CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 871, 15 November 1906, Page 8

CANTERBURY.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) THE C.J.C. SPRING MEETING. THIRD DAY. CHRISTCHURCH, November 14. Beautiful weather and brisk speculation, with quite a number of sensational incidents thrown in, was the leading feature of the third day’s racing of the Canterbury Jockey Club. Proceedings commenced with the Suburban Hurdle Handicap, which provided a sensation the like of which is very seldom seen on New Zealand racecourses. For some unaccountable reason Mr. H. Piper started the race exactly ten minutes before the official time. There were nine starters, all of whom completed the course, Leeside, who led from the start, beating Sardonyx somewhat easily by a dozen lengths, with Magnificent third. Before the horses were allowed to come into the weighing-in enclosure, the stewards held a meeting, and decided that the race should be re-run after the last race of the day. It was further decided that the totalisator should not be opened again on that race, the starter to be fined £lO. When the race was eventually got off, Magnificent did not go to the post, and his backers did not get a run for their money. Sardonyx and Leeside practically had the race to themselves, and the pair landed into the straight together. They rose on equal terms at the last hurdle, and had a great tussle home, Sardonyx just landing the stake by a neck. Leeside’s connections had hard luck, as after winning easily at the first attempt their horse was interfered with in the early stages of the race proper. In the Nursery Handicap ten youngsters saddled up, but only two were backed to any extent, these being Eona and Convent Bell. The Birkenhead filly hopped off the mark smartly, and after leading all the way beat Gold Beater by two lengths, Rose Noble being a similar distance away third and Convent Bell fourth. The Avon Welter Handicap produced an interesting contest, quite half the field of fifteen starters possessing a winning chance at the distance. Declination and The Lark carried most money, but both Stronghold and Gold Seal were well backed. Gold Seal was the first to show in front, and he led down the back and round the turn with Mango, Gazeley, Balsam and Gaucha in close attendance. At the distance the field closed up, Gold Seal still leading. The big black horse looked all over a winner until Stronghold put in a strong claim. The latter came on the outside in great style, and gradually wearing Gold Seal down, beat him by a length. The Lark also finished up his ,tp,sk well, and was a length behind Gold Seal. Gazeley, Grenade, and Brighton finished in a line just behind The Lark.

The Canterbury Cup, the long-dis-tance weight-for-age race, attracted eight starters, including the Cup winner Star Rose, Multifid, who got second, Zimmerman, winner of the Derby, Armistice, winner of the Metropolitan Handicap. Paritutu, Boomerang, Blazing Star and Lapland completed the field, which was the largest that has taken part in the race for many years. Zimmerman was made favourite, and Armistice came second in the betting, with Multifid next. Zimmerman and Paritutu made the running from the start, with Armistice and Star Rose some distance

away. Passing the . stand Zimmerman was barely clear of Paritutu, Blazing Star and Boomerang. With a mile and a-quarter ..to go Lapland moved up into fourth place, and a little further on Multifid also improved his position. Paritutu fell right back going past the seven-furlong post, and Multifid ran up to Zimmerman. Blazing Star and Boomerang were next three lengths away, with Armistice still last. It was a pretty race over the last half-mile, there being several changes in positions. Zimmerman and Multifid were in the lead coming into the straight, with Armistice coming fast. At the distance Multifid had the Derby colt’s measure, and finishing well, won by two lengths from Armistice, who beat the fast-tiring colt by a length. Blazing Star was half a length further away fourth, Boomerang, Lapland, Paritutu, and Star Rose following in that order. The win was the most popular of the meeting, both owner and horse coming in for a great ovation. Jenkins rode with market judgment, allowing Multifid to stride along nicely, at the same time keeping him well in hand; The Jockey Club Handicap provided a splendid race, several horses being almost on level terms fifty yards from the winning post. Huascar was made favourite, Aboriginal and Signalman coming next in favour. As usual, Signalman played up at the post, and was eventually left. Master Alix was quickest away, and lead the field down the back, Golden Cairn, Savoury and Aboriginal coming next. At the six-furlong post Golden Cairn took the lead, while Red Gauntlet, King Billy and Wirral also improved their positions. With half a mile to go, Wirral was out in front, King Billy, Red Gauntlet, Master Alix and Golden Cairn being in a bunch just clear of the rest of the field. When fairly in line for home the field drew close together, and after a fine struggle Red Gauntlet won by a length from Wirral, who defeated Cross Battery by a length. Master Alix, King Billy and Martello came next in order. Wirral’s rider, D. Price, failed to weigh in, and was disqualified, second money being awarded to Cross Battery.

Five well-bred fillies went out to contest the Oaks Stakes. Intelligence, on form, appeared to have the best prospects of success, but quite a large number pinned their faith to Mungista, who finished a good second to Zimmerman in the Derby. Ilarita made the running for a couple of furlongs, when Intelligence ran through and piloted the field to the seven-fur-long post. Here Ilarita drew level, and the pair landed in the straight together. Intelligence soon cried enough, and the other four were on equal terms at the distance, but Mungista had no difficulty in beating Lady Landon by a couple of lengths, while Watershoot was a similar distance away third, Intelligence pulling up last.

The Ashley Handicap provided the best finish of the day, Red Morn, Volodia and Aimee Soult being almost in a line as they passed the winning post. They finished in the order named, heads only separating them. The Electric Plate, a sprint weight-for-age race, only attracted three starters—Achilles, Munjeet, and Rawmore. The trio got away in a line, but when the course proper was reached Rawmore dropped back. The other pair came on together, and after a great finish Achilles won by a bare half-head, Rawmore be : ng some distance away. CONCLUDING DAY. The fine weather experienced throughout Carnival week held up for the concluding day of the C.J.C. Exhibition Race Meeting. There was another large attendance, and speculation was very spirited for a fourth day. The big sum of was passed through the machine during the four days. This is more than was handled at the Cup meeting last year, and is easily a record for the colony. There was some capital racing, fields being well above the average. The ball was set rolling with the Port Cooper Hurdles Handicap, there being a field of ten, including Prospector, Jack Pot, Leeside, Levant, and Cavalry. The public sorted out Levant as the best investment, but the mare never had a chance with Leeside and Eurus, who ran away from the field. Leeside was always well clear of Eurus, and coming right away in the straight won by ten lengths. Eurus was two lengths in front of Levant with Cavalry close up. In the Cressy Welter Handicap, Petrovna, who had the steadier of 10.9, turned round at the start and took no part in the race. Lady Lyonors and Intelligence were first to show out and they ran round the turn and into the straight

slightly ahead .of Buccleugh. Once fairly in line for home, Lady Lyonors retired, and Buccleugh moved up to Intelligence, the latter failed to respond to the strong challenge by Buccleugh, who ran home a comfortable winner by three lengths. Stratagem was a similar distance behind the Birkenhead filly, with Gold Seal and Hemlock heading the others.

The Seymour Handicap was contested by fifteen horses, Sea King being sent out a strong order. The son of St. Ilario set out to make the pace merry from the start, and he led until one hundred yards from home, when Don Orsino put in a last run and snatched a victory by half-a-length. Sea King was two lengths in front of France, followed by Vardo, Athena, and The Seer. Miss Adelene was left at the post, while Volodia’s saddle slipped at the top of the straight when she was shaping well. A fine field of seventeen horses were saddled up for the Members Handicap, the biggest race of the day. The field was strong in quality as well as quantity. A capital race resulted, quite half the competitors being almost in a line at the distance. At this stage the leading division comprised Master Alix, Ballast,- Red Gauntlet, Sir Tristram, King Billy, Savoury and Ghoorka. But in the next fifty yards King Billy and Ballarat singled themselves out to fight out every inch of the way. King Billy beat the mare by a head, . while Savoury was five lengths away third, followed by Red Gauntlet, The Lark, and Master Alix. In the Pioneer Handicap, Glenculloch, who had run very consistently throughout the meeting, won comfortably by two lengths from Paragon, who was a similar distance in front of Moriarty. Glenculloch gave Sir G. Clifford his first win at the meeting. Achilles won the Jubilee Cup, making his third victory in the race. Wirral ran well throughout, but in the final tussle he had to succumb to the champion, who won by a length. Isolt, who gave a poor display, was a length and a-half away third. She is evidently badly affected by wind troubles. The only other starter, Red Gauntlet, who had run a severe race in the Members Handicap, might very veil have been resting in his box. The Randolph Handicap saw’ Replete continue her winning form. This mare, who is evidently a smarter sprinter than most people, have credited her with being, was in front all the way and beat Grandstand by two lengths, with Golden Coin half a length further away third. Golden Gate, who was sent out favourite, failed badly, never being prominent. The Fendalton Handicap attracted ' a big field, 17 going out for the last race of the meeting. St. Joe was installed favourite, while Mystification headed others in betting. Lady Landon set out to make the pace, and she led for the first quarter, when Brighton headed her, St. Joe, Crichton and Blythemaid being well clear of the next division. At the half-mile post Brighton was still striding along in front, St. Joe having run into second place, Blythemaid, Mystification, and Ellerton being most prominent of the others. Half way down the straight, Brighton lost his position, and St. Joe coming on full of running, won by two lengths from Seal Rock, who came from the rear w’ith a great run from the distance. Grenade was four lengths further away, and then came Elber on, Mystification and Blythemaid.

Achilles by his brilliant victories in the Electric Plate and Jubilee Cup has retained his title as champion racehorse of New Zealand. Achilles is pro' ably as well to-day as he has ever been during his racing career, and I would not attempt to select any horse in the colony to beat him in a weight-for-age race from half-a mile up to two miles. In the Ashley Handicap, Hemlock fell just after passing the half-mile post, and a little further on Miss Doris fell over the rails. The latter was badly hurt and had to be shot. The stewards held an inquiry and decided to withdraw Carruthers license during four days racing. At the Elderslie Yearling S|ale, the top price was paid for a fillly by Stepniak —Madder, the full sister to the Oaks winner fetching 535 guineas. The colt by Stepniak—Tortulla was sold for 250 guineas.

Makaroff went amiss after running in the N.Z. Cup, and did not start in any other race at the meeting. Captain Shannon ran the best race of his life in the Stewards Handicap. He was meeting a strong field, including the the best sprinters in the colony, and his win was brimful of merit.