TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 35, 4 May 1927, Page 6

TROTTING

READY FOR CAMBRIDGE STRONG AUCKLAND CONTINGENT SHOULD PLAY PROMINENT PART By “ABA.YDOS'’ With the approach of the Cambridge Trotting Club’s fixture cn Saturday, it was generally anticipated that there would be some interesting work witnessed during the last few days, particularly as the climatic conditions proved favourable. While a large number of owners have taken advantage of the sunshine to visit Alexandra Park, the bulk of the work has been of a quiet nature, a few Cambridge candidates being warmed up occasionally. Work at Mangere has been of a more energetic nature, and those who are taking part in the country meeting during the week-end have been stepped out briskly. There will be a strong representation of Auck-land-owned and trained horses at Cambridge, and most of those who are to take part in the gathering are ready for the road. With so many contestants from this centre engaged, lovers of the light harness sport will be attracted to the trysting ground on Saturday and there promises to be a large attendance from the city. Given a fine day the popular club should have a record gathering. EPISODES AT EPSOM Despite the beautiful weather prevailing during the last few days, there has been little to record from Alexandra Park in the way of fast work. The tracks at present are in good order, but even this does not appear to act as an incentive to mentors to step their charges along at top gear. A few, whose bags are being p.acked for Cambridge, are giving their representatives useful work, but so far nothing outstanding has been recorded. The Go-Slow Policy Although there appears to be a large number of pacers and trotters in commission at the present time, it is apparent most of them are being treated to a “go slow” course, and in consequence the joggers’ track is just now the popular rendezvous. With the exception of those going to Cambridge and one or two who are being kept going in view of the Auckland winter meeting next month, the tryout track is not in very big demand. Better Conditions No Magnet Last week owners and trainers were complaining that they were unable to work their charges on the local track, which, it appears, is unworkable in wet weather. This is most unfortunate for those engaged in the business, especially when preparing for a meeting which is in sight, and it, certainly throws both the horses and trainers out of their stride. Conditions have taken a turn for the better considerably this week, but still no work of any special moment has been transacted so far this week. Handsome and Healthy For putting condition on his charges, the palm mmst be given to Jack Shaw, the local mentor, whose team do him every credit. Jewel Pointer and Amaris, the pair belonging to that good sportsman, Mr. M. Moodabe, are pictures to look at, and both would at the present time take a prize in any show ring. Jack believes in the old policy that if a horse looks well externally, he is a moral to be quite all right internally, and judging by the bright coats of his team, they are in the best of health.

Still Going Strong The veteran reinsman and light harness enthusiast, E. Sandall, was a visitor to Alexandra Park during the week, being seated behind a racylooking customer by A 1 Mack from Guinella, which is owned by Mr. N. Cunningham. Like Johnny Walker, Ted Sandall, who won the Auckland Cup in 1894 with Tom Hicks, and the following year saluted the man in the box with Old Judge, is still going strong, and he is a great favourite with the yoLinger generation, who dearly love a chat with the veteran, and incidentally get * a little bit of advice, which is given willingly and joyfully. Evidently Likes Company

Tui Zolock, in J. Shaw’s stable, has every appearaaec of being a good one, and her recent performances point to the daughter of Hal Zolock being of the useful kind. She did not particularly impress the onlookers at Epsom yesterday, when given a workout, and her display was not in keeping with her race records. Tui may not relish working on her own and should do better in company. Nice Work-Out

Ben Lomond, who is back with J. Shaw, and Amaris were stepped out yesterday morning over eight furlongs, when the pair gave a very clean exhibition of pacing. The Bingana gelding has been on the easy list lately, but nevertheless he put up a pleasing performance. Amaris is just recovering from the effects of his fall at Alexandra Park, which put him off the scene for a while, but judging by the hefty manner in which he accomplished his task, Shaw has made a real good job of what looked like a cot case, and he is going on the right way again. It was a nice work-out. Ready for Cambridge

Master Councillor, with Evans, sen., in the sulky, and Moko Pete, steered by Evans, jun., were noticed putting in useful work at Alexandra Park yesterday morning, although their mission was not a record-breaking one. The Cambridge Cup candidate has nothing to complain of as far as condition is concerned and, being a consistent performer, must be taken into consideration when the big race is under discussion. The Peter Moko —Fanny Maddison gelding also looks in fine fettle, and gives the impression that he has improved in mannerisms. Moko Pete is engaged in the President s Handicap on Saturday.

Lord Nepean Working Well The little Ribbonwood—Springfield horse, Lord Nepean, is well at present, and yesterday morning, with owner Young in the sulky, the pacer worked like a real aristocrat at Epsom. The son of Ribbonwood pleased his connections with his fine effort and gained a few friends from among the onlookers for his Cambridge Cup en-

gagement, in which he will be driven by his owner.

Royal Oak Brigade Included in H. Bfinnimont’s team that is booked for Cambridge will be the trotters Colonel Thorpe and Roma Bingen, and the pacers Golden Park and Golden Grattan. The Colonel looks to be well placed in the initial event, and if he decides to do his duty faithfully, he will prove a tough proposition. The remainder have not raced prominently of late, but all appear to be in good spirits, and the Royal Oak mentor should not return empty-handed. None of the team were given fast work yesterday at Epsom.

MOVEMENTS AT MANGERE

Most bf the Mangere-trained contestants for Cambridge have been indulging in solid work during the last few days, and it will not occasion surprise to see a share of the Cambridge prize-money finding its way to Mangere. Such well-known trainers as Messrs. Roe, Paul, Groat, Rogers, Cameron and Broughton have teams engaged, while several owners, who use the district track, will also be represented. A Strong Hand T. Roe appears to hold a fairly strong hand with Goldman, Petersen and Roez, and the two trotters look like repaying the owner-trainer for his enterprise in making the visit to Cambridge. The Cup candidate, Goldman, must not be overlooked either, and the aged Gold Bell gelding, who is still able to give a lot of cheek, promises to be in the picture on Saturday when it comes to the finish.

A Useful Quartet With Araroa, Black Ballin, Bingen King, and the trotter Tiki, stepping after some of the stake money, E. S. Groat should have something to say in the decision of some of the carded events. Araroa was improving at Hawera and Black Ballin succeeded in getting into the money, and both can be expected to do better on Saturday. Bingen King, off the front of the big race, if he strikes his steps correctly, will set those behind him a stiff task to head him off to the final post. A Big Limit Contingent

W. Paul has Golden Gratton figuring on the end of two events, and despite the fact that the Gold Bell mare let her connections and admirers down at the Thames fixture, there is reason to believe she will retrieve her reputation when next taken to the races. She must be taken into consideration in the Leamington Handicap, in which she appears to have good prospects, unless unlucky at the post, where there will be about 15 starting off the end. Ready for the Road J. T. Paul will probably take Lochade, Direct Action and Surveyor through to Cambridge, as the trio have stood their ground in the acceptance list. Lochade finished third to Mollie Park and Paradigm at Thames, a long way back, but the Our Thorpe trotter is capable of a better display. Direct Action also registered a third at the same meeing, being defeated by Floraline and Anseline. The Specialist gelding Surveyor has not been in the money recently, but off the end of the two sprint events he should make matters interesting.