CANTERBURY DOINGS
By Fritz.
The weather is still oppres&ively warm and ths urn, for -wrich we have been anxiou-ly wnitma; fcr seveial mouths, seeais as far ott as ever Trainers who have no immediate engagements for their horses are net so badly off, but the- hard tracks are very teveie on thesp- that are wanted for early racing, andthat have m consequence to be kept up to the collai From present indications Riccarton stables arc likely to be strongly in evidence at the Dm edm Jockey Club's meeting this week Probably aboiit 20 horses froff this quarter will be "seen out at the Wingatui fixture. Private advices received from, Melbourne during the we«k state that Munjeet is greatly fencied for the Newmarket Handicap. Mention of Munjeet reminds me that she will be ridden in her Australian autumn engagements by L. G King, who informs me that he will be leaving fcr Melbourne at the conclusion of the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting. Mr G. G Stoad has sold the three-year-old GoW Braid, by Royal Artillery or Mjiltiform, to Mr Grantley, and he will in future be trained by F. Holmes. Go-Id Braid has once or twice shown promising form, and he maj not be long before he wins a race. Gknculloch is striding along freely in his work a,t present, and I expect to see him running well in some of the big events to be decided before the close of the season. .
W. Pine has relinquished his position as private trainer to Mr J. F. Buchanan. So fa.- as I can learn, Mr Buchanan has not decided on anything definitely regarding the future of hi 3 team, which is at present somewhat weak. It would be no great siirprise if he were to retire for a year, pending the time -when the young Martians will be xeady for racing. _ Two well-known trainers, in R. J Mason and M. Hobbs, intend leaving for England this month on pleasure bent. Mason expects to be back m time for the New Zealand Cup meeting, but Hobbs wili make a more extended trip. In consequence of his early departure for England, M. Hobbs last week disposed of Aircee Soult, the daughter of Soult — Hctcherma being purchased bj Messrs Don-n-ellan, the West Coast sportsmen, for 125gs>. If she remains sound, Airnee Soult should be a, good stake earner an the Coast. Mr S. Nettlefold. who is closely associated with D. J. Price's stable, lelt for Melbourne during the week in order to cc present at the autumn meetings in Australia. The hunter Makuri is now a, member of Groats's division. He looks well after his respite Piobable and Gwendolma, who have been enjoying a rest, are again in active commission. Tne steeplechaser Eurus, who has jo far proved a disappointment, has again— joined Clarke's active brigade. He is in nice order to commence his preparation for -winter engagements.
G. Aynsky has removed to his new quarters, which are situated on part of the old Middle Park Estate. Traitoress has been sent name, her owner having wisely decided to give her a test. Aynsley's active team is, therefore, reduced to Prim Sir Artegax is to be added to the list. When next he sports silk it may be in hack company in the North Island. Slow Tom is once more in active work, m view of the winter meetings. At a meeting of the Ashburton Trotting Club, Mr H F. Nicholl in the chair, Mr A. A. Fooks was elected secretary in plate of Mr D. M'Dounell, resigned. A letter was read from the New Zealand Trotting Association drawing the club's attention to breaches of rules relating to the weaung of colours, and the matter was referred to the clerk of the scales It was decided to apply to the Trotting Association foi permission to hold the autumn meeting on Apul 2 and 6 It was decided that stakes to the amount of £610 should be given, the amount being £120 in excess of that given at the spring meeting. An adjourned meeting of the Orari Spoarts Club was held m Geraldme on Wedne=day night to consider the question of the pioposed amalgamation with the Geraldme Eacms Club. There was a. good attendar.ee and the ohair was occupied by Mr J. Kennedy. A lettei was lead from the Chairman of the Racing Conference stating that there were grave objections to taking the proposed course, and after discussion it was decided to continue as <at pre=ent The club then held its annual meeting and appointed the following officers —President. Mr L R Corsbie; vice-presidents. Messrs M. Harper and H M Spencer , secretary and treasurer, Mr E O'Malley; judge, Mr C. E. Shallcrass, clerk of cour&e, Mr R. Orton ; handicapper and starter, Mr B. R Macdoiiald , handicapper tor trots. Mr G Morrison ; stewards — Messrs A. Bates. G. Worner, J. Kennedy, W. Quirke W. Mason, D. Macdonald. J. Mullan. W. Baxter, C. Borrell, C. Stock, and W. Connolly. It was decided to hold the annual race "meeting on May 7. and a Programme Committee was appointed to draw up a programme, with mstrviction3 not to exceed £80 in stakes The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting, which was held last week, pro\sd a veiy successful fixture. The weather was fine and there was a good attendance on both days. The fields were exceptionally laige, and the mcing. particulaily on the beoond day, was full of interest. On the opening day there was some trouble with tli_> bookmakers regarding the position ass gued to them but eventually the stewards oc< ed<?d to the request for a belter position, and six layeis commenced business after the second race. On the second day the ring was increased to nine Speculation through th.- 1 totalizator was busk, the amount handled during the two days baing £13,165 10s, as compared with £13.003 last year. Racing commenced on Thursday with the Spreydon Handicap, for which the field numbered ten. Mavoureen., starting from scratch, gradualh cut her opponents down, and eventually won, with a bit to spare, by six lengths from Miss Yera, with Imperial Girl a moderate third, and The Gift next. Nineteen lined up for the Ladies' Bracelet Handicap, and once moie a back marker scored, .bonification winning comfortably from Wood Bell and Trixey V. The -winner, who is a four-year-old by Specification — Bonnie Veen, is a very promising sort, and he may ncrt be long before he registers a good performance. Tie Queen's Handicap attracted a, lozen star-
t-ers, and it resolved itself into a match between Bess o' th' Barn and Romany Lad, the former winning by six lengths. V R just beat Casey for third place T'lmteen took part in the Paihumentary Handicap. Ratawcod, who was favourite, m«de the early, running, but t'nea lost i.'s plrce. Franceses going to the front. Soon after pas>«mg the mile pest Deriingcotte took charge, a'-.d easily holding his own' to the finish, he won bj about) eight lengths Rutawood went in good style ove-i the second mile, and seemed certain to get second, but Francesca cut him down on the post. Impatient was fourth, and Darwin fifth There weie ten starters for the February Handicap. Enyal Money was soon out in front, and at the end of a mile she had at commanding lead. A little further on shaf showed signs of tiring, and it was only. Prmgle's careful handling that enabled he< to see cut the journey and beat Elmwoodl by three lengths Begonia was thirds anc? Alliance fourth. Thirteen lined up for th«» Members' Handicap, which resolved itself into a procession, with an outsider ins Slewe© in front all the way There tub a good race for second place, Mies Vivian just beating' Redchild with. Woodlauder close up. The Speedwell Handicap provided another aur« price Ten Tre-e went off smartly, and trotting without a mistake, he just lasted long enough) to stall c!f a djtei mined challenge from th« favourite, Bessie B Ben Hur put up a good performance in running into third place. The day's sport was brought to a close with; the Pressman's Handicap, for which the field numbered a dozen. Star Child drew away at the start, but Woodthorp M*id was on terma at the end of half f mile, and she won> easily by ten lengths Star Child beating Wild" Duck by 15 lengths. On Saturdaj proceedings opened with the Improvers' Handicap, in which Wildwoocl Jun. went to the front soon after the start, and easily defeated the 13 horses that opposed him. The winner is a good-looking colt by Wildwood — Thelrna, and I expect to find him doing a lot better later on. In this ra-ce. howe\er, he- was sonie-what fortunate in ha\iug such an easy task. Tk# Ladies' Bracelet attracted t field of 19, ana after a great ra-ce Prince Irvington beati Lady Irvicgton by three lengths, Princess Rose being a moderate third. The Zealandis Handicap, the chief event of the day, found^ a dozen at the post. Francesca shot out* soon after the start. ar>d she never gave anything a chance, winning easily by a dozer* lengths from Elmwoorl. who beat Discoverer" by three lengths, with Boldrewood close up, followed by Fusee iin-cT Darwin. Fusee was unlucky, a.s lie met with interference in the race. In patches, however, he showed exceptional speed. Twelve faced the starter fop tb^ Southern Handicap. Casey made th« ■early runamg Wi «-t tU-e- «n3 o£ « xnil** Tatm had Wild Sing, Houhere, and Wildwood Jun. in close attendance. A little further on Houhere went to the front, and easily holding liis own, he won by 10 lengths fromr Casey, with Wild Sine 50 yards away, and Wildwood Jun. next. As Hotinere hadi shaped very badly in the Improvers' Handicap, it was no surprise to find the stewards holding an inquiry into nis form, but no action was taken. The Summer Handicap,, for trotters' only, saw nine horses at the post. Havelock was responsible for the pace, butt Impatient gradually cut down the leaders,, and entering on the- last lap he looked like*. winning easily. Then Redchild went in hott pursuit, and a great finish ended in favour, of Impatient by a head. Havelock was a) hundred yards away, followed by Pansy and) Roseneath. The Sportsmen's Handicap, fo» which the field numbered 13, provided; a frn;{ contest. Fancy Girl made the running fort three furlongs, when The .Needle joined her. Wild Wave «nd Woodthorpe Maid being} handy. The quartette were in close order atf the home turn, -where Woodthorpe Maid dre-w out and won by two lengths from The Needle. Terax. who finished very fast, was two lengths further back, just clear of "Fancy Girl and Wild Wave. Eleven lined Bp for ihe Councillors' Handica-p. Alliance was soor\ out in front, and he mac's all the running 1 . At the end of a. mile Vitella. Queen Mab, Storm, and Nellie H. were prominent among the others. A little further on Yitella drew clear and went in pursuit of Alliance. Gradually malting up her ground, she got oni terms in" the straight, but Alliance battled W out well, and the judge was unable to separate them Nellie H. was a poor third, (me? Miss Florrie C. next. Sixteen faced the starter for the Final Handicap. Austrej* shot out at the start, and soon established al good lead Half a mile from home Elector commenced to overhaul her, and getting up in the last stride, he just succeeded in making a dead heat Boldicwood. who cams with a great run at the finish, was four lengths away, just in front of Yerax.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19080219.2.216.10
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 55
Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,937CANTERBURY DOINGS Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 55
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Allied Press Ltd is the copyright owner for the Otago Witness. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Allied Press Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.