SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2371, 8 November 1881, Page 3

SPORTING.

CANTERBURY METROPOLITAN MEETING, 1831. First Day—Tuesday. Stewards —J. Stndholrae, L. Walker, P. Cunningham, E. L. Clogatoun, A. C. Wilson, J. B. Gresson, W. H. Wynn Williams. Judge, M. Stndholmo ; starter, J. Brabazon ; handicappor, E. G. Griffith ; clerk of tho course, E. W. Millett; clerk of the scales, S. Garforth; hon. treasurer, G. G. Stead.

The first part of the opening day of the Metropolitan Meeting could scarcely have been better as regards weather had it been picked. A gentle breeze, just enough to temper tho sun's rays and make it pleasant, the course and the grass around looking green and fresh, and a splendid stand and lawn should certainly be sufficient to please the most fastidious in racing matters. The club certainly deserve very great credit for the excellence of their arrangements, not the least being tho greatly improved accommodation afforded to the members of the fourth estate, who have a stand and commodious room for their especial nse. As the first race was about to start, a shower came up, but was only of short duration. The various officials were to the fore, and tho now arrangements worked well. The BAlway Band was on the lawn, and during the day played a capital selection of music. The Free Handicap opened the ball, for which eleven were goers. Of these, Chancellor had a bit the best of it in the betting, Mr Walters’ game little Billingsgate also having a following, whilst for tho off chance Talent was backed for a little, and his friends had a great idea of his going to the fore. Sir George was also fancied, the betting being 5 to 2 about him, and 4 a d 5 to 1 tho rest. The speedy son of Izaak Walton, however, secured tho first race of tho meeting for the North by a rather easy win from Chancellor, Talent, who looked dangerous for a time, not being able to foot it with his two leader*.

The Free Handicap. A sweepstakes of 3 sovs each, with 100 sovs addoj. Acceptances with 2 sovs each, to go to the fund, to be paid by 9 p.m.on November 4th. The sweep to bo paid by 9 p.m. on the evening general entry. One mile. Mr W. Walters’ b h Billingsgate, by Izaak Walton —Slander, 5 yrs, 9st 7lb (Dorret) 1 Mr H. Goodman’s hr h Chancellor, aged, Bst 2!b ... ... ... (H. Thompson) 2 Mr G. P. Williams’ c g Talent, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b (Clifford) 3

Sir George, On Dit, The Poet, The Joker, Rawdon, Duesaa, Laertes, and Farewell also ran.

After a little trouble Mr Brabazon got the lot away to a fairly good start. Chancellor, Talent and On Dit being quickest away. Billingsgate was fourth, Duessa, Joker, Laertes, Farewell and Rawdon forming the rear division. In this order they ron to near Ford’s, where Talent began to force tho running with Chancellor, who had gone back a little, second ; On Dit after a few more strides had done her best, and yielded pride of place to Billingsgate. At the turn Talent still led, coming at a hot pace, with Chancellor second and Billingsgate third, the latter coming fast. The two soon came out from the rest, and a clipping race ensued up the straight for homo between Chancellor and Billingsgate. The rose and black stripes however would not be denied, and the first race of the meeting waa placed to the credit of Mr Walters; Chancellor about half a length off. Talent a length and a half, and the rest in a cluster. Time—lmin 46iaecs. For the Derby six came out, of which Peeress colt and Dauphin were the favorites, though Matakau was fancied by some. The result proved that the followers of The Dauphin were well founded in their confidence, as he pulled off the race after a fine spin with the Peeress colt, who came a little late, but made Bob Bay do his best to pull it off. Mataku led the field a merry dance from the start, but waa unable to stay with the two leaders. The race was a very good one, the rush of the Peeress colt at the rails being somethin;! to see. The Derby Stakes. A sweepstakes of 20 sovs each, with 250 sovs added, for three-year-olds. Colts and geldings, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 51b. Second horse to save bis stake. 2 sovs on nomination; 8 sovs on acceptance on general entry day ; and 10 sovs by 9 p.m. the evening before the race.

Closed with 46 snbs. One mile and a-half. Mr Westmacott’s b c The Dauphin, by Tradacer—Maria Theresa, Bst 101 b (R. Bay) 1 Mr W Walters’ b o, Tattendon—Peeress, Bst 101 b ... (Derrett) 2 Mr G. Fraser’s b f Hinemoa, Sat 51b (Wattiey 3 Mr Hereford's ch c Nonpareil, Bst 101 b (Q. Hope) 0 Mr C. Redwood’s o f Diosma, Sat 51b (Herd) 0 There was a little difficulty in getting the lot away, the quartette formed of those, except Dauphin and the Yattendon-Peoress colt, being inclined to get away long before the starter’s flag fell. When they were at last despatched Mataku led with Nonpareil second, Dauphin third, Hinemoa fourth, the Yattendon colt and Diosma forming the rear division. In this order they ran to the far side of the course, where Dauphin went up to Mataku, and raced with him to Ford’e, Nonpareil third, Hinemoa still lying fourth, the Yattendon colt heading tbojrear division about three lengths off. Coming down to the rails at the turn, Hinemoa took third place, but was unable to stay long. Here Derritt, who was some two lengths behind Nonpareil, made a rush with the Yattendon colt, and came like a bolt through his horses, getting on terms with tho Dauphin, who, with Mataku second, was loading. A capital race ensued down the straight between Dauphin and Peeress colt, Mataku shutting up soon after entering tho rails. Dauphin, who was finely ridden by Bob Ray, managed to score a win by about a length, and Hinemoa secured the barren honors of third place by a short length from Nonpareil ; the rest in a cluster beaten off. Time—2min. 44seo. The former was heartily cheered on returning to scale. At the end of the Derby there was a smart shower and every prospect of a wet afternoon.

The O.J. Handicap produced eight starters, and was run in a perfect pelting shower of rain. Grip had all tho call in tho betting, although Lady Emma was fancied by many. Mr Fraser’s colt, Louis D’Or,who ran a game horse, was picked by some as the probable winner, and at one time looked very like it. Old Grip, however, was not to be denied, and won a very fine race from Louis D’Or by about a length, Lady Emma third. The Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap. A sweepstakes of 20 sovs each, with 500 sovs added. Second horse to receive 50 sovs from tho stake ; third horso to save his stake. Nomination, 2 sovs, to go to tho fund. Closed with 65 subscribers. Two miles. Mr W. Robinson’s blk Grip, 5 yrs, Slander —Awatea, Bst 61b (Derrett) 1

Mr G. Fraser’s ch c Louis D’Or, 3 yrs, 6st 31b (Sturgiss) 2 Sir Hercules Robinson’s b f Lady Emma. 4 yrs, 7st lolb (Clifford) 3 Le Loup, Libeller, tho Governor, and Hilda also ran.

Hilda took a preliminary cantor of a mile and a half, which effectually extinguished any chance of winning she might have had. Grip was quickest on his legs, closely followed by Louis D’Or and Libeller, with Volunteer, the Governor, Le Loup and Hilda in the order named. Passing tho stand Grip had tho load still, with Louis D’Or second, and Libeller third, the rest in a cluster. At the far side of the course Lady Emma, who had been lying in rear, began to improve hor position, and ran up into fourth place. Erom this out it seemed that the trio, Grip, Lady Emma and Louis D’Or would have to fight the issue out between them, and tho result proved the correctness of this supposition. At the rails coming into tho straight Louis D’Or made his effort, but was unable to stay with Grip though ho made a good fight, and

the latter won by about a length, Lady Emma about two lengths from Louis D’Or, Volunteer fourth. Time—3min. 45socs. The Welcome Stakes. A sweepstakes of 15 sovs each, with 200 sovs added, for two-year-olds. Colts and geldings, Bst 51b; fillies, Bst Second horse to save bis stake. Closed with 27 subs. Four furlongs. Mr Hereford's fcr f Siesta, by Traduoer — Hammack, Bst ... ... ... ... 1 Mr W. Robinson’s br c- Vanguard, by Traducer—En Avant, Bst 51b Mr W. C. Webb’s b f Amazon, by Anteros — Revoke, Bst 3 Time—SOJsoos.