SATURDAYS MINOR CONTESTS

NZ Truth, Issue 1184, 9 August 1928, Page 12

SATURDAYS MINOR CONTESTS

Attractive Programme Provided For Opening Day -s Sporty y

(By "Th.c Toff.") : ;• ... ■ ; •„ ./:. ';,; THE New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, m accordance with 1 ancient custom, will open the new season's racing with an attractive function extending over three days, -

THE opening scene will take place at Addington on Saturday next, the first race being restricted to horses of the trotting gait. The class is 3.34, one mile and ahalf. - . ! According to track work, one must fancy Great Change, Nelson Boy and Proud Ata. • .■ • __ The -Nelson-owned Louisiana has a big reputation; if .Maxegin keeps sound, ■ he must also be reckoned with. Sized up,. Great Change, Maxegin and Nelson. Boy should go well. If Direct Morning contests the : Electric Handicap, to be run over one mile m saddle, he should be m the picture. Sahib is m better fettle than ever— and will go a big race. Of the remainder, Loch Moigh and King Pointer are possibilities. < The Trial Handicap, for horses that can negotiate two miles m harness m 4.40, will be a hard race to win.. . ... Mate o' Mine is capable of winning 'if he is genuine, while Carbine Direct may be good enough to down several of the big fancies. . ■■ Nelson McElwyn has done well for J. J. Kennerley. Then there are Donard.v Eugene de Oro, Kingcraft,, Vestas, Orphan, Matagouri and Revolt. . To endeavor to "sum up the "situation at the finish, one may as well have a dip" m a lucky bag^ , Perhaps Matagouri, Donard and Kingcraft will be prominent at the , finish. . ",, Next on the card ia ( the chief unhoppled trotters! contest. It . is a 4.39 class to be run over, two miles— the Stewards' Handicap. * , , Swiftbine is good enough to win if he would only go kindly, but lie usually loses so much ground m the early stages that he will be unable to over-

haul. s,ome *of his more even-minded opponents. ' ' ■ Kemptbn arid Kerrwdod Belle will go best of the front division." Cannonbali and Elzear will, be the best of the back-markers, provided,- of course, that Native Star is not dressed, up m her Sunday clothes. * A smart field will line out, for the Queen Mary Handicap, for horses that can-go': two miles m 4.35. Double Event has been working so well that if he is geared up for a two- triile: journey on Saturday many will support him. Vesuvius is one of the most promising young pacers m: work, while. Lady Matchlight arid King Pointer are known to be a cut above the average. The distance, may be too far for Western King, but it will suit Native Prince. Then there is Jackie Audubon. . . So when the judge is called upon' to place the • money-earners,' Jackie Audubon, -King ' Pointer " and Native Prince, may be airiong; them. 1 Theckla Boy has only to leave the mark quickly — and he ha> been, doing so m his work— to earn a dividend ii» the Selwyn Handicap, to 'be decided over a mile and a quarter. Some Wilkes has been going -, great guns m his training assignments and the journey will suit him admirably. 'Harvest Child will also be well served by the distance. Theckla Boy, Harvest Child and Some* Wilkes are the most, promising candidates m this event. No doubt Western King and Glenelg will be m demand for the International Handicap (one mile). Of the remainder of the party, Jean McElwyn might please her backers most. Fight Ever should be conspicuous.