CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 282, 19 December 1895, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH.

The New Brighton Meeting— The Calendar Question — Auckland Cup Betting.

I" BY WIRE.]

December 17.

St. Hippo is the local favourite for the Auckland Cup at 3 to 4 to 1, Quiltiri being also supported at 5 to 1. The Possible has also been backed for small sums. Roscius and Tiritea are the selected ones for the Steeplechase. Mr Atyeo informs me that betting on your approaching meeting, and on the Wellington Cup, has not been particularly brisk. Skirmisher, Lady Zetland, The Shrew, and The Artist are the popular fancies. Barm by leaves for Palmerston to-morrow, and he should win the Palmerston Cup. Marino has gone to the Coast, as also has Artilleur, Mona, Couranto, Minerva, and Jack. There was a Slight disposition to brighten the odds against Skirmisher for the Wellington Cup last week, but the cause is not glaringly apparent. He has been doing slow work. A very successful day’s racing was witnessed at New Brighton yesterday, when the Christchurch Racing Club held its annual meeting. The weather was splendid and the number present a record. Over £2OOO was invested during the afternoon. The enjoyment of those attending was greatly due to the good management of all the officials (especially the courteous and energetic secretary, Mr Rattray) doing their utmost to anticipate the wishes of their patrons. The first event, the Hurdle Handicap, was won easily by Freeborn, by Guy Fawkes —Freeman’s dam, who was nicely ridden by G. J. Walls. Armstrong was second and Black Jack third. Dividend, £2 12s. Alcestis, by Master GeorgePsyche, won the Maiden, Rangefinder second, a position he has occupied too often to be pleasant to his owners. Dividend, £2 16s. A protest against Alcestis receiving the stakes was entered, which was upheld. Loveshot and Silver Spec fought out a splendid finish in the Christchurch Handicap, one mile, the former, who is a son of Chainshot, winning by a short head. Silver Spec got badly away and subsequently had the misfortune to get jammed on the rails, or she would have won. In addition, Connop, who was riding Silver Spec, had his leg severely cut by contact with the rails. Magazine finished third. Dividend, £2 4s. Mr Butler’s Medicus, by Apremont —Miss Russley, took the Flying Handicap, beating Magazine and Kowai, who finished second and third respectively, and two others. Dividend, £5 12s. Miss Madge won the Selling Race, paying £2 12s. The Welter Handicap fell to Frenehy, by St. George—Fleurange, who rewarded his supporters with the decent dividend of £7 12s. The Saddle Trot was easily won by Peggy, £33 6s. being returned as dividend. How this mare paid such a dividend is one of those things few could understand, as she is one of the best trotting mares in the province. When commenting on the Plumpton Meeting I mentioned in your columns that she would win in the future. Holly won the Harness Trot easily. Dividend, £l4 Bs. This event was spoiled by Venus dis-

lodging her driver. The mare galloped through the field, and several of the competitors pulled out of her way. Kingan was thrown twice by Kowai before the start for the Welter Handicap at New Brighton, fortunately without serious injury. When Little Jack fell in the Hurdle Race Dan Roberts was considerably knocked about. A trotting meeting will be held at New Brighton on Boxing Day. The Tinwald .nominations for New Year’s Day are not noticeable for the quality of the contestants. Maximus, the fashionably-bred Maxim- —Miss Kate colt, started in the Maiden at New Brighton. He is not a bad shaped one, but his galloping ability is not on a par with his breeding. Solano is still an inmate of the Middleton establishment, Mr Lunn having purchased him. Au Revoir is looking the picture of health, and it is to be hoped that this good animal will stand the winding-up process. Liberator is at work looking as young and brisk as ever.

It will be some time before Chaos is fit to carry colours, if he ever is. It is to be hoped that the action of the Wairarapa stewards with reference to advertising in the Referee will be the means of having the matter re-opened and settled ou a more equitable basis. Nearly every racing man herewith whom I have discussed the question is of opinion that a great mistake was made in attempting to force clubs to advertise in the local paper. At the same time it is generally held there should be one recognised paper in which all forfeits disqualifications, etc., should be published, but that ordinary racing advertisements should be left entirely to the discretion of racing clubs.