CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 42

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Observer.

With some of the best performers away at Trentham, there has not been a great deal of stir a Riccarton during the past week, and after the excitement of the Easter meeting the quietness has been specially noticeable. There are a few meetings in the south' to engage attention yet, but as the horses are all well seasoned with a season's racing there lias been no occasion to set them any record-breaking tasks on the track. . . F. D. Jones, who is now at Trentham with Charley and Bondage, _ will returh home as soon aa the racing is over, and will leave again for the north a few days later, taking Bore, Euripos, and Post Haste. He will be very unlucky if he does not win races with this trio before he is through the Egmont, -Waiiganui, and Auckland winter meetings. Wardancer is bowling along in good style on the track. It was not intended to race him again rfll next season; but a •change of plans haa been decided on as a. recognition of the Dunedin Jockey Club's enterprise, and he will probably be a competitor at "Wingatui next month. T. H. Qillett has Acbilledes, Naupata, and Tip Up moving along nicely in their work. Tip Up is being schooled over hurdles, so that Gillett should have a useful team for jumping events later on. The present intention is to' .race them all at Wingatui. .... Gay Lad, who met with slight injuries during the running of the Great Easter Handicap, is back on the track again; but he is not doing much, as he will not be wanted for racing until the spring.. Three more of Sir George Clifford's yearlings arrived at Riccarton last week. They are Srimmage, a brown sister to Onslaught, by Antagonist—Mad. Whirl; Moorfowl, a brown sister to Royal Stag, by Autumn us— Kirriemuir; and Brave Deed, a brown halfsister to Toa Tore, by Antagonist—Gallantry. The three-year-old filly Helter £kelter, by Antagonist—Fleetfoot, has rejoined the Choke-bore Lodge team after a long spell at her owner's station at Stonyhurst. She showed a lot of speed when tried as a youngster, and she should pay her way next season if she remains, sound. The autumn meeting of the New Brighton'Trotting Club was opened on Thursday in fine but cold weather, and with a large attendance. The fields were large, particularly in the slow events, and the racing was equal to anything I have seen on the course.

Racing opened._on Thursday with the first Amateur Handicap, a nine-furlong race for unhoppled trotters. There- were 25 in the field, Lady Limvood being favourite, with Mr F. Hickenbottom's pair Peter Bell and Lady Esma second choice, and another bracket, Diameter and Sally Dillon,'' best backed among the others. Sally Dillon Was soon out in front, and she stayed there to the end after a solid exhibition of trotting. Diameter showed some sneed, but broke badly half a mile from home—a mistake that settled his chance, though he finished second. Had ho gone kindly all the way he would probably have won. Lady Linwood was third, a long way back, her display being below expectations. Estell© and Eley were at the head of the others, but they did not settle down quickly enough to have any chance of success. The field included a lot of uneducated horses, and it was not at all a good race. The Peace Handicap, the next event on the programme, provided a marked contrast, it being one of the best races ever seen on the course. There were 23 starters, the bracketed pair Drift mine and Intolerance being in most request, with Rearguard and Melisande second and third picks. Driftmine lost her place early, but Intolerance was always one of the* front lot. Idris, Hickorywood, and G-olden Pippin were showing the way to a bunched field at the entran.ee to the straight; but in the run home Pleasant Mount just boat Intolerance, with Idris and Hickorywood close up, followed by a big crowd. Golden Pippin, Jessie Dillon, Delta, and Ouimet were among the others who raced well. The winner, who is by Wild wood Junior, paid a bi;r dividend, which was rather surprising in view of the consistent form she showed at Addington. It was a fast race, a 3 Pleasant Mount, handicapped at 3.39, had to do 3.31 1-5 for the mile and a-half. Under the circumstances Intolerance and Idris must be accounted very unlucky to have such tinies as 3.34 2-5 and 3.32 3-5 against them without winning.

A field. of 11 contested the Burwood Handicap, Bryce's bracket, Mintson and Hectorata securing most support. It was. a fine race, most of the competitors being in close order all the way. The exceptions were the pair on the limit. Peter Mae played up at tho start, and would not leave the mark, while C!aptn.m Stanley broke soon after ho got off. Hectorata showed a crreat burst of speed, which carried hor to the front at the end of a, furlong, and ho was still showing the way after going a mile, where Rorke's Drift, Nancy Stair. Hannah M., Colenut, Cora Dillon, and Huon Patch were in a bunch, just behind the Southland horse. Turning- into tho back stretch, Hectorata and Cora Dillon dropped out —the latter unaccountably, as she appeared to bo going well just before her retirement. Hannah M. was in front half a mile from home, .and > sho won by three lengths from the consistent Rorko's Drift. Mintson was a length away, finishing fast, after, being slow over the first mile. He appears unable to get going nowadays in tho early stages of his races. Nancy Stair, who was fourth, ran a patehy race, and was stopping over tlio last little bit. Colenut was next; and he is coming on nicely. The winner, Hannah M.. has scored four times this season, and is one of ths very <=olid sort.

The Sea View Handicap, for saddle horse ß !, was a very poor race. King - Lear and Erleeo soon opened out a. big gap from the field, and they had matters all their own way. King Lear was out in front till the straight was reached, when Erleen

ran past and won easily. On her best form Erletm is a good marc, but she is not reliable. Tho trotter Truganini, with A. Pringlo in tho saddle, was favourite. She could net keep her placo early, and. though she finished well, sho never looked like catching tho pair in front. Cole Bess, byKing Cola from tho speedy milcr Eess o' the Burn, was second choice, but her chance was settled by an early break. Several of tho others also went to pieces, and. altogether, there was not much exctement about the contest.

The Autumn Handicap, a five-minute class race for unboppled trotters, attracted a field of 11. The imported stallion Nelson Bingen, on the limit, was made a hot favourite. Ho went off well, but broke after going a furlong, dropping back io last beforo he struck his jjait again. Cnce ho got going, however, he showed a fine burst of speed, and at the end of a mile ho • was one of the frcnt let, those in front of him being Bluewood, Theseutf, Wonder land, To-night, Manetta, and Billy Parole, the. lot being _n clos© order. Still going well, he was just behind Bluewood half a mile from home, and there was not much between them when they entered tho straight. Fifty yards from the post Nelson Bingen broke, and Bluewood beat him by three lengths, with Marietta, Theseus, .and Billy Parole close up. The performance of tho American horse was the feature of the race, and there can be no doubt that he i 3 n. great trotter. Tho winner showed great promise as a three-year-old, after which he wont off, but ho looks now as if he would gain further honoui'3 among tho unhoppled division.

A dozen speedy milers took part in the Dash Handicap, in saddle, Perfect Day being favourite, with Celtic and Red Prince best backed among the others. When they settled down Perfect Day was out in front, but Breadalbane joined her after going two furlongs. Passing the half-mile post they were well clear of the field, and Perfect Day, finishing much the better of tho pair, won comfortably by two lengths, while Breadalbane had to he driven right out to beat Pax for second money. Gladeye, The Whip, and Birdwood were close up, but never looked like matching tho leaders. The winner paced a solid race, and has improved a lot in her manners. Celtic ran fairly well for six furlongs, but Red Prince showed none of the speed ho exhibited at Addington. Admiral Wood and Tamarisk were withdrawn from the Wainoni Handicap, leaving a field of nine. Vice-Admiral, Silver Quick, and Irvar were best backed in an even betting race. There was a fine contest all tho way between these throe and Rorke's Drift. When they reached the straight Vice-Admiral had a slight advantage, and, though he appeared to be tiring, he came' again, winning in good style, with the other three in a bunch. It was a popular success, as Vice-Admiral has been a very unlucky horse. He won a race as a three-year-old, at which ago he_was three times placed, while he was in a place twice' last season. This season he had beenfour times second and five times third prior to Jasfc week's win. The trio who followed him home were the most consistently unlucky performers during the throe days' racing at. Addington. The concluding event, .the Electric Handicap, drew a field of 11, Proudspring. ridden by A. Prmgle, was fovurite, with the three-year-old, All Bell, second fancy. They were both prominent all the way, but Lord Dillon ran to the front half a mile' from home and won decisively. He is a brilliant customer, who might have been a champion had he been sound. Proudspring struggled on gamely to get second money from Mahinga, who ran her race in patches. All Bell was stopping at the end, but ho is a high-class three-year-old, who will win honours in the best company later on. Tho meeting was brought to a close on Saturday in fine weather, though' a strong breeze was blowing, which made the dust nuisance rather too prominent. As the afternoon wore on the wind shifted from north-west to south-west, increasing to tho" force of a gale while the last two races were in progress. Tho meeting- passed off very successfully, the racing being full of interest. J. Bryce, the driver of HighAdmiral, was reported for interfering with Embracer soon after tho start of the Derby, and ho was fined £lO for careless driving. Racing opened with the Second Amateur Handicap, *for which the field numbered 14. Irish Eyes, a six-year-old, by Wildwood Junior, was a warm favourite, but she brolce a hopple at the start, and that ended hor chance. It was not an exciting race. Sandy Bell and Proud El3i'e led till half a mile from home, when Vilo and Hutana ran past them, Vilo winning easily,_ while Hutana was well clear of Proud Elsie and Sandy Bell. The winner is a three-year-old filly by the' imported sire Brent Locanda, who is leaving: some very promising stock. Most of them are goodlooking, and they pace attractively. Vilo is a smart sort, "hrr time working out at 2.2.6 to the mile.

The Bexlev Handicap, a saddle race for unhoppled trotters, attracted 16 starters. Hapoy Jack was favourite, bat he failed to go ">ff right, and was never dangerous. Sunrise wis always prominent, hut at the end of a mile Dragoon Junior was in front. As in other races, however, he failed to stav, and Sunrise won comfortably. Ben 801 l was going- well when ho broke after goino- half a mile. Ho seemed to be out of it then, but he finished with a great run, just getting up to beat Treasure Seeker, who failed to go steadily, a break near the finish settling his chance of being an easy second. Rita Rose went well for a mile and then tired. The winner, who is by George M. Patchen from a Del Paso mare, has always had a reputation for snood, but this was one of the rare occasions when he trotted kindly all the way. He las for some time been under the care of A. Henrickson, an accomplished roinsman, but rarely associated with a trotter, especially 'n saddle. A dozen good performers lined up for the Brighton Handicap, Colenut, Dean Dillon, nnr l Mintson being backed in that order. It was a fine race all the way. The positions underwent little change for a mile and a-half. but the field was well bunched most of the journey. Oajpfcain Stanley allowed tho way till nearly half a mile from home. When ho dropped out. Cora Dillon then took charge, and die looked an easy winner when she entered tho straight. Then she broke, and her chance was gone. Nanoy Stair was never for behind the leaders, and, troing on in the straight, she won comfortably from Mi'ntson, who fust beat Cora Dillon for second money. The winner has run some good races lately without success, and her win was well earned. Cora Dilftm let her party down, as she seemed to be going comfortably when she left her feet. Colenut went well for a mile and three-quarters, and can ho booked

for an early win. Dean Dillon did not go off right, and never looked dangerous. Pax began on a break, but when he settled down ho ran a fine race for a mile and a-half. Hannah M. finished fourth after another solid performance. Jewel Locanda was withdrawn from the New Zealand Derby, leaving only three to contest tho classic event. Embracer was a strong favourite, carrying about twice as much as Locanda Dillon, with High Admiral tho outsider. Locanda Dillon, driven by Pringlo, streaked away at a great speed, opening out a big gap from the other pair. After going two furlongs Embracer commenced to reduce tho gap, and with half a mile left behind he was within six or eight lengths, while half a mile further on the pair were on terms. Locanda Dillon then' drew away, and though Embracer was once more on his wheel at the entrance to tho straight, Locanda Dillon came on and won easily by four lengths, with High Admiral, who wa.s sore, a furlong away. The winner went a peculiar race. Ho covered the first •half-mile in I.B—a speed which most people thought would lead to his defeat. Before he got to the end of half a mile, however, Pringlo had a good hold of him, and he was able to mirse his horse over the second half, a policy which enabled him to finish well. Locanda Dillon was a brilliant two-year-old, and he must rank as one of the speediest three-year-olds" seen for a long time. A. cold prevented him from starting in the Champion Stakes at Addington, and I should doubt if he is quite at his best yet. He should have a great future as a sprinter, however ho may fare over long courses. • Ho "was the second of Brent Locanda's stock to win during the day. Tho Flying Handicap attracted a field Of six good ones. It was a 2.48 class, the fastest mile-and-a-quarter event ever scheduled on a New Zealand course. The only regret w r as that Author Dillon and Cathedral Chimes were not amongst the competitors; but they were set severe tasks, being handicapped at 2.41 and 2.42 respectively. It was not such an exciting contest as I expected to see. Chid took charge early, and though ho had Moneymaker, Admiral Wood, and Oora Dillon close~to him half a mile from home, Chid drew away and won comfortably. Albert Cling began slowly, but finished with a great run, and just beat Moneymaker for second place.' Admiral Wood was favourite, but he stopped badly over the last two furlongs. Ohid showed a lot of speed in the mile and a-quarter won by Author Dillon at Addington a week previously, and on this form it was hard to understand why Admiral Wood was so much better backed in Saturday's event. Pveta Peter was withdrawn from the Brooklyn Handicap, having cut one of her feet earlier in the week.. Fortunately the injury is not considered serious, but it was deemed advisable to give her a rest? The field numbered 10, representing the best unhoppled form. It was a fine betting race, with Whispering Willie, Imperial Crown, and Bed Heather in most favour. The public picked it well, as they finished in this order. Whispering Willie, however, won very eas'ily, going to the front six furlongs from home. In some ways it was a disappointing contest. The field was always well bunched, but the pace was slow over the first mile,' and after Whispering Willie 'got to the front there never seemed much chance that-ho would be beaten. As it was, he won in a second slower than his handicap time. Lady Patricia broke up badly soon after the start, while Lord Roanchild ran one of his usual races, failing to see out the two.miles.

Ten speedy rnilers took part in the Telegraph Handicap, i in harness, Bryce's bracket, Joan of Arc and Hectorata, being in strong favour with backers. There were several fractious horses in the field, and they spoilt the start. All Bell and Pleasant Mount were in front for six furlongs, where they were just clear of Silver Qu:',ok, who had lost some ground at tho start. Once in tho straight Proudspring put in a great challenge, and got up on the post to beat All Bell by a good head, Pleasant Mount being close up, with Silver Quick next. Tho winner was driven by J. Brankin, who has bad a good time with his small team lately. The three-year-old All Bell ran a good race, and he will take high honours when he is a bit older. Up till now he has been a trifle unlucky, having a long list of placed performances against . him without a win.

The concluding event, the Final Handicap, in saddle, drew a field of nine highclass sprinters. As usual with the last race of a meeting, there was heavy speculation. Huon Patch being a little better backed than Lord Minto, while most of the others were well . supported. Tamarisk was in front before they had gone three furlong's, but he beat his bell and was called off. Lord Minto was in charge when the straight was reached, and he won comfortably from Huon Patch, who finished fast, but never looked like catching Lord Minto. It was a brilliant performance, though the time -(2.12 3-5) was not particularly fast, the high wind militating against record-breaking.