PACERS AND TROTTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 14

PACERS AND TROTTERS

(By "The Eagle.")

The Cheviot Trotting Club's Meeting on Saturday last was a successful one, the totalisator investments showing a few hundred increase, which would probably 'have been greater had not the investments on the Spotswood Handicap been held up for a couple of hours owing to an inquiry into the galloping of Amonos in that event. Heavy scratchings in the'last race also played a part in reducing the total investments, as many left the course without waiting for the final event when they saw how the field had dwindled. The track was extremely fast f but dusty. Chenwood recorded his first two-mile victory in the Cheviot Gold Cup. He was always in the front rank, and won rather easily from Desert Maiden, who, however, lost a lot of ground through stumbling and almost coming down with half the journey covered, losing about sixty yards. The effort to retrieve her lost ground left the mare at- a disadvantage in the final tussle.

When Desert Maiden stumbled and almost came down in the Cheviot Cup, she caused a mix-up among those following in her wake,'as a result of which Little Nelson, Betty Wrack, and Dollar King all came to grief. D. Withers, who was driving the favourite, Little Nelson, had the misfortune to break his wrist when that horse fell, whilst Dollar King broke one of his legs and had to be destroyed. This was extremely hard luck for bis lessee, Mr. Rowntree, and trainer, H. Frost, as the son of Drusus—Dollar Princess showed by his forward running at Wellington, that he was just coming right, and a win for him was not far off.

Vagabond King,' by Harold DillonMiss Babs, got his name on the winning list for the first time in the Trial Handicap at Cheviot, and showed his victory was no fluke by winning again later in the day in a ssec faster class in the Mackenzie Handicap from the much-boomed Smokescreen, who had every chance, but appeared to bore badly when called on for a finishing effort. Vagabond King, who began smartly and led throughout in each event, must be one of the last of his sire's stock racing. •

Ganton, who won both trotting events at Cheviot for R. W. Franks, is a five-year-old half-brother to the crack pacer Indianapolis, being by Drnsus—Estella Araos. Ganton made his first appearance in a race at Greymouth in January, when he finished fourth. His trainer has had to be very patient with him, as like most of Drusus's stock he was liable to become excited in a race, but now seems to have settled down. ;

Another of Dragila's stock to score a winning bracket on Saturday last was Paul Drusus, who was awarded the Spbtswood Handicap. In this event the trotter Amonos, after galloping. several _ times during the" race, finished fast in the straight, going to a. break nearing the finish .and galloping past the post,' apparently in front of Paul Drusus, who also tangled in the last few strides. The judge placed Paul Drusus first and Amonos second, but the stipendiary present called for an inquiry into Amonos's galloping, and after a long hearing he was disqualified for the race and distanced.

As was expected by those who saw Sunny, Ducrow score at her first attempt at Wellington, the Rey de Oro filly had no difficulty in notching another win in the Mina Handicap at Cheviot. She looks good for a few more wins before reaching a mark that will stop her.

Prior to the sale of Red Shadow by auction on Friday night last it was announced that a condition of the sale was that he was to remain in the hands of his trainer, J. Bryce, senr., throughout his racing career. He was purchased by Mrs. Harrall, owner of Royal Silk. It will be remembered that the latter had frequent changes of trainers during the last few seasons, but he is now back with J. S. Shaw, who had such a successful run with the son of Silk Thread in the 1931-32 season.

The Kaikoura Trotting Club is endeavouring to arrange with the New Brighton Club for the use *o£ its course to bring off its postponed meeting. Should a satisfactory arrangement be come to, the club will then apply to the authorities to sanction the change of venue.