SPORTING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2374, 11 November 1881, Page 3

SPORTING.

CANTERBURY METROPOLITAN MEETING, 1881. Third Day—Friday. Stewards —Messrs J. Stndholmo, L. Walker, P Cunningham, E. L. dogstonn, A. C. Wilson, J. B. Gresson, W. H. Wynn Williams. Judge, Mr M. Stndholme; starter, Mr J. Brabazon ; handicapper, Mr E. G. Griffith ; clerk of the course, Mr E. W. Millett; clerk of the scales, Mr S. Garforth; hon. treasurer, Mr G. G. Stead. Whether it was owing to the reaction after the excitement of the Cnp day, or from the fact that the majority of the pnbliclwere unaware of a start being made half an hour earlier, the attendance at the time of starting the first race was meagre in the extreme. The weather was not by any means pleasant, a strong easterly wind blowing up clouds of dust. Only two were starters for the Christchurch Plate, about which of course, considering that the two engaged were Louis d’Or and Grip there was but little wagering. Of what there was laid. Grip had all the best, a confidence which he justified by winning a fast race by some three lengths very comfortably. The Christchurch Plate. A sweepstakes of 5 Bovs each, with 150 Bovs added. Second horse to save his stake. Nomination, 5 bovs, to go to the fund. The winner of the Canterbury Cup to carry 71ba ; the winner of the Derby, 51bs ; and of both races, lOlbs penalty. Maidens at starting allowed—for 3 yra. 51bs ; 4 yrs, lOlbs; 5 yrs and upwards, 141bs. Once round and a distance. Hon. W. Robinson's hlk h Grip, 5 yrs, Slanderer —Awatea, 9st 111 b (Derritt) 1 Mr G. Fraser’s ch c Louis d’Or, 3 yrs. Tat 41b (Stnrgisa) 2

After one attempt to get the pair away, in which Louis d’Or’a colors were prominent to the front, the pair went away to a good start. Grip was quickest on his legs, leading Lonis d’Or by a length till passing the stand, when Lonis d’Or came with a ru»h and went to the front, holding a half length lead. This he improved at the turn by Cutts’ stables to three lengths, both going at a rare bat. In this order they ran to the turn into the straight, Grip gradually lessening the distance between himself and Mr Fraser’s colt. At the rails it was evident that Louis d’Or had shot his bolt, and despite the fact that from this out Sturgiss had the whip out to him pretty freely. Grip forged ahead, and won comfortably by three lengths. Time, 3min 6aec. Eight were goers for the Metropolitan, of which The Dauphin had the call in the public estimation. Sir George being next in pride of place. As an off chance, a good many put their money on to Chancellor, who was considered to have a very excellent show outside of the two favorites, Sir George and The Dauphin. This he justified by winning a’good race from Tasman by a length. By the time this race was weighed out, the attendance had improved somewhat, though it was still very meagre even for a third day, which, though looked upon generally as an off day, usually produces a fair number of visitors. Thera was considerable difficulty about the start. The Dauphin being very fractions, and evincing a strong disinclination to face the starter’s flag. As it was, the start was a very bad one indeed, three horses, amongst whom were the Poet and The Dauphin, getting the best of it. The Metropolitan Handicap. A sweepstakes of 5 sovs each, with 150 sovs added. Second horse to save his stake. Nomination, 3 sovs, to go to the fund. One mile and a half. Mr H. Goodman’s hr h Chancellor, by Traducer—Sweetbriar, aged. Sat 71b (H. Thompson) 1 Mr D. O’Brian’s Tasman, 3 yrs, 6st 121 b Butler) 2 Messrs Mason and Vallance’s b h Volunteer, 4 yrs, Sst (Wattie) 0 Mr Westmacott’s b c The Dauphin, 3yrs, 7st Hlb (Hoskins) 0 Mr Hereford's ch g The Joker, 5 yrs, fiat 31b (Hankins) 0 Mr G. Bates’ ch g The Poet, 4 yrs, 6st 121 b (Allan) 0 Mr O. Owen’s ch c Sir George, Sst 101 b (Herd) 0

After two or throe attempts to get tho seven away, in which the colors of The Dauphin and Tasman wore conspicuous, they wore depatched to a bad start, The Poet. Joker and The Dauphin having all the best of it. At Cutts’, Tasman led, The Poet second, with Dauphin third ; tho rest in a cluster three lengths away. At Ford’s, tho rear division close on to the leaders, and Chancellor and Volunteer were seen coming out of the ruck. The Dauphin and Tho Poet still led, and it was not till the turn into tho straight that Chancellor began to come into a prominent position in the race. Here the colors showed up conspicuously, with Tasman, who shot out of tho rear guard very rapidly, second. The Dauphin and Poet fell back, leaving Chancellor and Tasman to fight it out. The latter was under the whip, but failed to stay with Mr Goodman’s horse, who won by lalf-a-length. Volunteer was rushed into third place almost on the post, the Dauphin fourth, and the rest in a cluster. Time, 2mm. For the Spring Nursery Handicap there were ten on the card, of which Siesta was the most fancied, the more so as her owner selected her as the best. Vanguard and Kobeoca were absentees, they being scratched, but all the rest were goers. The start was effected after several

breaks away, in which Te Ata was conspicuous. I'he winner turned up in Nonsense, whose r otory was most popular. The Spring Nursery Handicap, of 100 sova for the winner. The sweepstakes of 5 sovs to go to the second horse. For two-year-olds. Nomination, with 2 sovs, on general entry day. Four furlongs. Mr Hereford's ch f Nonsense. 7st 91b, Albury —No Name (Wattio) 1 Mr W. C, Webb’s b f Amazon, 7st 91b (Hoskins) 2 Mr P. Butler’s b f Trinket, 7st 31b (Butler) 3 After a lot of fiddling, the eight got away to a bad start, Amazon taking the lead, with Non sense second, Welcome Jack third. In this order they ran till half way down the straight, whore Trinket ran into third place, Nonsense finishing first by a length from Amazon, Trinket third. Time, SOJaeo. Six cried content for the Selling Plate Handicap, The Joker, 7st 101 b, being the only absentee. It was thought to be a moral for Fleur de Lys, with 7st 81b, though some few had a weakness for Coldstream, 7st 91b. Talent, with Sat lolb, had a following, who were faithful and true to him on the strength of his former running.

The Selling Plate Handicap, of 50 bovs. To be ridden by lada who have never won a race of the value of 25 sova. Any horse, excepting the winner, may be claimed for 200 sovs. The winner to be put up to auction immediately after the race at the claiming price. The snrplna (if any) to be divided between the second horse and the fund. Entrance, 2 sova. Six furlongs. Eon. W. Eobinaon’a blk m On Dit, by Albany—Gossip, 5 yrs, Bst 41b (Bishop) 1 Nr J. Lunn’s oh g Coldstream, 5 yrs, 7st 91b (Dnrston) 2 Mr Q. P. Williams’ ch g Talent, 5 yrs, Sat 101 b 3 Messrs Mason and Vallance’s hr c Fleur-de-Lye, 3 yrs, 7st 81b ... (Sturgiss) 0 Mr H. George’s b f Aurora, 3 yrs, 6at 71b

(Newman) 0 The Joker, 7st 101 b, was scratched.

After one fake start, in which Coldstream’s colors were conspicions, the lot were sent away to a fairly good start, Coldstream, On Dit and Talent being quickest away, with Fleur de Lys, Aurora and Gold Dust in the order named. At the turn, Talent assumed charge of affairs, with On Dit second, Coldstream third, and the rest in a cluster. As they came down the straight On Dit challenged and passed Talent, closely followed by Coldstream, and from the commencement of the rails of the saddling paddock a splendid race ensnod between On Dit and Coldstream, who ran neck and neck for about thirty yards. Jnat before the winning post was reached the Albany filly managed to got a short head the best of it, Talent a good third, the rest in a cluster, headed by Fleur de-Lys, who fipished fourth. Time, Imin 19sec. For the Plying Handicap, Volunteer, Flenr-de-Lys, and Hinemoa were scratched. Sir George was made a hot favorite. Coldstream’s recent bucking in the Selling Plate rendering his chance of starting hardly so good as might be wished by his backers, and it was not a matter for astonishment that he was scratched. This reduced the field to five, and of these Sir George held the call np to the start. The Flying Handicap, of 100 sovs for the winner, the sweepstakes of 3 sovs each to go to the second horse. For three-year-olds and upwards, 2 sovs on nomination, to go to the fnnd. Six furlongs. Mr G. Bates’ b m Hilda, 4 yrs, 7st 1 Mr E. Cntts’ ch m Nautilus, 4 yrs, 7st 51b... 2 Mr C. Owen’s ch h Sir George, 4 yrs, 9et ... 8 Mr W. C. Webb’s b m Farewell, 5 yrs.

6st 71b 0 Mr Hereford's oh g Nonpareil, 3 yrs, 7st 71b 0