CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 50

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By

Observer.

Riccarton has worn a deserted appearance during the past week. This quietness was due to the absence of a big contingent of horses at Wingatui, assisting- at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting. Of those remaining at- home a. few will be wanted for the Grand National meeting, but they are not required to do anything of a strenuous nature in the meantime. There will, in fact, be very little of an exciting character on the local tracks for a few weeks now. Captain Tahu Rhodes left last week on a trip' to England. He expects to be away a little over six months. In the meantime W. G. Hobbs will manage his horses and those of his "wife. The latest additions to the team are a couple of yearlings, a gelding by Greyspear from Lady Victoria, the dam of the New Zealand Cup winner. Royal Star, and a filly by Gay Bad from Red Queen, by All Red from Lady Victoria. The former is a plain-looking customer, who may require time, but the filly is a handsome youngster, who may come to hand and make a smart tivo-year-old. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting was concluded in unpleasant conditions. Heavy rain fell early in the morn* nig, making the track very muddy. Foi> tunately, tlie weather cleared in time to permit the racing to lie got off all right, though there was a cold wind all the afternoon. Under the circumstances the sport was of a high order. Happy Voyage was to

have attacked his own inile record, but in vie* of the heavy track this special attrac.tion was abandoned. Eighteen unhopplod trotters contested the Yaldhurst Handicap. Over the last part Genera! Derby and Royal Oak had the race to themselves, the former winning comfortably. He is a speedy customer, but not a good stayer. The win did not come out of turn, as he had frequently been a disappointment- Royal Oak went a good race, but for a couple of breaks. Dillon S. was the only other in the field to show decent form. A field of 19 contested the Peninsula Handicap. Harry Audubon. Dalnaliine, and Promenade were evenly backed. The firstnamed was always well placed, and at the finish he won nicely from Irvar. who came with a rattle to cut Jimmy Richmond out of second place, while Peter King and Harold Pur wood were close up. Fancy Poy also went well, but stopped at the end. Harry Audubon lias had bis gameness doubted at times, but he gave a. good s h ol M ing in this race. Irvar is a handy old battier, who seems as crood as ever. Countryman paced badly. The King George Handicap, the principal event of the meeting, drew a field of 13. Grand Denver was favourite but he began bad'y, and this settled his chance, though he was well enough placed half a rniie from home. Vilo and Taraire came on the scene two furlongs from home, Vilo winning by a length, .while Taraire was a length in front of Gold Girl. The winner paced a great race, justifying the opinion of her owner, who was very confident. She finished weii. Taraire also showed great stamina, after being a trifle unlucky in the early stages. Gold Girl was in front all the way till headed by the other pair. Wild Thyme went well for a mile and a-quarter. Twenty was the main for the Lyttelton Handicap, two miles, in saddle. As usual, ihe field straggled out badly over the last half-mile. The only horse to stay on well was Prince Burlington, who won easily from Irish Eyes, -while Tobermory just beat his stablemate, Johnnie Bolls, for third place. Prince Burlington is a rare old battler in races of this description, and he is far from a back number. Brutus seemed to have a chance three furlongs from home, but- failed to run on.

The Aviation Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, was the best race of the day. I here were 16 in the field, and half a dozen of them were in a bunch two furlongs from home. They came home together, Mangout u snatching a victory from Bundaberg in the last stride, while Gay Wilkes, First Fashion, and Lady Patricia were all close up. The winner has settled down into a sold and she will do still better before long. Bundaberg once more demonstrated what a good horse he is in the mud. Lady Patricia trotted solidly, and just failed to stay out the going. Count Dee went well till two furlongs from home. Sunny Jim showed a lot of speed, but failed to stav.

There were only seven starters in the SLewards’ Handicap, the smallest field of the meeting. Prince Lyons made all the pace, but Bonny Logan beat him decisively at the finish. Alto Chimes, the favourite, looked dangerous three furlongs from home, but he had no chance with the winner, and finished a moderate third. Bonny Logan has done a lot of racing, but it seems to agree with her. She is a brilliant three-year-old.

Calmness, Bismurate. and Ma Cushla were best backed of the 17 starters for the Railway Handicap. The first-named did not leave the mark. The other pair, with Reta’s Greeting and Olive Huon, fought out an interesting race, which went to Reta’s Greeting, who just beat Bismurate, with the other two close up. The winner is a useful pacer, good under any conditions. Bismurate has been boomed for some time as a champion, but he failed to show it in this race.

The meeting was concluded with the Final Handicap, for which the field numbered 11. There was a capital contest. Lady Joan staying on well to beat Elite, who had Bellfashion and Gold Girl in clo=e attendance. Since going into F. Holmes’s stable Lady Joan lias done a lot of racing, and it has unproved her manners. She will do better still next, season. Elite traced a solid race, and so did Bellfashion, who had none the best of the luck.