CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 439, 22 December 1898, Page 12

CANTERBURY.

Inconsistent running—Skirmisher’s form —Arrival of Mr Buckland — Sequin —Coronet tipped—The Bar-nett-White case. > Chbistohuhch, December 20. There was some very inconsistent running at the Christchurch Racing Club’s Meeting, but nothing further was done than examining jockeys, who all escaped without even a caution. It is a common occurrence at suburban meetings to see a horse finish absolutely last in a race, and then come out and win later on in the day. This happened at New Brighton, but the jockeys managed to make explanations which were satis- ’ factory to the stewards. Some of the horses running at New Brighton failed to show anything like their true form. Bloomer, for instance, had been galloping in great style on the- Riccarton track, but when asked to race she performed very badly, and could not beat moderate second-raters. Bloomer started favorite in the Christchurch Cup on the first day, and in the Flying Handicap on the second day, but could-not get a place. ' . Lunn has at last got a win out of old Skirmisher. The son of Vanguard ran quite in his ; v ' old style in the Christchurch Cup, and was not troubled in the last furlong. Skirmisher, it will be remembered, ran well though he failed to get , a win at the C.J.C. Meeting. Now that he has scored sporting men will not begrudge the old fellow more successes. Dan O’Brien did not stare Peerage, but < Malatua, looking bright and apparently in fine fettle, started in the Christchurch Cup, and got second to Skirmisher. Malatua will be a probabi -■ starter at the Manawatu Meeting. Mr J. A. Buckland, of Wonbobbie, New South Wales, with Mrs Buckland and family arrived here on Friday. Mr Buckland has brought with him the trotting horses Fritz, What, Sunshine, and Vai, in charge of Claude Piper, who accompanied Mr Buckland on his visit here last Autumn. All arrived safely, the voyage per Monowai having been fine after the first twentyfour hours from Sydney. Sequin again failed to score a win at the Christchurch Meeting. Unless she shows more pace Reay will not win much at the West Coast meetings. Fritz is conceding Monte Carlo llsec start in the Addi- gton Handicap, two miles in harness, at the Canterbury J rotting Club’s Meeting commencing on Boxing Day. Monte Carlo is on scratch in the two and one mile races, the nearest ' i. horse to him being Gazelle, ssec, and Utah, lOsec. Fritz is not handicapped. P. Campbell will send Magazine to Dunedin, M. Hobbs will take Dundas, Bloomer, and Bizarre, and Lunn will be represented by Skirmisher. The latter will go near winning the Federal Handicap if he is started in this race in preference to the St. Hilda Welter. J. Jarden has sold to R. Beckett, of Sydney, the well-known trotting pony Doris and the pacing gelding Torea, bith being by Young Irvington. They will be shipped to Sydney on the first opportunity. Coronet has been sent here from a good quarter as the tip for the Auckland Cup. The Christchurch Jockey Club has passed the following resolution in regard to the charge of misconduct against the jockey, P. White :■ —“The Canterbury Jockey Club having made an exhaustive inquiry into the allegation that Matthew Grant did offer Percy White £lOO to pull the horse Chasseur in the Stewards’ Handicap at the Club’s recent spring meeting, is of opinion that contradictory evidence is insufficient to warrant the disqualification of Barnett or White. It having been elicited in the evidence that certain trainers and jockeys have been in the habit of accepting presents from bookmakers, the Canterbury Jockey Club hereby warn them that such practice will be considered a serious objection to the renewal of their licenses. •