After the Races.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 330, 19 November 1896, Page 7

After the Races.

THE CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB’S METROPOLITAN MEETING. SECOND DAY—WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11th. “[By Ora Canterbury Correspondent.] On the second day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Metropolitan Meeting racing was commenced with the Middleton Handicap Hurdle Race. There were eight starters, of whom Social Pest, on the strength of his first day’s running, was made favourite, while Solitaire and Tally-Ho carried more money than the others. Belmont carried on the running for half a mile, when Ilex went to the front, and despite a strong run by Social Pest, was never again headed, winning by nearly a length from the son of Ahua, who was half a length in front of Clarence, with Belmont fourth, War Dance fifth, and Timothy last. A field of twelve saddled up for the Criterion Handicap, for which the public favoured the chances of Cannonshot, who ran so well on the first day. St. Laura, Mahaki, Vanilla, and King’s Bowman were also well backed. The race was a very pretty one to watch, all the horses being close together at the top turn. Here King’s Bowman, who was quickest ofi the mark, was a length in front of Vanilla, Mahaki, Skirmisher, St. Laura, and Daredevil, who were close together. No material alteration took place until the distance was reached, when Skirmisher ran through and won by three-quarters of a length from St. Laura, with Daredevil a similar distance away third, King’s Bowman fourth, Mahaki fifth, Cannonshot sixth. ‘ ' Next came the race of the day—the Derby Stakes. Five very handsome colts saddled up* and all were the subject of critical examination in the paddock. Uniform struck me as being the most likely to win the blue riband, and, aS events turned out, this handsome son of Hotchkins managed to carry off what many sportsmen consider the most important race run in the colony. Uniform carried Mr Stead’s first colours, and was made slightly a better favourite than Defiance, who looked none the worse for his good performhnce in the Cup. Plotter is, to my mind, the makings of a great racehorse. Despite the fact that he was beaten by Uniform in the Maiden, there were many who thought that he would run much better in the Derby. He was the extreme outsider, but was well backed by many Dunedin sportsmen. Day Star was evidently short of work, but nevertheless he had a host of supporters. Epaulet, although looking quite as well as his stable companion, was apparently held safe by Defiance, rom the start Defiance led, followed by Uniform and Epaulet, while Day Star lost ground in the first quarter of a mile. At the half-mile post Defiance was R-f-.i 11 striding along in front of Epaulet, Uniform, and Plotter, while Day Star had dropped further behind. Rounding the top turn, Epaulet drew level with Defiance, with Uniform and Plotter close up. The racing commenced in real earnest down the straight, but at the distance Epaulet swerved out badly on Uniform, who compelled Plotter to run wide. When the three were set going again Epaulet retired. Uniform . and Plotter had a slashing set-to for the first place. The Dunedin colt came with a splendid late run, but Uniform, vigorously ridden by Derrett, managed to hold his own, and won by a neck. Epaulet was a length and a half away third, Defiance fourth, Day pulling up, last. The finish was, to a great extent, spoiled by Epaulet swerving at a critical moment. Opinions are divided as to whether the result was affected thereby or not. Personally, I think Plotter s chance was spoiled by swerving, but the same thing might apply to Uniform, who also was considerably hampered. However, if the race were run over again, I would favour the chances of Uniform. . gJMultiform again showed what an excellent colt he is by winning the Juvenile Plate from Sir r Launcelot and St. Ouida.

The Metropolitan Handicap furnished a splendid struggle between The Possible, Dauntless, and Acone, the first-named winning by half-a-length from Dauntless, who was two lengths in front of Acone. Fabulist ran well for threequarters of. a mile, but then retired and finished absolutely last. Quiltiri ran well throughout, but again finished outside of a place, getting no nearer than fourth. Bellicent got away very badly at the start; if she had left the mark with the others I think she would have been much closer than fifth at the finish. Bold carried off the Selling Two-year-old Plate after a great race with Groldleaf and Beauty Sleep, who were second and third, while Blazer was close up fourth. St. Laura and Bisley carried most money in the Epsom Welter, but both had to give way to Misfire, who took the lead half-way down the straight and won by a length from Belligerent. Errington and Rubicon filled the places in the Auction Handicap, which concluded the second day’s racing. THIRD DAY—SATURDAY, NOV. 14th. The weather was delightful for the concluding day’s racing. The racing was again of an interesting character, and Mr Henry must be complimented on his excellent handicapping all through the meeting. Sir Launcelot was installed a strong favourite for the Spring Nursery Handicap, but he got no nearer than second, being defeated a length by Blazer, who took the lead at the distance. Weary and Beauty Sleep collided at the start, and interfered with Seashell, who lost more ground than the other two. Dalliance pulled up lame after her preliminary for the Oaks Stakes, and was withdrawn by permission of the stewards. This was hard luck for Cutts, who had Dalliance in fine form. Armilia and Firefly were made favourites, but the latter was beaten four furlongs from home.

Arm ilia, who ran really well, took the lead in the last couple of furlongs, and won comfortably by three lengths from Marlin, who was a length in front of St. Ouida. Pitch-and-Toss was fourth, St. Florent fifth, and Firefly sixth. Epaulet was the only withdrawal. from the Jockey Club Handicap, for which St. Laura was made a decided favourite, Dauntless receiving more support than the others. Marquis of Zetland made the running for three parts of the journey, but at the distance Dauntless assumed the lead, and defeated Marquis of Zetland by a length and a half for third place, while The Shrew was only a head away third. St. Laura was a neck behind The Shrew, Mahaki fifth, Bellicent sixth, The Possible seventh, and Culverin last. Next came the Canterbury Cup, the great weight-for-age race of the year. The contestants were Lady Zetland, Euroclydon, Epaulet, and Defiance. They finished in the order named. Defiance was at the head of affairs for six furlongs, when he was joined by Euroclydon. The latter then drew out, and was three lengths ahead of Epaulet passing the kennels, where Lady Zetland began to improve her pace. Epaulet and Defiance were beaten at the four furlong post, and Lady Zetland went on in pursuit of Euroclydon, whom she caught below the distance. After waiting on him for fifty yards she drew out and won by two lengths, with Epaulet a dozen lengths away third, Defiance, pulling up, last. The winner was cheered from all parts of the course. After she had weighed in the enthusiasm became very great. By her win in this race Lady Zetland has fully established her claim as champion mare of New Zealand. After the Cup came the Avon Welter, which was won by Telemeter, who had done a really good trial in private. Marino was second, and Tutanekai third, Jewel fourth, and Arquebus fifth. Te Kooti, Undesirable Bill, G-illie, and Timothy all pulled up lame in the Ourragh Steeplechase,

which was won by Te Kooti. Undesirable Bill was second, three lengths behind Te Kooti. Kingswood finished third, just in front of Gillie. Multiform demonstrated his superiority over a field of eight hores in the Electric Plate, which he won somewhat easily from Blazer and Sir Launcelot, who finished second and third, King’s Bowman being fourth. In the Farewell Handicap Daredevil, Mahaki, and St. Laura finished in the order named; Daredevil taking the lead at the distance, and won by a length and a half. Most of the visiting horses returned to their homes on Monday.