Inter-Provincial.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 400, 24 March 1898, Page 10

Inter-Provincial.

CANTERBURY. Amuri Turf Club’s Meeting—Social Pest a winner— Wavmate Racing Club’s Meeting —The St. Patrick’s Handicap — Picket and Rangefinder victorious—Ahua’s stock to the front —A big dividend, at the New Brighton Trotting Meeting —Rats! —Gold Medallist’s defeat — The invasion of Sydney trotters. Christchurch, March 22. The Amuri Turf Club held a most successful race meeting on St. Patrick’s Day. There was some good racing, but speculation was not very brisk, only £652 passing through the totalisator. In the Hurdle Race, one mile and a half, there were four slarters, the winner turning up in Jacko (9.7), who beat Agent General (10.12) by half a length, after a capital struggle ; dividend, £2 19s. The starters in the Amuri Cup, one mile and a quarter, were—Jewel (9.13), Social Pest (8.0), and Prospect (7.3). Jewel was favorite. Prospect made the running for two furlongs, when he was passed by Social Pest and Jewel. Social Pest was first into the straight, and won by a couple of lengths from Jewel; dividend, £3 3s. Mr J. B. Reid’s ch c Golden Legend, by St. Leger—Bangle, a colt highly thought of as a yearling, won the Maiden Plate, one mile, but his opponents were only a moderate lot. Crusader was second, and Conspirator third ; dividend, £2 19s. The Culverden Handicap, six furlongs, was won by Lapidary (7.0), by Ahua — Trinket, Alcestis (8.2) being second and Jib (7.0) third ; dividend, £3 6s. Alcestis (7.12) won the Pahau Handicap, beating Female Franchise (9.3) and Jewel (10.1) ; dividend, £4 Ils. Jib (11.7) won the District Handicap, six furlongs, from Lapidary and Agent-General; dividend, £3 Bs. The Waimate Racing Club held its annual race meeting on March 17. Picket (7.2) won the St. Patrick’s Handicap, one mile and a quarter, beating Rangefinder (8.5), Glenore (8.12), and three others; dividend, £4 10s. Remorse 11. (9.0) won the Flying Handicap, being followed home by Exile (8.2) ; dividend, £1 4s. Rangefinder (8 7) won the Harvest Handicap, one mile, beating Remorse If. (8.12) and Glenore (9 0) ; divi dend, £2 12s.

The progeny of Ahua were very 'much in evidence at the Amuri Race Meeting. Social Pest, Lapidary, and Jib won races, while AgentGeneral, Jewel, and Female Franchise got second places. All these horses are owned by Messrs. W. O. and D. Rutherford, the well-known sportsmen. Social Pest, who won at Amuri, is now six years old, and is looking fit and well. It is probable that his owner, Mr D. Rutherford, will make another attemps to win a Grand National Hurdle Race with the son of Ahua.

There was one exceptionally good dividend in Canterbury on St. Patrick’s Day. At the New Brighton Trots, in the Selling Race, Rats, paid his four supporters the handsome dividend of £7l 15s.

The defeat of Gold Medallist in the Hawke’s Bay Stakes was a severe blow to backers here. It was thought that the son of Medallion could not lose. It is hard luck to lose your money through being beaten by a nose. Gold Medallist returned from Napier on Saturday, and went on to Dunedin.

Mr Rattray, secretary of several trotting clubs, has received from Mr J. A. Buckland, New South Wales, the nominations of horses he intends to race at the coming Autumn Trotting Meeting. The names are Fritz, St. Louis, Hush, Viva, Vasco, Reply, Booby, Sunshine, Louise, Though t What, eleven in all. Mr Buckland has stated that he will require accommodation for his trainers, grooms, and stable boys. He evidently means business, and I wish him the best of luck.