CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 52

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By | : .

Observer.

The past week has been very quiet at Ricearton, due to the absence, of a number of horses at Wingatui and another contingent at Greymouth. The horses remaining at home include some in praparation for the South Canterbury meeting to be held next week, but they are not doing anything, of an exciting character, as most of them have had a good deal of racing during the season. Compris was the only Ricearton trained horse who was nominated with the Canterbury Jockey Club for the Melbourne Cup. The Kilbroney gelding is having a spell at present, but he may be equal to winning next season in the best handicap company, over a distance, as he stays on well, though some of his form suggests that he is not reliable. The Absurd filly, Isa, in F, D. Jones’s stable, has had a few half mile sprints lately, but always under restraint. She is an attractive galloper, and though she may be backward for the South Canterbury meeting, she will be. ready to show good form early’ in the new season. . - Taragona is working exceptionally’ well at present.. His run at Ashburton last month improved him, considerably, and he looks a.good prospect for distance racing next season. ■ Arikiwai is training on quite well and is showing no signs of unsoundness. He will be racing at South Canterbury, but Im may not be quite wound up till later in the season. When he is ready’ he will win a good race. Whatnot has been . sprinting smartly, but she does; not stay oh well enough to be recommended, unless in very modest company. . , Aberfcldy had a school over a few fences on Saturday, and shaped well. He will make his. first appearance in a steeplechase at South Canterbury, and in view of the local weakness in that department, much interest will attach to his effort. Thurina gave a good display oyer the schooling fences on Saturday. This gelding looks like paying his way over country. F. E. Jones is keeping Semper Paratus and Weatherby in steady work. They may be raced at Ashburton at the end of this month, after which it is probable that they will make a trip to- Trentham. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club's meeting, which was held at Addington last week, provided two days of good sport. The track was in great order on Wednesday, and the times were exceptionally fast. There was some rain on Friday night, and the conditions were not quite so favourable on Saturday. The track was. in good order, however,. and the racing was equal to anything I have seen on the course, six of the events providing. finishes full of thrill. There was a big drop in the totalisa tor .figures on the first dayl but Saturday’s total was not far short of the figures on the corresponding day last year. Todd Lonzia, the winner of the Progressive Handicap, had been working so well in training that his success was anticipated. The three-year-old was not hampered in the early stages by a big crowd of horses round him. and consequently he was. able to find his feet before being sent to his best speed; He looked like making a mistake in the straight, but he was so far ahead that his driver had time to. steady him. Todd Lonzia is one of the best young trotters ever raced in the Dominion. He came to A. Cox from Dunedin as a two-year-old, and early showed wonderful speed. Unfortunately he could not catch his gait when he made a mistake, but age has improved him, and now he trots solidly, ■while he gets into his work like a tradesman. His latest performance is a record for a three-year-old. his 3.26 2-5. beating the 3.27 3-5 of White Satin on the same track. Todd Lonzia . is by Lorene Todd, an American' stallion who has sired few good horses. The young trotter’s dam, Daphne Dean, is by the defunct Copa de Oro from Daphne Wilkes, by Harold Wilkes from Daphne, by Prince Imperial from Peri, so that he is bred pn approved lines to make a great trotter. Repute trotted a fine race in the Progressive Handicap and was unlucky to meet such a good one aS the winner. She has a lot of speed, though she does not ’always show it in a race, while she tires at the end of two miles.’ y.The success of Our George in the Harewood Handicap was well received. Since his arrival in the Dominion, his ownertrainer has made himself very popular, but though Our George has put up some good performances, this was his first win. Usually he has failed in the final stagesj but on this occasion he came fast in the final furlong. Ayrmont Chimes, who was second in the. Harewood Handicap,, is an improving pacer who has .raced well this season. He did not quite see out the last furlong, but .. he must be accounted unlucky to be beaten in such a fast race, as he went more than ten seconds faster than his handicap.’ Vesuvius created a surprise by the manner in which he won the King George Handicap. He went out in the lead

early, and pacing in his usual free style, he was never headed, winning without much effort. It was a great performance, as few pacers in such races can lead throughout and win. Vesuvius showed great promise .as a young horse. Some time ago he was operated on for throat trouble, but made a speedy recovery, and he put up a fine race a few months later. The operation has been a great success, as Vesuvius stayed out the journey solidly in a very fast race. Logan Chief, like the winner, created a surprise by finishing on well in the King George Handicap. He made a great run round the home turn, and his effort was a brilliant one. He covered the journey faster than he had ever gone previously for two miles. Dundas Boy paced a sound race in the King George Handicap, being in the picture all .the way and finishing fourth.

His winning turn may .come soon, as R. B. Berry thoroughly understands the horse. . Lindbergh, usually a . great stayer, was stopping over. the final furlong in the King George Handicap, but this was not surprising, as he had to travel very fast to get near the leaders after a slow start. The Wellington pacer Glenrossie stood on the mark in the King George Handicap, while later in the day/ in the Advance Handicap, he again failed to go off right.

Quickfire owed his success in the Elevation Handicap to his great stamina. He was a long way back in the early stages, but he came on in brilliant stylo over the final mile/ winding'up with'ar exceptionally fine last furlong. He showed speed from the start of his career, as he won the New Zealand Trotting Stakes as a three-year-old. . ; Nelson’s Boyl looked a certain winner in the Elevation Handicap when he turned

for home well clear of the field, but he was stopping over the final furlong, and Quickfire just beat him. It was his best race over two miles,, and he might have done even better had his driver been more patient before starting his run. Dillon Logan won the Pioneer Handicap in convincing style. He created a favourable impression when racing among the novices on the West Coast during the Christmas holidays, and since then he has gone on steadily improving. Now he is a candidate for the best races, and he will hold his own even in the most select company.

The Southland nacer Meteor went a fine race in the Pioneer Handicap. He was always near the front, and he finished on well in a fast race. As if it was not enough to qualify for the Cup nomination he came out later in the day to win the mile saddle race in brilliant fashion.

Ngingongingo was unlucky in .the Pioneer Handicap. He stood on the mark, losing over a hundred yards, but came home so fast over the last half mile that he was just cut out of third money. He should be a good thing the first' time’ he goes off right. Rollo must be accounted fortunate to win the Advance Handicap, owing to Satin King failing to begin properly. Rollo deserved his turn of luck, however, as he had lost more than one race through being uncertain, at the barrier.. Having settled down, he should. do better yet;

Satin King was very unlucky to - be beaten in the Pioneer Handicap. He tangled at the start, losing so much ground that it looked hopeless to pursue the field. Hooper went on. however, and Satin King registered a brilliant effort to get second. He will reach the best class very soon.

Sodium’atoned for past ’ failures when he won the Telegraph Handicap in very

fast time. He is a moody pacer, but on this occasion he went through the race without the semblance of a mistake. Ko.cole. who ran second to Sodium in the Telegraph Handicap, has done a lot of racing. He has great speed and stamina, but lie has settled his chance in many stakes by failing to. go evenly. He was unlucky here in going so fast without the reWard of a win. Wild Voyage, who was second to Meteor in the Final Handicap, has some good form over all distances, though more than once she has not quite run out two niiles solidly. She appears to be on the improve, and she may even yet win a big stake over a distance.

Mountain Mist, the winfier of the Yaldhurst Handicap, the opening event on Saturday’s programme, paid a much bigger dividend than seemed reasonable, in view of his good form at Oamaru last

month- He is by , Guy Parrish from a Petereta mare, so he is bred on approved trotting lines, and he will make a good two-miler. /. i Deceitful has improved of late, and: in finishing second in the Yaldhurst Handicap slie put up a capital performance. She was on a break at the finish, where she was crowded between Merce Bingen and the winner.

Merce Bingen trotted a fine race in the Yaldhurst Handicap, bitt lack of condition settled . her over the last hundred yards. She has not been ill work long, arid she will be much better' at her next 'start. ' " •

Todd Lonzia put up another good effort in the Yaldhurst Handicap, and looked' certain to be in the money till he broke about a furlong from the winning post. He covered a lot of ground in going round the field.

Netta'Oro,.who is not a sound inare, won the Peninsula Handicap in good style. She has been improving gradually all through the season, and if she stands training she may do well over two miles. Her dam, Lady Renetta, was a good twomiler in her day.

Brentlight, a recent addition to J. J. Kennerley’s stable, put up a fine race when he finished second in the Peninsula Handicap,. Usually he has done best up to a mile and a-quarter, but on thia occasion he finished the mile and a-half with rare’ determination.

Holly Bank paced a solid race to get third "in a close finish in the Peninsula Handicap. He should be worth following now, as he was finishing on strongly. Milo Minto, the winner of the Paparua Handicap, is a pacer who has quickly worked himself into the best class since

he. went into O. E. Hooper’s stable. .This race may have .been run to suit .him, as the pace was not fast for the first, mile, but his finishing effort was full of merit. Rollo, after .winning over a mile and a-quarter on Wednesday, registered bis best performance when he ran second in the Paparua Handicap. He was unlucky at the start, losing a lot of ground, and the effort to catch, the field settled - him in the run home after he looked a winner when the straight was reached.. Pageant registered a good performance in the Paparua Handicap, being, in the picture . all the way and finishing on solidly in third place. He should be a winner before long. Stand By led all the way in the Aviation Handicap and won comfortably .s He was a hot favourite on the first day, When he faded out after leading till three- furlongs from home. : In the Aviation Handicap he finished on like a real stayer. In

the past Stand By has been deficient in stamina, but apparently age is improving him. There was a wild hostile demonstration against Stand By after his win, one of the worst seen on the course. An inquiry was held, but as the time was eight seconds slower than on the first day, it was decided to take no action. Nelson Ata registered another good performance when he finished second in the Aviation Handicap. Early in his career he was doubtful at the start and lacked stamina, but he has made great improvement lately in both respects. Belinda made an exhibition of the opposition in the Ellesmere Handicap. She is not a quick beginner, but she stays well, and she will reach much better company in two-mile races early next season. Ngingo Ngingo was a hot favourite for the Ellesmere Handicap, a position he had earned through his performance on the first day after going off badly. He had every chance, but never looked like being better than second to Belinda. His turn will come soon, as he is a smart pacer. The success of The Abbey in the Stewards’ Handicap was the result of a very fine performance, as he was giving starts to a big field. He made a good beginning, and finished on too strongly for his opponents. It was. his first win since he joined Tomkinson’s stable, but he may score again before long over two miles, as he stays well. • ■ Nor’-wester was lucky in the Stewards’ Handicap to get out on the move. This advantage enabled him to get well clear early, and though not a sound stayer, he hung on to get second. A mile is his best journey. Satin King was a hot favourite for the Stewards’ Handicap, as a result of his form on the first day, when he broke at the start, losing a lot of ground, and then finished second. He began al! right in the Stewards’ Handicap, but broke badly after going about a furlong, after which his chance was gone. He is a brilliant pacer, but he is proving costly. Awa-iti, who won the Railway Handicap, was for a time trained by J. J. Kennerley, but he is now in C. S. Donald’s stable. Earlier in the day he failed at the end of a mile and a-half, but he . ran the mile out very solidly. He is somewhat troublesome at the barrier when racing in harness, but he is very solid under saddle, while he has great speed. Sunchild, who is in fine order at present, hung on long enough in the Railway Hanidcap to beat Wild Voyage for second place. He was inclined to mix his gait in the straight, but he was going on again in good style at the finish. Delightful registered a brilliant performance to win the Farewell Handicap, and his time, 2.8 1-5, was the fastest I can recall in a handicap at Addington, though it has been bettered in free-for-all events. He has great speed, and he is not nearly at the end of his wanning. - Major Lind, after failing to stay a mile and a-quarter earlier in the day, registered a fine mile performance when he ran second in the Au Revoir Handicap. The Scottish horse is a good pacer over a short course, but he lacks stamina. - The Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting will be held on Saturday. I' am -writing without having seen the handicaps, but fields are certain to be large. The chief event on the programme is the Sapling Stakes, the only two-year-old race in the trotting sport of the Dominion. Usually, at this stage, some of the juveniles have shown good form.- This season few of them have raced, and there have been no outstanding performances. Mr H. F. Nicoll’s Ciro, by Wrack from Pearlchild, has the reputation of being smart above the average, while Mr W. E. Simes’s Edna Worthy, by Travis Axworthy from the Hal Al’Kinney mare who produced Muriel de Oro, has shown speed at Addington. Surprise Journey, who has raced well this season, has just resumed work after a spell. He had the reputation in Australia of being a non-stayer, but W. J. Tomkinson got him to stay two miles in good company. He should have more success in the new season.

Pronto Bingen, who showed good form at the Cheviot meeting, is now trained by A. Butterfield, who frequently has the pacer at Addington. He looks in fine order. Avaunt, who is engaged in the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton, has been worked at Addington for some time. He is’ a well grown youngster by Peter Chenault from Disappearance, by Disappear from Lady John, the dam of the trotter, Our Lady, Avaunt may not be so forward as some of the other juveniles, and the distance may trouble him. R. J. Marshall’s Sapling Stakes candidate, by Glandore, has been named Clem Dawe. He has come on a good deal during the last few weeks, and while a mile and a-half may prove too far for him at present, he is likely to run prominently for a mile. Although the two-year-old Finnebrogue, by Matchlight, could do no better than finish fourth in his engagement at the Manawatu meeting, J. Bryce was well pleased with the performance of his youngster. In the opinion of his trainer, the heavy state of the course was solely responsible for his defeat. The' trotter Peterwah is standing; up to his training work, and W. J. Tomkinson is gradually increasing his speed. Peterwah looks in fine order, and provided he survives a preparation there is no reason •why he should not repeat his best form. Even if he comes back, however, he. will find it hard to win a race, yhether he competes in trotters’ events or takes on the paces. Author Jinks, who has been unsound since he raced at the November meeting at Addington, is being jogged again. The little pacer, in addition to unsoundness. Was taken seriously ill and at one stage it was doubtful if he would recover. He looks a long way short of racing condition. A. Hendricksen was at Addington a few days ago. He worked Real -Boy a little further than a mile and a-half, and the Real Guy trotter went very well. A wellgrown two-year-old, by Nelson Derby from the Australian-bred mare Rare Bell Direct,’was also worked. The youngster is-a free goer, who looks like making'a high grade pacer. ' >'• Dollar King, a half-brother, by Drusus, to Donard, showed useful form early; in the season, and later was turned out for a spell. His former trainer, D. M. Robertson, has retired from the sport, ami the horse has been handed over to H. •Frost, who has him in work again.

H. Frost has recommissioned William the Great, who looks in good health after a spell.

John Jinks, who lias not done much racing: this season, is again in work. He looks big and well, and it is to be hoped he “"’lll stand up to a preparation. He was a brilliant two-year-old who won the bapiing Stakes two years ago and two races last season, but his form this season has been disappointing.