CANTERBURY DOINGS. WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3430, 9 December 1919, Page 55

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

WELLINGTON NOTES.

By Obsbrvbh

i TP e , MetnYen Racing Club's meeting was Jeid last Thursday in very pleasant conditions. There was a wintry snap earlier in the week, but the weather cleare'd very fjuickl p and the course was in perfect order, lhe fields were of fair size, there born-? 40 starters for six galloping events, and some very interesting sport was witnesesd. There was an exceptionally large attendance, and the totalisator investments were a record, so that the. financial results of the meeting must have bean highly satisfactory to the club's officials. Racing opened with thw Mount Harding Welter Handicap, for which the field numbered seven. Mythology and Warform were, evenly backed, and thev ran a great race. .They were together in the lead all the way, Warform gradually asserting himself in the straight and winning by a length. The North Island mare Some Girl was finishing on-well in third place. Warform has done a bit of racing lately, but this was his first success for the present season. He will probably go south for the holiday meetings, and he looks a likely proposition to win another race very soon. A field of five took part in the" Methven Oup. Macduff was a stronjr favourite, but there was substantial booking for three of the others. Marlike and Spyglass made the early running, but at the end of six furlongs Spyglass was done with, Burragong going on with Warlike. On reaching the straight Macduff put in his claim, but it wa6 only after hard riding that; he shook off Burragong, his win being gained by a little over a length. Macduff, who is by Antagonist—Scottish Star, is a brother to daverhouse. It was his first win this season, though he- ran well in some of his Riccarton engagements last month. He is a well-grown colt who only has to remain sound to win lots of races. Burragong shaped in promising style, and he should open his winning account for the seasoo before long. I would pick him to pay his way at the southern holiday meetings. Warlike, making his first appearance in his new owners' colours, finished third, but it was not an impressive performance. ' Nine was the main for the Springfield Trial Plate. Vice-Regal was a little better backed than Clean Sweep and Footlights, while Belgian King also claimed plenty of admirers. Clean Sweep got off badly, and this settled his chance, but the other three filled the places. Vice-Regal was one of the leaders from the start, but Belgian King, joining in at the entrance to the straight, beat him home by a neck after an interesting struggle. Footlights was third, finishing on well after being slow to begin, with Sport close up. The three who filled the places earned place money at the South Canterbury meeting. Belgian King won the same' race two years ago, but. he has not realised expectations in- the interval. He is by All Red's brother, Cronstadt, from Pensivej by Obligado from Reverie, dam of Dundas and Welbeck, so that he is well enough "bred for anything. _ There were seven competitors for the Electric Handicap, Moorabbe being favourite in a good betting race. Moorabbe and Oxenhope caused some trouble at the start. When the barrier went up Thcsliu.'s got out smartly from Moorabbe, with Pyjama next, and nothing even got near these three. The warm, light atmosphere just suited Thestuis, who ran the journey out in great style, winning easily. Moorabbe tired in the straight. »nd Pyjama. beat her home. Algidus- failed to get cut well, and this settled his chance, to the disappointment of many admirers. He may win a race in the south, as . he is in irood fettle. Thestuis and Pyjama, who led the field home, are both bv Martian. They are useful gallopers, though they are affected in the wind. There were five competitors for the Vicwmont Handicap, and four them were backed. Immense being favourite. He got out well with Rangi Aroha. who tired of the struggle at the end of two furlongs, when Master Dennis joined Immense. Those two raced together to the straight, where Tmmenso was in trouble. Then Belgian King came on the scene with a rattle, and he won decisively. It was- a gcod performance on the part of Belgian King, who bolted before the race, doing a mile at a solid pace, while he got off badly. The" concluding event, the Mount Hutt Handicap, attracted a field of five. Bombproof, Mythology, and Sans Souci beingfancied in that order in the biggest bettingrace of the day. The start was not one of Mr Wood's happiest efforts. They broke away twice, and when ho did send them off at the third attempt they were in straggling order. Bombproof _ and Sans Souci raced together to the straight, but ihen thev were in trouble. Thestius looked a winner at the distance, but Mythology, finishing well,

gut up in timo to make a dead hoat. These two horses both got out badly, and opinions aro somewhat divided as to which was the greater sufferer. The two trotting events at the Methven meeting provided good fields and interesting contests. The public picked them well, however, as they made F. Holmes's representative favourite each time, and the Riccarton trainer duly won both races. In the Drayton Handicap he drove the three-year-old filly Jean Logan. She was always one of the leaders, and she won nicely at the end from The Monkey and Cammie. The winner is by Logan Pointer, and she is a filly of great promise, as is Canonic, another by the same sire from Princess Sherwood. Coalfield was favourite for the Farmers' Handicap, and after being well placed all the way he won decisively, with Erin's Logan and Edie Mac in the places. Coalfield is a useful pacer, but not a good one. Erin's Logan, by Logan Pointer—lnnisfail, was a good second favourite, bhe had to run the gauntlet of a protest for interfering with Edie Mao in the straight. In returning thanks for the trophy won by Macduff in connection with the Methven Cup on Thursday, Sir George Clifford said he "had not been very fortunate in the past in Cup races. He had never won the New Zealand Cuo, Auckland Cup, Wellington Cun, or Duncdin Cup, though he had tried many times, but he had now made a start with the Methven Cup. He complimented the officials on their efforts to provide clean sport and good appointments, and expressed the hope that the club's meetings would in time rival the principal provincial fixtures in the North Island. R. J. Mason's team,for Auckland is going on well. Karo is at. present a warm favourite for the Auckland Cup, and Rossini is in a similar position for the Railway Handicap, the pair having been solidly backed during thf> last few days. H. Cutts will leave for Auckland next Monday with Heathercote, Royal Stag, Nightraider, Miss Mimic, and Moorfowl under his care. They are all in excellent order, and I expect thorn to pay their way on the trip. Most of the local trainers are making preparations for taking teams abroad during the approaching holiday season, and we are in for the usual quiet snell locally. The West Coast and the southern circuit will have their followers from iviccarton stables. Fiery Cross is a regular visitor to the track, but he is showing distinct signs of lameness. Braid, who has been in S. Trilford s stable for some timo, was purchased recently by Mr W. A. Nicholls, in whose colours she formerly raced. He held her only a few days, and then resold her to Mr P. Delargey, another of S. Trilfqrd's patrons. The committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club met on Tuesday. The following programmes were passed: —Hurunui Turf Club, Waimato Racing Club, Hororata Racing- Club. A trainer's license was granted to Leslie, G. Hegarty, a jockey's license to S. D. Hannan, and an apprentice jockey's license to W. V. Oliver (to date from January 1). F. H. Gray, whose jockey's license had previously been withdrawn, applied for the reinstatement of his license. The application was refused, and Gray -was disqualified for six months. Tho following transfers were approved:—J. B. Reid to J. Biggins, Killowen; J. B. Reid to G. L. Stead, Kilmoon; J. B. Reid to W. H. Gaisford, Punka; J. B. Reid to G. Gould, Kilcalm; J. B. Rieid to J. L. Nicolls, Catalani; J. B. Reid to T. D. Jarman, Sundance: T. H. Lowry to GV L. Stead, Right and Left; T. H. Lowry to G. J. H. Reid, Speechmaker; "G. D. Greenwood to R. Barlow, Valencia; N. J. Short to W. Higgins, Parorangi. At a meeting of the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club the president congratulated the club on having had such a successful race meeting, -which had resulted in a profit of £9BO. Mr van Asch outlined a number of suggestions which, if carried out, would add further to tho popularity of the club. Mr G. Cudby, chairman of the Ground Committee, submitted a scheme for improvements to the saddling paddock and the addition of 33 horse-boxes, the installation of a water supply, and the erection of double gates to all public entrances. Mr Cudby_ estimated that with tho credit balarfce available m of £I3OO, and an additional sum of about'£looo already arranged for the greater portion of the scheme could be carried out immediately. After discussion the scheme was favourably entertained- and referred to the Finance Committee for consideration. Mr Cudby reported that from 300 to 400 loads of good soil were now being spread on tho course, and, with the addition of fertilisers, the track would be sown down in the autumn, thus assuring a first-class track for next season. After the meeting the Oxford members .entertained the visitors at supper.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) December 5.

Although the weather interfered with the pleasure .of the outing on both days at Fending, it was a successful meeting- from the club's point of view. Mr Skipwith made his reappearance at the meeting- as starter. He got through pretty well, excepting the classic race each day. _ The Fordel-trained Festival (Hallowmas — Crucinela) was considered the best of the maiden runners, but was beaten by the Highden-owned War Baby, by Martian— Bebe. Festival did no better in the Novice Stakes on the second day, when Valley Rose (Solferim;—Ailsa) got the verdict. The hurdlers seen out at the meeting were only a moderate lot. Both Gang Awa and" Yankee Jack failed to cjeo tho journey out on the first day, when Maraetotara (Finland—Ta) scored in good style from Sir Donald, who is a back number. Gang Awa was expected to improva on the second day, when he met Maractotara on a stone better terms and won from end to end.

Lepanto (Camp Firo—Apres), owned and trained by F. J. Carmont, caused a surprise on "tho fii'st day, paying over JEMO lie went up 161 b on the second day, and was just behind the place-getters, when Hush-a-bye (Achilles— Lullaby) scored her first win. Demos was considered unbeatable in the Flying Stakes, but could get only third to Jutland (Advances—Brown SpeeJ and Jiirkenvale. Hymestra made his first appearance since his return in the race. lie is not too good at tho post. Jutland ran a good race again on tho second day over seven furlongs, when he got third to * Esthonia (Elysian—Boronia) and Admyra, who was making her first appearance in open company. Snub ran a good race in the St. Andrew's Handicap, but failed to concede the greatlyT improved First Salute a stone and a-half.

Athens and Marque tour found the distance beyond them. Favoured with a. light-weight, Moutoa Ivanova, the full sister to Sasanof, won the principal event on the second day. Dusky Eve made his only appearance in the race, but failed to get in the money. Ho could have won without incurring a penalty. Moutoa Ivanova is in the Auckland Oup with the lightest weight. Jutland is also in the Railway Handicap with 6.7, and does not have to carry any more. Both classic races w,ent to Acre, who was lucky in not meeting any of the best two-year-olds. Tcssarcs was tho popular pick of the Feilding Stakes, but her chance was extinguished at the start. Affectation, who was not well placed until they were nearing the post, was the hardest to beat on the first day. In the Oroua Stakes Aero put up Kb penalty and defeated Croesus and Hymestra. He did not meet Moorfowl, Humbug, or Weary Willio. The Wanganui-owned Rose Queen (King Rufus—Roscommon) scored a meritorious win in the Kiwitea Welter on the first day after getting left. On the second day she ran second to another Wanganui-owned one in Arrowfield, a stable mate of Acre. The Trentham winner, Admyra (Solferino —Temba) won the sprint hack race on tho opening day, and owanes River (Demosthenes—Northern Rose) scored on .the second day. The latter ran a great race in the Strikes, finishing just behind the placed horses. That was why. she was sent out favourite on the second day.