RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2143, 28 December 1920, Page 17 (Supplement)

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Dec. 29 and Jan. 1 and B—AucUand R.C, Summer. Dec. 30—Manawatu R.C. Summer. Dec. 30, Jan. 1 and 4—Greymoutk R.C. Summer. Jan. I—Wyndham R.C. Annual. Jan. I—Waikouaitl R.C. Annual. Jan. 1 and 3—Marton J.C. Summer. Jan. 1 and 3—Wairarapa R.C. Summer. Jan. 1 and 3—Stratford R.C. Annual. Jan. 1 and 3—Hawke's Bay J.C. Summtr. Jau. 3 and 4—Southland R.C. Summer. NOMINATIONS. Dee. 29—Vincent J.C. Annual. Jan. s—Wellington R.C. Summer. Jan. s—Foxton R.C. Annual. ACCEPTANCES. Dec. 29—Greymouth J.C. Summer. Jan. S—Reeftoa J.C. Summer. Jan. 6—Vincent J.C. Annual. Jan. 7—Cheviot R.C. Annual. TROTTrNG FIXTURES. Dec. 30. 31—Auckland T.C. Summer. pec. 81 * Jan. 3—Greymouth T.C. Summer. Jan. 1 A 3-Canterbury Park T.C. Summer. Jan. s—Westland T.C. Annual. Jan. B—Watkato T.C. Annual. Jan. 10—Inangahua T.C. Annual. NOMINATIONS. Dec. 29—Walkato T.C. Annual. Dec. 29—Te Awamutu T.C. Annual. ACCEPTANCES. Dec. 29—Otago Central T.C. Annual. Jan. 4—Westland T.C. Annual. Jan 6—Te Awamutu T.C. Annual. Jan. 6—Walkato T.C. Annual. Jan. B—lnangahua T.C. Annual.

TURF JTOPICS. Owners are given a reminder that acceptances for first day events at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's summer meeting close at noon tomorrow. The success of the Ashburton Trotting Club's meeting yesterday was marred by unfavourable weather. Both the special trains from Christchurch were - crowded to excess, and, as the club's local patrons turned out in stronger force than usual, the attendance reached record proportions. Steady rain set in before proceedings coinSenced, and continued almost without termission all through. By the time the third race was decided the track was muddy, and it cut up badly with Subsequent usage. Even so, the racing was of more than average interest, and some high-class performances were reCorded. The fixture lacked nothing in the matter of efficient management, and the totallsator turnover of £26,976 easily beat all previous records for the course. A pair of well-bred three-year-olds, Logan Queen and Silver Locanda, set out to make the pace in the Advance Handicap. They carried on the running for three parts of the journey, with Salome and Pegasus most prominent of the others. This quartet had the issue to themselves, as the home straight was entered. No sooner had Silver Locanda settled Logan Queen's pretensions than Pegasus came along with a Jtrong challenge. Outstaying the juvenles, Mr Kitchingham's representative won decisively in the smart time, under the weather conditions, of 3min 33 4-5 see. Pegasus was driven a patient race by W. Brown, and was more at home in tho going than his younger opponSnts. Silver Locanda, a three-year-old aughter of "Brent Locanda and Silver Princes, shaped like a good one. She has lots of speed, and, with stamina, is bound to w»n good races. Though still rather on the green side, Logan Queen, by Logan Pointer from Queen Patch, showed the possession of more than average speed. Crusader and Red Cross, the two favourites, would not settle to business.

The Mitcham Handicap resulted in a fare finish between Hostage and Micky Marr, with the others beaten off. Sam Hiicm acted as pilot for half the journey, with Amboyna Wood and Brown Lad handy. Half a mile from home Hostage joined the leaders, and Micky JJarr could be noticed threading his way through the field in great style. When the home straight was entered, this pair had matters practically to themselves. Micky Marr struggled on gamely, but, in a punishing finish, was still a neck behind as the post was reached. Both horses trotted with the utmost gameness, and even under pressure kept to business. Grand' Dillon stayed on better than the others, finishing up a moderate third, well clear of Amboyna Wood. The withdrawal of Bewanui and Marie Tempest from the Ashburton Trotting Cup left a useful field of nine to contest the big harness event of the afternoon. Betting was of an even nature, for, though Capriccio wound up favourite, there was plenty of money for Goldstream, Emperor, Sungod, Whispering Willie and Agathos. StreakJng away from the start, Nabob showed he way for a mile, with Goldstream, feorke's Drift and Sungod always well up. At this stage Emperor faded right out, and half a mile from home Nabob followed his example. This left Borke's Drift and Goldstream out in front, with Whispering Willie putting In one of Ms characteristic finishes. A furlong from the post Eorke 's Drift looked all over a winner, but he had not got Goldstream's measure. Vigorously driven by B. Jarden, the South Canterbury gelding stayed on the better of the pair, and won a good race by over a length. Whispering' Willie was going great guns at the finish, but spoilt his chance by a couple of mistakes in the early stages. Agathos went particularly well for over a mile, when his condition gave out, while Emperor, Sungod and Capriccio raced like nonStayers, all being hampered by the heavy going. Several of the 10 starters in the McLean Handicap came in. for solid support, (the Dingo winding up actual favourite. After Proud Elsie and Tobermory had flattered their supporters in the early Stages, The Dingo and Lady Wayward closed on them. Two furlongs from Jiome, Lady Wayward appeared to have the favourite'B measure. Hard ridden by A. Butterfield, The Dingo made a , f;allant final effort, and turned what ooked like certain defeat into a neck Victory. Horsemanship played a big part in the result, and Butterfield has Seldom shown to more advantage in the Saddle. Lens looked dangerous two furlongs from home, but failed to stay on, While Tobermory was beaten a long Way from home. Dillon Maid refused io go off at the start, and took no part In the contest. Cammie carried more than twice as tnuch money as any other starter in the Midsummer Handicap, though it could Jiot have been on recent form that she »ame in for such liberal support. After Wastewood and Underscrub had piloted the field for six furlongs, Cammie raced from third *to first place. She was first into line for home, going comfortably, Well clear of Peter Dillon, Fernmoor and Miss Edith. At the distance, Miss Edith had the leader doing her best, but there was still two lengths between them as the post was reached. Considering the holding nature of the track, Cammie's performance had a lot 6t solid merit associated with it. So Also had that of Miss Edith, who was Jiaking her reappearance after a lengthy Absence from the tracks. The race is bound to do her a lot of goodj and a stake should soon come her way. Marie Tempest was backed with the fctmost confidence for the Boxing Day Handicap, and her supporters had bad luck that thpy did not collect. When |ae signal was given she tangled up

badly, and at the end of a furlong her chance seemed hopeless. Nabob and Frank Tracey were two that commenced smartly, and, with half journey gone, the latter had established such a useful lead as to anticipate an easy win. Pacing along in great style, the veteran was first into the home straight, with Willie Lincoln in hot pursuit. From this out, Frank Tracey had matters much his own way, scoring decisively by two lengths. After being apparently beatea. a long way from home, Maoriland, Nabob and Greta fought out a great finish for second money, ending up' almost in line, as named. Almost upsides with them came Willie Lincoln and Marie Tempest. Only for losing quite 50 yards at the start, Marie Tempest could hardly have lost,, her performance being a sensational one. Willie Lincoln's showing, on the other hand, was disappointing. He had every chance, but faded out badly under pressure. Maoriland put up a solid race, and, like Marie Tempest, should not be long in taking a stake. The President's Handicap produced a disappointing contest. Before half the journey had been covered, only Waiwera and Nighborn had winning chances. Trotting in great style, the latter drew to the front at the turn into the straight, and from this out matters were easy for him. Whatever chance Waiwera may have had, he spoilt it by a break two furlongs from home, but it could have made no difference to the result. Nighborn changed ownership at the New Brighton meeting, and got his purchase money back in quick time. He was evidently suited by the course, and should not be long in again taking winning honours, for there can be no question as to his speed. Lady Esma was shaping well till she went to a break in ( the back stretch, while Corwar again showed a decided lack of stamina. First Carbine went off at such a great bat in the Final Handicap as to make the tasks of the back-markers look impossible. Pacing strongly all through, the El Carbine gelding scored decisively'ln the smart time of 2.19 2-5. Though penalised 2sec, Goldstream finished in second place, and his performance of covering the mile on a heavy track In 2.14 4-5 was a remarkable one.

The following penalties have been incurred for first-day events at the Canterbury Park T.C. meeting:—Templeton Handicap, Goldstream 3sec; First Carbine 3 sec and The Dingo 2sec. Stewards' Handicap, Nighborn 4sec. Railway Handicap, Goldstream 3sec. In the absence, of F. E. Jones at Auckland, Goldstream was driven in his Ashburton engagements yesterday by B. Jarden. In both his races the gelding put up greatly improved showings. Mermin continued his unbeaten record by capturing the Great Northern Foal Stakes yesterday. This was his first effort over a six furlong, and the manner in which he finished was impressive. C. Emerson was in great form at Wingatui yesterday. During the afternoon he rode three winners and just missed the fourth on Foo Chow. TEMPLAR.