TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 131, 2 March 1928, Page 16

TROTTING

INVERCARGILL MEETING ! TO-DAY , (By '"Overcheck.”) The Invercargill Trotting Club’s mooting opens to-day, and will be concluded to-morrow. The acceptances are heavy, and racegoers will have their ability taxed to the utmost in endeavouring to select the winners. Proceedings will be commenced with the Maiden Handicap, in which many of I the runners are unknown quantities. Play Wave won at a non-totalisator meeting in December, registering 3.54 1-5 for the mile and a half. Carillon also won at a similar meeting on the Bth instant, while at Pine Bush in January i he was twice second, but in neither of ; the two latter races did he do better than 4 minutes for 1J miles. ' ' Alva Lass was third to lied Swithin and Needles at Winton, when she registered 3.13 4-5. This form is good. , John Appear was fairly well supported in what appears to me to have been a stronger fiefd at Forburv in November, and possibly he, Play Wave, and Alva Lass will be well fancied. Eighteen are due to go to the post in the Monowai Handicap. Kyra ran second to Helen McGregor at Winton on ■ December 29. when they were both on the same mark. The margin in the winner’s favour was six lengths, but Kyra lost ground through breaking. Marvin Dell started in the same race, but was then conceding both of her opponents 36 yards, and so now comes in on better terms. I fancy Midland has not started so far this season, but his connections appear to know the art of getting a horse ready on the training track, for he won at his first attempt last season, and repeated the performance in his two other starts. He won the Domett Handicap at Cheviot in 3.5 61-5; the Kirkwood Handican at Wanganui in April in 3.52, and the Borough Handicap at. the same fixture in 3.44. which mark he is now on. Ho is evidently.a solid performer. and is sure to be well supported. John Appear, Reta McKinney, Lady Zita, Vasiliki and Sea Hawk will prob- • ably be well fancied in the Crescent Handicap. The two first-named have yet to show what they are really capable of. Lady Zita’s fast winning performance was registered in this race last year, when, from thd same mark as she is now on, she won by eight lengths in 3.47. At Winton in December she was fourth in the Members’ Memorial Handicap, which race was won in 3.36 3-5 by Shady Spot, who was in receipt of 24 yards from Lady Zita. It may therefore lie accepted as a fact that she went a good deal better time than she is now handicapped to go, viz., 3.41. Vasiliki was third at Invercargill last March, while she won the President’s Handicap at Wyndham some few days later, registering 3.42 on going described as good, Sh the weather was showery. Sea is an improving sort, but in the past appears to have done best on slow tracks. The Invercargill Cup promises to be a most interesting race, though the class is not a strong one. Practically all the contestants have placed or winning form to their credit, and it will not surprise me to find the winner reducing his or her handicap substantially. Of the scratch division, Cardinal and Blue is sure to be well fancied, as he has already proved his ability to go the distance. At, Forbury in January he was third to Dundas Boy and Royal Authoress, his time being 4.49 2-5. Nelson McElwyn started in that race, but was not placed off 60 yards. At Gore last week Turi Chimes and Cardinal and Blue were second and third respectively in the Riversdalo Handicap, their times being 4.49 and 4.51. Turi Chimes, on this performance, appears to hold Cardinal and Bin safe, besides which she is the younger of the two and so should be the one most likely to improve. Of those on 24 yards, Warepa is close to Spring Chimes. Nelson McElwyn went 4.41 when he finished third to Lingfield and Jolly Pet at Gore in December. Lucky Harold won each day at Gore last week, going 4.43 for two miles and 3.47 3-5 for thirteen furlongs. The Thomson Handicap is a saddle event of one mile and a half—3.42 class. .Willie Wilkes, on 12yds„ Red Abbey and Young Bingen, on 24yds., and Princess Thorpe, on 60yds., are a useful quartet. Willie Wilkes was second to Erin’s Advance at Gore in December in a larger field than this one. Red 'Abbey won in a similar class at Gore in October, and ran fourth in a stronger held at Invercargill in January. Princess Thorpe won at Wyndham on January 2 and again at Wairio, defeating Eiffel Tower by six lengths, which could no doubt have been more if so desired. Much will depend upon the behaviour of the horses in the Travis Memorial, in which Arctotis, Lady Bingen, Jock Bingen, Midland, and Peter Boy will probably be well supported. The firstnamed has not raced up to the promise he displayed last year, but if he can be induced to go right he should show up in this race. Lady Bingen and Jock Bingen ran first and second respectively at Winton in December, the latter conceding 36yds. and being defeated by a length. With but 12yds. between them Jock Bingen may do best, but what I like about Lady Bingen’s performances are that she trotted well throughout, and reliability is a winning factor. Midland’s consistent form has already been dealt with. The Members’ Handicap will be contested by tho smallest field of the day, but nevertheless it should be an interesting race. Emulight is smart away, and this is a big factor over a mile and a quarter. She was second to Kinney Dillon at Waikouaiti after occupying a leading position throughout. Needles went 3.37 4-5 at Winton in December, while at Invercargill in January, on a slightly holding track, she bettered that time and won easily by five lengths. Of those further bnck Dillon Gold may find some favour. Another saddle event, the Takatimu Handicap, will conclude the dav’s racing. One with recent winning form to recommend her is the four-year-old filly Sonata, who won a mile and a quarter saddle race at Oamaru in December. Eons was fourth in the Electric Saddle Trot nt Invercargill on January 4. In the absence of form or definite information concerning the condition’ of several of the contestants, one hesitates to offer any opinion as to their relative chances.