handicap drew five starters. Majestikoff was favourite, and shej won without much trouble from Spyglass, who just beat Achilledes for second place. Majestikon lias won five races this season, and she is .still improving. ' There were. only Jour starters for the Terawera Hack Hano.icap and Missouri had an easy win, Rosevear being the only one who was able to keep her busy. Missouri is a three-year-old by Danube from Miss Mischief, and this was the first win credited to her sire this season. A field of eight took part in the Forsyth Flying Handicap. Kbrush, the favourite, got out on the move; but he was scon passed by Donnata, who led to the straight. Then Battle Eve joined in, and, fighting out the finish gamely, he beat Donnata on the post. The two trots attracted plenty of competitors, 18 starting in one and 25 in the other. Some Boy, from 'J. Bryce’s stable, was favourite for the Waihora Park Handicap, and he won very easily from Galindo Belle, who_ just beat Want for second place. The Wairewa Handicap was taken by' Wood Drift, who registered a smart performance from tho hook mark. The unlucky Galindo Belle was again second, with Jenny Wood third. 1 The Tirriaru Trotting Club’s meeting was held on Thursday on the Washdyke course, and was very successful. The fields were large, and there was some excellent sport. The absence of a special train limited the attendance of visitors from a distance, but a number of Christchurch enthusiasts made tho trip by road. There were 15 starters for the Trial Handicap, and Melisando, a nice pacer by Driftwood, was in front all the way. He had to be kept going, however, to, beat Cole Nut, a thpee-year-old by King Cole—Cocoanut. Golden Peter, another three-year-old, by Pet new.—Golden Belle, was third, and will see & better clay. The field included several othrr three-year-olds, of whom Leewoody by W ildwood —'Gertie, is likely -to turn'cut well. v Succor r was favourite, in a field of 13, for the Waimate Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, and he won very easily, with The Sprinter in second place, after a decent . performance. and. Patard third. The ■\ winner is a half-brother, by Marion Wilkes, to Succeed, and he is a rare good sort. A field of 14- took part in the Timaru Handicap. It was a good betting race, Breclalbarie being a little better backed than Harold Devon and Joan of Arc, while several others wore staunchly supported, Harold Devon was soon out in front, and be was never headed, winning easily from Pax, who just headed Irvan on the post. The. winner was a smart two-year-old, but a trifle erratic, tie has now settled down, and will win hotter races before long. ' Fifteen lined up for the Seadown Handi_cap, Jack Arrah being favourite. There was a good contest all the way, but over the last bit Lady Willings drew away, winning in decisive stylo from Edina and Serenity, noth of whom were prominent from ins start. Stormy Way broke down •jrhsai goipg well. Lady < Willings provided A. Prmglo with his third successive win, as he fV’so piloted Succory and Harold Devon. For the Temuka Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, the field numbered 13. The iirackotori pair, Billy Parole and Happy lack, on me in for most support; but though they racej fairly well, they never looked like winning. Hirokl was in front all the -stay, and won easily from Lovebird, who Jtiat lasted long enough to beat Marietta. The winner, who paid a big dividend, trotted very solidly. Thirteen was again the main for the Washdyke Handicap, Bundong, Queen Oh lines, and Bank Note being fancied in that order. Bank Note and Bundong were in front from the start, tho former winning with a bit to spare, while The Linnet was third. Bank Note is a speedy mare, but I expect to see Bundong develop into a really good horse. Sim’s Queen and Our Ohum were tho popular picks for the Fairlie Handicap; but neither of them ever looked dangerous, though they finished closo behind the placed lot._ Ramitiairi made the pace, but Nancy Stair outstayed him, winning in fine style, with Sympathy third. The three placed horses wore responsible for very attractive performances, the time being faster than ' that registered in tho chief event of tho dav. Tho day’s sport closed with tho Farewell Handicap, for which the field numbered 18. Bryce’s bracket, Joan of Arc and Sir El mo, came in for hot support; but neither was over near tho front. The Linnet and -Agnes Chief fought out a desperate battle all the way, The Linnet winning by a neck, with Gladeyc third, just in front of Rearguard. AnriforOus fell soon after tho start,

bringing Bridgewood down. W. Brown, the rider of Auriferous, dislocated his wrist, as well as receiving injuries to his head, while S. M. August, who was on Bridgewood, also received some cuts on tho head. Thoro will bo a fair contingent of horses from this end for the Waimate Racing Club's meeting. Subterfugo is one who will not mako the trip, as sho is amiss. Biplane has been responsible for some good work since his return from Wangaiiui. On Saturday he ran six furlongs about two seconds faster than any other horse worked over that distance. . There should be nothing wrong with his condition at Easter. Already ho is one of tho popular picks for the Great Easter Handicap, despite his weight, which, after all, is not prohibitive, as Cruciform won under a similar burden. Wrestler is hitting out well in his sprints, and he may pick up another stake before the cloee of the season. Margerino looks in rare fettle just now, and sho will have to be reckoned with in the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps. I have a great liking for the two-year-old filly Afterglow, in Mason's stable. She is coming on nicely, and looks a likely winner before long. Euripoa has turned roarer, which is bad luck for his connections, as he shaped like winning in good company. Fiery Cross is in healthy condition, and he can be relied on for a good performance at lib next start. He is booked for a trip to the Manawatu meeting after Easter, to meet Biplane and Esthand in the Awapuni Gold Cup. No horse at Riccarton is shaping better than Killjoy, and she is likely to play a prominent part in the decision of the Great Easter Handicap. Wardancer was lame after working., last Thursday morning. His trainer is not certain whether it is serious or not, but at best tho break in his preparation will prejudice his chance in the Great Autuma Handicap, in which he looked like being hard to beat. Bore and Wellwood were schooled over fences on Saturday, Bore giving a fine exhibition for a novice. Vascular, in the same * stable as Wellwood, has developed lameness. Martial Air ami Naupata are two recent additions to T., H. Gillet's team. No decision hae been come to regarding Naupata's programme, but I expect to see him kept at hurdle-racing. W. Hibberd now has four of Mr W. A. Nichoils's horses under his care at Riccarton. Tremena, Braid, and Canamana are sprinting well, while Varnish has Just been, taken up. Three young ones are expected to strengthen the .team shortly. R. J. Mason has just taken the Aus-tralian-bred two-year-old, Gloaming, in hand again. The son of The Welkin showed great promise in tli3 spring. Indus has gone a spell, being accompanied by the Comedy King yearling purchased by Mr Greenwood in Australia. -. G. Murray Aynsley has experienced a bit of bad luck with one of his juvenilis. Tho two-year-o! 1 filly by Bonny Glen —Gipsy Maid stra ned some muscles while doing light excrete, and she will require a long spell The crack three-year-old pacer, President Wilson, is going on well in his preparation for future classic events. He will not go to Hawera foi - the Futurity Stakes, but will lie raced at Easter in the Champagne Stakes at Addington, where Albert Cling looks like being his most dangerous opponent.