CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 988, 11 February 1909, Page 5

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

From my Canterbury Correspondent. The Canterbury Jockey Club experienced fine weather last week for its Summer Meeting. There was very little competition from abroad, visiting horses being conspicuous by their absence. Racing, as a result, was only moderate, and there was. very little to wax enthusiastic over. The Trial Stakes on the first day brought out a field of eight, Nobel and Valdimar carrying most money. In the early part of the race Eaglestone, Helianthus, Vologda, and Ganton were prominent, but when heads were turned for home Valdimar came through the field, and easily holding his own in the run home, beat Jessie Lewars by four lengths. Nobel, who ran sluggishly throughout, was third, a neck behind Jessie Lewars. Twelve saddled up for the Hornby Welter, but they were a moderate lot, the winner turning up in Golden Cairn, who won a race at Wellington the previous week. Alexis made the early running, Contender being close handy. Half way down the straight Golden Cairn came through his field in fine style, and easily settling all oposition, beat Contender by a bare length. Zetltnd was third, half a length away, and Alexis was fourth, with Prism, the favourite, fifth. The Filly Stakes was contested by eight well-bred youngsters, seven of them being three year olds. Flitaway was looking in rare buckle, and was intsalled a warm favourite, while the English-bred Ormulu, by Orme —Hey Presto, a fine looking filly, with plenty of room for improvement, was better backed than the others. Flitaway got away smartly, and soon had a strong lead, but just before reaching the straight she dropped back into fourth place. Passion and Miss Mischief then went on in front, and looked like fighting out the finish. In the last hundred yards, however, Flitaway came with a great run on the outside, and won handsomely by a bare length from Miss Mischief, who beat Passion by a length and a half. Ormulu was fourth and Dabchick fifth. The Midsummer Handicap next claimed attention, and attracted a field of eight. Glenculloch divided favouritism with Prism, Grand Slam coming next in favour. A good start was effected, Probable being the

quickest to show out. He was not long in the lead, Alonkey Puzzle passing him at the end of the first quarter mile. Ellerton joined Monkey Puzzle as they ran down the back, Probable and Prim heading the others. Monkey Puzzle was first to fa.l back, a.id Ellerton a.so lost his place. Prim, Glenculloch, and Tikitere were prominent in the lead when the straight was reached. Coming on full of running, Prim drew away at the distance, and won by a .ength and a half from Tikitere. who beat Glenculloch by a head. Field Gun was fourth, Ellerton fifth, and Grand Siam a bad last.

In tfie Lyttelton Plate Handicap for two year olds, a strong favourite in Cymbiform failed to gain a place. Ingoda, who was making her first appearance in a race, drew right away in the last furlong, and won easing up by a length from Ploughshare, who was two and a-half lengths in front of Boutade. Cymbiform, who cut up badly, was fourth, some distance back. The Craven Plate Handicap produced the best race of the day. Czar Kolohol was voted the best investment, but several others carried the confidence of their connections. From an even start, White Cockade was first to show out, and with Petrovna led the field for three furlongs. Czar Kolohol and Lady Disdain joined the leaders rounding the oend. When fairly in the line for home the four were in close company. Czar Kolohol was in from at the distance, but Lady Disdain, finishing up her task well, caught him in the last fifty yards, and won by a neck. Rose Noble was third, two .engths away, closely followed by Petrovna and White Cockade.

The day’s racing was concluded with the Halswell Welter Handicap, for which Orsino was sent out an odds on iavourite. He justified the confidence placed in him by coming through his field at the distance and winning easi.y by two lengths from Chiarinian, who was a length in front of Ennuis. SECOND DAY. The fields were of good average quality on the second day, while the racing was about on a par with that of the first day. Easy wins were gained by Ristorie and All Guns, but the other winners got home by narrow margins.

Racing commenced with the two-year-old Richmond Plate Handicap. It was early whispered about that Ristorie, by Royal Artillery—Helen Fawcit, was above the ordinary, and all the shrewd backers who follow the yellow and black cap got to work early. That the fil.y is capable of galloping fast was soon demonstrated, for when the field approached the course proper she got her ’ ead in front, and after this had matters all her own way, winning easily by three lengths from Scotch Plaid, who was two lengths in front of Applegarth. Aema was fourth, and Pedometer fifth. Another good race was witnessed in the Linwood Welter Hand.cap, Chirininian and Somaroff fighting cut a ding-dong finish, victory resting with the former by a neck. Jessie Dewars iil.ed third place a length. and a half away, while Lady Disdain was close up fourth. The Middle Paik Plate field was reduced to five, Sir George Clifford’s <.wo colts, Broadsword ana Sharpshooter being installed strong favourites. Ormulu and Sharpshooter moved off together, whiL Sweet Angelus lost ground at the start. Ormulu lost her position at the end of two furlongs, and Sharpshooter went on just clear of Broadsword. The Chokebore pair had the race to themselves from this stage, Sharpshooter beating his stable companion by a length. Sweet Angelus finished fast, and. was a neck behind Broadsword, with Ormulu two lengths back fourth. The St. Albans Handicap brought out a field of twelve. Prim and All Guns carried mist money, the latter being well backed by his party. White Cockade was in front for a furlong, when he was joined by All Guns. The latter then drew right away, and, galloping strongly throughout, romped home an easy winner three lengths in

front of Glenculloch. who was two lengths in front of Rose Noble.

In the Flying Handicap the muchboomed Serenade put down a strong favourite in Miss Mischief when asked to do his best, and is evidently a smart performer. Serenade led practically throughout, and beat Lady Orizion by a length. Miss Mischief, who began slowly, was a head away third, with Kilts fourth.

The Post Handicap fell to Field Gun, who beat Va’.dimar by a head on the post alter a great set-to. Hilarity was third, a length back. Stronghold fourth.

Ivanoff carried off the Selling Race from S.ster Anne and Alexis, and was subsequently sold for £5 5 to Mr. A. Watson.

A BETTING CASE. In the Southern betting case of John Kemp and Percy Maxwell Cameron v. George Owler, for the recovery of the sum of £5l, a decision was given by Dr. A. McArthur, S.M., a few days ago.

The plaintiffs’ claim was that they had given defendant £1 to invest for them on the totalisator at the New Zealand Cup Meeting at Christchurch. Defendant, they alleged, was charged with certain instructions, whereby he should have returned them the sum of £ll2. Defendant, who only accounted to the plaintiffs for the sum of £62 135., denied that he was bound down by instructions, but was to use his. own discretion as to the speculation. Commenting on the claim, His Worship stated that section 70 of the Gaming Act, 1908, was, in his opinion, conclusive as to the plaintiffs’ right of action. It provided that “ no action shall be brought or maintained to recover any sum of money won, lost or staked in any betting transaction whatever.” What he remarked, could be plainer or more comprehensive? If young men, or old ones, for that matter, entrusted a companion with a sum of money to invest on the totalisator, then no instructions given to him would render him liable to repay any d vidend lie might receive. At least, that was his opinion, gathered from the provision of the Gaming Act, 1908. Those who gave the money for investment must rely, not on the law for recovery, but on the honour of the person to whom the money was given Judgment must be for the defendant, but no costs would be a: lowed.