CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1572, 10 June 1920, Page 14

CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB.

FXSST BAY’S RACING. (Fi’fin Our Christchurch Correspondent) After a spell of real winter, the weather cleared up nicely for the first day of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's winter meeting. There was a record attendance, which included mrnv visitors from South Canterbury and ’ North Otago. Though rather on the heavy side, little fault could be found with the going, which was estimated as being from two to three seconds slow to the mile. Every event drew large fields, and there was no lack of interest in the racing, which was of a particularly high standard all through. Speculation was particularly risk the sum of £38,961 being handled,

as against £25,508 on the corresponding day last year. There was not a great deal of interest taken in the First Amateur Handicap, which attracted a field of 23 moderates. After Grand Dillon had taken a hand as pacemaker, Waiwera drew to the front and half a mile from home appeared to have the result in safe keeping. Over the last furlong his driver appeared to take matters rather too easily, and Miss Chancellor got up in the last few strides to win by a neck. At different stages of the race Gentle Ribbons, Major Domo and Rosie Wilkes appeared to have winning chances, but they failed to sustain their efforts. Wonder Why, the favourite, could not be induced to settle down over the first part of the journey, but gave promise by finishing up just behind the placed horses. Gentle Ribbons had every chance, but quite failed to show the speed credited to him in private. This marked Miss Chancellor’s second win within a few weeks, and she was capably driven by Mr. R. Fleming. The North Island-owned two-year-old Nelson Derby was supported with the utmost confidence for the Peninsular Handicap, but he was well beaten at the end of a mile. Locanda, Junr., started very smoothly, and made the running throughout. When heads were in line for home, Madeline put in a well-sus-tained run, and had the leader doing his best over the last hundred yards. Locanda Junr. was driven a confident race by A. Hendricksen, who has the son of Brent Locanda very well. Nelson Derby was evidently troubled by the heavy going, and little notice need be taken of his defeat. Guy Dillon went a solid race all through, but two well-fancied candidates, in Eulius and Saints Bell, failed to race up to expectations. Amongst the unplaced division Nabob, The Whip, and Lindetta gave the best showings. Albert Cling was the only- eleventh hour withdrawal from the Paparoa Handicap leaving a useful field of eleven to contest the big harness event. Weight of Dunedin money saw Stockade installed favourite, with, the Oakhampton pair,—Admiral Wood and Erin's King—next in demand. It- was

a disappointing contest, for Sympathy, Brown's Nugget, Whispering Willie, and Agathos were all slow to begin, and it was early apparent that the issue lay between Stockade and Gleaming. This pair cleared right away from the field, and with half the journey covered Vice-Admiral was heading' the others a long way back. Pacing in great style, Stockade always had a little the better of Gleaming', but he had to be driven right out to win by two lengths. This is the first race that has come Stockade’s way since last February, and it was decidedly popular. Gleaming showed unexpected stamina by fighting out every yard of the final stages with the winner, and a race should soon come his way. When looking to have fair prospects six furlongs from home Agathos went to a bad break, only for which he would certainly have been dangerous. Vice-Admiral put up a solid race all through, while Admiral Wood showed plenty of speed in the early stages. Notwithstanding his creditable display in the Peninsular Handicap, backers preferred the chances of Tauhinu, Hoymetta, Prince Burlington, and The Rook to those of Guy Dillon for the Lyttelton Handicap. For three-parts of the journey it was a pretty race, there being little to choose between Tauhinu, Mcpey, Prince Burlington, and Guy Dillon. Going along the back the last-named drew clear, and turned for home well in advance of Mopey and Prince Burlington. Under pressure, Guy Dillon was stopping, but he was still a length to the good of Prince Burlington as the post was reached. It was a creditable performance on the part of both horses, while of the others, Hoymetta gave the best showing. After going half a mile, Coalition came down, but his rider was uninjured. Albert Cling carried the confidence of backers in the Stewards’ Ha.ndicap, but his supporters got a poor run for their money, as he dislodged his driver at the first turn. Rorke’s Drift looked a winner till half a mile from home, where Chid and Silver Nut closed on him. Drawing away at the top turn. Chid was going comfortably in front as the field straightened ur> for the run home. Even to the distance it looked any odds on his prevailing, but under pressure he stopped, and Silver Nut passed him in the last few strides. The winner finished very resolutely, and a longer race should soon come his way. Of the back-makers. General Link gave the best showing, after being none too well placed in the early stages. Sally Dillon opened up such a big lead in the first mile of the Aviation Handicap as to make her success seem assured. Over the last furlong she was being hard ridden to keep her place, and was outstayed by Our Goldie, who won by a length. These two daughters of Harold Dillon were the only ones to trot correctly, all the others making mistakes. Parkfield was putting in solid work all through the second mile, but the displays of Blazer Wilson, Captain Rothschild. Ballin, and Delville Wood were. disappointing. Treasure .Seeker was slow to settle to business, 'and did well to finish just behind the placed horses. The Railway Handicap provided one of the finest finishes ever seen on the course. Annie Dillon and Miss Havoc set a very solid pace from the start, with Locanda Dillon and Miss Edith handy. Miss Havoc was in front at the distance, where Locanda Dillon. Miss Edith, and Nabob were just behind her. Under punishment, Locanda Dillon just got his head in front as the box was reached, with Miss Edith, Proudspring. Nabob, and Miss Havoc almost in line. The winner was capably . driven by F. Holmes, and put up his best race this season. Hayseed, the actual favourite, was slow to begin, and never got into the fighting line. Fishertcn, hai'ing from A. Fleming's stable, was backed with the utmost confidence for the Au Revoir Handicap, but once again he gave a sorry showing. After getting nicely away, the favourite went to a tangle at the end of three furlongs, after which he faded right out. Half a mile from home Hickory wood. Hu tana, Harold Child, and Robert Dillon all appeared to have reasonable prospects. Just when Hickorywood looked an almost certain winner, Little Kauri came along with a phenomenal run, and scored decisively. The winner, who has only been in work a few weeks, was little fancied, even by his stable connections, and he returned a nice price.