CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 40

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Ossbbtbb. With so many horses absent at meetings in various parts of the Dominion the holiday season has been exceptionally quiet at Riecarton. Some of the trainers who had teams at Auckland will probably .stop over at Trentham for the Wellington RacClub's fixture, while those who ar© doing the West Coast will not be homo for a fortnight. The horses that raced in Southland will be back in a day or two, but there will not be much excitement on tho local tracks for some time.

Horses from Canterbury stables got a fair share of the stakes that ■ were distributed during the holidays - , but, token, all round, the results scarcely came.up to expectations, a few of the competitors from this quarter failing to realise expectations. Onslaught, Glendower, and Kilrush were three costly performers at Ellerslie. J. M 'Combe had a very successful trip south, but other Riecarton trainers did badly at the Invercargill meeting. The three days of the Greymouth fixture- saw the Canterbury contingent gather in a lot of stakes. T. H. GiUett in particular had a good time with his seven horses, who won 10 races, besides getting place money in about half a dozen other events. Sir George Clifford- has sold the three-year-old Wild Night, by Antagonist—Windwhistle, to Mr W. Stone, of Invercargill. He should be a profitable investment.. The South Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting, postponed on account of the influenza epidemic, will be held next week, and it should provide decent sport, though most of the horses engaged are of moderate class. Another postponed meeting, that of the Methv.cn Racing Club, has been fixed for February 6. The summer meeting of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club was held on New Year's Day. The weather was decidedly adverse, heavy rain falling just when people were thinking of going to the course. It did not last long, but it kept away many of the club's patrons, particularly the ladies. There were a few more showers during the afternoon, the heaviest while the horses were on the track for the chief event. After that the sky cleared, and the concluding events were got off in bright sunshine. There were good fields for most of the races, and the sport was really good. Proceedings opened with the Amateur Handicap, which attracted a field of 20 unhcppled trotters, Our Goldie, on the scratch mark, being favourite. With so many horses in front of her, some of them not going to kindly, Our Goldie had a bit of a contract in the early stages. At the end of half a mile, however, she was _ in a good position, and, gradually working her way to the front, she had the race in hand a long way from home. Marilla, by Foxhill, went for a mile, and then faded out. Rothino, Best Boy, and Lady Bsma were always in the front lot, and they followed the winner home in that order. Lady Esma, a four-year-old by Driftwood — Bsma. is a young trotter of some promise. Our Goldie is by Harold Dillon, most of whose progeny are pacers, and she is a good sort, likely to win in much better do-mipany. There were only six starters for the .Templeton Handicap, Sympathy being in most favour, as a result of her form at Ashburton. She went a good race, biit did not stay out the last bit, and Gold Crest beat her comfortably. The winner has not done much racing in harness, but he paced solidly and stayed well. Miss Havoc finished fast, and just gained third place from Harold .Child, who looked a winner till he broke badly in the straight. Louie Drift showed a lot of speed for a mile and ahalf, when she dropped out. It transpired later that she met with interference from Gold Crest, whose driver, F. W. Thomas, was fined £lO for careless driving. There was a rare good (Contest for < the principal event, the Champion Handicap, which attracted a field of 10 high-class horses —a record field in one respect, as it comprised the wholo of those _ who were nominated. Emilrus was favourite, and he was in the front division till about two furlongs from home, when he broke badly, and failed to strike his gait again. Cathedral Chimes, who was driven by J. Bryce, looked much better than when racing at Addinsrton in November. With half a mile to go ho put in a great run, and, coming on in the straight, he got up in time to boat bis stable mate, Sherwood, by half a length. The horse and his driver received a groat ovation on returning to the enclosure, induced by the merit of the performance, coupled with the'fr.ct that Bryce was making his first appearance in the sulky since his accident. Sherwood, driven by J. Bryce, jun., pared a fine race, oominec home in solid fashion. Sun god led the field all the way until passed by Cathedral

Chimes and Sherwood near the winning post, his effort being very similar to that registered in the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Oinako, who looked sdre, would not settle to his work, and Agathos, who had been eased in his training recently, did not pace soundly, John Dillon paced well, only lading out in the last furlong, while Mintson was prominent all the way; but Adelaide Direct did not show, her best form. Admiral Wood ran well, sticking to Cathedral Chimes till they reaohed the straight, when he was shut in. Cathedral Chimes scored in tho same ra<oe a year ago, and he also took tho King George Handicap on the same course in June.

A field of eight contested the Lyttelton Handicap, Korke's Drift being favourite, on account of his good showing at Ashburton. The race did not provide a great contest. King Kauri failed to stay, Wooddrift broke up at the start, and Irvingwood and Wallace Wood were below their best form. Mahinga was always one of the front lot, and, though Rorke's Drift caught her at the home turn, she drew away again, winning comfortably. Korke's Drift, who was ridden by his owner, R. J. Munro, did not pace so well as was. expected. - Mahinga went a solid race, showing great improvement on her recent form, here, and it is evident she is once more at her best. Maud Wilkes went patchily, but finished well. Rotholiff, on the other hand, broke at the start, and then paced, well for a mile and a-half, but was stopping at the end. The Stewards' Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, attracted 10 good, periormorsAijeeswing was favourite, and she led all the way, winning easily. She stayed better than usual, and is evidently improving in stamina. Imperial (Jrown did not go steadily, but gained second place through outstaying the others. .Gay vViikes would not settle clown in the early part, but over tlie second mile he went sonuiy. Oraibwood, who is trotting well just now; waa close up, but ho is a tetter horse in saddle than in harness. Lady Tatricia went tinsteadily, Out trotted last in patcnes, and she would win good race 3 it Bhe . would settle down. .She is, in fact, a certain winner the first time she trots through a race without a mistake. Electrocute gave a very poor showing. Seven high-class performers contested tho Islington Handicap, one mile and a-quarter. The American mare. Trix Pointer, was a strong favourite, and. she won easily, after giving a fine exhibition of pacing, tone is a very consistent mare, wlio is improving steadily -all the time. Willie Lincoln finished second, after covering a lot of ground at the home turn, through being badly placed in the early stages. <Jora Dillon also had a bad position till the back stretch was reached, but she finished on well, just heading Bundura, who set tho early pace. John Dillon paced a fine race from the back, but Lord Iviinto is not at his' best at present. d.oan of Aro was favourite in a. field of ]2 for the Kail way Handicap, but she lost her chai:co through breaking. Joyful raced to the front'and covered the first half-mile at exceptional speed. He had a long lead tnen, but tired at the end, and Korke's Drift, vigorously ridden, got up to beat him by a lergth. Korke's Drift was again ridden by his owner, who was' accorded a hearty reception, as he has been very unlucky for some time, Korke's Drift having been placed on many occasions without a win for 1?. months. The Driftwood gelding is now a brilliant pacer, "who stays well in saddle or harness. Lord Dillon paced solidly, though he was not so brilliant as usual in the early stages, while Ketreat, a big Prince Imperial gelding, also put up a good performance. Pax was well backed, but broke up at the start. At other field of 12 contested the Au Rovoir Handicap. Great Britain was favourite, but he never looked like a winner. Tiranna, who was second choico, met with trouble in the early part. She came on fast over the second hall-mile, and finished in third place. She should win soon. Rearguard was always well placed, and he won easily. At one stage he looked like being a high-class horse, but he is only a useful miler. Pax did not begin well, and though he gained, second place, he did not race up to his best form. The New Brighton Trotting Club's meeting, postponed from Anniversary Day on account of the influenza epidemic, was held on Thursday and was a great success. There was some rain early in the morning, but the conditions were quite settled by the time the crowd was ready to leave for the seaside course, the attendance being exceptionally large. The track in good order, and though the high- wind was against fast times, there was some capital racing. A start was mado with the Amateur Handicap. Drift Mine was favourite, and, going to the front early, she won easily alter a solid exhibition. Upstart, Algy Gee, and Sandy Bell were the best of tho others, but they never looked like winners. Drift Mine is a good-looking four-year-old by Driftwood from My Mistake, the dam of Grace Darlington, Sungod, and Star Queen, all of whom are good winners. The family was much in evidence last week, Sungod being third in the Champion Handicap at Canterbury Park, while Star Queen won at Greymouth. I expect to see Drift Mine win again before long. A held of 19 contested the Innovation Handicap. They included some very badmanno.red customers, who caused trouble at tho start. Idris soon got a good position, and she looked a sure winner a long way from home. Silver Nut was unlucky at the start, but once he got clear he paced > a fine race. Foxhill stayed on well in third place, just beating Rearguard and Hoymetta, tho last-named a promising young horse. The winner is a five-year-old by Dan Dillon, who is by Harold Dillon from Ocean Wave, the dam of Antonio, Muricata, and Oceanic. The Waimairi Handicap, a saddle race for trotters, attracted a field of 11, and there was a fine finish between three of them. Our Goldie, penalised two seconds for his win the previous day, was well handled by A. Butterfield, and just gained the verdict from Korakl, who broke near the post. To Kuiti was close up, but was stopping at the end, after looking a winner 100 yards from home. Sunrise showed a lot of speed, but broke badly. Craikwood trotted one of his usual solid races, and Happy Jack went a fair race, but the wellbacked Sol cut up badly. Ton lined up for the Mace Memorial Handicap, among tho scratchings being Huon Patch, Colenut, and Sir Fulharn, who were in Auckland. Albert Cling was favourite, but he lost a lot of ground through goimr off badly. Once in his stride he paced well, finishing in third place, but it looked as if some of the others were not unduly hurried over the last half-mile. Nancy Stair began smartly, and y/as never headed, winning easily. She is a brilliant pacer, who has not always raced up to expectations, but she was evidently benefited by a trip to Palmerston North, where

she won a mile and a-quartor race the previous week. The consistent Trix Pointe* finished ou well in second place. Erin's Queen was heavily backed, but showed the effecta of a cold, and race well. Rorko's Drift was with the leaders for a mile and a-half, but faded out at the end. John Dillon paced another sound race. A field of eight, representing the bent unhoppled trotters in commission, took part in the Park Handicap, and Lord Roanchild was backwed as if defeat was out of the question. Ho gathered up his field in tho first mile; but he failed, as he has so often done, to see out tho last quarter, coming home a very tired horse. Up to a mile and a-half he is a champion, but a two-mile journey beyond him. Gay Wilkes was always handy, and he finished well, just wining from Paul Huon, who came home very fast. Imperial Crown waa close up, but he mixed his gait repeatedly. Electrocute trotted a fair race. Gay Wilkes has not long been in F. Holmes's stable. Ho broke more than once, but under Holmes's skilful guidance he wont more solidly than he had done for some time. _ . The Bowline Handicap attracted eight competitors, and Sympathy was again, a good favourite. She was patiently handled, and did not make her appearance near the front until, half a mile "from home, when sha drew away, winning decisively. Her ~«u"ccess . was well .earned,. as she had been ' placed..in..her. two previous starts. Pax showed, plenty .of. speed, but ho is not partial to .a .two.-mile journey. Bundong and Harold Child also stopped a bit at tho business end. There was a fine contest for the Summer Handicap, one mih> and a-quarter. The nine acceptors went to the post, and Ad"miral Wood was the popular fancy. Ho did not negotiate the turn out- of the straight kindlv, but he put in a great run down the ■ back, and came home in great style, having the race in safe keeping from the time the straight was reached. The big pacer had not won a race' for over two years, his last success, prior to this one, being in the Auckland Trotting Cup. He has -been gradually coining back to form, but he does not look as if he would win much further distinction. Adelaide Direct met with some trouble on the journey, but she finished very fast, and just gained second place from Iwar, who led most of the way fading out in the last few strides. The Farewell Handicap drew a field of seven, General Wilkes being favourite. It was a fine race to the straight, where Frank Tracey, Ariadne, Silver Quick, and General Wilkes were T,n a bunch. From that point General Wilkes cleared right away, winning with ridiculous ease from Frank Tracey and Silver Quick. General Wilkes is one of our best mile saddle horse 3, and he is right at his top just now.