TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 17, 11 April 1927, Page 8

TROTTING

By

“Abaydos.”

Introductory Note The writer, hailing - from the West Coast of the South Island, offers no apologies to his readers for referring to matters pertaining to the development and growth of the light harness industry in that important portion of “God’s Own Country.” The West Coast is noted for many things, its musical and scenic resources being prominent features, while its unparalleled hospitality is known throughout the whole Dominion. Coasters are naturally proud of these characteristics, but if there is one thing more than another they do pride themselves on it is the strides made in the trotting world and the high standard the sport has reached in the West.

Plenty of Sport Four clubs —Greymouth, Westport, Reefton and Hokitika —operate on the golden West, accounting for eight days sport during the year, while in addition to this Westport, Reefton, Hokitika and Kumara Racing Clubs include light harness heats in their respective programmes. This co-operation is one of the main reasons why the sport generally flourishes in the West, and the country racing clubs in particular owe a good measure of their success to the inclusion of events for the pacing and trotting fraternity on the race-cord. The light harness items included in the galloping schedules provide sufficient sport to equal another two days trotting in the year, which proves that despite its small territory the Coast is an important light harness centre. What's the Matter With Imprint? The mighty Imprint, who in more ways than one made Leo Barkett famous in the light harness world, is not doing as well as his connections would like. In conversation with the writer at Wellington on Thursday, Berkett said that while his champion was looking well enough, he was not putting the dash into his work that characterised his previous essays. “He is certainly not the horse he was,” remarked Leo, “but I am living in hopes of getting him back to his best by June, when I will visit Auckland.” Imprint’s preparation will be watched with interest, and lovers of a brilliant pacer will hope to see the Nelson gelding landed at the post fit and well in June to try conclusions with the cream of Auckland pacers and the southern crack-a-jacks who are contemplating a visit to the forthcoming meeting.

A Successful Enthusiast No doubt the most successful, and probably best known owner-trainer and reinsman on the West Coast, is Vic Alborn, who trains a large team at Reefton. He has been connected with the light harness business for a considerable number of years, and he has met with a very fair measure of success. He has turned out some highclass performers, and has also found some of his representatives real duds. But the Reeftonite has no time to waste on these, and unless his charges are able to deliver the goods they are labelled “not wanted,” and their stall is soon filled by new-comers. A Fine Pacer While the Reefton mentor has handled many good light harness candidates, it must be admitted that the handsome chestnut son of Great Audubon—Lady Devon, Golden Devon, is the most brilliant customer Alborn has ever owned and raced. Golden Devon is recognised as the Coast champion, and at the last Greymouth meeting he put up a fine showing in the Free-For-All, and although defeated was by no means disgraced. Up to 12 furlongs, the Great Audubon gelding can hold his own in any Dominion company, but in dress circle society two miles appears, to be just beyond his compass. Golden Devon, who is in splendid condition, will be in the picture at Christchurch during Easter. Some Merry Maidens The Westport Jockey Club meeting, which concluded last Monday, was responsible for some exceptionally good pacing maidens being unearthed, and in each instance they succeeded in securing a stake and incidentally clipping off a big slice from their handicap time. Back markers found it impossible to concede the required starts to the novices, their task being made hopeless through the ridiculously slow classes set on the opening day. A 2.40 gait was “called in” long ago, and clubs that will insist on the retention of such limits on the programme will find it difficult to get horses with anything like decent time against them to tackle the maidens, which invariably get on the end of the handicap. Marcheta—A Hot One

Len Pascoe, another Reefton ownertrainer, who assisted to make West Coast trotting history with such promising and speedy pacers as Hydaspes, Future, Some Wilkes (who was connected in the Westport Cup affair with Imprint in 1924) and others, has a four-year-old mare by Great Audubon from Capriccio that will reach a- high place in the light harness arena. At the recent Westport meeting, off a 2.40 mark, this maiden, which figured on the car as Marcheta, put a break of a furlong on the field over the first half of a mile journey, and won easing up with ridiculous ease in a tick over 2.26. What Marcheta might have done if pushed is hard to say, but it was freely rumoured that over eight furlongs the crack Golden Devon had nothing on Marchesta. Truly a nice kind of maiden to bump up against! Times Well Whacked Never in the history of the Westport Jockey Club since commencing operations on the new Beach course a dedade ago, have trotting times shown such remarkable improvement as at the recent meeting. The grass track with its sandy foundation is anything but conducive to speed, and is recognised to be several seconds slower than most of the other Coast trotting and galloping courses. This factor, when taken into consideration, will demonstrate that the performances of some candidates last week were full of merit. Improved times were recorded as follows: —Marcheta, 2.40 mark, won in 2.26; Thorpie, 2.35 mark, won in

2.25; Audubon Lad, 4min. mark, won in 3.45. Meritor, off a 4min. mark, ran second on the opening day in 3.49, and from this peg won easily on the concluding day in 3.45. Berkett on the Warpath

Leo Barkett, the Nelson ownertrainer, who keeps a big team in work on his Hope track, is at present in Wanganui with six candidates, including Hope Dillon. Bennie Dillon, Nellie Parsons, Marshal Neil, and the trotters Caterpillar and Louisiana. With the exception of Marshal Neil, who will sport silk at Hawera, the members of Berkett’s team are endeavouring to pay expenses at Wanganui, where on Saturday Nellie Parsons and Caterpillar secured second prizes. Hope Dillon, a very speedy but at times unreliable pacer, "was entrusted with the confidence of the stable and its large array of followers, in the Wanganui Cup, but it is recorded that he failed to strike a gait, and that was the end of it as far as Barkett and party were concerned. Improving the Stock

It is small wonder then, that the pastime is so popular in the western area, or that it has made such rapid strides toward advancement. Clubs catered in such a liberal manner that each year saw Canterbury and Nelson owners swooping down and gathering in the cream of the prize money, but local enthusiasts soon recognised they would require to improve the Coast stock if it was intended to keep some of the stakes at home. The result has been very satisfactory, and there is now a class of pacer and trotter on the West Coast that is not only capable of withstanding strong outside invasion, but has proved equal to tackling and defeating strong opposition on the other side of the Southern Alps. Wanganui's Opening Day Although the attendance at Wanganui on Saturday was only moderate, speculation was fairly brisk and at the close of operations the totalisator showed a slight increase on the first day of last year, the figures being £9,399 and £8,937 respectively. The stipendiary stewards, Messrs Davey and Mabee, kept a vigilant watch over proceedings, and eg-rly commenced a crusade against offenders, W. Clifton, driver of Halgana, being placed on the carpet after the first event, and suspended for six months for not endeavouring to win.

Pals, But Opponents Backers got a rude shock on the second day at Westport when Thorpie downed Wee Audubon by a narrow margin. Both hailed from Reefton and were driven by Alborn and Pascoe, two very intimate trotting pals. Trials on their home track had shown that Wee Audubon was superior to Alborn’s maiden, and consequently the weight of gold from the old quartz township sent Pascoe’s candidate out a hot favourite. The Great Audubon filly went very nicely and a furlong from home was loudly proclaimed the victor. Then Alborn came on the scene with Thorpie, and the three-year-old son of Our Thorpe,* finishing strongly, settled the filly by a short head. The defeat of the favourite was a severe blow to Reefton punters, and they now consider the game pretty hard. BIG OUTSIDER WINS WANGANUI CUP • AUCKLAND DRIVER SUSPENDED WANGANUI, Saturday. The Wanganui trots opened in fine weather, there was a fair attendance, and the going was good. Gold Band and Enawah declined their engagements in the Innovation Handicap. The bracket, Zoe Mackinney and Van Mac, was installed a warm favourite, with Kevin Brae and Halgana being evenly backed at a big drop. At the start Firebell and Kevin Brae failed to strike a gait, and Abrudbanya ran into the lead after going a furlong, closely attended by Zoe Mackinney,

Vallamont and Halgana. In the back stretch Halgana moved up into second place, to drop back again at the bend. Abrudbanya came into the straight with a lead of 100 yards and eased up in the run to the judge, walking past the post three and a-half lengths ahead of Vallamont. Halgana, who made up ground in the straight, was half a length away, followed by Zoe Mackinney and Hostess. The winner could have made the margin a furlong. Halgana’s driver, W. Clifton, was suspended for six months. ANOTHER EASY WIN

All started in the Eastbrook Handicap. Bell Dial carried £244, and Ce Advanceur £219. Castle Chimes was first away, being followed past the stands by Zoe Mackinney, Van Mac, and Richmond Lass. The order was practically the same down the back stretch, with Lou Pronto at the head of a bunch. Ce Advanceur appeared on the scene in the straight, but on sufferance could only get within a length of Castle Chimes. Hal Huon was fifteen lengths away, beating Zoe Mackinney by a nose. Richmond Lass and Fliton were next. The favpurite never flattered, and Audubon Patch failed to strike a gait. Passing the post Lou Pronto and Royal Arcane collided, the former’s sulky wheel collapsing, but nobody was injured. ONE FOR MIDLAND The bracket Maxfli and Bright Light was the elect of backers in the Kirkwood Handicap, carrying £313 as against Ben Bingen £l7B and Caterpillar £l6O. Maxfli led past the stands 20 lengths ahead of Caterpillar, Midland, Bon Tapui, Octachord and Peter McDonald. The last-named made up ground running down the back stretch. Midland made up a lot of ground round the bend and came into the straight alongside Caterpillar, going on to win by four lengths, with Lady Ena four lengths away, followed by Peter McDonald. SURPRISING DIVIDENDS Great Actress carried £339 and Hope Dillon £204 10s in the Wanganui Cup, but rank outsiders paid dividends of large dimensions. Karma was early in the lead from George the Fourth, Nellie Bramley, Petroleuse, Aggie Bell, and Great Actress. This was the order out of the straight. George the Fourth took the lead down the back, with Nellie Bramley, Karma, Petroleuse, Great Actress and Dillon’s Pride next. This was also the order up and out of the straight, but going down the back stretch the last time Dillon’s Pride moved up to fifth behind George the Fourth, Great Actress, Karma and Aggie Bell round the bend. Great Actress, and then Dillon’s Pride challenged, and in a good finish the outsider prevailed by half a length. The favourite was two lengths away, followed by Lottie Advance and Karma. Hope Dillon failed to strike a gait. It was a triumph for the outsiders. CAPRICE ALL THE WAY

Eighteen saddled up for the Autumn Handicap, Bingen Boy being installed favourite, £ 9 better backed than Great Kevin. Caprice was first to strike a gait and hit the front, making every post a winning one. Ce Advanceur looked like winning at the distance, but the leader stalled off the challenge to win by two lengths. Cora Tacks, who ran a good race, got third place half a length away, just in front of Item, followed by Master Cute and Ajax. The winner was ridden a confident race by her trainer, R. Tapp. Cora Tacks appeared to be unlucky. THE FAVOURITE BEATEN Corrigan’s Great Change was made a warm favourite in the President’s Handicap, a two-mile event for the unhoppled brigade, but the Great Audobon gelding was forced to strike his

colours to Native Star, who started third favourite. Real Todd, another well-fancied candidate, failed to get in the picture, while Louisiana, who carried the confidence of Berkett’s party, did not show to advantage. The aged Havoc gelding Plunder, who was not extensively supported on the machine, filled third berth, a favourite position of his year after year on this course. CORRIGAN MAKES AMENDS The large army of supporters of Corrigan’s stable went solidly for a recovery on the Nelson Bingen colt, Explosion in the Foster Handicap, the Auckland owned and trained Gaza who was under a cloud, also coming in for a large measure of support. The favourite duly landed, and his backers were jubilant, but the supporters of Gaza were left lamenting, as Berkett’s Nellie Parsons defeated the Aucklander for second place. There was nothing meritorious in the performance of the placed horses, judging by the times recorded, and there appears to be something radically wrong with a class that occupies 5.12 and slower to get the money. ONE FOR SHAW Punters went for Bill Todd in the final race of the day, but Jesmond Dene, Tui Zolock and George the Fourth also had a lot of admirers. The issue was fought out by George the Fourth, who had put up a good go in the Cup earlier in the day, and Tui Zolock, and in a stirring finish Shaw got the Hal Zolock mare home by a narrow margin, with Jesmond Dene in third place. The favourite was not in the hunt when it came to the serious business. ADDITIONAL RESULTS KIRKWOOD HANDICAP. —4 Midland, 36yds (owner), 1; 3 Caterpillar, 72yds, 2: 5 Lady Ena, limit, 3. Also started: 9 Octachord; 1 Maxfli and Bright Light (coupled); 7 Bon Tapui; 8 Dentistry; 2 Ben Bingen; 10 Audo Child: 6 Peter McDonald. Won by four lengths, the same distance separating second and third horses. Times: lmin 52sec, 3min 50sec, 3min 5S l-ssec. .. WANGANUI CUP,

Of £l5O. 2 miles. 13— DILLON’S PRIDE, 24yds (L. Davidson) .. 1 12— GEORGE IV., limit 2 I—GREAT ACTRESS, 36yds 3 Also started: 4 Petroleuse; 5 Karma; 3 Nellie Bramley; 2 Hope Dillon: 7 Aggie Bell; 6 Blue Glen; S Lottie Advance; 9 Kokiritea; 10 Pearl Coronado; 11 Direct Morning. Won by half a length, with two lengths between second and third. Times: 4min 51 4-ssec, 4min 53sec, 4min 52sec. AUTUMN HANDICAP.—S Caprice, limit (R. Tapp), 1; 3 Ce Advanceur, limit, 2; 6 Cora Tacks, 24yds, 3. Also started: 12 Indicator; 10 Reveille: 2 Great Kevin; 9 Item; 13 Azelzion; 8 Pillage; 1 Bingen Boy; 11 High Sea; 7 Bennie Dillon; 14 Ajax; 4 Master Cute; 15 Some Jazz. Won by two lengths, with half a length between second and third. Times: 2min 22 2-ssec, 2min 23 l-ssec, 2min 21 3-ssec. PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP.—3 Native Star, 60yds, (J. A. Bentley), 1; 1 Great Change, 96yds, 2; 7 Plunder, 84yds, 3. Also started: 9 Lady Ena; 10 Bon Tapui; 2 Real Todd; 5 Tui Bells; 4 Louisiana; 6 Peter McDonald; 8 Raima; 12 Miss Leda; 10 Ngatira. Won by three lengths, a similar distance separating second and third. Times: 4min 56 l-ssec, 4min 54 4-ssec, 4min 57 2-ssec.

FOSTER’S HANDICAP.—I Explosion, 36yds (A. Corrigan), 1; 4 Nellie Parson, 12yds, 2; 2 Gaza, 72yds, 3. Also started: 3 Firebell and Lady Ballin (coupled); 6 Ngahuia; 7 Richmond Lass; 5 Bell Dial. Won by four lengths, with two lengths between second and third. Times: smin 12sec, smin 15sec, smin 16 2-ssec.

MORTON MEMORIAL.—3 Tui Zolock. 24yds (J. Shaw), 1; 4 George IV., 12yds, 2; 2 Jesmond Dene, 12yds, 3. Also started: 11 Lady Zoe; 13 Audubon Patch; 15 Good Lady; 10 Fliton; 6 Nellie Bramley; 1 Bill Todd; 9 Item; 7 Hope Dillon; 8 Mary Audubon; 12 Latest Fashion; 14 Blue Glen; 5 Uramic. Won by half a head, Times: Smin 2 3-ssec, Smin 4sec, Smin 4 2-ssec. COMING EVENTS April 9, 11 —Wanganui Trotting Club. April 16, 18 —N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club. April 16, 38—Hawera Trotting Club. May 7—Cambridge Trotting Club. June 18, 22—Auckland Trotting Club.