TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 21, 16 April 1927, Page 7

TROTTING

Some Good ’Un's Marie Dillon is now worked with a hood, which appears to keep her mind on the track. She has a nice turn of speed when in the humour. Merry Bingen is working on the Addington track at a merry clip. It is time he broke it for a win. Audominion is trotting in great style at present and staying on well. He should not be long in saluting the man in the box. Bridget Galindo is the goods, and will give the opposition a headache at Addington. Pete Peter has come right back to form and promises to clean up a stake or two. Useful Gold Bell Representatives Aggie Bell has been paid up for at Hawera, which would suggest that the Gold Bell mare is given a chance by her connections. * Roez, another of the Gold Bell clan, will be seen in action at Hawera. She will keep the trotters busy in whatever event she tackles. Respect, who has been racing consistently of late, is entitled to a good deal of respect in the short events at Hawera. The son of Gold Bell is well at px-esent. Gold Jacket, who won the Thames Cup last March in 4.37 1-5, is on a 4.37 mark at Hawera. There are one or two smart customers in front of the Gold Bell gelding, however. Labelled for Hawera Peterson, whose performance at Otahuhu in February will not be forgotten, when he was credited with 4.47 for second place in the two miles, is on a 4.50 mark at Hawera. When seen in Wellington last week Marshall Neil was bearing a welltrained appearance, and with a race or two the 3on of Neil Dennis will soon be amongst the money. The Rock Tluon gelding Tiger Salve has had a long run of outs. Will he change his luck at Hawera? He appears to have the hardest part to do. The Advance colt Roamer, a winner at both Te Aroha and Thames meetings, claims engagements at Hawera. Some Improvements in Time The Auckland ti'ained mare Halgana showed marked improvement at Wanganui on the second day, but it is quite evident the track was much faster on Saturday. On the opening day Halgana finished third in the mile and a-half, registering 3.50 4-5, but on Monday the Bingana mare, handicapped to go 3.49, secured second berth in 3.38 1-5. In the same event, the two-year-old Enowah, from a 3.50 peg, tramped the 12 furlongs in 3.37 2-5, while Abrudbanya, who was placed on a 3.47 mark, went 3.36 2-5 for the thin end of the purse.

Aucklanders for Hawera A glance through the acceptances for Hawera shows that Auckland will be well represented at the meeting. Among those claiming engagements from this locality may be mentioned Aaroa, Bingen King, Profited', Black Ballin (Groat). Gaza, Aggie Bell (Cameron), Roez, Roamer, Peterson (Roe), Maid of the Mountains, Anseline (Gee), Gold Circle, Heathei' Girl (McQuid), Fungus (Warnock), Tiger Salve (Richards), Gold Jacket (Kinnimont), Lady Dunmore (Grimmond), Lord Nepean (Young), Respect (Johnson), Rockaway (Rogers). Peter McDonald (Shaw), Horizon (Hendricksen), Lady Ena (Hill), Ada Wood and Silver Link.

The Wellsford Pair The Wellsford owner-trainer G. A. Williams had two strings to his bow in the big event at Wanganui on Monday, but this did not assist him to get any of the money. Williams drove Nellie Bramley and W. Wilson was in the sulky behind Gold Dial. Both are engaged at the Hawera fixture and may do better befoi'e returning home. Bell Dial Not Impressive

Bell Dial, the full sister to Gold Dial, also hailing from the Wellsford stable, was given a good chance at Wanganui by her connections and was third in order of favouritism on the machine. The field was not by any means a strong one but the best the Gold Bell—Sundial mare could do was to get fourth.

A Descendant of Croesus Araroa, a member of E. S. Groat’s Mangere team, is a promising sort by Croesus from Queenie. His sire raced at one time in the colours of the wellknown West Coast trotting enthusiast, H. W. Kitchingham. and won the Greymouth Cup in 1910. Young Ivy has been the most consistent of the coaster’s progeny, and if Araroa can emulate the deeds of the speedy miler, his connections will have no cause to regret making his acquaintance. A Bit Erratic:

Zoe Mackinney, who as her name.implies is connected with the Hal Zolock and McKinney families, is a mare that should do a lot better and no doubt will when she decides to settle down to serious business. At present Price’s mare is rattle headed at the barrier and has spoilt several chances by her erratic behaviour. A Non-starter Although Royal Arcade was among the list of acceptors in the card for the final day at Wanganui his connections did not send him to the post. Royal Arcade is by a Logan Pointer colt from a Petereta mare and may be heard from at some of the smaller meetings later on.

Additions to Orange’s String W. Orange has severel additions to at Mangere, including a five-vear-old straight-out trotter, by St. Kevin, who will be known to racegoers as Esculator. A three-year-old gelding, by Gold Belt —Casling, and therefore full brother to Gold Cast, is being put through his paces, and a two-year-old by Peter Moko from Nora Creina, who favours the pacing business. is also receiving his early tuition at the hands of the Mangere mentor.

Given a Spell The disappointing Roi Alto, who in his last ten starts has only landed a third prize, will be given a spell till next season. The square-gaited son of Winn Alto has not saluted His Honour since the Manawatu meeting of 1925, but when he makes up his mind to do his best his connections will have a good chance of collecting. Number Twelve

The Direct Wilkes gelding. Direct Morning, in J. Shaw’s care faced the starter in the Liverpool Handicap at Wanganui on the second day. The Aucklander was number twelve on the card, and occupied a similar position in the betting. It was also his twelfth unplaced start for the season, and as he was not mentioned among the first half dozen, there is a chance that he finished twelfth. Thirteen, however, may prove Direct Morning's lucky number.

To Decide the Conqueror Audubon Lad and Meritor, who twice fought out a tough battle at Westport with honours even, over twelve furlongs, will meet to decide the conqueror at Kumara on Monday. Both are five-year-old sons of Great Audubon and are meeting on level terms. In an even break it looks like Jarden getting 1 the decision .with Meritor.

Another Aussie Due The Sydney pacer Dad's Hope is due to arrive in Auckland shortly and will take up his abode with Geo. Phipps, the Epsom mentor. Plenty of Sport There will be trotting at Hawera, Kumara and Beaumont on Monday. Riverton on Tuesday, Christchurch and Hokitika on Wednesday, and Ashburton next Saturday. A Royal Show Playgirl, a daughter of Brent Locanda —Darkness, owned and trained by Geo. Thomas in Canterbury, must have a royal show in the mile at Kumara on Monday. Not Long in Work The one-time speedy pacer Bennie Dillon, in Berkett’s stable, is a member of that mentor’s team at present in the North Island. The son of Harold Dillon has been off the scene for a couple of seasons, and has only been in work again four weeks. When Bennie strikes form a mile saddle heat will be within his compass. Declined The Engagement The piebald pacer, Bicolour, who made a good impression when she raced successfully at Alexandra Park last month, declined her engagement in the mile saddle at Addington. A Solid Pacer Sahib, winner of the Progressive Handicap at the recent Waikato meeting, which was held on Alexandra Park, is, doing good work for his trainer at Spreydon. The Logan Pointer gelding will be a solid proposition in the not distant future. A Good Price Although Lady Ena raced prominently in her previous starts at the Wanganui meeting she was allowed to pay a good price in the Balance Handicap, which she won nicely. Her performance in the Borough Handicap, of twelve furlongs, earlier in the day, in which she ran a creditable third and improved her time approximately six seconds, must surely have been overlooked by many who were following Hill’s mare. Considerable Improvement The aged Midas gelding Midland, who won two trotting events at Wanganui, affected some considerable time improvement in getting the money. Handicapped on a 3.58 mark on Saturday Davey’s representative went 3.52, while on Monday off a 52 peg he finished up in 3.44. Midland’s previous start was at Cheviot in February, where he won a twelve furlong trot in 3.56. Although starting late in life, the son of Midas looks like proving a profitable proposition for his owner.

DANGEROUS PRACTICE

DRIVING IN OVERCOATS WHY NOT UMBRELLAS? It is generally recognised that even under normal conditions the duties of a racing or trotting judge are such as to demand the most careful attention and call for the exei'cise of keenness and vigilance. It is incumbent that no obstacles should be placed in the way of those who fill this important, responsible and perhaps unenviable position, and as a means toward this end every precaution is taken to remove anything that is likely to obstruct the direct view of the “man in the box.” Every facility is offered by clubs?, in accordance with the rules, for this official to be able to decide promptly on the result and hoist his numbers accordingly. It is a ticklish job, particularly where a close and exciting finish meets his eye, and should the unfortunate judge make an error there is a tremendous howl from the public. Such demonstrations are fortunately few and far between in trotting circles, but an incident recorded at the recent Wanganui meeting, according to an exchange, might easily have been fraught with dire consequences. In a BaYl Light An unprecedented liberty with the Rules of Trotting was undoubtedly taken on the first day when the drivers contested a race in their overcoats. Certainly it was pouring with rain, but it was putting a fine problem up to the judge to drive with colours obscured. To make matters wo'rse the light was particularly bad and it xks impossible to identify the runners with any certainty. Fortunately for all concerned the placed horses finished at intervals and the judge, Mr. W. P. Russell, picked up the numbers on the saddle cloths without much difficulty. There would have been a fine tangle if several horses had participated in a very close finish, and the task of the unfortunate judge would have been a most unenviable one. One wonders where the umbrellas were and perhaps before long the drivers will be propertly protected with overcoats and gamps against the inclement weather, but there will be no protection for his honour from the disappointed punters should he make a mistake.

CHAMPION STAKES

AUCKLAND’S REPRESENTATIVE . GREAT PETER’S GOOD PROSPECTS The presence of the crack Auckland colt Great Peter in the Champion Stakes at Addington on Wednesday next will lend a large measure of local interest to the classic event. The brother of Great Bingen and Peter Bingen is pleasing Southern enthusiasts with his bold, attractive style and at present it looks as if the Mangeretrained son of Nelson Bingen and Bertha Bell will start favourite. While the Aucklander will meet stiff opposition from Shadowland and Mac de Ora, his admirers have every confidence in his ability to head off his opponents on Wednesday. There are, however, some good judges who affirm that Shadowland will have improved sufficiently to turn the tables on Great Peter at Christchurch, while others assert that Mac de Ora will keep both the Nelson Bingen and Realm representatives busy and that if he cannot win the son of Rey de Ora will give his opponents a big fright. However, light harness enthusiasts in this district will pin their faith to Great Peter and any doubts that may have existed in their minds regarding his condition after the journey South has been set at rest by the latest reports received from Christchurch. These show that the Auckland 1 * Derby winner is in good condition, while his work suggests that he will be at his best on the day. While the contest promises to be a stirring one, everything points to the laurels coming North.