After the Races.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 449, 2 March 1899, Page 12

After the Races.

THE CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING. [By Our Canterbury Correspondent.] First Day—Thursday, February 23. The Canterbury Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting is genera'ly regarded as a sort of benefit meeting for Canterbury horse-owners, there being f< vv racing men from other parts to patronise the gathering. If there is any opposition it is usually from Dunedin and Oamaru. The southern contingent this year was not very formidable, but a good deal of money was carried off by them. On the opening day (Thursday) the weather was threatening in the morning, but after 1 o’clock the sun shone out and the remainder of the after noon was fine. Racing was at times good, the finishes in the Halswell Hurdles, Hornby Welter, and Craven Plate being stubbornly fought out, while the judge’s decision in the two former races was questioned in many quarters. The field for the Halswell Hurdles numbered half-a-dozen, and Powder Monkey, who has been showing splendid form in her training, was at once made favorite. The race was a capital one to watch Powder Monkey made the running at the start, but ju-t before Cutts’ was reached she gave way to Glenore and Clarence. These two ran along the back stretch together, just clear of the others, but, half a mile from home, Nicholas and Powder Monkey closed up, and when they reached the straight there was very little between the four leaders. Glenore, Powder Monkey, and Nicholas came down the straight almost in a line, but Powder Monkey blundered at the last fence. Nicholas just managed to beat Glenore by a nose, after a great tussle. Powder Monkey was half a length away third, and Clarence fourth The Hornby Welter brought out eleven starters. Bloomer and Huku were about equal favorites, while the ultimate winner Ben Farley received more support than the others. The race afforded plenty of excitement, and produced another grand finish. In the early part of the race the colors of Vandyke, Ben Farley, and The Spinner were prominent and in this order they ran into the straight, with Falka, who lost three or four lengths at the start coming fast. Bloomer, Lapidary, and Argon also closed up. At the distance post Vandyke fell back and Ben Farley just managed the struggle home in front of Falka, who was a clear length in front of Argon ; Lapidary fourth, Bloomer fifth, and The Spinner sixth.

Benzoin was withdrawn from the Middle Park Plate, which is generally considered a gift for Mr G. G. Stead, he having won it for the last six years in succession. Two three-year-olds, Dundas (8.11) and Malatua (8.4), and Mr Stead’s two-year old, Courtier (7.9) comprised the field this year. Courtier was a warm favorite. Malatua, with Bob Derrett up, slipped away from the other two at the start, and before a furlong had been travelled the Australian-bred colt was four lengths ahead of them. He so n gave way, however, and, on entering the straight, Dundas and Courtier both passed him and came on together to the distance-post, when Courtier gave way. Dundas, who went on, won easily by three lengths, Courtier being two lengths in front of Malatua.

Six horses saddled up for the Trial Stakes, for which Matlock carried most money, but he did not gallop at all well The Orphan ran into first pl.ee after half a mi'e had been covered, and was never again headed, winning by a length from Heritas, who got away badly, but came strongly in the last furlong. Hypnotist was a length behind O’Brien’s horse.

Attention was next directed to the candidates for the Midsummer Handicap. Peerage was the on’y non-starter. Mr Stead decided to start both Altair and Motto. Probably on account of the former’s w. 11-trained appearance he was made favorite. Boreas also looked in capital trim. Pitch and Toss struck me as having undergone a searching preparation, in fact, when I saw her, I at once thought she would win. I was, however, mistaken, for she just failed to stay the last furlong in a strongly-run race. Altair, who must be considered a particulary smart colt, got away first when the barrier went up, but Derrett steadied him. As the field swept past Cutts’ lie dropped back with Dundas to the rear. Rangefinder, Pitch and Toss, Boreas, and Sequin then comprised the pleading division. The positions remained unchanged until the top turn was reached. Here Pitch and Toss led, but immediately the straight was entered Altair came through the field and soon took command. Boreas ran into second place, and Altair won by a length and a half. Boreas was half a length in front of Pitch and Toss; Dundas was fourth, Srquin fifth, and Motto last. The Lyttelton Plate was won in hollow fashion by Mr Stead’s Stepniak filly, Nantes, who never gave the others a show and finished four lengths ahead of Rougemont, who was half a length in front of Fireside.

The Craven Plate brought out ten starters, The Sinuer being withdrawn. Blazer carried most money on the machine ; Nihilist receiving more support than the others. Gladys 11. led for fully four furlongs, when Blazer took command and seemed to have the race at his mercy. He, however, tired in the last hundred yards, and Cherrystone, running gamely under pressure, just got up in time to beat Mr Solomon’s gelding by a neck. Gladys 11. was too lengths away third, Rochester fourth, and Nihilist sixth. The Telegraph Stakes was won somewhat easily by Alcestis, who finished three lengths in front of old Warrington, while Lepanto was third. Second Day—Saturday, March 25. Racing on the second day commenced with the Belford Hurdles, and out of the six starters five

had run on the first day. Powder Monkey again attracted most attention, and started a much better favorite than Glenore, while Nicholas, who won on the first day, went out third favorite. Powder Monkey, after running prominently for three-quarters of a mile, jumped the rails, and took no further part in the race. Nicholas and Glenore were then left in the lead, and never gave the others a chance. Nicholas drew away from Glenore after jumping the last hurdle, and won very easily by four lengths. Magazine was third six lengths behind Glenore, Clarence a head further away fourth. The Wei'er, over one mile, was considered to be within the reach of Black and Red or Motto. The former started a slightly better favorite than Mr Stead’s filly. Vandyke cut out the running from the start, being closely followed .by Sequin, Gold and Double Event whipping in. Hounding the top turn Vandyke was still in the lead, with Gold and Motto next, Sequin being at the head of the others. No alteration took place until the straight proper was reached, when Black and Red and Bloomer ran up to the leaders, and a fine race home resulted in Black and Red beating Sequin by half a length. Bloomer was a length and a half away thiid, Gold fourth, and Motto, who died away in the straight, last. '1 he Champion Plate, seven furlongs, was the next event to occupy attention. The field was reduced to five, Boreas being the popular fancy. The race resulted in a rather e isy win for Blazer, who made the running from the start, and although Dundas and Boreas were within a length of the Dunedin horse at various stages during the race, they could not get any closer, and Buffered defeat by that margin. Dundas and Boreas were dead level most of the was Hobbs’ youngster being only a head in front of Boreas at the finish, while Benzoin was a head behind Boreas. Djin-Djin got away badly, and fiaished several lengths behind the leaders. Courtier, who was withdrawn from the Champion Plate, had no difficulty in winning the Richmond Plate, for two-year-olds, over six furlongs. Mr Stead's youngster jumped away in front and was not headed, winning by three lengths without being pushed from Suzannah, who was a length in front of France ca, Rougemont fourth.

Eight saddled up for the St. Alban’s Handicap, oue mile. Altair was at once picked out as the probable winner. Had he succeeded in securing the chief honor he would not; have paid even money. From an even start Goldleaf at once drew out, but before going many yards Rochester took the lead, and Pitch and Toss ran into third position. This order was maintained until half way down the straight, when Pitch and Toss ran through and won after a good finish by half a length from Goldleaf, who was a similar distance in front of Rochester. Sequin was fourth, and Altair fifth.

The Flying Handicap produced another good race, and an equally good dividend to those who were fortunate to spot the winner. Hermosa carried most money on the machine, while Falka and Cherrystone were also well backed. Noneof these three, however, took any part in the final struggle. Gladys 11., The Spinner, and Argon, after making most of the running, werealmost together at the distance. Argon then shot out and beat Gladys 11. by about a length, The Spinner being close up third. Cherrystone was fourth, Warrington and Hermosa being the next two. The Selling Race was again won by Alcestis, who was in particularly good form. Sheenan’s mare took the lead in the first furlong, and won by a length from Bi-metallist, with The Orphan third.

The Post Handicap saw Skirmisher at his best. After Miss Charm and Peerage had cut out the running for half a mile, the old son of Vanguard, accompanied by Bizarre, came through, but the latter soon retired, and Skirmisher went on and won easily by three length from Miss Charm, who was two lengths ahead of Bizarre.

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