TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 6, 29 March 1927, Page 6

TROTTING

Veteran R«m»m*n The veteran trainer-driver, S. Hamilton, has not lost his “punch,” and the manner in which he steered Floraline to victory in the President’s Handicap at Thames is deserving - of recognition. Wrigley Changes Hands The pacer Wrigley, recently owned by Mr. N. Cunningham, has been purchased by Mr. Pillenger, who for some time raced Lenglen and also Nellie Bramley. Probably the new owner “Will train Wrigley himself at Alexandra Park. An Early Return Machine Gun, who was purchased by Mr. George McMillan, was not very long repaying his new owner by winning a decent stake. It was at the conclusion of £he Waikato meeting that the change of ownership was reported, and as Machine Gun won the Timaru Cup on Saturday his owner .should benefit to very nearly half the extent of the purchase price. Can Do Better The Mangere owner-trainer, W. Paul, seems to have a useful one in Golden Grattan, and this chestnut pacer should not be long drawing a stake. Driven by J. T. Paul in the Hikutaia Handicap on Saturday she ran a good race, and was in the firing line at the finish, only to stop quickly, finishing behind the placed horses. Going South S. August intends leaving this week for the South in order to be present at the New Zealand Metropolitan meeting with Nelson Fame and Dr. Dillon. At present August is working a brace of maidens—a four-year-old horse by Harold Dillon —Merry Child, and a three-year-old gelding by Silver Ribbon —Merry Child. Failed With the Colours Up The black pacing mare, a full sister to Koniniwood, made an appearance at Thames under the name of Velvet Wood, but despite the fact that she had been doing work of a character good enough to warrant giving her a chance, she did not run promisingly at Thames. One to Follow Though Gold Circle broke up at the start of the Hikutaia Handicap on Saturday, once he hit his straps the son of Gold Bell moved along freely, and was not far behind the fourth horse. His many supporters who sent him out favourite may not have to wait long for a return should they be inclined to follow him. Trotting at Hawera As a sign that the number of pacers and trotters in active commission has not lessened, one has only to peruse the nominations accorded the Hawera Trotting Club for their two-day meeting to be held at Easter. A total number of 586 figure in the list, and this may be accepted as a record. With such good money on offer it would not be surprising to see a record number of acceptances and an increase in totalisator returns —perhaps. Sent to Hospital Some time ago the well known Mange re trainer, P. Rogers, met with an accident through a horse bolting with him, and he suffered the same fate last Thursday when driving Peter Grattan and leading another. It is understood that Peter Grattan bolted, and in hanging on to the other horse Rogers was dragged a good distance, receiving injuries of a nature likely to keep him in hospital for some time. Peterwah’a Stock An Auckland light harness entliusiast recently visited R. Fisken s farm at Gisborne, and speaks highly or the Peterwah youngsters there. There are several of that American-bred trotter’s progeny beginning to make their debut, and though in appearance they are perhaps on the light side, they are nevertheless built on racy lines, and if they continue making so forward a showing in the future they should be in keen demand. himself is in good order and likely to .Mport silk before the season closes. Thames Club Progressing With the money market very tight at the present time, an Increase of £2886 in the totalisator returns at the Thames annual meeting came as a surprise. Though both trotting and racing meetings throughout Auckland district nave shown In most instances heavy decreases, the attendances have increased, it anything, which is probably due to the means of transport being made much easier. There was an increased attendance at the Thames and the reason no doubt was due to the fact that special arrangements for conveying their patrons as well as competitors had been made by the Thames officials. The steamers from Auckland were well patronised, while the trains and motor vehicles also carried a large number of enthusiasts. The racing could not be called of a high standard, but as the Thames Club increased their prize money this sea-son—-and one may presume that with such a financial meeting this year the stakes will accordingly be increased for future meetings—a better class of competitors will be encouraged to compete in future and the racing prove more interesting. Should such be the case there is no reason to predict anything but a bright future for the Thames Club, which has earned a name for progressiveness. Gone O^f Billy Whizz, racing unhoppled in the Thames Cup and the Kopu Handicap, gave two very bad displays, and his i hancea of winning a race at present look very remote. Shows Promise After being half turned round and losing ground at the start of the Puriri Handicap at Thames, Ben Zolock did well to finish third. The pacer has been showing promise on the tracks, and is likely to improve.

Will Do Better Although Great Peter was taken by train to the Thames meeting in preference to the boat trip, he failed to run as well as it was anticipated he w r ould. Great Peter could not be called in good racing trim when he contested the Kopu Handicap, and on that account his defeat may be overlooked. Not Good Enough? No line was given as to Nelson Tasker’s ability to cover two miles in the Thames Cup, as the son of Nelson Bingen was turned half on as the field was despatched. Still, on form and handicaps, Nelson Tasker would have had to go his best race to date to have have been in the money. Services Appreciated A pleasing little ceremony took place on the lawn at the Thames meeting, t when the patron of the club, Mr. T. Rhodes, M.P., presented Mr. R. Absolum, secretary of the Otahuhu Trotting Club, with a gold-mounted fountain pen and a gold pencil. In making the presentation on behalf of his club, Mr. Rhodes thanked Mr. Absolum for the manner in which he had represented the Thames Club in Auckland, and was sure that the success of the Thames meeting was due in some way to the able manner in which Mr. Absolum carried out all duties in connection with the large number of Auckland horses who made the trip. Improved Considerably The Whangarei-trained Lola Reklaw has evidently improved considerably, for her win in the Hikutaia Handicap was a good one, while her second to Roamer in the Turua Handicap was also impressive. If any pacer is entitled to be called a prospective winner, well that is Lola Reklaw. Anseline’s Form Anseline has not performed well for a considerable time, and in the Hikutaia and President’s Handicaps on Saturday she finished very fast into second and third places respectively. Driven with judgment in future races Anseline will improve on those attempts. Galloping Home Perhaps stewards of other clubs would not have been so lenient to Mollie Park when she galloped a good distance in winning the Parawai Handicap on Saturday, and they may have distanced her. The Thames stewards decided on taking no action, as theyt considered that Mollie Park’s driver did his best to bring her to a correct gait. Had the trotter been well clear of anything else perhaps it would have been all right, but it was her erratic display that caused Paradiam to break and incidentally spoilt his winning chance. Had Mollie Park kept to a correct gait it is more likely that Paradiam would not have left his feet, and that being the case, Paradiam would have occupied not second but first place. His Money Back Gold Jacket’s victory in the Thames Cup was long overdue, and he has now come very close to returning his owner most of the cash he outlayed in purchasing the Gold Bell gelding a short time ago. It is interesting to relate that Respect, who acted as runner-up, was also recently purchased. Though Gold Jacket finished well under pressure, his victory was not easily accomplished, and one may say that in the stronger company that he is likely to meet at bigger meetings than Thames Gold Jacket will find it hard to win. Stipendiary Steward Active The public always appreciate stipendiary stewards having a word or two with drivers who take chances, and on Saturday the official on duty at Thames lived up to his reputation. One driver who gave a very poor exhibition of reinsmanship was severely spoken to for the wretched manner in which he drove a well-backed pacer, while E. S. Groat was cautioned for interference with Florent. Groat was driving Bingen King, and the occurrence took place along the back stretch. From the stand it appeared as if Groat came in a little to the rails as Florent dashed for an opening. with the result that Florent stopped a bump. While not wishing to question the stipendiary’s opinion of the occurrence, out of fairness to Groat it seemed that Florent’s driver made a mistake in going for an opening not quite big enough. Not His Form Seen after the Timaru Trotting Cup, the trainer and the driver of Terence Dillon both affirmed that that was not the gelding’s form, telegraphs the Sun’s Christchurch correspondent. J. McLennan, the driver, stated that the horse seemed to begin on its wrong leg and was unbalanced all through the race. Terence Dillon is regarded as one of the most promising pacers in New Zealand. He is a perfect pacer, and certainly looks the part. HAWERA MEETING AUCKLAND WELL REPRESENTED A large number of Auckland horses have been nominated for the Hawera meeting, to be held on Easter Saturday and Monday. The entries received for the first day’s events are as follows: AUROA HANDICAP, limit 3.45, 1£ miles. —Golden Morn, Nellie Parson, Araroa, Frills. Jasper, Castle Chimes, Firebell, Our Nancy, Lo McKinney, Richmond Lass, Bell Dial, Great Ando, Halgana, Gold Band, Indicator, Enavin, Audobon Patch, Trilby Huon, Black Ballin, Annerley, Queen AuduGreat Kevin, Hostell, Lou Pronto, bayna, The Tramp, Albert Zolock, Bluewood, Good Lady, Welcome Pearl, Valamont, Derby Lynn. Grey Logan, Aorangi. MATAPU HANDICAP, limit 3.52, 1£ miles. —Caterpillar, Ben Bingen, Bon Tapui, Mary Andubon, Peter McDonald, Brian Bingen, Cluster, Ada Wood, Maxfli. Bright Light, De Luxe, Lobster, Lady Ena, Audo Child, Plunder,

Paradigm, Octochord, Roez, Dolores, Hauland, Real Todd, Great Change. HAWERA TROTTING CUP, limit 4.42, 2 miles.—Kotulcu Jack, Hoon Hay, Gold Jacket, Logan Park, Nelson Tasker, Van Rich, The Shrew, Zenith, Gold Dial, Okoura, Direct Morning, Kokiritea, Ayr, Goldmain. Buz Buz, Great Actress, Peter Grattan, Gleneray Carbine Direct, Anseline, Lady Dunmore, Respect, Transport, Martial Neil, Bingen King, Jean Darling, Goldfinch, Bingen Starr, Meb, High Jinks, Bold Bill, Vera’s Doll, Uncle Bert Pluto, Ricardo, Lord Nepean, Delavan Bill, Billy Sea, Klbiringi, Silk Thread, Sungleam, Sister Beatrice, Van Cap. STRATFORD HANDICAP, limit 3.39, li miles.—Actor, Black Ballin Fungus, Hal Huon, Some Jazz, Lady Ballin, George the Fourth, Gold Circle, Pavlova, Nellie Bramley, Halgana, Dumas, Roamer. Ce Advanceur, Peter Grattan, Will Soon, Trespass, Bill Todd, Horizon, Dillon Huon, Item, Nellie Parson, Araroa, Gaza, Dealer, Maid of the Mountains, Tui Zolock, Kama, His Majesty, Bell Dial, * Sylvie Logan, Royal Arcade, Denver’s Doll, Calm Zolock, Makauri Belle, Speed King, Audubon, Mac, Pillage, Uramic, Explosion, Abundance. MAN At A HAN DICAP, limit 4.58 two miles.—Tiki, Louisiana, Bon Tapui, Raima, Mutu, Katute, Hardy Grattan, Miss Leda, Kempton, Kolmar, Native Star, Commander Bingen, Real Todd, Petroleuse, Tiger Salve, Nourmahal, Anseline, Plunder, Tamalane, Ngatira, Peter McDonald, Brian Bingen, Peterson, Tramspfta, Tui Bells, The Tiger, Great Change. NORMANBY HAN DICAP, limit 2.22, 1 mile.—Bennie Dillon, Fungus, Blair Audubon, Cora Tacks, Golden Hope, Caprice, Uncle Bert, Moko Pete, Rawene Lass, Murmur’s Jewel, Bingen Boy, Rockaway, Sungleam, Bill Todd, Master Cute, Mary Audubon, Ajax, Profiteer, Goldfinch, Some Jazz, Liberate, Our Patch, His Majesty, Tranquil, Indicator. Delavan Bill, Beatty, Taipare, Star of Hope. Uramic, Great Kevin, Van Oap. PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, limit 4.50, two miles.—Panto. Black Ballin, Hori Dillon, Dealer, Wakefield, Lottie Advance, Karma, Bell Dial, Tui Dildwood, Denver's Doll, Peterson, Jesmond Dene, Una Dillon, Speed King, Trampfast, Admiral Hood, Petroleuse, Rostrevor, Hope Dillon, Logan Park, Audubon Child, Blue Glen. Maid of the Mountains, George the Fourth, Katute, Nellie Bramley, Aza Mai, Moko Pete, Gold Sovereign, Great Actress, Loch Molgh, Will Soon. Anselm, Uramic, Explosion, Steel Wire. ELTHAM HANDICAP, 2.45 class, H miles.—Hoon Hay, Bingen King,. Jean Darling, Blair Audubon, Bingen Starr, Heather Girl, Bold Bill. Vera’s Doll, Ayr, Latest Fashion, Goldman, Aggie Bell, Mars, Sungleam, Mary 'Audubon, Respect, Martial Neil, Logan Park, Goldfinch, Van Rich, Meb, Zenith, Direct Morning, Uncle Bert, Lord Nepean, Master Councillor, Taipare, Kibiringi, Dillon's Pride, Pearl Coronado.

COMING EVENTS April 9, 11—Wanganui Trotting Club. April 16, IS—N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club. April 16, IS—Hawera Trotting Club. May 7 —Cambridge Trotting Club. June IS, 22—Auckland Trotting Club.