TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 May 1927, Page 7

TROTTING

notes and comments BY ABAYDOS Wanted a Fine Day The management of the Cambridge Trotting Club must feel pleased with the fine response from owners and trainers that has met its enterprise in putting on such an attractive programme for the popular country meeting. The club has nothing to worry about now with regard to next Saturday’s fixture, and the only possible thing that can put a damper on the function will be an unfavourable weather visitation. Given a fine day the Cambridge Club should have a record gathering this week-end. All sportsmen will hope to see this objective attained. Nelson Tasker’s Task Nelson Tasker has been pleasing his admirers to such a n extent lately' that his prospects of lifting the handsome silver cup, which accompanies the stake in the big race at Cambridge, are looked upon by them as particularly rosy. The son of Nelson Bingen has the speed undoubtedly, but there appears to creep into the problem a little ••if.” “If he leaves the mark,” adds his friends, when discussing this pacer’s prospects. Remaining at Home Luvan’s name is missing from the list of acceptors for the principle event on Saturday's card, which would lead to the suggestion that Julian’s speedy mare is not staying out the distance quite as well as expected. From her 4.39 mark, the daughter of Lulu Boy has demonstrated on several occasions that she cannot make any impression on those round about her, and perhaps her owner did not relish th£ task of attempting to concede Festive Morn two seconds over the long journey. Preferred the Sprint Although the connections of Van Rich did not continue the pacer’s engagement in the Cambridge Cup, the son of Van Coronado has been paid up for in the mile, and if he is given a fly in this heat Van Rich will make a bold bid to return his new owner something on his recent outlay. Van looked to have a good chance, when the handicaps appeared, of securing a slice of the big stake, but it is evident his guardian has designs on the smaller purse. Not Satisfied Wallroon was not accepted for in the Cambridge Cup, and it is stated his connections were dissatisfied with the handicapper’s judgment of Wallroon’s capabilities, particularly as the pacer had previously missed when a second further out. The Wallace L. gelding may or may not have had a chance oft his Cambridge Handicap, but the connections evidently could not see much hope for their charge with one or two tough customers well out in front.

Tin’——a Good Flier Zolocl 5« who raced prominently at Wanganui and Hawera, claims two engagements at Cambridge this weeka?d providing the daughter of Hal Zolock has gone on the right way since the Southern fixture, she will make her presence felt. Tui can whistle over eight or ten furlongs to some tune and when she gets well under way is apt to beat the band. As the Hal Zolock mare has become the property of a well-known sportsman in this province, Aucklanders will see more of the promising pacer in future. Buz Buz Declined Engagement Buz Buz was another noticeable defection Irom the big Cup contest at Cambridge and like a few others her connections may not have felt it advisable to chase Festive Morn. The Charming Bells mare has not raced very prominently during the present season, her only win being the Northland Cup in January. Buz Buz went a good race and was credited with fast time, which was, however, discounted owing to the track being short. Which Will Peterson Prefer? That good solid trotter Peterson, besides keeping his place in the unhoppled field, has been accepted for in the mile and a-quarter Ilautapu Handicap on Saturday, and if started in the latter event will not disgrace himself. The Petereta gelding must not bo overlooked in the Bardowie Handicap, a two-mile test for square-gaited performers, in which he is on a 4.50 mark, with the consistent Southerner, Native Star, as a companion. This pair should make matters interesting for the others engaged. Keep an Eye on Lola Lola Reklaw has stood her ground in both the Leamington and Hautapu Handicaps, and the Northern mare will have a good following in whichever event she elects to harness up for, or in both. The form displayed by the Harold Dillon mare at the recent Thames meeting will not be overlooked by followers of the sport when arriving at conclusions for Saturday, and if Lola is in good health and spirits she will keep her associates particularly busy. Signor’s Programme Filled If Signor carries out the full programme mapped out for him on Saturday he will have a very busy time. Acceptance in three heats is the lot of the son of Antonio, who has not raced for some time. Judging by the free manner in which the grey gelding is engaged, he must have shown his connections something pretty encouraging. His re-entry to the game will be watched with interest, as a couple of seasons back good things were expected from Signor. The Premiership The competition between riders drivers and trainers for the present season has reached a very interesting stage, and with the few remaining fixtures approaching the struggle for the premiership will create very keen interest generally. The latest statistics show that D. Withers, M. B. Edwards and W. J. Tomkinson, all Canterbury

reinsmen, will fight out the issue, their figures being 25, 23?; and 22 respectively. In the contest for pride of position among the trainers another very interesting go is taking place, and although Edwards, 22has a slight lead from Tomkinson, 21, with J. Bryce, 18, a good third, the final issue is still in the balance. Sires Stakes • With the season fast drawing to a close, the position with regard to the sire returning the greatest number of winners for 1926-27 is also creating a great deal of interest in light harness circles. Logan Pointer, who in 192122, shared the honours with Wildwood Junr., and has held the upper hand ever since, is making a bold bid to again land the premiership, and thus eclipse Harold Dillon’s fine record. At the present juncture, however, Nelson Bingen has gone to the front with a total of 73 winners, Logan Pointer returning 69 and Great Audubon third with 57J. The finish between the two former promises to be keen and close. Parkwood Sale Cancelled “Mascot,” in the Christchurch “Sun,” states that the sale of Parkwood to Mr. J. T. Doherty, of Auckland, has been cancelled, the gelding having been taken over by Messrs. Young and Blake, who will hand the Australianbred pacer to J. J. Ivennerley to train. Off to Australia The pacing mare Golden Bubbles, by Great Audubon —Matariki, and the well-known trotter Happy Rosa, by Great Audubon —Santa Rosa, has, it is understood, accompanied Mr. Peter Riddle and the other members of his team to Australia. Golden Bubbles showed a glimpse of her powers at Greymoutli last January when she landed a double and at the recent Addington meeting the chestnut mare put up a fine performance in running second to Trimmer over two miles, tramping 4.34. Happy Rosa, although a speedy trotter, has not won a race for 12 months. Out of Action The pacing mare Rockcretia, during her voyage to Australia recently, was knocked about and received injuries that will keep her in retirement for some time. The aged daughter of Rockleigh—Lady Ocretia raced on several occasions in the Dominion during the present season, but did not succeed in getting into the money. QUALIFYING Simplicitas and Glenlight, two of E. Rae’s team, were seen out at the opening of the Pakuranga Hunt on Saturday. Both jumpers are to qualify in view of hunters’ events later in the season. A number of others were also out and likely to find their way into training quarters with the same object in view. REMINDERS Nominations for the Wanganui winter meeting close at 8 o’clock tonight. The programme in connection with the Auckland Racing Club’s winter meeting will require further attention at the hands of horse owners on or before Friday next, on which day at 5 p.m. nominations close for all the minor events with the secretary, Mr. W. S Spence.

CAMBRIDGE MEETING

CHARMING PRONTO ACCEPTS MISSED FROM THE LIST A good deal of surprise was occasioned when it was noticed that Charming Pronto had not accepted for the Cambridge meeting on Saturday. The form displayed by Currie’s charge at Thames, and the fact that the son of Don Pronto was undergoing a preparation for the country meeting, led the gelding’s admirers to believe lie would be labelled for the journey, and there were not a few bewildered when it was found that the Auckland representative was missing from the published list. It transpires, how - ever, that owing to an inadvertent omission, Charming Pronto’s name was not placed on the list, although his acceptance was received in ample time. The error has row been rectified, and Charming Pronto will be a starter in the Leamington Handicap, in which he is handicapped on 12yds behind, and in the Hautapu Handicap, where he commences off the limit, providing lie does not incur a penalty in his earlier essay. It is often noticeable in racing circles that when a name is omitted from the list of acceptances, it proves to be the ultimate successful competitor, and many backers who are always looking for some miraculous way of pouncing on winners consider the omission of a, name a good omen. Time will prove how this works out in the case of Charming Pronto, who, while missing from the list of acceptances, will be found apportioned a place in the card, and also drawing his number on Saturday. TROTTING FIXTURES May 5, 7.—Forbury Park T.C. May 7.—Cambridge T.C. May 21. —Oamaru T.C. June 3, 4. —Canterbury T.C. June 11.—Ashburton T.C. June 18, 22.—Auckland T.C.