RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 593, 4 January 1916, Page 5

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. January 5 and 6 —Westland B.C. Summer. January 12 and 13 —Tapanui R.C. Annual. January 13 and 14—Whangarei R.C. Summer. ACCEPTANCES. January s—Tapanui R.C. Annual. January 14—Foxton R.C. Annual. January 21 -Wellington R.C. Summer. TROTTING FIXTURES. January 21—Wellington T.C. Annual. ACCEPTANCES. January 14—Wellington T.C. Annua). TURF TOPICS. Judged from every standpoint, the Summer Meeting of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club was easily the most successful ever held on the suburban course; indeed, it set such a standard of excellence as is sure to sland as a high-water mark for many years. Despite threatening weather conditions, a huge crowd assembled to witness the second day's sport, and that money for speculation was just as plentiful as ever found evidence in the lotalisator returns, which exceeded last year's turnover by £1282. Prom start to finish the racing was of a particularly high standard, fully justifying the enterprise of (he executive in providing such a good-class programme. Big fields of more than average quality contested most of the events, and backers were fairly successful in their attempts to pick winners. The management was of the usual high standard associated with meetings held at CanterburyPark, while there was a pleasing absence of suspicious practice in the racing.

The eleventh-hour withdrawn! of Master Raymond left ten high-class harness horses to contest the Park Handicap, a race open to 4.42 performers. Despite his several disappointing displays of laic, Prince Akwood was again honoured with the public's confidence, but there was almost equally good support forthcoming for Antonio and Succeed. Starting particularly well, Antonio led his held throughout, and, though under pressure at the finish, he scored handsomely from Succeed and Ariadne. Since going into J. Brycc's stable the half-brother to Muricata has improved out of all knowledge. He has not been overraced, and it is only a question of his keeping sound to take a very high place in the best of company. Succeed ran a sterling race, as did Ariadne. Only for a mistake coming into the home straight, the former would have been very hard to beat. Amongst the unplaced division, Wallace Wood and St. Kevin gave tSie best showings. At no part of the contest did Prince Akwood flatter his supporters, and his latest efforts have been of a very disappointing order. No fewer than 2<i went out to contest the Ladies' Bracelet, and, as usual, the held was well strung out before half the journey had been covered. Willow Vc-re, a speedy daughter of Willowood and Miss Vera, showed a rare turn of speed in the early stages, but tired when half the journey had been left behind. Then Comedy look charge, and from

this out the issue was never in doubt. By iin unusual coincidence the first and second place-fillers were coupled on the machine, and, consequently, even in such a huge field only one dividend was returned. Maud Traccy, the favourite, again let her many followers down badly, while, of the back-markers, Ngaiora gave the best showing. Despite the fact that she had never previously run into a place, Idol found most supporters for the Progressive Handicap, which drew a rather serviceable field of 11) straight-out trotters. The favourite .justified her selection by taking charge at a mile, but she had to do her best to stall off a determined finish by Bushranger, who put up it really fine race. Idol is a five-year-old daughter of Wildwood Junr. and Tc Kuini, who is bound to show to still further advantage now that she is in good hands. Happy Jack and Jessie's Dream each displayed a fair turn of speed, but quite a number of the fancied candidates spoilt their prospects at the start. Betting took a wide range in the Hornby Handicap for though Imperial Crown wound up favourite there was not a great deal between at least six of the competitors when the machine closed. It was a particularly interesting contest, for at different stages quite a number of the field looked to have winning prospects. Red Heather improved on his first day's showing, and till within a furlong of the post looked to have excellent winning prospects. After stalling off challenges by Quincey and ('hub, it was only in the last bit thai he succumbed to Imperial Crown, who finished particularly well. Quincey, Olive L, and Master Raymond all raced up to their best form, and only for a couple of mistakes when under pressure, the first-named may have prevailed. The disappointments of the race were Whispering Willie and Rcdchild, neither of whom showed anything like their best form. The Selwyn Handicap, which carried the distinction of being the fastest mile and a half race ever decided in Australasia, attracted a particularly high class field of 14 starters. Childsdale was made a much belter favourite than Don Caisar and Prince Berlin, but he put himself out of court by colliding with Eccentric just after the start. After Galvanila and Sherwood had piled on the pace for a mile Prince Berlin closed on them, as did Little Tib and Frandocia at later stages. Half way down the straight Prince Berlin had the leader's measure, and scored decisively in the record lime of 3min 22 2-sscc. It was a remarkably tine effort on the winner's part, and one thai stamps him as amongst the best harness horses now in commission. il'Yandocia and Little 'fib both raced quite up to their best form, but Don Cicsar failed to show his accustomed dash.

Several of the competitors in the Middleton Handicap spoilt their chiinces by mistakes in the first furlong. A well-fancied candidate, in The Chief, outstayed Tamarisk and Gee Whiz, but he had to do his best to stall off the late challenges issued by Wallace Junr. and Gladsome. A big field went out to contest the Telegraph Handicap, and Ihc fact of Bryce being in the sulky was sufficient grounds to inslal Sweet Agnes favourite. She started particularly

well, as did Bertha Bell and Child Beldon. This trio never gave the hack markers a look in, and after a good contest Sweet Agnes prevailed by fsvo lengths from Bertha Bell. Of the unplaced division Lodestar and Rcma Rosa gave the best showings. A highly successful day's racing was brought to a fitting conclusion by a fine contest in the Final Handicap. Turning into the home straight half a dozen of the competitors looked to have winning prospects, but a little further on Red Mac. drew clear, winning a fine contest by two lengths from Bingana and Bequest. Despite the pace he showed in the early stages of the Champion Handicap, the winner was little fancied, and his supporters were rewarded with the best dividend of the meeting. On the second day of the llawke's Bay Jockey Club's Meeting the stewards held an enquiry into the running of Croesus in the Summer Handicap. After taking considerable evidence, it was decided to disqualify the horse Croesus, the owner, G. F. Hardy, the trainer, J. S. O'Neill, and the jockey, H. Lorigan, during the pleasure of the club, on the ground that the horse was pulled during the race. H. Griffiths, the rider of Pursetiller, had his license cancelled for giving false information to the stewards. When competing in the Belfield Welter at Oamaru yesterday Equivocal broke a fetlock, and subsequently was destroyed. There was a hostile demonstration against the totalisalor at Oamaru yesterday, after Recorder had won the Flying Handicap. Some CO tickets were rung on the Varco gelding's number after the horses had passed the post, and his backers naturally objected. By her victory in the Royal Stakes at Auckland yesterday Desert Gold passed Reputation's record of £4090 as a three-year-old. So far this season she holds an unbroken record of eight wins, worth £5350. ; Forfeits for the North Island Challenge Stakes must be made good this evening. Horses owned by Mr T. IT. Lowry won £5820 at the Auckland Racing Club's meeting. Owners are given a final reminder that entries for the Wellington Trotting Club's meeting close this evening. For anticipating tbc starter's bell Lovelock was called off in the Selwyn Handicap at Canterbury Park yesterday, but on her driver's explanation no fine was inflicted. After a very successful innings at the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting J. Bryce got back to Christchurch in time to win three races at Canterbury Park yesterday. At present "Scotty" has a big lead in the list of successful horsemen. TEMPLAR.