CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1598, 9 December 1920, Page 12

CANTERBURY.

The Methven R.C.’s Annual Fixture — Notes on the Racing—Warlike’s Brilliant Victory, in Cup.

< CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. There was a very large attendance at the Methven Racing Club’s annual meeting on Thursday, and the sport provided was of a most entertaining nature. Owing to the special passenger and horse trains being nearly an hour and a-half late, the first race was put back from noon to 1.15 p.m. This prejudiced the success of the gathering, Christchurch visitors not reaching home till 11 o’clock. In the absence of Mr. A. Gv Wood through illness the starting was entrusted to Mr. W. B. Freeman, but his efforts at the barrier were not over successful. Backers of favourites had a bad time, not a single one coming to their rescue, but those who supported second favourites collected six dividends out of the eight events.

Though Endure was saddled up for the Mount Harding Hurdles, no rider could be obtained for him and he was withdrawn, the investments on him being returned. Vice Regal was in charge all the way and won easily by three lengths from Mandrake. The winner was evidently all the better for his race at Timaru, but his jumping was not too clean. For a first attempt Mandrake gave a promising display and will be all the better for his experience. When looking to have fair prospects, Strayshot ran out at one of the hurdles, and jumped the wing, losing several lengths, while Good Hope broke down badly. . The Methven Cup produced one of the finest races ever seen on the course. Royal Mac and Greek Son showed the way past the stand, with Nightraider already tailing off. Racing along the back, Warlike? improved his position, and a quarter of a mile from home was just behind the leading pair. At the distance Greek Son had Royal Mac’s measure, and there Warlike put in his claim. Staying on better than Greek Son, Warlike got up in the last few strides to win by a neck. It was a fine performance on the winner’s part and not a little of his success was due to the vigorous manner in which he was ridden by C. Emerson. Greek Son put up his best race to date, and with a stronger horseman on him might have reversed positions with Warlike. Royal Mac ran like a nonstayer, while Nightraider put up a patchy performance. After refusing to try in the early stages, he was galloping over everything at the finish.

Late scratchings reduced the field for the Springfield Trial Plate to nine moderates, and it failed to arouse much interest. Palladium got the best of a straggling start, and led throughout, winning comfortably by two lengths from Amendment. Only for getting badly away the latter would have been dangcrous-.-~China-town, the favourite, never lookbd- to have winning prospects, while JeafL Gluten was stopping badly over the

last furlong. When holding a good position Pussyfoot ran off the course, and galloped ten miles before being captured. After several brakes away in the Electric Hack Handicap, they got away in straggling ordes, Kolyma and Lady Pallas being quickest out. With heads in line for home there was little to choose between Volkova, 'Lady Pallas and Sans Souci. A hundred yards from the post the first named pair drew away and in a desperate finish, Lady Pallas got the verdict by a short head. Sans Souci was hampered by his penalty over the last furlong, but even so, put up a creditable race.

On his fine showing in the Cup, Greek Son was backed -with every confidence for the Viewmount Welter. Braid got a' flying start, and with half the journey gone was quite six lengths clear of Thestius and Greek Son. Turning into the straight the leader had relinquished little of her advantage, and, though hard ridden, was still three lengths to the good when the post was reached. A battle royal between Bondage and Greek Son for second money ended in favour of the former by a. neck. Braid owed her success to her lucky start, as under ordinary circumstances both Greek Son and Bondage should have beaten her. Fabisco was backed as a certainty for the Mount Hutt Handicap, with Mythology next in demand. Starting with his accustomed brilliancy, thefavourite was soon out in front, but he retired well beaten soon after entering the home straight. This left the issue to Bomb and Braid, who fought, out a great finish, which ended in favour of the former by a neck. The winner was ridden a nice race by F. Voight, who is one of the most accomplished lightweights at present riding.

LATER. Great Northern Derby Candidate, Vespucci, Shows Marked Improvement —Arrovysmith’s Attractive Track Essays—Meeting With Gloaming in Islington Plate Arousing Keen Interest — Royal Mac to be Given Spell —Auckland Cup Favourites —Riccarton Representatives for A.R.C. Meeting. (Telegraph—Christchurch Correspondent) After winning a couple of races at Feilding with Gloaming, z R. J. Mason returned to Riccarton on Saturday. He will the preparation of VespuccY and Rossini, and leave with them in about a fortnight’s time for Auckland. Vespucci has improved a lot since racing in the C.J.C. Derby, and he will give evidence of it in the Great Northern Derby. On Saturday morning he got over five furlongs in Imin. 3 l-ssec., finishing particularly well. Rossini’s track efforts have not been of such a nature as to suggest him having much of a chance in the A.R.C. Railway Handicap. No horse trained at Riccarton has been galloping so attractively as Arrowsmith. On Saturday morning, with J. Campbell in the saddle, carrying 9.6, he broke away from the mile post, reeling off the first four furlongs in 49 l-ssec., five furlongs _ in Imin. 1 2-ssec., six furlongs in Imin. 14sec., and the full journey in Imin. 43 2-ssee., easing up over the last couple of furlongs. The English-bred horse is in even better form than when he won the Stewards’ Handicap:' I understand he is to be a starter in the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie, and it is only a matter of his being well placed in the early stages to trouble the best of them over the last furlong. Gloaming remains at Feilding to be picket! upUy his trainer on his way to Auckland. If Arrowsmith meets him in the Islington Plate there will be a contest worth travelling from one end of the Dominion to the other ,to see. Royal Mac gave a lot of promise in the spring, but has hardly sustained early expectations. He-has run several good races, including a couple of wins, and has seldom been out of a place. After his failure at Methven Harrison determined to give the gelding a good spell, and he will be taken up again in time for the C.J.C. summer meeting. E. Scoullar has recently taken in

hand the Boniform —Margarete gelding purchased by Mr. A. Murdoch at the November yearling sales. The youngster gives more than average uromise. Locally, Gasbag and Prince Willonvx are favourites for the Auckland Cup. Nightraider will be a starter, but on any of his recent form the Chokebore representative can be written out. Still it is only a question of his galloping generously all through to be on hand at the finish. He will probably be ridden by that promising lightweight F. Voight, who seems to get more out of the uncertain' son of Martian than any other horseman. Winning Hit has been galloping very nicely since the November meeting. He will be sent north to oppose Mermin in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, and looks like defeating everything else. Winter Wind is going on the right way, and is in much better racing order than when he raced at the N.Z. Cup meeting. He will form one of Sir George Clifford’s representatives at the A.R.C. fixture, and should be kept in mind. Another ' Chokebore representative in Miss Mimic is on the improve. She has only to be,on her best behaviour to be troublesome in the A.R.C. Railway Handicap. Good Hope’s breakdown at. the Methven meeting was of such a serious nature that it is doubtful if he will ever race again. At present he is under veterinary treatment-Owner-trainer Mr. C. Buckenham has taken Happy Captain in hand again after a spell. The gelding appears to feel better*' for his throat operation, as does Pyjama, who underwent similar treatment. Clean Sweep and Some Kid are at present on the easy list as a result of minor ailments. Both will be taken in band again shortly. Acting under medical advice, Jockey G. Young has taken a fortnight’s holiday, which he will spend in the North Island. , His brother Harold has almost thrown off the effects of his recent illness. W.th Some Kid amiss, W. McDonald has only two moderates in Fabisco and Castellan in work at the present time.