MUDLARKS!

NZ Truth, Issue 1205, 3 January 1929, Page 11

MUDLARKS!

But They Mixed It Well, However

(By "The Toff.") The Canterbury Park Trotting Club's summer meeting opened m showery weather, with the track very heavy. Oval had a lead of fifteen lengths when the mile was covered m the Introductory Handicap, but tired over the last two furlongs, and was beaten by Repute, which made up a lot of ground over the last half-mile. CHE was staying well at the finish *^ and demonstrated that she is good m heavy ground. ' Molly Molloy was m second place half n. mile from home, but tired badly from there on. After beginning v»ry slowly the back-marker. Erins Royal, won the Templeton i Handicao very easily, being too good for his several opponents m the* mud. Pet Locanda and Nan Brent were m the thick of the fight, but with ten furlongs covered, Pet Locanda then went up, in the air and Nan Brent faded a furlong from the judge. Springtime came on with a rattle m the straight and bfeat Nikola for second honors. Young Bingen was prominent for a mile and a-quarter, but he then began to tire. '■"■■•■ •■■ Sonoma Child broke going into the back straight for the last time. At last Mercury wins. He went away on. a, break, and was eight lengths behind the leaders when the field had gone a furlong, but he made up his ground m gradual style and after being ridden a -clever race for a mile and a-quarter he drew to the front at the .head of the straight and came on to win very easily. Had Alvira not lost about seventy yards early m the contest, she would have made the Winner go faster. Donard went a good race, but had nothing up his sleeve at the finish. Direct Chimes, Great Abdallah, and Avonwood had every chance, but they were not good enough, y \