CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 40

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Observer.

'The wotk on the Riccarton tracks during the past week has not been particularly exciting. Most of the old horses ai~e on the easy list, having completed their racing for the season, and even those who aro expected to race within the next few weeks have provided little of special note. There has been little schooling for some time. Local stables contain a few jumpers, but with ,F. Gray and W. Bush laid aside through accidents at Wingatui, the trainers will experience some trouble in getting their horses schooled. In the meantime some of the trainers are devoting most of their attention to the yearlings, which are now being sprinted. Outts brothers have the biggest team, but of their eight a few are not being hurried. Those being got ready for early racing are, however, fairly forward. They have not gone much more than a furlong yet; but three who shape well are Royal Stag (Autumnus —Kirriemuir), Strathglass (Sanquhar—Telescope), and Macduff (Antagonist —'Scottish Star). G. Murray-Aynsley has five youngsters under his charge. The two by Nassau from Stardancer and Prim respectively have not done much, but the other three are sprinting up to two furlongs. They are Rebuff (Martian —Lady Disdain), Lady Love (Sanquhar—Nantes), and Warlove (Martian —Stepdancer), who give promise of being a very smart trio, judging < from the manner in which they shaped in a dash on Saturday. M. Hobbs is bustling . Flight Commander (Martian — Nerve) and Sans Souoi (Bezoniau —Satisfaire) along. They have not done a great deal of sprinting, but they are a pair of good-looking. colt 3. There are plenty of other yearlings in local stables, and before long they should provide a lot of interest.

Owing to trouble over passports, R. J. Mason had to curtail his Australian team to three horses. Biplane, of course, is the sta,r of the party, 'the others being the maiden two-year-olds Gleaming (The "Welkin—Light) and Molyneux (Danube- —Perle d'Or). I have not seen Molyneux do much, but Gloaming is a speedy galloper, who should win races. Biplane looked bright and well the last time I saw him on the Riccarton track.

R. Longley expects to leave _ for the north this week with Art, Banian, and Love Token. After competing at the Napier Park and Hawke'e Bay meetings, they will probably be taken to Trentham, remaining there until after the winter meeting of the Wellington Raping Club. In the absence of W. Bush, whoso broken collarbono will keep him in retirement for some weeks, L. Hagerty will go north to ride the two jumpers. Banian does not look ready to show his best form* but Art has been galloping well, while Love Token is also in nice order.

Mr W. H. E. Wanklyn, the secertary of tlie Canterbury Jockey Club, will have the sympathy of sportsmen in all parts of the Dominion over the news that hie son, Lieu'tneant J. E. Wanklyn, has been killed in" Franco. Mr Wanklyn has been in bad health for some time "past, having been unable to attend to his office duties, and he was recently given leave of absence in order that ho might take a sea trip. The North Canterbury sportsman, Mr W. A. Nicholls, has used several sires at his stud during the last few seasons. For next season he has leased the Englishbred horse Winkie from Mr J. B. Reid. Winkie is by William tho Third (son of St. Simon) from Conjure, so that he is a brother to Winldpop, the dam of Blink, who ran second to Gainsborough in the Now Derby last week.

W. M'Donald did not bring Flee thorn back from Wingatui, tho English horse being sold to a patron of P. T. Hogan's stable.

G. Murray-Aynsley has made a start on Wardancer, Disdainful, and Scornful, who have boon on the easy list for some weeks. They aro all in nice order to commence a preparation for spring engagements. R. W. King has taken Matty in hand again, and will hack her for some time beforo putting her into active commission. E. Scoullar has had an addition to his stable, in tho shape of a three-year-old gelding by Antagonist from Either, an Aus-tuilian-bred marc by Escutcheon —Zither, by The Drummer. Adjutant is at present enjoying a short spell in the paddock, but he will resume work this week. It is probable that he will be nominated for tho winter meeting of the Wellington Racing Club, in company with-his stable companions, Brambletye and Gamecock. Wrestler and Sir Fanciful have been shod, and they will resume work this week after spelling for a couple of months. The Buccleuch gelding Melford, who has been off the scene since the spring, has been taken in hand again. Battle Eve appears to be quite sound again, and he will probably be in commission again shortly. P. M'Grath is of opinion that his lameness was due to rheumatism. Achilledes jumped a couple of pony hurdles smartly on Saturday, and he will be tried over "the big hurdles this week. Don Francisco had a turn in the jumping ring on Saturday, and appeared to enjoy the experience. He is gradually getting into good shape for big jumping engagements ahead.

W. C. Clarke, well known to racing men all over the Dominion, died on Friday after a long illness. Ho gained his first knowledge 'of the racing business, in the stable of the late R. Reay, with whom he took service about 36 years ago. Ho rode a number of good winners on the fiat, but it was as a rider of jumpers that he made his greatest mark. In that department, in fact, he was one of the finest horsemen ever seen in New Zealand. Among his big wins were the Grand National Steeplechase on Freeman, Ahua, and Norton, and the Grand National Hurdle Handicap on Kulnine, Social Pest, and Record Reign. Subsequently ho 'trained for the late Mr D. Rutherford, for whom he turned out some good winners. He leaves a widow, a daughter of Mr J. Franks, of Yaldhurst. and one child.

Kii'boy is at present running out in a paddock at Riccarton. He seems quite sound, but that is his usual condition when thrown out of training. Unfortunately, however, he regularly develops lameness when-put into work. M. Hobbs has tried him well, and is convinced that the Kilbronoy horse will not stand up to a preparation. As a two-year-old he had an easy win in the Challenge Stakes, while at 'throe years he made a big reputation in Australia prior to going amiss. Later, on returning to Now Zealand, he won three more races. He was unquestionably a good horse over a journey, and it is a matter for regret that he was unable to race after his three-year-old season. _ A big batch of nominations was received by the Canterbury Jockey Club last week for Australian events. So far as the spring handicaps are concerned the list is not heavy, being confined to Hymcetra, Nanna, Good Dav, Tannaha, and Biplane for the Epsom Handicap; Nanna, Snub and Biplane for the Metropolitan Handicap; Nanna for the Toorak Handicap; Snub and Binlane for the Caulficld Cup, and Snub and Ri'singham for the Melbourne Cup The yearling nominations are numerous, but only a few are engaged in spring two-year-old events. Mr W. U. btetftJ, however, has entered the Feramorz—Ringdove coit for the Breeders' Plate, and the fillies by F'eramorz —Class and Demosthenes —Sunlio-ht for the Gimcraek Stakes, while Mr E. S. Luttrell has Flight Commander, by Martian—Nerve, and Sans Soma, by Bezonian—Satisfaire, in the Breeders' Plato youngsters are also freely engaged in later events at two and three years, in which Messrs J. B. Reid, G L. Stead, G D. Greenwood, C G. Dalgety, W. R. Kemball, and A. J. Toxvvard also claim representatives. The sires Martian, Kilbronov, Sunny Lake, and Nassau have been nominated for the Australian Jockey Club s Sires' Produce Stakes of 1920, while the last-named trio have been named for the corresponding event on the programme of the Victoria Racing Club. The laet trotting fixture of the season, that of the Ashburton Trotting Club, will bo held on Thursday. The acceptances for eicht events total 191, so that fields will be very large, and there is every indication that some excellent sport will result. The winter mooting of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club was held last week, and proved, a great success m every way. It is safe to say, in fact, that no club in the Dominion ever held a one-day meetino- to eciual it. The weather was fine, and with "a holiday crowd about, there was a record attendance. So groat was the crowd that the accommodation proved quite inadequate, and the club will have to give early attention to the business of extending its stands. At the same time extra provision will have to be made in the totalisator to cope with the increasing business, and, while this is in hand, it will be just as well to instal an up-to-date machmo which will automatically register the investments thus saving the time now ocoupied in balancing the figures before the start of each race. Fields were large at last week's meeting, and there were unavoidable delays. From a racing point of view the meeting was a great success, and, with one exception, the races provided keen contests. , Proceedings opened with the Amateur Handicap, for which there were 24 competitors. Koraki, from the back mark, ran through quickly, and had the result beyond doubt when half the journey had been completed. Perhaps it was because it seemed hopeless to chase Koraki. but nothing in the race went ap to handicap time. Culverden would have rnado the winner go faster had he been ridden out. As it was, ho was eased in the straight, and was lucky to beat the fast-finishing Rothino by a head for second place. Koraki is a <rood sort of a trotter, with a big future. He has been purchased by the local owner-trainer, T. G. Fox. Backers got a bad knock in the Progressive Handicap. There were 18 in the field, and Trooper Dillon, one of the oursidors, was in front all the way. Tt was_a good riioe, as there was a big bunch in hot pursuit, but Trooper Dillon stayed on to the end. It was a smart performance to cover a mile and a-half as he did—in 3.30 1-5. Miss Havoc was unlucky. mt<?tinsy with a mishap at the start, but she finished in great style. Grandee also began badly, and put in a break later, but ho was going particularly well over the last

half-mile. Bundong showed pace, but failed to see tlio journey out. Lady Hulda.no began smartly, but faded out at the end of a, mile.

The withdrawal of Our Thorpe from the King Georgo Handicap was a big disappointment, but tlie 10 competitors, representing the highest class in the Dominion, provided a great contest. There was a mixup as the held loft the straight, Matchlight breaking, while Evelyn fell, interfering with several of tho horses behind her. Mintson, and Erin's King showed the way for a milo and a-quartor, when tho field closed up, and half a mile from home they wire racing in a bunch. In another fur-lon-r tho whole aspect was changed. Cathedral Chimes put in a brilliant run from tho back, and when tho straight was reached ho and Author Dillon were in tho lead. From that stage tho race was all over, Cathedral Chimes going on and winning with tho greatest ease. I have never seen a high-class field made to look so cheap as Cathedral Chimes treated this lot when he made his effort. It was tho most impressive performance I have ever witnessed, and the crowd was quick to recognise its merit. Cathedral Chimes stands out as the greatest pacer the Dominion has seen, and ho Is in a class by himself over two miles just now. Last season ho won £lBlO in stakes, and this season ho has captured £2130. Author Dillon ran a good race, but he has found Cathedral Chimes a serious obstacle in his path, having finished just behind the Four Chimes horse in three races this season. Agathos was always well placed, but lacked the dash of tho other pair at the end. Matchlight ran a patchy race, breaking between his brilliant bursts of speed. Mintson, Oinako, Erin's King, and Adelaide Direct failed to stay. Admiral "Wood was called off for beating his bell. For tho Middleton Handicap, in saddle. Bergan was favourite, but he never looked dangerous. Edina led for a mile, when she broke up and retired. Star Queen paced solidly all the way, just failing over tho last furlong, when Maud Wilkes drew away and won comfortably. She is a sofcd pacer by Marion Wilkes from the Rothschild mare Alice Maud, and she looks like winning more good races. Beewood and Shanghai came on the scene later, and they finished fcelL Twelve high-class unhoppled performers took part in the Soekburn Handicap. ( Bon Ami was favourite, but he did not' show any brilliancy, and had to bo driven out to gain third place. Lady Patricia was in front all the way. and won in good style. She has frequently shown pace, but has usually spoilt her effort by breaking. Provided she can be got to go kindly, she will win lots of races. Electrocute trotted a solid race, and looks a sure winner in tho spring. King Capitalist went patchily, breaking badly more than once, though ho showed great speed. Whispering Willie finished well, but Paul Huon, Olive L., and Trugsnini were never clangorous. Rod Heather lost his chance at the start, his driver being out. of the sulky when the field went off..

Quality was in evidence among the 14 competitors for the High Class Handicap. Fleming's pair, Our Thorpe and Willie Lincoln, carried most money, and the latter pulled backers through by a narrow margin. Ho was in front, all the way; but it was a fine race. Cora Dillon was always handy, and just failed at the end by a neck. Willie Lincoln has mado great improvement this season, and is hard to beat in any company up to a mile and a-half. Cora Dillon has steadied down under M'Dermott's care, and she will win good races yet. Tvix Pointer just failed at the end, where Frandocia also faded out. Our Thorpe, after meeting trouble soon after the start, paced a_ great race, and looks like being a big winner next/season. Backers went strongly for Bryco's bracket, Hestorata and Inwood, in the Telegraph Handicap. Hestorata was never dangerous, but Inwood paced a fine race. It was, however, an unfortunate race for many of the competitors. Most of them showed excellent form, with the result that they were in a bunch at the entrance to the"straight. With so many harness horses spread across the track, those who were badly placed had no chance of getting through. Glad Eye was out in front all the way. and just won after a great finish. The win did not come out of turn, it being his first success for the season after six placed efforts. Ho was lucky to miss trouble near the end. as Inwood broke, nnd looked like colliding with Glad Eye. But for the mishap Inwood might havo 'won. Miss Havoc, began slowly, but finished with a brilliant run, just heading Bundong on the post, with Sir Elmo and Fax almost on terms, at the head of a bunch. It was one of the best mile races I have seen.

Twenty-two speedy milers took part in the Final Handicap, in snddle. There was a long delay, yartly duo to two false starts, and the race was run in a fading light, which made it hard to follow the progress of the contest. Annie Dillon could be seen in front early, hut Lord Minto caught her at th« half-mile post. Over the last part Lord Minto paced brilliantly, and vfon"decisively. Bill Brown, a much-dis-cussed southern visitor, did not go off well,

but ho finished with a great run over the la/st half-mile without much assistance from his rider. Pitaroa and Rorke's Drift were coing on at the end. but Acusbla Machree, who was solidly backed, cut up badly.