CANTERBURY.

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

CANTERBURY.

The Canterbury Trotting Club’s Juvenile Stakes —Motto’s form — Gossip about the late meeting— The sale of Motto —The Brighton Trotting Club —The Osborne appeal — The secretary of the Wellington, Club —Departure of horses. Christchurch, February 28. After making the third payment twenty-one two-jear-olds remain in the Juvenile Stakes to be run at the Canterbury Trotting Club’s Winter Meeting in May. Mr J. A. Buckland has left two Vancleve colts in. Motto could not have been at her best last week. In both her races she finished last. Needless to say she greatly disappointed her backers.

Pitch and Toss ran two capital races at the meeting. If she gets fair treatment in the Great Autumn Handicap she will be hard to beat. Goldleaf, who only started once, is evidently regaining the form she displayed last autumn. Mr Cutt’s should get her properly wound up during the next month. Mr O’Brien was again unsuccessful in securing a winning stake at the meeting. His three Australian bred horses, Heritas, Malatua, and Peerage, have not shown anything to warrant them being classed as other than third raters. Perhaps O’Brien thinks his team will improve with age. Courtier was a long way ahead of the two-year-olds seen out last week. None of his opponents can have any chance of winning any of the classic races at the Easter meeting.

Much disappointment was expressed over Mr Stead’s action in withdrawing Multiform from the Champion Plate, and thus depriving the pub-

lie of seeing the champion pitted against Blazer. The Dunedin contingent present at the meeting were confident that Blazer would have lowered Multiform’s colors last week. "The Canterbury sports think othtrwi.-e. Nicholas has improved considerably since November last, and is now very proficient oyer the hurdles. Being possessed of race and staying powers, the son of J premont should win some more races over the sticks. Roberts handled his horse really well i i bo h races. Powder Monkey wis one of the mysteries of the meeting. In her training she had shown her owner some capital trills, but when it came to racing she was clean out of it Hobbs brought Dundas 'o the post in capi'sl fettle, and expects the son of Perkin Warbeck 11. to perform even better at Easter. Altair was trained to the hour, and looked even better than he did in November last. He won the Midsummer Handicap in great style. An incident worth noting occurred in the Richmond Plate. Courtier, who is generally a bit fractious before the start, was led up to the barrier by his trainer, R. J. Maso-‘, who was mounted on a hack. Mason, it is s>id, held Courtier until the starter sent the field away. This was reported to the stewards. Mason, in defence, alleged that he was asked by the starter to hold Courtier. The stewards administered a severe caution and notified Mason that such things must not occur again. Mr H. Goodman who had a run of luck at Riccarton last week, has purchased Motto from Mr G. G. Stead. The Canterbury Oaks winner will leave for Dunedin to-morrow along with Goodman’s other hones. The New Brighton Trotting Club has fixed the autumn meeting for April 22 and 27. The pro gramme comprises eight events each day. The judges appointed to consider the appeal of Rowlmd H. Brown against the decision of the Wellington Racing Club in awarding the Flying Stakes to Chasseur have made their award. They find that the horse Osborne is entitled to the stakes (Sir George Clifford dissent ing). Fresh evidence was adduced as to Brown’s bona fides and ownership. The judges were unanimously of opinion that the rules relating to ownership and nomination of horses should be revised. Mr J. A. Cook, of Dunedin, was unable to attend, and Sir George Clifford was nominated to act in his place. Mr Lyon, the secretary of the Wellington Racing Club,, was among the visitors to the C.J.C. Meeting. Boreas left for home by yesterday’s steamer. The Waimate Racing Club’s Meeting will be held on St. Patrick’s Day. Vandyke, Rex 11., Vanilla, Hex, and Gladys 11. have been nominated for the principal events. The Horata races will be held on Friday next.

Sequin, Alcestis, Rochester, Skirmisher, and Medallius have been nominated for the Peninsula Cup, run at the Akaroa Meeting on March 14. For the Amuri Cup Powder Monkey, Social Pest, Female Franchise, Jewel, Gold Medallist, Matlock, and Banner have been entered. This race is run on March 11.