LUCK OF THE GAME

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 7

LUCK OF THE GAME

THE GOOD AND THE BAD FREE-LEGGED RUNNERS STRIKE TROUBLE It is very seldom that during the progress of a trotting heat some candidate or other lias not a slice of bad luck. Tho recent carnival at Alexandra Park provides plenty of evidence in this respect, but probably the greatest barrage to possible place-getters occurred in the Papatoetoe Handicap, an event confined to unhoppled horses. As an event it is doubtful if its place on the card is justified. After all it usually becomes a test for square-gaiters, and clubs which provide so generously for unhoppled horses might find it more advantageous to cater either for one section or the other. However, having definitely decided on running such items on the schedule the clubs concerned are endeavouring to “kill two birds with one stone.” by giving pacers and trotters a chance of meeting in open competition. It

is generally conceded that in such events, the pacer without the straps is severely handicapped, but if an owner decides to “take on” such a heat with his candidate, he must be satisfied that he has a chance, and also that he expects to win. But good as that judgment may be, there is always the element of luck to be contended with, and it is a striking feature in light-harness activities that where a race is keenly contested, there will be a fragment of good luck or ill-luck. That such is the case was demonstrated in the free-legged race, when Golden Grattan, who was smoothly running in third place five furlongs from home, Tony Victor, and Petroleusc, the winner, were all knocked back. With the exception of the Corrigan representative. Petroleuse, tho other contestants alluded to were put right out of the “possible” stage, while it was only the brilliancy of Petroleuse that carried her home in front of that good old plodding trotter Anseline.

The fact that Petroleuse was seventh in order of favouritism probably kept a few of the shrewdies off the scent, but her task looked a difficult one from S4yds. behind. In any case, Jim Bullock’s mare got up to win by a narrow margin, and paid a price that must have been appreciated by the connections. Under the circumstances Golden Grattan and Tony Victor were unlucky; while Petroleuse, also unlucky, was brilliant enough to get through.