CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 494, 11 January 1900, Page 13

CANTERBURY.

COUNTRY MEETINGS — GENERAL GOSSIP — THE WEST COAST MEETINGS. Chbistohubch, January 6. The Ashburton Racing Club brought its Summer Meeting to a close on January 2. The weather continued fine, and the attendance was again large. The sum of £l2OB was put through the totalisator, making a total of £2276 for the meeting. This was £720 less than the amount handled a year ago. A start was made with the Lauriston Trot, one mile and a half. For this eighteen horses saddled-up. Edward R (24sec), by Electioneer, soon took the lead and was never pressed, winning by six lengths from htruan (20sec). Dividend, £l5 15s. The owner of the winner was not allowed to receive the stake until he had satisfied the stewards that his horse was run to win on the first day. It seems to be the rule at almost every meeting where trots are included on the progromme to enter a protest against the winner of any event. Some trotting owners cannot take a defeat without entering a protest. Half-a-dozen went out for the Coldstream Welter of seven furlongs. Belligerent (9.13), who has been under a cloud for some time, was voted the best of the lot, but he could never catch Relic (9.1). This gelding, who is by the defunct Perkin Warbeck ll.—Spider, kept in front all the way, and beat Belligerent by a length, Scottish Minstrel (8.7) running third. Dividend, £3 9s. Subrosa (10.5), Vulcan (9.10), and Actor (8.4) were the unplaced three.

Backers were undecided in selecting a likely winner in the Pony Handicap of five furlongs. Dandy (10.4), Rosie O’Shea (9 3), Taranto (8.0), and Mercia (9.13) were all well backed. Taranto got away smartly, and won by four lengths from Dandy, Rosie O’Shea being six lengths further away. Dividend, £2 15s. The Tinwald Handicap of 55 sovs, one mile, saw Skirmisher (9.2 j Huku (8.13), Ben Farley (8.9), and Suzannah (7.5) face the starter. Huku and Ben Farley carried most money. Suzannah was in front for three-parts of the distance, when she gave way to Ben Farley, who won all out by a length, Huku being four lengths behind Suzannah. Skirmisher ran badly, and could never get near the leaders. Dividend, £2 18s.

Maximus was again in winning form, and annexed the Disposal Stakes from Perkinette and Mies Ann. The winner paid £1 3s, and was bought in at £l2 10s. Hawthorn (8.12) was installed a red-hot favorite for the Allerton Handicap, six furlongs. Five started. Magg, a black mare by Apremont — Maggi, jumped away in front at the start, and, leading throughout, won by three lengths from Phryne (9.0), Lucy Glitters (6.11) being third. Dividend, £7 17s. The Hurry-Scurry, four furlongs, brought to light a rather nice looking mare named Lady Medallist, by Medallion —Lottery. She started favorite, and beat Scottish Minstrel by a length for first place. The time, 49 l-ssec, shows that Lady Medallist is fairly fast. The Orphan (8.12) easily accounted for the Laghmor Handicap, beating Corusa (8.8) and Valentine (7 10). Dividend, £2 10s. The Cheviot Cup, the principal race at the Cheviot Racing Club’s Meeting on New Year’s Day, was won by Wimbledon, an aged gelding by St. Clair—Lady Florence. The winner carried 9.7, and beat Camel (11 9) and Bisley (11 13). Time, 2min 52 1 ssec. Bisley, by Chainehot —Miss Lucy, has evidet tly not finished his racing career. He started in two races at the Cheviot meeting, and won one, the Brookdale Stakes. Bisley won some races in Dunedin and on the West Coast in 1897-98. He was then owned by V. Harris. Races were held at Waiau on January 1, and resulted : —Maiden Stakes : W. O. Rutherford’s Philosopher,!; Greensward, 2. Waiau Cup: Black Squall, 1; Crescent, 2. Flying Stakes : Black Squall, 1; Philosopher, 2 The Cheviot Racing Club held its annual races on New Year’s Day. The fine weather attracted a large attendance, among those present being several visitors from Christchurch. The following are the results Handicap Hurdles, one mile and a half : Wahoo, 12.3, 1; Kilgarlic, 11.0, 2 ; Tribune, 11.9, 3, Time, 3min llsec. Cheviot Cup of 20gs, one mile and a half : Wimbledon, 9.7, 1; Camel, 11.9, 2; Bisley, 11.13, 3. Mea Culpa also started. Won by a length. Time, 2min 52£sec. McKenzie Stakes, one mile: Camel, 11.6, 1; Wimbledon, 10.0,2; Jib, 11.1, 3 Time, Imin 50|sec. Brookdale btakes, four furlongs: Bisley 1, Exposion 2, Saxon 3; time, 55sec. Consolation Handicap, six furlongs : Kilgarlic, 8.3, 1 ; Jib, 9.10, 2. The Maiden Plate was won by '1 he Pest, by Social Pest. The Richlake mare Golden Lake, in H Tnomson’s stable has again gone amiss. This mare showed promise of making a speedy performer, but so far her displays have been very disuppoini - ing to her owner.

Dan O’Brien is keeping Malatua hard at work, the Malua horse now presents a handsome appearance and cannot fail to catch the eye. Peerage has been eased in his work and will not race until later in the year. Gold lately purchased by c’Brien, will be given a chance to recoup her new owner for his outlay. Canterbury owners must have had a regular field day at Reefton on Boxing Day. Hermosa, Bi-metallist, Strathnairn, Bold, Rochester, and Cameo each accounted for a race, in fact every race on the programme, except the Hurdles, was won by a Canterbury owned animal. M. Hobbs’ cast off Bizarre won a double at the Alexandria races, and returned the amount her new owner paid for her at the first time of asking. Amuri races are set down for March 17, 1900.. The two brood mares Goldleaf and Catherine Wheel, owned by the squire of Stony hurst, have returned from their visit to Bill of Portland. It is hoped that the union will result in Sir George getting something above the ordinary. January 9. Nominations for the Midsummer Handicap close on Friday. The handicaps are due on January 26. A private telegram received from Sir G. Clifford states that he has bought the yearling filly by Soult—Lady Emmeline for 50gs, and intends shipping her to Christchurch. Screw Gun, Sant Ilario, and some of the youngsters purchased in Auckland by Mr G. G. Stead, are due to arrive to-morrow. There is no doubt that the Squire of Yaldhurst got the best offered at the sale, and he deserves to be successful with them when they are fit to carry their owners’ colors. Racing matters are very quiet at Riccarton just now, and there is practically nothing doing. Those Canterbury owners who took horses over to the West Coast meetings have had a really good innings. At the Reefton meeting Hermosa did M. Hobbs a good turn by winning three races, and at Greymouth the daughter of St. Leger annexed two stakes, while at Westland she was successful in one event. Her owner has been wurmly congratulated on his success, for Hermosa has been very expensive to Hobbs since he bought her, and it was quite time she won a few races. Dundas only won one big event on the Coast, but he ran well in most of his races when carrying big weights. Rochester and Strathnairn were the most successful of Victor Harris’ team. Rochester won three races and Strathnairn four.

Haria created a surprise by winning the Greymouth Cup. He was allowed to start almost

friendless, and paid a dividend of £l4 6s in a four-bourse race. lam told that he showed some of his old form at the Grey mouth meeting, and that his present owner expects a good race out of him before the season closes.

The Piscatorious Swordfish showed capital form in all his races on the Coast, and carried off some of the principal stakes. This horse has done well since he left the North Island a couple of years ago. Seabrooke, who was not galloping well prior to leaving Riccarton for the Coast, raced well and won three or four races, but the opposition was not strong.

Bold, Shekel, Cameo, Bimetallist, Aprimite, and Medallius were each successful in winning races.

Among the jockeys who went over I notice that R. Wilson, W. Brown,T. O’Brien, Donovan, and Noble scored.