THE CANTERBURY J.C. SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 884, 14 February 1907, Page 7

THE CANTERBURY J.C. SUMMER MEETING.

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 13. The Summer Meeting of the C.J.C. passed off very successfully last week. The fields during the two days were larger than is generally the rule at the “off” meeting, but the racing was very tame. Indeed, in 13 out of 14 events run during the two days the winners got home with something to spare, the only close finish being in the Craven Plate, in which Aeolus beat Golden Cairn by a head. The only classic race on the programme, the Middle Park Plate, was spoilt owing to the Wairarapa colt Elevation whipping round at the start and losing over a dozen lengths. Glenculloch put up a great performance by beating his opponents pointless, running six furlongs in 1.15,

having a strong wind against him all along the straight. Fine weather prevailed each day. hut the strong east wind proved very disagreeable. A start was made on Thursday with the Trial Stakes (one mile), six horses lining up at the barrier. Mango, 8.2, was sent out a better favourite than Ilarita (7.11), Don Orsino, 7.11, Monkey Puzzle 7.11, were a duo well backed. Ilarita got best of the start, and soon got clear of the field, eventually winning by three lengths from Harvest (8.2), who was a length in front of Mango. The Hornby Welter (seven furlongs) brought out five starters, of whom Blythemaid (9.12) and De Witte (9.5) had the best public form to recommend them to backers. Count Gorton (8..8), Ordnance (8.0) were in the lead during the first quarter, but once fairly in line for home De Witte came through and romped home an easy winner six lengths in front of Blythemaid, who was a neck in front of Farley Grove. The Flly Stakes for 2 and 3-year-olds only drew four starters —Aimee Soult (8.10) being backed to such an extent as to suggest the other three had no chance of winning. As very frequently happens when such a red hot favourite is sent out, misfortune xollowed, for after giving some trouble at the post the favourite turned the wrong way when the barrier went up, and when she was got going others had a commanding lead. Athena (6.10), Amboise (7.2) ran together most of the way, when the former drew out at the distance and won by two lengths, Aimee Soult being a dozen lengths away third. In the next race —Midsummer Handicap—a new regulation passed by the committee of the C.J.C. on the previous Tuesday was enforced for the first time. This was to the effect that in the event of a horse delaying the start of a race beyond a reasonable time the starter should be directed to send such horse back to the paddock and start the race without him. As only too well known to supporters of Chokebore Stable, Signalman is one of the worst horses that has ever faced a starter in New Zealand. His owner applied to the stewards to send a man out on horseback to lead Signalman up to the barrier or to allow the trainer to go to the post to assist in keeping the horse straight but the stewards declined both requests. Signalman gave a much quieter display than usual, but when the barrier went up was turned the wrong way, and his backers had the poor satisfaction of seeing him once again left at the post. The race is easily described. Chryseis (7.7) took up the running at the start, and making every post a winning one had no difficulty in running home an easy winner, two lengths in front of Lapland (7.7). Thunderer (7.7) was close up third, just clear of Stepdancer (7.12) and Idasa (7.12). The Lyttelton Plate for two-year-olds run oyer six furlongs resulted in Bonny Glen (Bst) gaining an easy

victory from Rose Noble (8.2), Williwau (7st) being four lengths further away third. Paragon (Bst), The Lybian (7.3) and Mercy (7st) were the other starters. In the Craven Plate Tessera (6.12), after bolting twice and galloping six furlongs the wrong way each time, was ordered back to the paddock, while Balsam (7.8) was left at the post. Golden Cairn (7.9) and Buccleuch (8.7) ran neck and neck for two-thirds of the distance, when the former drew out only to be tackled by Aeolus (8.1) at the distance. In a slashing set to the Euroclydon gelding, who finished up his task with marked gameness, beat Golden Cairn by a head. Buccleuch was two lengths away third. A field of seven saddled up for the Halswell Welter (1 mile), Watershoot (9.2) and Tabu (7.7) being very evenly backed. Gypsobel (9.5), who has gained quite a reputation for her smartness in getting, hopped off in front and led round the top turn, Tahu and Watershoot being at the head of the others. Entering the straight Gypsobel retired, leaving Tabu in command. Watershoot came through from the distance, and easily settling Tahu won by two lengths from Farley Grove (8.3), who came with a late run and beat Tahu by a length for second place. SECOND DAY. Racing on the second day was little better than that on the first, but the way some of the horses ran suggested that they were either very backward in condition or were merely out for an airing. In one race, the St. Alban’s Handicap, Cross Battery’s running was reviewed by the stewards; L. W. King, who rode the mare, being cautioned as to his future riding. The mare’s running was deemed peculiar in the eyes of the stewards, and it seems strange that they did not ask the owner and trainer for an explanation. Proceedings opened with the Richmond Plate for two-year-olds. Cockleshell (8.5) took the public fancy, and she was sent out a strong favourite. Nothing had a chance with Amboise (7.7) who, after leading all the way won easily by three lengths (from Tremulous (6.7), who beat Cockelshell by two lengths for second place. In the Linwood Welter, Watershoot (9.2) ran into front place at the end of the first quarter, and easily stalling off a challenge by Thunderer (9.8) in the straight, beat him easily by a couple of lengths. Stepdancer finished third four lengths behind Thunderer.

A fairly strong field went out to contest the Middle Park Plate. The San Francisco colt Elevation looked the picture of health and condition, but the public went strongly for Sir George Clifford’s combination, Golden Cairn and Glenculloch. Elevation lost whatever chance he had of winning by turning round when the barrier went up, thereby losing fully a dozen lengths. Glenculloch was soon in the lead and running along in front all the way he never let the others get near him, winning easily by half a dozen lengths from his stable companion. Gold Crest was two lengths further away third, just clear of William I. The start for the ; St. Alban’s Handicap was considerably delayed owing to Signalman refusing to face the barrier. When the tapes went up this unruly brute, who is probably the worst-tem-pered animal in the whole of New Zealand, lost several lengths, the others getting away on even terms. Chryseis (8.4) was first to show out, and she led down back well clear of Harvest (6.7), and Stronghold (8.9),

Signalman (9.5) having been rushed into fourth place with Cross Battery last. Coming into the straight with a clear lead Chryseis held her own to the finish, winning by a length from Stronghold, who was a neck in front of Submarine (8.13), Signalman and Cross Battery being together just behind the son of Torpedo. Alexis easily accounted for the opposition in the Selling Race, winning easily by a couple of lengths from The Seer, who was a similar distance in front of Athena.

The Flying Handicap brought out 7 starters, Buccleuch, 9.0, and Sea King, 7.11, both being strongly backed. The top weight was always well in front, and stalling off a strong challenge by Sea King at the distance, beat him in the run home by four lengths; Tahu (6.7) was third. The Post Handicap (one mile) gave Aeolus (9.7) an opportunity of giving onlookers a taste of his quality. Ilarita (8.4) was leading the field at the distance when she was tackled by Balsam (8.4) and Aeolus. The latter finished very strongly, soon settling Balsam, and beat him by a clear length, with Ilarita four lengths away third.