CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 44

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

BY

OBSERVER

The weather during the past week inn been very favourable for training operations; but with a number of the trainers absent at the Geraldine meeting there has not been a great deal of excitement at Riccarton. The next meeting will be at Kurow, but it will not attract, many horses from this end. Next, week, however, a strong contingent will make the trip to Wingatui for the Dunedin Jockey Club's fixture. The South Island candidates for (he Now Zealand Cnp are getting plenty of racing. Eight of them raced on the second day of the Ashburton meeting, five earning money. Jock won the chief event, being followed home by Foo Chow and Caverock; while in the same race Warlovo, Eleus, and Montoa Ivanora were unplaced. Almoner was second in a welter race, in which Orange Mart finished out of a place. The performances of Foo Chow and Warlovo were the best from a Clip point of view. Five Cup horses were seen in the Geraldine Cup last week, but their efforts were not very encouraging as trials for Riccarton. Caverock did best, as he was the only horse who troubled Macduff in the closing stages of the race. Foo Chow looked dangerous at the entrance to the straight, but he did not finish. Piohably the lame ness that, troubled him after the race was accountable tor his poor shoeing. Almoner cut up badly, while Orange Mart also ran a poor race. Eleus looked better for his two races at Ashburton, but he was at the tail of the- field most ot the way. In the meantime the form of the southern Cup horses is not impressive. Foo Chow pulled up lame after the Geral. dine Cup, and he will have to be eased in his work. This is extremely bad luck for Mr J. S. Barrett, as the Solferino gelding was coining on nicely, and he looked like playing his part well in important spring engagements. The trouble may prove to be only slight, but any break in his preparation must seriously affect his prospects. Macduff, who won the chief event each day at Geraldine, ran some useful races at two and three years, when carrying Sir George Clifford’s colours. He was then sold to Mr G. Fulton, who gave hint a spell, following which he captured three stakes at tho end of last season. His winning efforts at a mile and a-quarter are evidence of stamina, but I would say he was much better at a mile, and he will

earn further honours this season. Mr It niton’s original idea was to school him for hurdle rating, but he is proving so useful on the flat that that, programme has bee/ postponed for the present. F. D. Jones is back from Wanganui with his team. They all look well, and though only Amythas and Mustard Pot got money at the Wanganui meeting, the others are likely to pay their way before the season is much further advanced. The work connected with the installation of the electric to tali safer at Kiccarton is well forward. Tho brick building, which is to house the new' machine in the inside enclosure, is almost completed, and the expert staff associated l with the totalisator will soon be busy putting the machines in place. The outside public will be provided with a separate electric totalisator inside the old totalisator house, which for one meeting will b© allowed to remain on its present site, though the dividing fence will be shifted, in order to give extra facilities for the crowd to use some of the windows which formerly were in the inside enclosure. It is intended that the electric totalisators shall be in operation for the November carnival. The club is advertising for gills to act as ticket-sellers, and, judging from the number of applications already received, there should be no difficulty in securing an efficient staff for this important part of tho business. A new starting barrier was tried at Riccarton one morning last week in the firesence of several members of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Committee, as well as a number of trainers and owners. The barrier is the invent on of Mr E. W. C'urtis, of New Brighton, who superintended the trial. The tape is divided in the centre, the two halves being held together by a piece of a wooden match. On the lever being pulled, the match is broken and the two halves fly to the sides of the track. The operation of the barrier is quick, and it should become popular, especially vv.th country clubs, its simplicity and the fact that it can easily be fitted up or any starting post being strong recommendations in its favour. A arlove was decidedly lame after her run on the second day of the Ashburton meeting, and from the appearance of her leg it, was feared that she had met with a serious mishap. Site is all right again, however. and it seems probable that the trouble was caused by the mare striking herself. Onslaught, who broke down badly in the Concluding event at Ashburton, has finished his racing career. lie was in too bad a way to be brought home, and Mr J. B. Pearson has since given him away to a daughter of the Ashburton sportsman, Mr A. J. Keith. The Antagonist gelding will have a long spell, after which Miss Keith will use him as a hack. Mr C. G. Dalget.y s Warstcp. bv Mart'an —Stepdaneer, has been for some time at the Stonyhurst stud, where she foiled a colt to Autumims last week. She will be mated with the same horse this season, and so will her sister, Sir.rdance r. Winning Hit and Palestrina have done exceptionally well since they raced at Ashburton, and they should be at tbeir best for the Dunedin Guineas, in which Pluto will be another R'ccarton candidate to be seriously reckoned with. The arrangements are well in hand for the benefit trotting fixture to bo held at Addington on Saturday week, with the Breeders and Owners’ Association as the promoting body. Good entries have been received, most of the local candidates for the Trotting Cup being engaged in the event specially provided for them. The Trotting Cun horse. Willie Lincoln, is going on well in his work at New Brigbtett. Ills stable-mate, Omaha, has improved in condition, but does not, look sound. Reta Peter has resumed work, but she is very backward Gleaming has got, through some solid tasks and is getting through bis preparation well. Asturio is another New Brighton horse in capital condition. Of horses trained on the tracks. Trix Pointer and Sherwood are in the best, of health,' while Mar.-o’-War is reported to be better than at any_ previous stages of has career. Man slight is obviously sore, and locks a doubtful starter. The trotter Red Heather has resumed work after a spell, but it is doubtful if he will remain sound. The pacing maie Country Belle, a highclass pel former, has so far had an unlucky stud career. She dinned her first foal bv Logan Pointer, end the second, by the same horse, died as a yearling. Mr W. J. Morland is no \ working a three-year o’d by Logan Pointer and lie prom'ses to be useful. There is a two-year-old ge'dinp bv Nelson Bingen and a yearling sister. Last season Country Belle missed to Great Audubon and this season she has been mated with Nelson Bingen. The Sydney sportsman. Mr W. J. Carter arrived last week with Jack M'Kinney, a pony trotter of good (lass, to race at.' the Novembe- meeting of the Metropolitan Trotting Club. Tie may have another horse here shortly, while he informed me that several more Australian performers, owned hv other people, are also coming across to race at Addington next month. WELLINGTON NOTES. (Fboj Our Own Correspondent.) September 28. W. Donovan, with Air Desha’s team, and J. Lowe, with Lord Martian and Insurrection, returned from Sydney on Saturday by the THimavoa. Owing to the quarantine regulations the horses were not to be landed until Monday. Hawk wes beaten into third place at Wanganui in the Guineas, and he will probably drop out of favour until he reproduces his two-year-old form, which was high clas-, I lanul to and Thespian, who finished first and second, are both owned by si(’Wiii'il- of the c'uh, and were sired by Absurd. 11l arton-ti liner F. I). Jones jus I failed to win the principal handicap double with Mu ml Pot and Amythas. The latter made the field he met in the Flying look like a lot of moderates. One horse he beat will do better Indore many weeks arc over. Mustard Pot wa- unlucky to meet Rouen on one of his good days. He finished down the course at Marion, but at Wanganui \. Reed v, as put up, and he shot out in the straight to win well. Rouen has incurred 51b penalty in the New Zealand Cup. which brings his weight up to 8.11. but vour correspondent does not fancy him with that, weight. T.istowol and Tame Fox both shaped well, but Isabel, who was on her toes, ran badly. Mr J. Bull started both Ornalm and Ruddy in the Hurdles. Tile latter gave a great exhibition of jumping, and never

looked like getting beaten. lie settled bxp.orer and xiygmas, who tried to go with nun. Air R. A. M'Kejizie won two events with a coupie of smart hacks. He took the Maiden with Mireusonta, by Absurd —Rosie Desmond, an imported mare that also produced Festivity. Backers had to accept a very short price about this winner. Oieasanta (All Black —Westella) also started favourite for the race she won. Cleasanta was bred by her owner. Both horses should win again at Otaki. Celmisia (Hymettus—By By), third to Ditchle.y and Grotesque at Marton, put down Tinihanga in the Dune Plack Handicap. , Tigerland and Tigritiya only gave moderate exhibitions. The first-named was easily beaten by Tirau, by Spalpeen. Tigritiya is not too sound, and will probably be turned out for six months. The Guineas winner will probably make his next appearance in the Champion Plate at Trentham. Ihe unfortunate happening to Gloaming, for the second year at Randwick, will make the long distance weightforage events more open with Amythas, Duo, and Sasanof probably starters. There was a- big failing off in the totalisator turnover at Otaki, and it looks as if the decrease will become general except the chief centres and clubs that have holiday dates. Molyneux, who won the principal event each day at Avondale, and Piinteinps, who nearly repeated the performance at Otaki, were among the winners at the Maori meeting last year. The light-weighted American Beauty (Demosthenes—Rose Shield) only started on the second day at Otaki, when she won from end to end. Another winner on the second day that was not among the runners on the first day was Paphiau (Bezonian —Paphia), who 8-inperl the lie : d. He is going to the West Coast, and should do well there, where it is a case of first out and first: home. Mr W. Higgins won a race each day with Martial Dawn (Martian —Torquato). She was lucky to get the decision on the second day when La Palorna ran second. The latter got, hit across the head and had one of her eyes closed. A. Reid said the occurrence was accidental, and C. Reed was lucky enough to get off with a caution. Printemps (Autumnus —Rene) owned arid trained by A. Goodman at Trentham, won in good style on the opening day, and nearly repeated the perfo.mance on the second day. Solfanel’o, improved with the race he had at Wanganui, was allowed to pay a false price when he won on the first day. He conceded a lot of weight to Nursing Sister, who won on the second day. Prince Lentz, who ran in the same ownership as Paohian, appears to be well sold. Ore Ore (Signor—The Brook) won the steeplechase on the first day, and ran second to Master Boris on the second day. It was the latter’s first success in a steeplechase. Princess Pat (All Black—Martian Princess) ran a fair race on the first day, and won on the second. The lot she boat were not much good. Satisfactory entries have- been received for th ■ Mastertcn meeting, and it is expected that the nominations for the Wellington meeting will be good. W. .T. Donovan returned with bis team bv tv Viunaroa after a good trip across. He informed your correspondent that it was unlikely any of them would be running at Napier Park on Saturday.