CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 47

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Observes. Riccarton is exceptionally quiet at thtf present time. A good many horsesaro enjoying a rest preparatory to being got ready for next season's racing, while of those in active commission the majority have gone to Wingatui to be raced at the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting this week. Thero is a fairly large batch of yearlingf in local stables, but there is nothing particularly exciting about their tasks yet. R. J. Mason contemplates an early shift to Sydney, taking a team to race at some of the Australian spring meetings. It ia probable that he will have Gloaming, Afterglow, Karo, and Rossini under his car© when he leaves. Gloaming has resumed steady work, and, save for a slight enlargement on .one of his fetlocKs, he shows no ill-effects from his fall at Trentham last month. Mason will not take any yearlings to Australia, but he will probably have three youngsters ready for work when he arrives at Randwick, as a representative of Mr G. D. Greenwood was a buyer at the Australian sales. « M. Hobbs has disposed of his property at Ricacrton to a retired North Canterbury farmer. He will give up possession of thelouse some time this month, but he wilt retain the stables for a few weeks longer, He may then remove to Sydney, taking a team across for the spring campaign in Australia. It is probable, however, that he will retire from training altogether before long, and, according to present intentions, ho is likely to leave next year for England, where he may remain for some time. Wardancer was galloped a and aquarter on Thursday,, and finished up his task very strongly after beginning slowly. Later in the day he showed signs of lameness. Mr A. K-ylo was oalled in, and the veterinary verdict was that the horse was suffering from a strain on the near side, in the vicinity of the round bono. The trouble, though bad enough to necessitate the cancelling of the trip to Wingatui, is not regarded as serious, and Wardancer should be able to resume work in about a. week. Wrestler showed signs of lameness after a smart half-mile sprint on Thursday. It was hoped at first that the trouble would not be serious, but his condition later in the day was so bad that all idea of taking him 6outh for the Dunedin Jockey _Glub's meeting had to be abandoned. It is probable that he will be fired and given a long spell. - Two recent additions to R. J. Mason a team are a yearling colt by Sutala from Lady Wayward 11, the dam of Emperador, and a yearling filly by Sutala from Conceit, by" Bomform from Lady Wayward 11. For some reason _ neither of these youngsters finds a place in the Stud Book. R. Longley has recommissioned Cerberus, and the Menschikoff gelding looks well after his short spell. Strayshot mot with slight injuries during her recent trip to Oamaru, where she was a winner, but she is all right again, and has resumed work. # Gay Lad has been giving M. Hobb3 a bit of trouble lately, on account of lameness. He appears quite sound now, and he is a daily visitor to the tracks. _ , Sundance and Kilmoon, after racing this season in Mr G. L. Stead's colours, have been returned to the Elderslio studmaster, Mr J. B. Reid, from whom they were held on lease. , Tho Canterbury Park Trotting Club'a winter meeting was commenced on Saturday in pleasant conditions. Heavy rain fell' early in tho week, but the weather cleared on Friday night, when there was a hard frost, followed next day by bright sunshine. The course was heavy, and some of tho horses did not seem able to act on it. The racing: was patchy, several of the ©vents providing great contests, while others were uninteresting. Proceedings opened with the Amateur Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, for which tho field numbered 'O. Tho southern three-vcar-old, Dolville Wood, was favourite, but ho broke up early, and never got near the front. With half the journey gone Best Boy, Waiwera. Maori Princess, and Diameter were out clear of field. Before the straight was reaohed Waiwera broke, while Maori Princess followed suit a little farther on. Diameter then Went on to win oomfortably, while Maori Princess, catching her gait again, got up to beat Best Boy on tho post for second place, with Sallj/ Dillon fourth, finishing fast. The winnet

is a six-year-old by Diadem, and, though ho may never reach top class, he should win more races. Maori Princess showed a. lot of speed, and is sure tp do well if sho can be- induced to go steadily. It was a much better race than is usually provided by events of this kind, but half the field failed to make any show. A field of 16 contested the Peninsula Handicap. The Auckland-owned gelding George Akwood began smartly, getting to the front soon after the start, and he won easily. He did not pace well in the early stages, but soon settled down, and gave a solid performance. He is a brother to Prince Akwood, by Wildwood Junior —Sybil, and but for unsoundness he might have taken a much higher position on the race track. King Lear, whose manners have improved, paced well all through, and he was unlucky to bump against such a, good one as the winner. Partner showed plenty of speed in patches, but lost his chance through breaking. Embracer was never promi'nent, but Vilo and .Uochnagar both went well for a mile and a-quarter. when they faded out.

The principal event, the Papar&a Handicap, attracted 16 good performers, Oolenut being favoVrite. It was a fine_ race all the way, the positions undergoing many changes. Pitaroa, Rorko's Drift, Colenut, and Sympathy were the early pacemakers, and they were still going well at the end of a mile. Then Whispering Willie took charge, only to be headed by Cora Dillon, who entered the straight looking a certain winner. Suddenly, ipr no apparent reason, she broke, just as she did at Addington a month ago. Whispering Willie was then left in front, but he tired badly, and had to put up with third place, Matchlight beating Captain Stanley by a narrow margin. Captain Stanley was unlucky, as he did not begin well, hut once he settled down he ran a great race. Matchlight gave a very solid performance, commg Home like a champion. He has had a wood season, having won £1950 in stakes. Agathoa finished fourth, after an improved performance. Colenut gave./ a patchy dis .play, and he is proving a bit of a disappointment. Admiral Wood went badly, while llectorate-broke up early, when out in front.

Eighteen good saddle horses lined up fo» the Lyttelton Handicap. The Southland gelding, Dandy Chimes, was favourite, but he spoilt his chance early by breaking. Granger gave another of his attractive performances. Perfectly handled by F. E. Jone 3, he gradually made up his ground, and, finishing very fast, he won with a little to spare. Jack Arrah paced a solid race, but once more had to put up with second place. King Lear was always well placed, but again had to be satisfied with place money. Silver Nut looked dangerous at the home turn, but did not quite see the journey out. Lady Wayward lost her chance by an early break, after which she gave a brilliant exhibition. Huon Patch went well till the straight was reached, but did not run the journey out. / Eleven was the main for the Stewards' Handicap. Sungod was made favourite, but he gave a very poor display, and apparently is not at his best. Vice-Admiral was out in front all the way, and won comfortably. At the entrance to the straight Chid threatened danger, but he broke, and John Dillon heat him in the run home, the pair being well clear of the others, most of whom went patchily, the performance of Cello Sydney Wilkes being particularly disappointing after his recent showing at Forbury. Vice-Admiral has been one of the most consistent horses racing this season, but until recently he had been rewarded with nothing but place money. The Aviation a saddle race for unhoppled trotters, provided a very poor contest. Ben Bell was a warm favourite, and in the. hands of A.. Pringle he never looked like being beaten. He soon established a big lead, and he won easing up. He has shown fair form several times this season, but. has been, expensive to his admirers. To Kuiti plugged on .solidly to gain second place, finishing well clear of Treasure Seeker, Our Goldie, and Colonel Havelock, with the rest beaten off.,. Gay Wilkes showed speed till he broke up, after which he turned round and reftfted to continue in the race. A dozen smart milers contested the Railway Handicap. Lady Superior _ was favourite, but she gave a bad exhibition, in which her temper played a part, and she took no part in the finish. Great Britain and Lady Teddington were prominent for six furlongs, and then dropped gut. When the straight was reached Makomako was in charge, and he won easily from the unlucky . Bundura. with Breadalbane next, followed bv Joyful, the others being a long way back. It was not a good race, but the winner's performance was a stylish ope. Early in his career he looked like making a champion, but he is not sound. The concluding event, the Au Revoir Handicap, drew a field of 15. Prince Coro nado was favourite, but he broke up early, and never got going .again. At the end of threo furlongs Idris "broke when leading. This left Sally Brass in front, with Rearguard, Dillon Direct, and Silver Nut handy. Nothing elsecgot near this lot. When they reached the straight Sally Brass and Dillon Direct were in front, both under punishment, but Sally Brass stopped at the end, leaving Dillon Direct to win with little to ■ spare from Silver Nut, who finished fast, and just beat Sally Brass, with Rearguard close up. The winner is a very solid customer, and though he does not stay well, he can run a brilliant mile.