CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 45

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By

OBSERVER.

Willi the return of tlie Riccarton horses from Trentham the local tracks have been very busy during the past Week. Under ordinary circumstances, most of the horses would have had a rest when they reached home; but, having engagements to fulfil at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Summer meeting, followed by a trip to Wingatui, they have had to put in some sound work. There will be a big contingent of Riccarton horses - racing at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting. Even allowing for a modification of plans, as a result of the form shown at our own fixture, it is probable that about 40 horses will make the trip to Wingatui by the special train, which has been arranged for Monday. Apart from numbers, it looks a strong team, and a fair share of the prize money should come back this way. The form at Riccarton may throw sotfte extra light on the prospects. Cupidon looks none the worse for his trip to Trentham. where he raced well, and he must have, a big chance in the Dunedin Cup. Vespucci and Tressayr showed no form in the north, but they are in good fettle. Tressayr, however, gives the impression that he is not solid. The fourth member of R. J. Mason’s team may be Parody, on Absurd two year-old, who gallops very fast. Many Kittle shows signs of a return to his spring form. There is a disposition in some quarters to fancy him for the Dunedin Cup. His mates for Wingatui will be Pilliewinkie (a smart hack) and Red Gown.

G. Murray-Anysley’s team for Wingatui will consist of four horses. Limelight has been going well, and may run prominently, though I do not fancy her over six furlongs. Contempt is in good fettle. The two-year-olds, Scorn and Spotlight, are a useful pair. Sir George Clifford will have four horses at Wingatui. Scrimmage looks much improved as a result of her trip to Trentham, where she ran three good races, and she may be an early winner. Sharp Burst has no form to recommend him, but he shows a bit of pace over short courses. The team may be completed by the two-vear-olds Oivlscohibe and Wild Hind. The latter raced well in the north without winning, while Owlscoinbe is a smart track galloper. Though Glentruin was withdrawn from the Dunedin Cup, she is going to Wingatui, where she may race once only—in the Hazlett Memorial. She is very well. Mustard Pot also is in good fettle. Royal Star has been galloping in improved form lately. He will be accompanied to Wingatui by Moorland arid Careite, the latter a very promising maiden. T. H. Gillett’s team for Wingatui will consist of Some Kid, Dame Straightlace, and Samum, who appear to be in good health. Sunny Loch has been galloping well since his return from Trentham, and he may pick up another stake very soon. He is usually worth following at Wingatui. Mazama has improved a lot in Ins jumping, and he should run prominently hi the hurdle races this week. F. Christmas has kept Liqueur and Bonny Mac busy lately. They- have done nothing .exceptional, but they look well. Boadicea has been hitting out in good style on the track, and she can be marked -off for an early win. - Will Oakland, after being off tlie scene for some months, is again galloping in Ins best siyle. He will "keep the opposition very busy in sprint events. The well-bred. Kukume has so far been a disappointmeAt in her races, but she may make amends very soon. W. Hawthorne came on to Riccarton after the Wellington meeting with Insurrection, Trespass, Bumptious, Conflict, Avonlea. and Kilns. After the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting all w ill go to IN mgatui. They should pay their way. S. Waddell put in a few days at Riccarton with Gold Light and Razzle Dazzo both of who galloped exceptionally well before they went on to Wingatui. . ■ ■ Murihaupo w ill not go to \\ ingatiii, but after running in the Middle Park Plate he will have a spell to freshen him up for Easter engagements. Deucalion and Songbird contracted colds 'while at Trentham, and they are spelling at present. Winning Hit is eujoyng a rest and he will do no move racing till Easier. His stable mates, Top Spore and Whipping Boy, are also’out of work temporarily, on account ; of minor injuries. Sir George Clifford has sold the three-year-old Wharf dale, by Antagonist—Bonnie Brae, to a West Coast owner. Wharfedale can go fast, but some of his recent performances suggest, that he is not solid. Glolining is still running in the paddock, where ho has been about three months. It is unlikelv that R. J. Mason will take him in hand for some time yet as there is no intention of trying to. race him till next spring, when he may make another appearance in Australia. E. D. Jones has received a couple of yearling colts into his stables. They are both by Gay Lad from Comely and Majestikpff respectively. The Comely colt is a shapely youngster, but he is suffering from a kick on one of his knees. It bears an unsightly appearance, but he walks soundly eno.gh. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting (Tub’s February meeting will be held next Saturday. Acceptances are not, available yet, but the fields are certain to be large for most, of the events. The three-year-old handicap will be an exception. Acron and Ahuriri are spoken of as unlikely starters. The Champion .Stakes, the three-year-old race at the Easter meeting of the Metropolitan Trotting Club is creating a lot of interest, and payment was due last week, when eight horses bad their engagements continued. They are Logan Chief, Acron, Ahuriri, Bonny Logan, La. Fayette'; Great Bingen. Guy Fawkes and Event; who can fairly be said io represent tbe Lest form of the season. I doubt if we have ever had a better lot in the classic race. The trotting Mai I ion Native King, by Nelson Bingen—Norice, formerly owned by the late Mr B. Shad bolt, of Hawke’s Bay, has been purchased by Mr G. W. Watkins. He will urobablv bo raced later in the season. Mr W itkins has also secured the promising North Island pacer Harry Audubon and has placed lim in A. Cox’s charge. The C.J.O. Summer meeting was held in fine but wiiidv weather; good fields contested most of the events, and there was some excellent sport. The seven acceptors lined up for the opening event, the Hornby Handicap. Petunia being a little better backed than First Aid. Soon after the start Petunia was out in front with Marauder and Roniform next.. Before reaching the straight Roniform shot through and won easily by two lengths from First Aid. who stayed on well, and beat Amendment by four lengths with Balefire, Marauder, and Petunia next. First. Aid came from a long wav back to get second, but it is hard to believe she could under any circumstances have beaten Roniform. who is a really good galloper when, the conditions are favourable. Petunia failed to run on, and, like the rest of the Absurds, he seems to be deficient in stamina. For the Trial, Gay Life and Valdamo divided favouritism. The former ran badly, never getting near tlie front, Her form was too bad to be true. Valdamo, on the other hand, moved up at the entrance to the straight and went on to win easily from Barmaid, with Heraldry a moderate third. Alien came Carette and Sharp Burst, who seemed unable t.r pace it with the leaders in the early stages. The result did not say much for the quality of the beaten lot. as Valdamo had failed signally in earlier efforts this season, his Trentham form marking him off decidedly as a non-stayer. Of the unplaced lot I look to Gay Life to do much better very soon, while Carette is another who should pay her way. The scratching of Viewpoint and Gav Juliet left six starters for the Middle Park mate, all of them two-year-olds. Murihaupo, who was giving weight to all his opponents, was a strong favourite, and his backers were never seriously troubled. He jumped out smartly and rail to tlie course proper with Wild Hind and Parody. Then Parody dropped out like a moderate, and Murihaupo always had the measure of Wild Hind, whom he beat ■ by a length. The others, headed by Lueinette, were too far

back to be worth considering. The winner's performance made him out a good youngster. His- form was a decided improvement on what he showed at Trentham. Unless Murihaupo goes to Wingahui it is hard to see what is to give Razzle Dazzle a race in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes. Six acceptors lined up for the Midsummer Handicap. Scrimmage was favourite, with Palestrina second choice. Palestrina was soon out in front, followed by Boadicea, and five furlongs from home these two were together in the lead. Racing for the straight Royal Star, Red G own and Scrimmage were almost on terms with the leaders. Then Boadicea retired. Palestrina tya s in charge at the distance, and though Scrimmage iinished fast, Palestrina got the verdict by a head, with Royal Star two lengths away and Red Gown next. Boadicea W’as a sad disappointment, as she collapsed a long way from home. Scrimmage was shockingly ridden, as she covered a lot of unnecessary ground, and with decent handling she would have won easily. The race was run to suit Palestrina, the pace being very slow in the early stages, which allowed her to secure a good position instead of having a lot of ground to make up. The Lytelton Handicap drew a field of nine maiden two-year-olds. The Clifford bracket, Viewpoint and Tborndale, carried most money, Gamester being second choice. Viewpoint began smartly, and was never beaded, winning with ridiculous ease from Gay Juliet, who lost ground at the start but finished on well. The Polymuian, a brother to The Cypher, was close up ,third, and will do better, while Thorndale was next. The winner is by Autumnus from telescope, the dam of Long Range and ol.ratngJa.ss. He shapes like being more than useful. The success of Viewpoint broke a long sequence of failures for Sir George Clifford, who had not won a race since November. Sunny Loc-h and Meteorite were with- ■ the Craven Plato, leaving a hold of twelve. Jjmelighf, Castellan, and Mustard Pot were public fancies. Red Hind got out on the move, but didn't last long, Battle Scene beifig well clear at the end.of a furlong. She led Bon Spec, Will Oakland, and Limelight to v the straight, where Bon Spec and V ill Oakland retired. Ihen Pluto moved up, but Battle Scene stalled off his challenge and won by a neck. Limelight, nearly two lefigths away, was stopping at - the finish, but the race will improve her. Pluto was unlucky, as he was last half a mile from home. His form was a vast improvement on what he showed at Trentham. Red Hind was finishing on ag.ain in fourth place. Castellan and Mustard Pot ran badly. In a field of twelve hacks for the Halswell Handicap, Pilliewinkie was a sound favourite, with Contempt and Samum best backed among the others. It was a good race to the straight, where Lovesign went on to win as she liked from Pilliewinkie. Dianella, and Contempt, who all finished well. Pilliewinkie (began too slowly to have a winning chance. Samum was never dangerous; The winner ran a fine race, and is very well. The meeting closed with the Post Handicap, for which the field numbered eight, Sunny Loch. Red Kris, and Madam Chiron being scratched. Mythology, Angelo, and Conflict were best backed. Lord- Ashiea led to the straight, .and then retired, leaving Tressayr in charge. ' Grim Joke put in a strong run from the distance, but Tressayr beat him by half a length, Angelo being a moderate third. Tressayr ran a few decent races in Australia in the spring, but he had shown no form since his return to the Dominion. He is a great' track worker, but there is an impression til at he does nor like racing.