THE ASHBURTON RACING CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 950, 21 May 1908, Page 5

THE ASHBURTON RACING CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING.

(From Our Canterbury Correspondent.)

The Ashburton Racing Club was favoured with beautiful weather for its autumn meeting last week. Since last meeting several improvements have been effected on the club’s property, new grandstand and totalisator houses proving a great boon to visitors. Speculation was decidedly brisk, while the presence of bookmakers livened things up consider ably. There was some excellent racing each day, but several of the events were completely spoilt owing to wretched starting. It seemed a crying shame that such a well-conducted meeting should have been spoilt through the incompetency of a single official, and both trainers and owners condemned the starting in loud terms. The club, in order to maintain its popularity With all classes of racing men, should see that the starting is in more capable hands at the next meeting. I was a visitor both days, and have never heard so much grumbling about bad starting as I heard at Ashburton and also on the train to Christchurch.

Turning to the racing, the Ashburton Cup produced an excellent contest, Prim being sent out favourite in a field of eleven. A straggling start was effected, several horses dropping back in the first fifty yards. Contender acted as pacemaker and piloted the field along at a merry pace for half the journey, Prim and Cross Battery being prominent among the others. Contender had had enough before the straight was reached, while Prim, Cross Battery, Medallist, and Thunderer came on together almost in line. Cross Battery had much the best of the run home, and won by a clear length from Medallist, who beat Prim on the post for second place, with Thunderer and Lapland close up next. The win was deservedly popular, as Mr. H. F. Nicoll, who has gone in extensively for racing stock, has not had the best of luck with the daughter of Stepniak. It was pleasing to see a local owner carry off the big money, also the cup presented by Mr. J. C. N. Grigg. Mr .Nicoll had a good win over the race, and is reported to have taken several hundred out of the ring. The Fairfield Welter, seven furlongs, fell to J. Clay’s latest purchase, Zetland, who, after being in a handy position throughout, beat Field Gun by a length, Don Orsino being a similar distance away third. Zetland was bought by Clay for 100 guineas at the Easter sales, and won at the first time of asking for his new owner, who netted considerably more than the stake ovex- the win. Field Gun and Don Orsino have not raced for some months, and should each win a race shortly.

The Laghmor Plate gave the Australian bred Kilts (by Ayr Laddie — Amerlie) his first win. This youngster shows plenty of promise, and won handsomely from a big field. He is owned by Mr. G. J. F. Palmer, and should develop into a good three-year-old.

The Grove Farm Handicap brought out some fast sprinters, the winner turning up in the speedy mare Lady Orizoin, who has won some four races since January. Stronghold and Volodia led in the early part of the race, but Lady Orizoin, who is by the defunct English sire Benzoin, cut the pair down in the straight and racing on full of running beat Stronghold by a length, Volodia being a neck away third. The three placed horses and All Guns were all well backed by their connections. SECOND DAY. On the second day Cross Battery, who had 9.4, put up an attractive performance in the Autumn Handicap. There were thirteen starters, several being well backed. The three light weights, Adria, Mungo and Restless,

cut out the early running, the lastnamed taking first place after two furlongs had been covered. Restless headed a closely-packed field into the straight, Mango, Medallist, Contender and Adria being prominent. At the distance Restless looked like winning comfortably, but Cross Battery, who was one of the last three into the straight, came with a brilliant run, and catching Restless in the last dozen yards, beat him by a bare length. Lapland, who also finished fast, was just behind Restless, with Medallist fourth. .

The Juvenile Handicap brought out twelve two and three-year-olds including the two Bill of Portland youngsters Millionaire (who was sent out a warm favourite), and Miss Mischief. The start was a very bad one, Millionaire and Red King being left hopelessly. Miss Mischief held a winning chance at the half distance, and coming fast in the run home beat Merry Lass by two lengths, with Montreal and Mercy close up third and fourth.

Whirlwind, looking bright after her season of retirement, was easily sorted out as the best in the Diposal Handicap. She won in hollow fashion, being bought by E. Griffin for £37. Volodia got a flying start in the Wakanui Handicap, and after leading all the way, beat All Guns by two lengths, Ilarita finishing third a neck behind All Guns.

Three outsiders in Wardland, Narangarie and Salaam filled the places in the Morton Hack Handicap, the favourite, Field Gun, who got the worst of the start, finishing in fourth place.

Another favourite in Don Orsino was beaten in the Winchmore Welter, Roscommon, who ran in the Cup on the first day, winning by a length, with The Libyan a neck behind Don Orsino.