TRACK TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 54

TRACK TALK.

By Adonis A VERY SOLID TEAM. The Lauriston trainer, O. E. Hooper, ’usually has one or two smart performers Jin hisjstables, but it is doubtful whether ihis prospects were ever brighter than they ■are at present, this being principally due to the recent addition to his team of .Satin King and Black Lion. Many South-land-bred pacers who have been sent into northern stables have blossomed out into ■winners of some of the richest handi'caps in the Dominion, and the two pacers named carry every promise of keeping up the record. Satin King has .already won for the stable, and if Black Lion has retained the brilliant form he showed at the Forbury Park meeting he will not be long in doing likewise. .With such horses as King Pointer, Satin ■King, Milo Minto, Black Lion, and Great Logan racing for him in the big events 'next season, Hooper should be a good Strainer to follow. CONSISTENT HAPPY LAND. Prior to going into A. E. Bussell’s team, Happy Land was not a very reliable pacer, but the Christchurch-owner-trainer has succeeded in persuading him to begin smoothly and do his best right throughout a race, and has had a run of success '■with him in both sprint and distance races. At the recent Oamaru meeting, the Happy Voyage gelding ran what was 'easily his best race when he won the President’s Handicap in 4.29 4-5 from a 4.35 mark. Only a six-year-old, Happy Land should have several seasons of racing ahead of him, and there is every reason to believe that he will eventually touch a very tight mark. FOLLOWERS OF FORM. With the approach of the Canterbury Park meeting, followers of form will no doubt be studying the fields and looking up recent performances in the hope of locating a winner or two, and some horses are certain to appeal strongly to them. One of these is Priceless, who won with a lot in hand at Forbury Park, and could have gone several seconds faster if necessary. Other pacers likely to come under consideration are Satin King, Meteor, Mister Pointer, Black Lion, Netta 'Oro, and Happy Land, while among the trotters form points strongly to Kcreta, Todd Lonzia, and Great Way. PROMISING YOUNG TROTTERS. Among patrons of light-harness meetings there are many who contend that there is no thrill comparable with that to be obtained from witnessing a closerunning field of straightout trotters travelling on level gaits, and who are left cold by the racing spectacles provided by the strapped horses. Looking back over the season that is fast running to its close these lovers of the straightout trotter have very reason to expect many thrills next season, for there is a perfect galaxy of brilliant young trotters who should provide stirring contests. Prominent among these are Todd Lonzia, Great Way, Great Nelson, White Satin, Merce Bingen, Fifa, Stand By, and Writer, and between them they should provide the Winners of the Dominion’s richest handicaps for the free-legged performers.