High-Class Trotters

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 170, 8 October 1927, Page 7

High-Class Trotters

Auckland’s Strong Hand

Waikaha’s Fine Record

NEW ZEALAND can boast a good class of square-gaited competitors at the present time and many of them have recently proved equal to defeating good grade pacers. Auckland is not backward in this respect and there are a few trotting performers at present in commission in this district capable of extending the cream of the rest of the Dominion.

With followers of the light-harness pastime in the Auckland district, and particularly those who are partial to the unhoppled side of the sport, the name Waikaha has become a household word. With Aucklanders it is a name that immediately conjures up splendid achievements on the track, and there is no doubt, from the splendid record of J. T. Paul's crack trotter, he is entitled to the high opinions held of his prowess. But while his name is always foremost to the tongue when the provincial square-gaiters are discussed, how many of his large army of supporters are aware of his remarkable record? NEVER OUT OF A PLACE Discussing the son of Gold Bell — Wild Pirate with “Abaydos” recently his owner casually remarked, with a tinge of justifiable pride, “he has never yet been out of a place,” and on look-

ing through Waikaha’s record to date I found Mr. Paul’s statement fully substantiated. It is only fair to pay tribute to the assistance Waikaha has received in

compiling his record from his ownertrainer. Not only has he been well educated, carefully prepared and judiciously handled by J.T.P., but he has not by any means been overdone. Good judgment in placing the trotter and tact in the selection of a small number of events each year has earned its net reward. A SPLENDID RECORD Auckland’s crack square-gaited speed merchant has faced the starter on 12 occasions during the four years he has been associated with J. T. Paul at the business, and as his owner said, never once has the son of Gold Bell failed to get a part of the stake. Bight times has his driver had the plasure of touching his cap to the man in the box first, on three occasions his supporters received a second dividend. The other time saw the gallant trotter getting the minor portion of the purse. During that period he collected in stake money £3,245. This is truly a record of which anyone would feel proud, and all those in any way conected with Waikaha, his sire Gold Bell, and dam Wild Pirate cannot fail to be elated when they study his performances. The bay gelding, who is now in his seventh year, is as sound as a bell and in fine heart to undergo his tasks for the new season. What it will hold for Paul’s champion can only be conjectured, but all lovers of a real horse would delight in seeing him continuing in the same successful strain. AN EARLY START Unlike the general run of trotters, Waikaha commenced his career as a three-year-old, but he was only once asked to perform in company. He was not by any means shy, and in his initial attempt at racing—the Eden Trot at the Auckland winter fixture of 1924 he was successful tramping the 12 furlongs in 3.56. His win brought his owner £2lO in stake money, a good beginning, and one that was to prove the forerunner of several successful seasons. When he turned four, Waikaha was raced earlier in the season, and his

first outing was in the Waitemata Handicap at the Auckland spring fixture, when in a mile and a-half go he failed to concede Betty Moko 72yds,

tramping 3.48 3-5 for second money. The following month at the Otahuhu meeting Paul was again second to

Peter Tracey, who was in receipt of 84yds from Waikaha, who this time improved his time to 3.38. CONSISTENCY REWARDED This consistency was rewarded at the Christmas fixture, when on the first day the bay trotter, annexed the Parnell Handicap on a heavy track, the two miles occupying 4.54 4-5. On the concluding day, Waikaha again saluted the judge, in the New Year Handicap, the 16 furlongs being traversed in 4.44 1-5. His cheque for that season reached £6BO. When the Fleet meeting was held in Auckland in 1925, Waikaha opened his five-year-old winning account with a fine victory in the Governor’s Handicap, in which he was handicapped at 4.43, the race being run in 4.48 2-5. He was not produced again till the winter meeting, and on the opening day registered his first and only non-dividend-paying performance, although receiving the third money. Pyramus, 72yds, and Money Spider, 48yds, finished in front of Waikaha, who was on 24yds. The track was very heavy and he took 5.7 to get over the two-

mile journey. Conditions were slightly improved for the final day, and Paul’s horse made no bones about the Members’ Trot, which he won in good style in 4.54 2-5. He recouped his owner that season to the extent of £BBS. THREE Oyj OF FOUR Last season he again visited Alexandra Park on four occasions, and at the first three attempts took out the big end of the wallet, and secured the

second portion the last time. His first appearance was at the October fixture, where the Mountain Trot fell to his lot on the opening day, and also the Hillsboro Mandicap on the final day. In the former, from a 4.40 mark Waikaha registered 4.43, but the next time he did exactly what the handicapper assessed him at 4.38. ROWE CUP VICTORY Then J.T. brought him along at Christmas for the richly-endowed Rowe Cup, and although on a 4.36 peg, the public would not hear of the Gold Bell gelding’s defeat- He fully justified its confidence, winning in 4.37 3-5. This latest success saw him right back with Escapade on the final day of the carnival, the pair being handicapped on 4.34. The mare proved a trifle too good for the gelding at the finish, winning in 4.35 3-5, while Waikaha went 4.36 2-5 for second prize.

He has not sported silk since, but when the statistics were compiled it was found that for the three firsts and one second, Waikaha?s cheque was £ 1,470. Truly it pays to have a good horse and to look after him. WHEN THEY MEET AGAIN In placing Waikaha on a 4.34 mark for his next outing, the Auckland adjuster is putting him back where the real good trotters are, although Money Spider is assessed as a three seconds faster trotter. The latter has shown excellent form since the new season opened, and in any company is capable of holding his own. Last October Bryce’s good horse was asked to concede the Auckland square-gaiter 72 yards in two miles, and he went close to accomplishing the task, being a head away from Ngatiri. who was a similar distance behind Waikaha. On the second day the difference in handicap was reduced to 48 yards, and again J. Paul

finished in front, the Southerner beins a good second. Their next meeting will be brimful of interest. CONQUERED NAPLAND When that good trotter Napland was S| ist in Auckland he was handicapped on 4-33, electing to take on the pacing element, but it was obvious from the exhibition given by the son of Petereta-Dreamland that he was not dressed in his best. Napland and Waikaha crossed swords last December, meeting first in the Rowe Cup. where Tomkinson’s trotter, who was standing the ultimate winner up 36 yards secured the £SO for the fourth horse. When they measured strides on the final day Waikaha was in receipt of 12 yards from the Canterburytrained candidate, and finished in front of him again. Napland, who was a tiptop performer, is on the easy list for a while, but hopes are entertained that he will come right later on. WHAT ESCAPADE DID Escapade, holder of the New' Zealand trotting record of 4.27 1-5 miles, is another that found Waikaha a reai tough nut to crack. Starting off the same mark in the Rowe Cup, the daughter of Nelson Bingen and Country Belle failed to gain a situation, but on the second day of the fixture Roy Berry drove the mare home a winner in the Epsom Handicap, in which the Rowe Cup victor was not a starter. On the concluding day of the fixture Roy stepped Escapade out against Waikaha, the handicapper making it an even break, and the mare prevailed. Waikaha has not sported silk since that memorable day, but as already stated Escapade has made fresh track history, and is now' the recognised trotting queen of the Dominion. WHAT OF PETER DEAN? Twelve months ago Peter Dean was competing off the same mark (4.40) as the Auckland champion, but a win for the latter saw him conceding the Petereta-Ivy Dean square-gaiter 24 yards, and again Waikaha got the purse. J. Paul did not have the son of Gold Bell in at Otahuhu. and here Peter Dean, still off a 4.40 mark, won in 4.36. When Peter and Waikaha met later in the Rowe Cup the latter met Mrs. Sweetapple’s trotter on the old 24yards margin, but the gelding was unplaced, and J. Paul collected with his representative. They have not met since, but Peter Dean has been under treatment for some time, and although in receipt of 48 yards from Waikaha. will not be fit enough to do himself justice.

OTHER TOP-NOTCHERS Betty Moko, who is recognised as the trotting queen of this province, is among the top-notchers, and before the season concludes will probably be disputing supremacy with the best in the land. Then there is Peterwah. a great trotter, Trampfast and Young Blake, two probables for the Auckland . fixture, who will likely measure strides j with Peter Dean, Betty Moko and Wai- I kaha. As the latter holds the premier- j ship of the province, “Abaydos” appends a summary of his record: A FINE RECORD At Three Years Old 1 start 1 win Stake £2lO At Four Years Old 4 starts 2 wins 2 seconds Stake £6BO At Five Years Old 3 starts 2 wins 1 third Stake £BBS At Six Years Old 4 starts 3 wins 1 second Stake £1,470 [ Total: 12 starts, 8 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third. Stake, £3,245. RECORD LOWERED DELAVAN QUEST GOES FAST TRACK IN SPLENDID ORDER A new track-trotting record was established at the Royal Spring Fail Sydney. In the speed contest in harness, distance about two-thirds of a mile, Delavan’s Quest, ridden by E L. McDonald, did the journey in 1.22 9.10. The same man rode Tallimba, whose performance was 1.23 1-10. Delavan’s Quest is owned by Mr. E. Byrnes, and has raced with prominence in New Zealand. Tallimba belongs to Mrs. Byrnes. The previous showground record was held by Machine Brick. In 1925 he did the journey in 1.24. Officials say the track is now better than it has ever been.