CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1483, 26 September 1918, Page 11

CANTERBURY.

Notes on Ashburton Form—Rose Pink’s Attractive Display — Long Range's Brilliant Showing—Scornful’s Prospects in Classic Events — N.Z. Cup Candidates Run Well.

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Matters at Riccarton have been quiet during the last week, most of the traniers having teams away at Ashburton. There will be racing at Geraldine on Thursday, and then in close succession will come Kurow and Dunedin.

The Wellington sportsman who races as Mr. H. Whitney started his southern campaign auspiciously at the Ashburton meeting. Though hampered with a 101 b. penalty as the result of her win at Dannevirke, Rose Pink had a comfortable win in the Ashburton County Handicap. She was none too well placed in the early stages, but put in such a great effort along the home straight as to suggest a much more important long-distance event coming her way at Wingatui.

Later in the afternoon a stable mate of Rose Pink, in Arihia, just got beaten by inches in the First Hack Handicap. She put in a great run over the last furlong, and appeared to have the race won. It was only in the last few strides that Royal Stai* had her measure after a desperate finish. Mr. Whitney’s team will be raced at Geraldine, Kurow and Dunedin, after which they will return to Riccarton for the Cup meeting. Killjoy ran a creditable race in the

Ashburton County Handicap, but just faded out in the last pinch. Thaddeus also was putting in great work over the last furlong after being slow to begin. The Chokebore Derby candidate, Heathercote, was given a run in the big event on the first day of the Ashburton meeting, as a preliminary to more important engagements. He looked to have winning prospects till within a furlong of the post, but then stopped so quickly as to suggest that a mile and a-half cotirse may find him out in good three-year-old company.

Long Range, another Chokeboretra’ined one, gave a more impressive display by the manner in which he accounted for the Spring Handicap. The massive son of Antagonist and Telescope did not begin any too smartly, and two furlongs from home was standing up such p, rare finisher as Glendower quite three lengths. By a brilliant effort he caught the leader inside the distance and scored in very decisive style. Of the three Chokebore horses produced at the meeting Long Range gave by far the best showing.

Indifferent jumping lost Hylans the First Hurdle Race. He lost quite a length at almost every obstacle and carried a panel of the last hurdle away. This helped Vascular, who was in close attendance, and he gathered up the leader in the last few strides. Of the several novices, Kimbolton gave the most promising display, his jumping being clean and quick. On the second day he showed to further advantage by leading practically from start to finish in the Second Hurdle Handicap. On this occasion he outjumped Achilledes, who went with him from the start, and scored so decisively as to suggest him doing better in more select company. G. M. Aynsley produced his Derby candidate, Scornful, in the Braemar Welter, and he scored in decisive style from Warform. Though not yet at his best, Scornful is such a free galloper that his prospects must be taken into account for three-year-old classics. Only for being so far back in the early stages and meeting with

interference Warform would assuredly have troubled the winner. The English-bred Saxby was regarded as next to a certainty for the Hack Handicap, and with ordinary luck would have won. As it was he got' knocked back just after the start, and though putting in good work over the last two furlongs could not get to Spyglass and Zephland. Saxby is still rather green, but has enough pace to win a good race for his importer, Mr. J. Grigg. A New Zealand Cup candidate in Royal Star was supported down to a very short price for the First Hack Welter. After getting practically left at the post his chance looked almost hopeless till three parts of the journey had been left behind. Then by a phenomenal run he got to Arihia and just managed to prevail in the last stride. As a Cup trial, Royal Star’s performance suggests him having a fair outside chance next November.

On the strength of her Amberley form the Trial Plate looked practically a gift for Moorabbe, who was unpenalised. So it proved, for she was in front from start to finish, winning very comfortably. The biggest surprise of the meeting was that effected by Thestius in the Fairfield Hack Handicap on the second day. Though there were only five starters, the Martian gelding was so little fancied that his few backers received a dividend of just on two score. Glendower and Killjoy were bracketed for the big event on the second

day, and they had the finish to themselves. Killjoy led throughout, but from the manner in which Glendower kept the others in check it seemed that he could have done better. Thougt not quite A his best the Gienapp gelding promises very well for his N.Z. Cup engagement. Killjoy is improving with every race and is almost certain to catch a good race in November.