THE CANTERBURY J.C. SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 936, 13 February 1908, Page 5

THE CANTERBURY J.C. SUMMER MEETING.

(By our Canterbury Correspondent.) Very little interest was taken in the Summer Meeting of the Canterbury J.C. held ast week, but from a sporting point of view it was noteworthy for two things —the outstanding success of Sir Geo. Clifford’s stable which sent out seven winners, and the wonderful galloping abilities of his champion filly, Fleetfoot. The horses sent out by the veteran Cutts, who is ab’y assisted by his sons, were in great fettle, and it is very pleasing to see such a popular trainer sheltering such a brilliant filly as Fleetfoot. After seeing Fleetfoot win the E’ectric Plate, I wrote her down as a smasher, and her later performances have proved that there is nothing in New Zealand of her age that can fully extend her over six furlongs. Armlet has been cracked up as a particularly good one, but she is not in the same class as F’eetfoot, who is undoubtedly one of the speediest fillies bred in New Zealand.

Racing on Thursday commenced with the Trial Stakes for which Moscow and Tremulous were greatly fancied, but the public went strongly for Los Angelos, an untried three-year-old gelding belonging to Mr G. G. Stead. Early in the race, Teacup and Ronaldshay were leading the field, but once fairly in the straight, Moscow and Tremu’ous asserted themselves, and after a great set-to Moscow won by a head. Teacup was third, 15 lengths behind Tremulous and Ronaldshay fourth.

The Hornby Welter Handicap brought out a field of,thirteen, Mr Stead’s stable again supplying the favourite in Go’d Braid. Aimee Soult, who came next in betting, always occupied a place among the leading division, and coming away at the distance, beat Thunderer by a length, Blytherpaid filling third position jus” in front of Mango and Bombastes.

The public could not select anything better than Sunglow, a full sister to Boniaform, for the Filly Stakes, for which there were eleven starters. Sunglow got off the mark very smartly, and although Sister Anne drew level at the distance the Yaldhurst filly came on full of running, Sunglow carried yst 51b and Sister Anne Sunglow carried 7s t gib and Sister Anne qst.

The Midsummer. Handicap was contested by a fie.d of seven, Stratagem being sent out favourite. From an even start, Sant Rosaleer and Stratagem were first to show out, but at the end of the first quarter the latter was steadied, Freeland picking up the running. At the end of a mile, Lapland and Southern Cross moved up to the leader, while Stratagem also improved her position. At the distance Stratagem had the measure of the field and won comfortably by two lengths from Southern Cross, who was a length in front of Saga. Lapland died right away coming into the straight. There were half-a-dozen starters for the Lytte.ton Plate Handicap for two-year-olds. Husbandman, who was making his first appearance in public, being made a strong favourite. He is the third of the young Treadmill’s to race, and like Discipline and Miss Mischief, won at the first time of asking. Dabchick and Sir Artegal, both winners this season, cut out the running for a couple of furlongs, but Husbandman then drew up and easily holding his own, beat Seafield by four lengths, Sir Artegal being third half a length away. . .

In the Craven Plate All Guns set out to win from end to end, but at the half distance he died away, leaving Go d Beater

and StronghoM to fight out the finish. Gold Beater drew out in the last hundred yards, and beat his older relative by two lengths Al 1 Guns being a similar distance away third.

The Halswell Welter brought out a field of nine. The winner turned up in the Australian-bred mare-Jacket, by Grafton— Blue and Gold; who, after leading most of the way, won very easily from Highland Reel and Ruapehu, the other six starters being strung . out. The Middlepark Plate proved the;great attraction on Saturday, the contest between Chokebore and Yaldhurst stables, which were each represented by two youngsters, being quite sufficient to draw a crowd. The race itself was disappointing, for after taking the. lead, just after the start, Fleetfoot simply smothered the field and ran home the easiest of winners by three lengths from Sunglow, who beat Husbandman by a length. Armlet jumped away in front, but at the end of a furlong she was passed by Fleetfoot, and after that seemed unable to pace it with the other youngsters. A-l Guns was quite outclassed. In the Richmond Plate Miss Mischief (Treadmill-Delusive) was making her first appearance in public. That she was fast was soon apparent, as getting off smartly she showed great dash and easily beat Dabchick by a length, Seafield being two ’engths away third, followed by Sir Artegal. The Linwood Welter produced an exciting contest, several having a chance of winning until well inside the distance. Here Somaroff came through fast on the rails, and beat The Libyan by a length, Saga being the .same distance away third, with Armamento and Ruapehu close up.’ Half-a-dozen sadd’ed up for the St. Albans Handicap, De Witte carrying the bulk of the money. Helianthes set out at a fast pace and at the half mile post she held a lead of fully eight lengths. She then commenced to tire and De Witte coming fast, caught her in the last fifty yards, and won by a length. Amboise was third.

Some smart sprinters were seen out in the Flying Handicap. Stronghold, who did not get away too well, made up his ground in great style in the straight, and catching Sea King inside the distance beat him by a length. Gold . Braid was a similar distance away third, Nancy Stair fourth.

Another strong favourite in Red Rain prevailed in the Port Handicap. Mary of Argyle piloted the field along the back, followed by Pretty Nell and Highland Reel. This order was. maintained until the field was well in to the straight, when Red Rain challenged, and taking the lead at the distance, beat Pretty Nell by a length, Thunderer filling third place. In the selling race, a rank outsider in Silent Member, created a great surprise by winning comfortably from Alexis Cockleshell being third. Aimee Soult, a strong favourite, was never among the leaders, and her form .was a great contrast from that shown on Thursday when she carried top weight and beat better horses than selling platers. Silent Member who had very few tickets invested on him, was bought in for