CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 54

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By Observer. The autumn meeting of the Ashburton County Racing Chib, which was held on Saturday, was very successful. There was a drop of just over £lOOO in the totalisator figures, but the result was very satisfactory. There were only seven races, compared with eight last year, while most of the stakes were pruned, so there should be a good balance sheet. Hack events were the chief order, but with good fields, there was some excellent sport. The Ashburton Chib, after a scries of disastrous two-day meetings, has for some time past put on four Saturday fixtures each season, and the results have been very pleasing in every way. Ranelagh who was a pronounced favourite, contributed to the delay in the start of the Flying Handicap, and in the race he failed to show his best form. He was not prominent early, and though he put in a smart run at the entrance to the straight, it was a short-lived effort, as he soon faded out again. There was an .‘inquiry into his running, but the stewards accepted the explanation. Two inquiries were held at Ashburton into cases of interferences. A. Misservey being the alleged offender in each case. In the Flying Handicap, in which he rode Juniper, there was a complaint that he interfered with Night Effort, while in the following event, the Longbeach Hack Handicap, is which he was Countermarch’s rider, he had to answer a similar charge, Bonrose being teh sufferer on this occasion. In each instance the explanation was accepted.

Ulenrowan outclassed the opposition in the High w eight Handicap, drawing away in the straight without much effort. It was his first success since January, when he won the Invercargill Cup. In the interval he has been beaten on several occasions, and has left the impression, more than once, that a mile and a-quarter pas a little too far for him. He appears to be back to his best form, and he may pick up another stake before the end of the season.

Semper Paratus was responsible for a useful performance when he ran second in the High Weight Handicap. He was always going well, and though he had no chance with Glenrowan, he stayed on generously to gain second place. He raced again later in the day, but gave a poor showing. Although Weatherly was one of the outsiders in the Trial Stakes his success was popular, as it marked the first win for F. E, Jones since he resumed training. Weatherly is a three-year-old by Weathervane from The Linnet, a sister to Songbird, by Kilbroney from the imported mare, Grey Linnet, by Thrush, a noted English sprinter. Weatherly had shown speed m most of his races, but this was the first time he had run on satisfactorily. Possibly, with age, he will develop more stamina, m which case he may be expected to win in much better company. Three of the starters in the Trial Stakes carried the colours of Mr A. Louisson, all of them being two-year-olds, making their first appearance in public. Water Polo (Pombal—Waterwings) was badly left at the start. The other two failed to show up prominently, but Phar Lap’s brother, Nightguard, stayed on better than Static (Hunting Song—Eric). They' are backward yet, but they may develop into useful performers next season. Belvoir was backed very confidently in the Trial Stakes, and he paid a short price when he finished second. He looked a winner a hundred yards from the post, but Weatherly stuck to his task, and would not be shaken off. Even then it was by only a narrow margin that Belvoir failed. He need not be condemned for his failure, as he is a big fellow, who will take time to come to his best, but he shapes like making a fine three-year-old. The two-year-old Metal Bird, by Weathervane from Stardancer, showed up prominently in the early stages of the Trial Stakes. She faded out when the straight was reached, but he is not ready for a severe race. There will be a different story next season, when he is likely to make his presence felt in good races. Taragona, the winner of the Autumn Hack Handicap, has done very little racing. He ran six times last autumn for one second, while he was making his fifth appearance this season in his successful effort on Saturday. He owed his win to his stamina, as he outstayed the opposition in fine style, after giving away several lengths from the entrance to the straight. _ He has- made a lot of improvement during the last few weeks, and now he looks like making a useful performer over a distance in much better company. Taragona is a four-year-old brother to Paquito, who ran second to Nightmarch in the Melbourne Cup, the pair being by Thurnham from Madrid, by Vasco from Flame, by Phaeton from Catherine Wheel, the dam of Treadmill, a high class racehorse and a successful sire. Punchestown was not ridden to the best advantage in the Autumn Hack Handicap. After being near the tail of the field at the mile post, he was rushed up to the front very fast, and was kept going to the straight, where he was several lengths in front, apparently with the race in hand. He tied in the run home, however, and Taragona beat him in the last few strides. He is not a sound horse, but even with that disability he may land a stake before the season ends. The Bailiff -was responsible for a good race in the Autumn Hack Handicap, but the weight stopped him at the finish.

Giggleswigk may be ticked off as a likely winner very soon. He was going well all the way in the Autumn Nursery Handicap, and he ran the journey out in solid fashion. Limited, the winner of the Flying Handicap, is an Absurd gelding, with plenty of speed, though he is under suspicion as not solid. On this occasion his pace carried him to the front, and he. stayed the six furlongs very well, giving his best performance since he came to Riccarton. Rascal is gradually coming back to his best form, and he should pay his way at the Dunedin meeting, especially if the ground is soft. Arrowmaid’s win in the Longbeach Hack Handicap was evidence of further improvement. She is a determined

galloper, who may go on to more successes in better company. Crash appeared unlucky to be beaten in the Longbeach Hack Handicap, and lie will win a race very soon, with the conditions at all in his favour.

Bonrose need not be condemned for her failure in the Longbeach Hack Handicap, as she got into trouble and had no chance. She is nearly back to her best. Whatnot has plenty of speed, but her running in the Longbeach Hack Handicap gave the impression that she cannot go very far.

Night Recital seems to have lost form. He had every chance in the Longbeach Hack Handicap, being handy to the leaders all the way, but he failed over the final furlong. Kaikahu has been schooling well over the Riccarton fences, but mostly when going by himself and without any attempt at racing speed. He looks in exceptional condition.

i l las had a couple of turns lately over the brush fences, and on each occasion he jumped very satisfactorily. Me may make a useful steeplechaser. Mrs J. Campbell is educating Thur in over country, and the half-brother to Gay Jim shapes in promising style. His stablemate, Storm Raid, is being tried over hurdles, but he does not look a good prospect.

Sir Charles Clifford has sold Full Feather t° Mr P. Brown, of Waimate, and the Autumnus horse will commence stud Ute in the spring. Two more of the Stonyhurst yearlings have arrived at Riccarton, and have joined Cutts Brothers’ team. They are the chestnut colt Rocket, by Day Comet trom Top Score, and the bay colt Drumn£', “y Winning Hit from Scrimmage. lhe three-year-old filly Babel, by The Ace from Scrimmage, has rejoined Cutts Brothers stable. She appears to be quite sound after her spell. Knockany, the three-year-old by NightKHliney, has been sold to a West Coast owner. T, C. Emerson has just taken in hand Mr K. J. Murphy’s yearling gelding, bv Diacquenod from Oratress, the dam of Oratrix, Concentrate, and Oratorian, all ot whom raced in the same ownership. Mr Murphy pays regular business visits to Christchurch, and probably this explains his desire to have a horse in work at Riccarton.

E. Scoullar has received the yearling gelding by Grand Knight from Sprig of Erm from Mr W. T.. Hazlett, for whom he also has Locksley, Irish Chieftain, and Chief Light in work. B -.W. K’ n S has had several additions oi team. A two-year-old gelding bv Shambles from Equality, bv Rossendale, was bred by the late J. M’Uombe, while 'Y. A. Nicholls bred the yearling gelding by Robespierre from Water Mint, a half-sister to Pilliewinkie. King has also recommissioned the Australian-bred Grecian Prince, who may be a good horse next season.

The local trotting tracks are fairly quiet at present. The trainers are getting ready for the Canterbury Park, meeting early next month, with Ashburton a week later, but though fields will be large at both places the horses are not in need, of much fast work, as most of them have had plenty of racing. Logan Park looks in fine order at present. He has not been in work long, but he appears to have come on very fast, judged from the good form he is showing in training.

The pacer Author Franz, who did a lot of hard racing in a short time, has been spelling for a few montlis, but he will resume work shortly. Todd Lonzia went sore on the eve of the Oamaru meeting, ‘and had to forfeit Ins engagement. He has made a quick recovery, and he is working freely at Addington. This young horse is likely to take a high place among the trotters. The trotter Rembrandt, who is now trained by A. Butterfield, is shaping well in his work, and he is worth keeping in mind. The two-year-old filly Speed Queen, bv Nelson Bingen from Haydock, was allowed to drop out of her race at Oamaru. She is engaged in the Sapling Stakes next month, and she may race well, as she is a good sort. D. C. Watts, who drove the first , two winners at Oamaru, has been attached to J. Henderson’s Oamaru stable for some time. He graduated from the galloping ranks, and he has developed into a good pilot of pacers and trotters. It is reported that he is retiring from the sport for health reasons, but it is hoped that his withdrawal will prove only temporary. v Native Prince looks in good order, but J. J. Kennerley has not sent him along at his best, his work being confined to three-quarter speed. Welcome Guy is coming along in good style, and this promising young trotter may be in the money before long. Russell Pointer is doing plenty of attractive work in his training. He is a smart pacer, but unfortunately he does not produce his best in a race. The recently arrived Australian trotter, Sir voyage, was worked a few days ago with three of Tomkinson’s pacers, and went in a very pleasing manner. He was not asked to do his best, but he left no doubt that he is a good deal above the average. Linkman usually races best after a spell. Since last he was put into work he has come on fast, and he may be in good shape for his first race. Though he possesses speed and stamina. Linkman does not retain his form long when he is raced. If Captain Wrack would put the same heart into his races that he shows in his training work, he would race much better. He is a bold, free worker in training, but in a race he seems to shirk his work when the pressure is on. He is doing very well at present on the training track. R. J. Marshall is working a useful sort of pacer by the Australian pacer Glandore, who had a lot of speed, but was a very bad horse at the barrier. So far the young pacer is well mannered, and he has a very fine action. Kereta was not long in giving E. C. M'Dermott a win, and since her success at Forbury Park, she has done well in her training. She looks capable of a lot more improvement.

A. Butterfield has Pronto Bingen in fine order, and this promising pacer should be seen to greater advantage in his future races.

The Travis Axworthy—Sadie Dillon pacer, in W. J. Tonkinson’s stable, looks as though he will require a lot more education before he is ready to win a race.

The ex-Aucklander, The Abbey, is a good free-legged pacer, who does a lot of his training without the hopples. He is in fine fettle at present, and if he goes away right he may win a race very soon. W. T. Lowe is working his trotter Trampfast, and hopes to have him in good order for the new season. He was going well when last he was in work, but he was eased up, as his owner was unable to go on with his training. The horse has only recently been brought in again. Desert Ray is again in training at Addington, and he looks in good order. So far he has not raced up to expectations. Maurice Dillon looks in great condition at present. He was responsible for a good work out at Addington during the week, and he may pick up a stake before long. Nelson Price has done a good deal of changing quarters during the last twelve months. After being at New Brighton for some time, he removed in turn to Rangiora, Hornby, and Addington. Now he is back at his New Brighton property. F. Holmes was at Addington a few days ago with a couple of two-year-olds, who were worked about a mile. One of them is a filly by Ray de Oro from Trix Logan, and the other a gelding by Sonoma Harvester from Flossie Dillon, the dam of Tom Thumb. They are a pair of smart pacers. Mr L. G. King, who died on Thursday, was well known in local trotting circles. He had been associated with the sport for many years, but was best known as the owner of the brilliant pacer Onyx. He was taken seriously il] a few months ago, and died in hospital.