After the Races.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 405, 28 April 1898, Page 10

After the Races.

SOUTH CANTERBURY MEETING. [By < ! ur Canterbury Correspondent.] The South Canterbury Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting was not as successful this year as former meetings. On the first day rain fell and interferred with the attendance,but on the second day the weather was fine. Totalisator investments fell sho.t of last year’s amounts, being —1897, £3347 for two days; 1898, £2394 10s for two days. Bookmakers were on the course and probably affected the totalisator. Racing on the first day was not particularly exciting, most of the wins being gained comparatively easily. The field in the Autumn Handicap, one mile and a quarter, comprised Epaulet (8.0), Vandyke (7.10), Haria (7.8), Black and Red (7.7), Double Event (7.5), and Remorse (6.12). Epaulet and Black and Red were equal favorites, but neither horse had a chance with Double Event, who took command at the half distance and holding his own won by three lengths from Epaulet, who was two lengths in front of Black and Red. Double Event ran quite up to the form he showed last year and should win more races before long. A field of six started in the Flying Handicap, which was won by Spinner, with Vanilla second and Bracelet third. Cannonshot was never in the hunt. Epaulet won the Washdyke Welter Handicap, but the opposition was not very strong. Paladin carried off the High-weight Handicap, being followed home by Seabrook and Lady Lear. On the second day Epaulet won the County Plate, carrying 10.9, from eight others in Imin 16Jsee, not at all a bad performance. Glenlora finished second. The South Canterbury Handicap brought out seven starters and furnished a good race. Pitch and Toss just beat Double Event by half a length for first place, while Epaulet was a length away third. Spinner won the Shorts Handicap somewhat easily from Paladin Seabrook (7.2) was too good for his only opponent (Oannonshot, 9.5) in the Consolation, one mile. Vandyke ran badly on both days, and finished about last in the two principal events. Haria was another horse who ran much below his proper form. The son of Flintlock has not done much since he left Auckland last year. He shapes well on the training track, but somehow does not race well; he has nice handy weights to carry at Rangiora on Thursday, and, if he is any good at all, he should win a race. Spinner performed well in both his races, and everybody was pleased lessee T. Stewart win the double; the horse looked very fit and is fast up to six furlongs.