CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3769, 8 June 1926, Page 61

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Obfsuvib. With more than a dozen horses alwsent at Wingatui. and only a few of those who remain at home claiming early racing engagements, the track work at Riccartoa during the past week has provided very little excitement, nor will the local doings liven up much for some time yet. R. J. Mason left last Thursday on his annual pilgrimage to Sydney. In other years be has at times taken teams which excited considerable interest. On this occasion, however, he has only a couple of yearlings, a colt by Limond from Waterwings (sister to Mermin), by Absurd—Sea Elf, and a filly by Absurd from Eulogy, dam of the Limond two-year-old Commendation. They have done a lot of useful work, and when they arrive in Sydney they will be in good order to go on wiitli their preparation for important spring two-year-old engagements. On the last occasion that Mason took juveniles to Sydney he won the Breeders’ Plate with Nincompoop and the Gimcraek Stakes with Chignon. J. M'Combe also left for Sydney last Thursday with Forgery, with the intention of racing the Paper Money gelding at the pony meetings. He had decided on the purchase of Rebuke from G. Murray Aynsley as a mate for Forgery, but the deal was dropped, as steamer accommodation could not be secured for the filly. Cutts Brothers are keeping Serotina, Rivalry, and Centrepiece going along steadily. They may be raced next month at Trentham. prior to taking part in engagements at the Grand National meeting. G. Murray Aynsley has had Starmist and Goldstaff doing steady work for some time. He has now started to send them along a bit faster, in preparation for spring racing. R. Emerson is busy with liig team at present. Those in active commission include, Winkie’s Best, Miss Minerva, Peho, Kilbox, and Assurance, most of whom will be racing at the Grand National meeting in August. J. M'Combe has had the misfortune to lose a filly foal by imported Night Raid from Formless. She was a well-grown youngster, who showed considerable promise. The three-year-old Coupon, by Paper Money from Ambuscade, has been taken in hand again after a spell, and he is being hacked about preparatory to resuming regular work on the tracks. Ascetic, a five-year-old gelding by Sarto Killjoy, is the latest addition to F. Christmas’s team. He has done a little racing. The two-year-old gelding by Sarto from Lady Stockwell (dam of Nobleman) is at present spelling in the paddock, but he will be broken in when Christmas returns from Wingatui,

J. W. Jennings, who has been identified with West Coast racing for some years, has secured stables at Riccarton. His present team is headed by the improving Booster, while he also has Prince Feronz and North Inch rnder his charge. H. Were, who was for some years in W. G. Hobbs’s employ, is now training Mr E. S. Luttrell’s horses. Those in active commission at present are Bon Avis, Beau Geste (bcion’s four-year-old brother), and the yearling gelding Streamer, by Paper Money from Tortrix, while Bachelor will join them shortly. The brother to Scion is quite sound again, and is beginning to show some form in sprinting tasks. He may be racing in August. Bon Avis also looks in good order, and she will be got ready for spring engagements. This pair have been a source of worry in the past, and their young trainer will have the best of wishes of everyone in preparing them to race. W. G. Hobbs is back at Riccarton after a pleasant holiday in Australia. He met many old friends, including a number of New Zealanders, but he was not fortunate enough to see any of the crack horses. Windbag and Valicare were a pair he specially desired to inspect, but they were spelling in the country. Hobbs's team is at present restricted to the horses of Messrs G. Gould and R. M. Macdonald. The two-year-old Couleur de Rose will be taken in hand shortly to be prepared for early spring engagements, but Scrip will be spelled for some time yet, as she is not likely to race before November, and then only in sprints. The yearling colt by Archery from Judith has been brokeif in, but he will not be hurried. It is thought he may develop into a stayer, anil he is to be given time to mature. Mr G. Gould has been re-elected-chair-man of the Canterbury Jockey Club, with Mr Alien vice-president. Messrs J. S. Barrett and J. Grigg will represent the club at the Racing Conference next month. At a meeting of the committee of the Canterbury District Committee held last week a trainers’ license was recommended Jj®.G. G. Fitch. The application of S. 1 i ll ford was not recommended. A jockeys license was recommended to R. R. MSeveney, while the applications of H. Batt and J. T. Humphries were held over. The jockey’s licenses of C. P. Hoare and C. V. Sinclair recommended for withdrawal, also M. O’Connor’s, unless he obtains permanent employment. The Winter meeting of the Ashburton I rotting Club will be held on Saturday. As usual, the nomination list is very heavy, there being two races with more than forty horses in each. A dozen two-year-olds hold their ground in the Sapling Stakes. Several of the youngsters have shown good form in private, and the prospects of the race are very bright. Though Hay dock had to forfeit her engagement at Oamaru, she lias been left in the Sapling Stakes, and if possible she will be a starter. Mr 11. F. Nicoll is always anxious to have a runner in the classic race, but I am afraid Haydock cannot be at her best. The champion pacing mare Onvx .► still enjoying a spell at New Brighton, but it is possible she will go into work again shortly. She will not be hurried, however, and she may not race until November. Minton Derby has finished his racing career in the Dominion, and he was shipped back to Australia last week. Ho showed brilliant form during the time he was in W. J. Tomkinson’s stable, taking a two-mile mark of 4.22 2-5. and registering the record time of 2.40 1-5 for a mile and a-quarter. T’ J. Kennerlcy has recommissioned Pedro Pronto. Another of his team, Dixie’s Pride, is booked for an early reftirn to Australia, and his place will be taken by Burnie Alto, a four-vear-old Palfbrother to Chid. Loeanda Mac seems quite sound again. He has benefited by his enforced spell, and lie is doing useful work at Addington. „ ** Double Event looks at his best, and if he behaves at the barrier he will be hard t« beat over short courses. TJ 10 Winter meeting of the Canterbury Park trotting Club was commenced on Thursday in ideal weather. There wa a keen wind, but it was tempered ov the bright sunshine. The large holiday ciowd was treated to some excellent rue n.g. The opening event, the Yaldluirst Handicap. attracted 20 unhoppled trotters. I lie American stallion Guy Parrish wa favourite, but he broke up early. Rita V ivian had a long lead most of the way. Halt a nule from home Happy Roaa, Merry Peter, Wildbine, and Rose Audo were eight lengths behind the leader. Ihen Happy Rosa went in pursuit, and taking charge at the entrance to the straight she won easily by a length from Rose Audo. who beat Wildbine by a neck, 'with Rita A ivian and Merry Peter close up. The winner has a great turn of speed, but she is very unreliable. In this race she broke early, so her performance was even more meritorious than might appear. A field of 19 contested the Peninsula Handicap. It was a great betting race, with Berenice just a little better backed than the High Jinks—Prince Lyons bracket. Bingen Lad led for a mile, when His Pal took charge, with Vera’s Doll, W illiam the Great, Diamond Child, Acre, and Four Bells handy. Two furlongs from home Diamond Child and Four Bells were showing the way to William the Great. Once in the straight Diamond Child went by two lengths from William the Great, with Prince Lyons three lengths away, and Four Bells close up. There was an inquiry after the race, resulting in Diamond Child being disqualified for undue flourishing of his whip by her driver, and for interfering with William the Great about three furlongs from the finish. The whip incident w r as a repetition of what has been seen on several occasions lately, and it was time official action was taken. The real offence, however, was the interference, which is said to have been very bad. There were 13 starters for the King George Handicap, the chief event of the meeting, Roicole being favourite. Talent was the early leader', but Roicole headed him at the end of half a mile, the field being bunched at this stage with the exception of Waitaki Girl, who was a long way in the rear. As a matter of fact,

Waitaki Girl made up none of her ground over the first mile, but then she commenced a brilliant run, which landed her in a good position behind Roicole, Talent, and Logamvood half a mile from home. A furlong further on Roicole was beaten, while Dillon Wilkes joined in. Waitaki Girl led to the straight, and won by three lengths from Dillon Wilkes, who beat Loganwood by a length, with Dreamalion and Prince Pointer close up. Waitaki Girl was driven by J. Bryce, and her performance was high class. She has laced very consistently during the past three months, her last six starts having produced five wins and a third, and she must rank as one of the best pacers ever seen here. Her manners have improved, and she does nothing wrong now. Dillon Wilkes appeared to labour a lot in his work, but he finished well. Loganwood went a sound race, and Dreamalion also showed goot. form. Prince Pointer paced well enough to mark him as an early w’inner. Roicole failed to stay after being hurried in the early stages. The Lyttelton Handicap, a two-mile saddle race, drew a field of 27. Polo Jim led for a mile and then broke, Glen Farg going oil from Omaha, Alvira, and Colehill, who were joined by Wiuuie Dillon a little further on, while Maiwliariti put in bis claim along the back. As usual in these races, want of stamina settled most of them, and Winnie Dillon won easily from Colehill, who just lasted long enough to stall off a late challenge by Blue Thorpe, while Maiwliariti ‘ and Daphne Wildwood were next. Trimmer, the favourite, was never dangerous after the first mile. Winnie Dillon stayed well in the hands of Maurice Holmes, a young son of Free Holmes. Fourteen unhoppled trotteis contested the Aviation Handicap. Mangoutu, the favourite, broke up at the start. Audobell led practically all the way, with Burnie, Koraki, and Little Logan in close attendance, while Red Oak joined in half a mile from home. At the finish Auclobell drew away to beat Koraki by two lengths, with Red Oak a length away, and Money Spider, finishing last, close up. Audobell had shown poor form in earlier races this season, but lie will do still better next season, as he is a good trotter. There were 14 starters for the Stewards’ Handicap. Cardinal Logan, St. Maura, Downcast, Dalnahine, and Bessie Logan were prominent early. The favourite, Native Chief, began slowly, but once on the going he showed great speed. Half a mile from home he was in third place, and before the straight was reached he was in front, apparently with the race weN in hand. In the run home J. J. Kennerley allowed him to ease up, and A. Hendrikson, driving a hard finish on Cardinal Logan, got up to win by a head, with Bessie Logan, Queen’s Own, Bonny Logan, and Downcast all close up. It looked as if Native Chief should have won easily. The Railway Handicap attracted 15 mile saddle horses, Nantwich being a strong favourite. Riot opened out a good gap early from Nantwich, Bismurate, Why Worry, Nipper, and Four Bells. Turning for home Riot was beaten, Nantwich going on from Four Bells and Fight Ever. Once in the straight Fight Ever drew out to win by three lengths from Countryman, who put in a wonderful run from the back, and beat Nantwich by four lengths, while Four Bells was next. The hot pace in the early stages was too much for those who were bustled off the mark. The win of Fight Ever was a surprise, as he was not fancied by his connections. The day’s sport concluded with the Au ltevoir Handicap In _a field of 15, there was solid backing for eight horses, Trenand and Talent disputing favouritism. Downcast led Bruce Asturio, Succession, and Talent in the early stages. Downcast was never headed, and he won easily from Golden Devon, who finished fast and cut Talent out of second place, with Succession close up. Downcast had run a good race earlier in the day over a mile and aquarter, but did not quite stay it out. He is now racing very solidly, and will win again shortly. . The Canterbury Park Trotting Club s meeting was concluded on Saturday in cold and threatening weather. A few showers of rain fell in the morning, and there was one earlj' in the afternoon, after which it remained fine. There was some good sport, and the only drawback to the meeting was a substantial drop in totalisator figures. With this meeting Mr W. Norman concluded his successful career as a starter at Addington, as he has decided to retire. Prior to the last race he addressed the riders at the starting post, and they responded by singing ‘‘For. He's a Jolly Good Fellow.” Racing commenced with the Progressive Handicap. In a field of 19 unhoppled trotters Guy Parrish was a strong favourite, but once more he let the public down by failing to begin right. Nelson Boy headed Reta Yivian at the end of three furlongs. These two showed the wav till three furlongs from home, where Nourmahal and Young Tom moved up. Rita Vivian and Nelson Boy were both beaten at the entrance to the straight. Nourmahal was then left in front, but Young Tom out her down and won by two lengths. Wildbine was six legths awav and a head in front of Little Logan. The winner is an Aus-tralian-bred trotter, trained in Invercargill. Nourmahal failed to stay. Happy Rosa failed to go steadily. A field of 26 lined up for the Harewood Handicap. It was a good betting race with Yen, Alvira, Colehill,. and Trimmer fairly evenly backed. The race was spoilt by a mix-up. Soon after the start Colehill fell, interfering with a number of the backmarkers. Direct Tod and Loganwood led for half the going, when Kibiringi joined in, while Alvira and Omaha also put in their claims. Half a mile from home, nearing the straight, Omaha and Kibiringi were showing the way to Alvira. In a hard finish Omftha beat Alvira by a length, with Kibiringi three lengths away, and St. Fillan close up. The winder stayed on Samely under punishment. He is by Harold fillon, from Pointalena’s dam, and is a promising sort. The Paparua Handicap, the chief event of the day, drew a field of 17. Dreamalion was a little better fancied than Countryman and Dillon Wilkes, but there was ’strong support for half the field. Golden Devon ana Harold Burwood had a good lead for a mile, when the former retired. Harold Burwood was still well clear half a mile from home, when Event was second, with Brutus, Loganwood, Countryman, Dillon Wilkes, Trenand, and Talaro all handy. Event took charge at the entrance to the straight, and

won by about two lengths from Talaro, who finished fast, and beat Harold Burwood by half a length, with Brutus, Dreamalion, and Loganwood close up. Event has been racing well lately, and he will do better yet, as he is a sound stayer. Talaro put up a fine performance, and may win soon. Countryman broke near the finish, but was beaten at the time; while Dillon Wilkes raced below liis best. Tlie Maturity Handicap, for three-year-olds, drew 14 starters, Loburn, a maiden from F. Holmes’s stable, being a warm favourite. He began well, but broke at the end of two furlongs. Catching his gait again, he was in third place with half the journey gone, Pluto and Exclusive being in front. Pluto was always going well, and he beat Exclusive by three lengths. Riwaru finished fast three lengths away, a neck in front of Ariki, with Avenger close 1 up. Loburn faded out in the straight. The winner is a good sort by Denver Huon, and he will improve a lot yet. Riwaru ran a fine race after a slow start. Actor showed speed, but failed to stay. Nine smart sprinters lined up for the Advance Handicap. It was a great betting race, Waitaki Girl. Bonny Logan, Roicole Becky Logan, and Prince Pointer being heavily backed, with good money for several others. Waitaki Girl and Roicole began badly, and had no chance from the start. Ivy Audubon led Downcast for half the journey. Downcast then went to the front, while Bonny Logan, Prince Pointer, and Becky Logan closed up. Downcast was always going comfortably, and he beat Bonny Logan easily by three lengths. Becky Logan being three lengths further back, with Prince Pointer and Ivy Audubon close up. The Southlander see red very decisively, and his racing is improving him. A dozen ..nhoppled trotters took part in the Elevation Handicap. Frisco Beau, Burnie, Mangoutu, and First Fashion were best backed. Duke Bingen made the early running, but Burnie joined him after going seven furlongs, with Frisco Beau and Theseus handy. Burnie was in front six furlongs from home, but - isco Beau was with him two furlongs further on, when Randolph and Mangoutu were closing up. Burnie. was beaten at the home turn. A little further on Randolph and Mangoutu challenged, Mangoutu winning comfortably by a neck. Frisco Beau was three lenjHhs away, with Engagement next. Mangoutu gave further evidence that she is a great trotter when she settles kindly to her work.

A field of seventeen lined up for tin Telegraph Handicap. The Billy Whizz— His Pal bracket carried nearly twice an much as Berenice, with several others well backed. Bingen Lad made the early running, but three furlongs from home Golden Sun, Billy Whizz, and Berenice were just clear of Four Bells, Diamond Lhiid, and Dalmeny. In a great finish Diamond Child beat Four Bells by a neck, with Berenice another neck away, while Dalmeny and Daphne Wildwood were almost on terms. The winner and her owner-driver were given an ovation when they returned to the birdcage. It was a popular rew-ard after her discjualification on the first day. Four Bells paced a solid race, and he is developing into a good horse. The Final Handicap attracted twenty mile saddle horsed The Australian-bred Directwood, owned by Mr G. J. Barton (of Dunedin), was a pronounced favour* ite, carrying only a few pounds more than Sea Pearl, who raced for the first time mMr G. M'Millans colours. Winter, Audubon and Lincoln Huon led a bunch for half a mile. Then Whakuku am! Directwood took charge. Directwood led to the straight, but Daphne Wildwood cut her down and won by two lengths. Kosie Nut was three lengths away, only a neck in front of Mahon’s Day and Lord Clan. The winner, who had iun a good race in the previous event, finished very solidly, outstaying Directwood, who is by the New Zealand-bred sire Admiral Wood,'