THE CHRISTCHURCH RACING CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 461, 25 May 1899, Page 13

THE CHRISTCHURCH RACING CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

[By Cub Canterbury Correspondent.]

The Christchurch Racing Club, after having to postpone, its autumn meeting twice last week on account of bad weather, had better luck on May 17, when the weather turned out fine. The meeting was held on the New Brighton course, and as several of the horses having engagements at Dunedin were running additional interest was taken in the lacing' There were several striking reversals of form, and horses that failed even to get places in the races at the North Canterbury Meeting a for. night ago came out and won in even better company. As a result, there were three big dividends, the largest being £42 6s in t e Flying Handicap, won by Lapidary In the principal race, the Christchurch Racing Handicap, Huku won very comfortably. The stewards at once held a meeting to consider the horse’s running as compared with his form at North Canterbury, but as the owner made an explanation that was accepted as satisfactory by the stewards the stakes went to the winner, and the twenty-seven ticket holders got their £l4 dividenp. An unpleasant incident occurred just before the Welter Handicap. C. Stratford, the well-known rider, who had previously steered Jib to victory in the Hurdle Race, went to weigh out for his mount on Speculator, but the clerk of the scales considered that he was not in a fit state to ride, and Stratford at once made use of language which he is now, no doubt, sorry for. as the stewards disqualified him for two years for improper conductThe racing commenced with the Hurdles Handicap, one mile and a half, the Ahua mare Jib (9.7) being installed favorite, and with Rhoderick Dhu cut out the running for half a mile. Jib nearly came down at the next fence, but soon got going again, and taking the lead in the last halfmile, went on and won easily by four lengths from Mainstay, with Rhoderick Dhu some dist.tanee away third. Clarence was outpaced. The Maiden Handicap was contested by six horses, among them being the English-bred colt, Benzoin. Vulcan was made favorite, but he had no chance with Benzoin, who won by a couple of lengths. Crusader was a length behind Vulcan

A field of seven, consisting of the following, went out for the Christchurch Racing Club Handicap, one mile and a quarter : —Skirmisher, 8.12; Stars’jot, 8.9; Paladin, 88; Malatua, 7.7; Huku, 7.3; Strathnairn, 7.2; and Rangefinder, 6.10. Starshot and Paladin were about equal favorites, the totalisator figures being 115 Starshot and 112 Paladin. Paladin, Rangefinder, and Huku were the outsiders of the party. From an even start Huku was the first to draw out, and passing the mile post he was a length in front of Strathnairn; who was closely followed by Malatua and Paladin. A quarter of a mile further on Strathnairn and Paladin headed Huku. These three carried on the running along the back stretch. At the half-mile post Huku and Starshot both passed Strathnairn. The firstnamed always held Hobb‘s mare safe, and beat - her by a length. ’ btrathnairn was two lengths behind Starshot, Malatua fourth, and Paladin fifth.

Backers were a long time making a favorite for the Flying Handicap, five furlongs, but The Orphan (8.3) eventually was elected. Belligerent (7.6), who has not won a race for a long time, carried more money than the others. The race was an interesting one to watch. First Cannonshot led, but after going a furlong The Orphan passed him, Peerage (8.11) and Lapidary (7.0) being just behind. The Orphan looked like winning until the distance post was reached, when Peerage passed her, but O’Brien’s colt soon gave way to Lapidary, who won by a couple of lengths. Speculator (7.7) was a similar distance behind Peerage, and then came The Orphan. The winner was the outsider in a field of eleven, there being only six tickets on him. Rochester (9.5), The Spinner (8.6), Ben Farley (8.8), and Bloomer (7.13) were among the unplaced division. The dividend was £42 6s.

Shekel was withdrawn from the Selling Hack Race, of four furlongs. Camel (8.7) won somewhat easily from Nor’-Wester (8.2) and Bogengang (8.10). The Welter Handicap, one mile, was considered to be well within the reach of Bizarre, but nothing had a show with 1 apidary (9.2). The son of Ahua simply cantered away from the others at the distance post, and won by four lengths from Wedlock (8.9), (9.2) half a length further away third. Banner (9.3), Medallius (8.7), and Hickory (8.2) were the other starters. Lapidary returned his 29£ supporters a dividend of £lO 4s.

Two trots were included in the programme. The Brighton Handicap, of one mile, in harness, was won somewhat easily by Mace’s colt, Rothschild Boy (21sec), who beat Oakwood Abdallah (12sec) by six lengths. Time, 2min 55isec. Dividend, £2 Bs. The Burwood Trot, one mile, was annexed by Satan (17sec), who beat Young Burlington (ssec) by seven lengths, Pride of Kilkenny (19sec) being third. Nine others started. Time, 2min 52sec. Dividend, £2 Bs.