METROPOLITAN TROTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1936, Page 13

METROPOLITAN TROTS

DE SOTO SUCCEEDS

GREAT TROTTING MARES

.(Special from "Ribbonwood.")

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

Promise of a good track for the l opening day of the New Zealand , Metropolitan Trotting Club's • August < Meeting was upset by further rain on : Friday, and the going on Saturday, due J to a heavy frost holding the moisture, ( was very heavy. Conditions were 1 cold, and the sun broke through only < at odd intervals. This did not affect j the attendance, and betting was keen ' and well sustained. The investments were £27,920, compared with £21,178 3 10s on the opening day last year. ! The out-of-date, totalisator was un- t able to handle all the money on offer ] within the schedule time, and the last :< race was nearly an hour late in starting. ...■■".. , . j NEVER TOO OLD. The twelve-year-old gelding Rustle • emphasised the ■ inferiority :of - the younger horses in the heavy conditions by winning the Introductory Handicap decisively. This was^his first race since his return to J. S: Shaw's stable from the establishment of F. J. Smith, who made a useful, middledistance horse out of material that was once of lamentably poor staying quality. Rustle.had not raced for the best part of a season, and he went through the mud as though to the manner born. He is owned by Mr. W. Hosking, of Auckland. . Mabel Chimes came on the scene within'half a mile, and she stayed on very well in the heavier going on-'the rails to wear down three others in the run home. She went, very solidly throughout in the hands of her trainer, S. A. Eagan, who is now stationed at Hutt Park. . ' Norman Fox, a late arrival, took third money right on the post. Gala Day, ■■ one of the leaders throughout, died in the last furlong, and' Reward, who made up his handicap quickly to take charge after five furlongs, was beaten a quarter of a mile out. Helen's Bay and Great Wood, failed to settle down. THREE GOOD ONES. , 1 Backed down to cramped prices for the Advance Handicap, Blair Athol was rushed to the front within a furlong, and he led the field a strong pace to his own ultimate undoing. The going next the rails was very heavy, and, although he handled it well, it took all the .steam out of him, and Golden Mist, making his claim on the better going in tjie middle of the track, came away in the last halffurlong to win really well by a length.. Golden Mist was slow to strike a gait, but he soon took up a striking position, and he came home resolutely in going that has not troubled the majority of his sire's stock. He is a five-year-old gelding by Rey de Oro from Nan Brent, a speedy sprinter, though not of much class. Golden Mist is trained at Oamaru by J. Henderson, of Todd. Lonzia and Terence Dillon fame. Gallant Knight's run from the halfmile post was illuminating. Here the black stallion was fully 50yds from the leaders, and he .made brilliant progress to reduce the gap to five lengths. Wild Dreams broke near the home turn and was then fourth, followed by Stirling Lady, Broughshane, and Kibo. The place-fillers stood out in bold relief. PUBLIC ON THE MARK. De Soto, backed with extreme confidence for the August Handicap, was never far away from the actual lead, his only disputant for the role of pacemaker being Gold Tinge, who could not hold her place when the favourite brought his "heavy, artillery" into action at the business end. /De Soto was kept just far enough out'from the rails to dodge the heaviest of the going, and he had the situation in hand a furlong from the post, though he had to be driven out to beat Rollo by a length. De Soto, winner of ten races last season, in saddle and harness, and over all distances, is a six-year-old gelding by Rey de pro from a mare by Bribery, but this short breeding could probably be greatly extended by the owner of the dam. J. Bryce, jun., drove a well-judged race with a pacer he understands to the letter, and the Victory was popular. y Rollo, one of the old-timers encoiiraged to return from his "rural retreat" by a liberal concession on hfl? earned marks, went away quite well,; and over the last half-mile his noted stamina was very much in evidence. He was even better than the winner at the death, and effectively outstayed Grand Mogul and Gold Tinge. • Grand Mogul went.away on a tangle, and this cost him position. He was thereafter forced to coyer much extra ground; nevertheless, it is probable that a firm track will be more in his favour. He was far from disgraced. , Harold' Logan, beginning in his exemplary style, soon, reduced his handicap by half, and was right up in a bunched field at the end of six furlongs. He did not attempt a run until approaching the half-mile post, and the way he mowed them down to reach fourth position near the home turn had the crowd on their toes; but the old fellow, could not go on with it, and he was fifth to finish. He was driven by L. O. Thomas, who handled hjm when he made his first two-mile record figures of 4min 13 2-ssec. : Willow Wave was the unlucky horse. He was going well when Queen Author broke and interfered with him in the back the last time. Kingcraft was also unbalanced. Tempest again proved useless in the mud, and Llewellyn's pride was another who was not the happiest under the conditions. The first half-mile was run in limn 15 2-ssec, the mile in 2min 25sec, and the mile and a half in 3min 38sec. HIGHLY-BRED FACER. Village Guy rushed to the front within two furlongs of the Trial Handicap, and made a one-horse race of it thereafter. He was in his element in the heavy stuff, and made light of all challenges. Village Guy is a tall, longstriding six-year-old gelding by Guy Parrish from Colene Pointer (dam of Kingcraft), a daughter of Logan Pointer and Queen Cole, by King Cole, 2min 8 3-ssec (mile champion of his day) from Notice (imp.), famous as the dam' of Nelson Derby, Native King, Nelson Fame, arid others. Village Guy finished second to War Bi»y in the Sapling Stakes. In the past he was more noted for his brilliance, but he has become solid with age. On Parade was always handy to Village Guy and he lasted long enough to beat Southern Smile narrowly. Southern Smile's progress in the middle stages was a feature of the race. Marie Celeste went her best race for some considerable time to be fourth. Radiant Gold and Happy Knight were at the head of the others. Frisco Lady, after beginning slowly, was obviously troubled by the going, and only in patches did she make any impression. ■ ■ TWO WONDERFUL MARES. Sea Gift, contrary to an existing opinion that the Wracks are not at home in heavy going, gave a faultless display, and a showing of magnificent courage to concede starts to ten other high-class trotters and clinch victory in the last couple of strides. She went away- like clockwork, and with naif the journey covered she was handy to Flotsam, New Metford, Norma Bingen, Teviot Downs, and Bessie Parrish, all of whom were racing in. close order. Sea Gift had to dispose of a challenge from Discord in the back stretch, and when they came to the straight Discord slipped up on the. inner, while Flotsam was still in charge from Teviot Downs. Flotsam broke under pressure, and Teviot Downs just failed to hQld off the lastsecond thrust of a mare who is now more than ever entitled to the honour of champion of her gait. Discord's performance was little inferior, that is, her mistake excepted. She broke soon after the start and when she righted herself was last with the exception of Guy o' Mine who

through a prolonged break, was virtually out of the contest. Discord made no further fault, and she matched Sea Gift's effort most of the way. If she could have taken advantage of the better going she would have assailed the winner. They are two great mares. New Metford was' a fair fourth. PLAYED WITH OPPONENTS. Bonny Azure made her opponents in the Queen Mary Handicap look very ordinary, and the fact that some of them cannot be classed as such made her performance a highly-impressive one. She took a little time to settle down completely, and was held in check for nearly a mile, • when she strode from second last to the front. Avernus forced the pace for her, and Craganour was looking her in the eye three furlongs from home, but when they straightened up it soon became obvious that the mare-had been playing "ducks and drakes" with the pair of them. She won by three lengths and had something in hand. This stoutly-bred daughter of Blue Mountain King and Bonny Bingen, claiming relationship to that fine mafe Dilworth, was having her first race since going into L. O. Thomas's stable at Hutt Park, and it was an excellent augury for a lucrative future. Craganour has always been good in heavy going, and so has Avernus. Bingen Palm went a poor race, and Waress soon surrendered the sixlength lead she had early. Noble Prince lost all chance at the start. Gay Gordon has slipped. GUY JUNIOR'S SELWYN. The Selwyn Handicap was run in a bad haze, and it was almost impossible to pick up the colours other than those of the actual leaders. Young Frank, who was later joined by Rocks Ahead, made most of the running, but both collapsed on making the home turn, leaving Reporter in charge. Reporter made a gallant effort to reward his backers with a huge dividend, but Guy Junior had too much in reserve, and swooped down on the extreme outside to win going away by a length. Gamble appeared to meet with interference ih the run home. Up to that stage he had put up a brilliant performance, and his third was satisfactory in the circumstances. Graham Direct, his greatest opponent, was. fourth after making his usual hesitant beginning. John Jinks, Aristotle, and Homeward wefe next. Guy Junior has been a real breadwinner for "Santa Rosa," if the term is pardonable in connection with the prosperous training stable and stud farm of the well-known sportsman Mr. C. P. Cameron. Guy Junior is by Real Guy from Princess Perfection, and is a brother to Sir Guy, who was a leading handicap pacer up till two seasons ago. , IN THE DARK. Dusk was falling fast by the time the field was lined up for the International Handicap, and it was impossible to gather a comprehensive view of the race. Sure was the first to show out, and Cloudy Range attended her. , When they came to the stands Sure, Kewpie's . Triumph, Cloudy Range, and Sir Guy was the order. Supertax moved up at the far turn, where Cloudy Range apparently losi his position, because when Sure and Supertax were well into the straight Cloudy Range was some lengths behind them, and he finished very fast to run Sure to half a length.,/ Supertax was a bare head away third, then Sunny Morn, Worthy Light, and Sir Guy.:

Nothing was suited by the going better than the winner, and she came home determinedly. She won the New Zealand Trotting Gold Cup and the Dominion Handicap at Wellington under similar conditions last season and it is doubtful if there is a better mudlark in the country. She is an eight-year-old mare by Peter Chenault (imp.), 2min 4ssec, from Our Nurse, dam also of Probationer,- 2min Bsec,

and is owned by Mrs. W. Mackenzie, who raced that good galloper Palanlua, winner of a New Zealand Cup. RESULTS IN DETAIL. Results were: — Introductory Handicap, £200; unhoppled trotters; 3.36 class; 1& miles.— 2-3 Rustle, scr (J. S. Shaw), 1; 13-12 Mabel Chimes, 24 (S. A. Eagan), 2; 14-. 15 Norman Fox, scr (T. G. Fox), 3. Also started: 9-9 Gala' Day scr, 12-13 Little Reta scr, 11-14 Resound scr, 3-1 Sister Mary scr, 16-16 Tyrone Lass scr, 7-10 Worthy Star scr, 6-6 Amonos 12, 4-4 Great Wood 12,5-5 Helen's Bay 12, 8-8 Silk Coat 12, 17-17 Header 24, 2-3 Kuini 24 (bracketed with the winner), 1-2 Reward 24, 15-17 GantOn 36, 10-7 Wahnooka 48. Times: 3min 45 3-ssec, 3min 44 2-ssec, 3min 46 3-ssec. Advance Handicap, £200; 2.54 class; 1J miles.—2-2 Golden Mist, scr (D. >C Watts), 1; 1-1 Blair Athol, 12 (S.. A. Edwards), 2; 4-4 Gallant Knight, 12 (A. Cranston), 3. Also started: 10-10 Broughshane scr, 6-5 Cadiz scr, 8-7 Full Hand scr, 5-8 Wild Dreams scr, 3-3 Stirling Lady 12, 7-6 Grand Finale 24, 12-12 Lone Derby 24; 9-9 Kibo 24, 11-11 Rayon <TOr 24. Times: 2min 59 3-ssec, 2min 59 2-ssec, 3min 0 2-ssec. AUGUST HANDICAP, £600; 4.29 class; 2 miles.- ' I—l—De Soto, 12 (J. Bryce, jun.) .. 1 11—11—Rollo, 24 (L. A. Maidens) .. 2 2—3^-Grand Mogul, scr (J. Fraser, ' jun. ; .. 3 Also started: 4-4 Gold Tinge scr, 2-3 Tempest scr (bracketed with Grand. Mogul), 9-10 Kingcraft scr, 10-9 Queen Author scr, 6-5 Taxpayer ser, 7-8 Llewellyn's Pride 12, 5-6 Rey Spec 24, 3-2 Willow Wave 24 and Sunny Morn 36 (bracketed), 8-7 Harold Logan 84. Times: 4min 45sec, 4min 44 l-ssec, 4min 46 2-ssec. . , ; •

Trial Handicap, £250; 4.40 class; 2 miles.—6-6 Village Guy 12 (M. Holmes), 1; 8-8 On Parade, scr (J. Bryce, jun.), 2; 2-2 Southern Smile, scr (F. G. Holmes), 3. Also started: 10-10 Eighteen Carat scr, 4-3 Fairhaven scr and Big Author 36 (bracketed), 1-1 Frisco' Lady scr, 3-4 Happy Knight s'-r, 7-7 Radiant Gold scr, 8-9 Treasure Bond scr, 11-11 Marie Celeste 24, 5-5 Subsidy 24, 12-12 Isabel Derby 30, 13-13 Plain Pearl 36. Times: 4min 50 3-ssec, 51 4-ssec, 4miri 52sec.

Stewards' Handicap, £250; unhoppled trotters; 3.39 class; 1£ miles.—9-7 Sea Gift, 84 (E. J. Smith), 1; 6-6 Teviot Downs, 36 (J. Fraser, jun.), 2; 1-2 Discord, 24 (R. J. Rapley), 3.. Also started:' 2-1 Flotsam scr, 8-8 Garner scr, 3-3 Guy. o' Mine scr, 10-8 New Metford scr, 7-10 Sandy N., scr, 4-5 Norma Bingen 24, 5-4 Bessie Parrish 48, 11-11 Wrackler 60.' Times: 3min 37sec, 3min 41 l-ssec, 3min 42 2-ssec.

Queen Mary Handicap, £250; 4.34 class; 2 miles.—l-1 Bonny Azure, 24 (L. O: Thomas), 1; 6-6 Craganour, 48 (S. A. Edwards), 2;,4-4 Avernus, 48 (G. McKendry), 3. Also started: 7-7 Gay Gordon scr, 2-3 Noble Prince scr, 5-5 Waress scr, 3-2 Bingen Palm 24. Times: 4min 52sec, 4min 51sec, 4min 52 l-ssec.

Selwyn Handicap, £250; 2.47 class; 11 miles.—s-5 Guy Junior, 24 (G. McKendry), 1; 6-8 Reporter, 12 (T. H. McGirr), 2; 1-1 Gamble, 24 (S. A. Edwards), 3. Also started: 10-10 Aristotle scr, 12-12 John Jinks scr, 3-3 Rocks Ahead scr, 4-4 Young Frank scr, 9-9 Gunfire 12, 7-6 Homeward 12, 8-7 Mocast 12,11-11 Francis Lincoln 24, 2-2 Graham Direct 24 Times:'2min 57 2-ssec, 2min 58 3-ssec 2min 58 2-ssec. . ■

International Handicap, £"200; 244 class; ij miles.—2-1 Sure, scr (S. A. Edwards), 1; 1-2 Cloudy Range, scr (J. Fraser, jun), 2; 3-3 Supertax, scr (R. Townley), 3. Also started: 6:6 Blue Mountain scr, 7-8 Grace McElwyn scr, 5-5 Rey Spec scr, 9-9 Sir Guy scr, 11-10 Vesuvius scr, 10.11 Kewpie's Triumph scr, 8-7 Sunny Morn 12, 4-4 Worthy Light 12. Times: 2min 55sec, 2min 55 l-ssec, 2min 55 2-ssec. :