TROTTING...

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 235, 23 December 1927, Page 6

TROTTING ...

By

" Abaydos”

NOTES AND COMMENTS

PACERS FOR ALEXANDRA PARK PROSPECTS DISCUSSED Grattan Thorpe is infusing a lot of dash into his work on the track at Epsom, and if lie decided to display the same interest on race days his connections should get a good share of prize money. The son of Our Thorpe will be a starter on the second and third days of the fixture, and whatever may be the result of "his venture he will not lack anything on the score of condition. His Turn May Come Ivingselere should be in apple-pie order when next stepped out at Alexandra Park, and he may take out a prize before the carnival concludes. The Mangere-trained gelding threatened to get a certificate when taking part at the Otahuhu fixture, and he gave a sound display when he deadheated with Lord Minto for second money behind Loch Moigh. He will meet the Minto gelding again at the forthcoming meeting off the same mark.

In Warm Company The Te Awamutu pacer Golden Grattan has been showing fair form in her more recent essays, and her turn to break it for a win cannot be far away. Her connections seem determined to catch an unhoppled heat with the Gold Bell mare, but she will find the opposition pretty solid at Epsom during carnival week. When the country circuit reopens Golden Grattan should be one of the early prizewinners. The free-legged pacer Ricardo ran some good races last season with the straps on, his most notable performance being at Hawera on the second day in the big twomile heat, when he finished second to Pluto registering a fraction over 4.38 for* the journey. The grey son of Lord Althorpe is not of the brilliant type, but he is a solid customer and revels in his work, and when it comes to the last part of a 16-furlong go, puts in some telling strides.

Backed and Beaten Tony Victor has been backed and beaten on two occasions this season in races where the hopples are not permissible, but that fact should not put him right out of court for the similar class of item figuring on the Auckland Christmas card. The last time up, Tony Victor, when going nicely, got into bother and had his prospects extinguished. Since then he was taken to Hamilton, where, with the straps on, he paced a good mile to get second to Daytime. Tony will be in good condition for his forthcoming contests. All Bell continues to hit out in resolute fashion at Epsom, and the aged son of Gold Bell is a long way from being a back number y©L At the Auckland spring fixture All Bell put up a surprisingly good performance over a mile, and he was fancied for his Otahuhu engagement, which he was compelled to forego owing to an accident. Although not quite over the mishap at Claudelands, the gelding showed nice dash in the 10-furlong flutter, and he will be on deck again next week. The Crack Miler

Nelson Fame has gone along the right way since putting up his fine saddle record at the Otahuhu fixture, and the numerous admirers of the Mange re speed merchant are quite onpared to see him knocking for admission at the end of the 10-furlong heat, providing the son of Nelson Bingen is not done to a cinder earlier in the day °\ei two miles. It seems strange .hat a horse with such dash over a mile does not pull out a better effort over tne longer journey.

Deserves to Succeed j Rua Per© continues to perform on ; the track in a manner that would lead | his owner-trainer to believe that a j stake is in sight- The old gelding can still muster up a lot of pace, but ! when it comes to racing he fails to get out the last requisite ounce. Joe Gee deserves to have a share of For--1 tune’s smile with his team, as he is an enthusiast and optimist of the first water.

Standing Up To It Well Ben Lomond is looking just as in as hands can make him, and his condition reflects great credit on W. Dyer. The Bingana gelding is also displaying a fine turn of speed over a short course, and so far the hard tracks have not affected him to any serious extent. Ben will in all probability be seen out during the progress of the Auckland fixture. Should Do Better Little Lord Nepean is working at headquarters as if he meant real business, and in his last few essays the Australian-bred pacer has shown great dash. Prior to the last fixture at Alexandra Park, Lord Nepean was racing consistently, but at the Otahuhu function he failed to reproduce his best form. Off the front of a 10-furlong beat, F. Young’s horse should make a bold showing, providing, of course, be goes away smartly.

First Carbine bears a well seasoned appearance and the exAuckland crack is nice and muscular. He is standing up to his work in good style, and there is every indication that he will go to the post fir and sound. If Newdick has succeeded in getting the El Carbine horse back to form, those engaged in the St. Heliers Handicap would have a solid contract trying to head him off in the run to the box. It is just on seven years ago since First Carbine began to attract attention by his performance at the Ashburton Christm - fixture. A Moody Customer Am axis is undoubtedly a moody customer, and in his last few races be has not gone at all generously. Again on tli© track the other morning, when required to do his best to assist bis gallant stable-mate, Jewel Pointer, in a serviceable work-out, Amaris was as sour as vinegar, and refused to do bis part. At one stage, when well behind his companion, he put in a brilliant dash that carried him up to the Cup horse, but immediately refused to go on with the good work. When doing it right, Amaris has a power of pace. Sheik Returns to N.Z. The Australian pacer Sheik, who ?s well-known throughout New Zealand, where his popular owner-trainer, Peter Riddle, met with a large measure of success during his five years sojourn, has arrived on the scene to fulfil his Auckland Cup engagementThe champion of many a battle botn in the Dominion and Commonwealth is in excellent fettle, and is ready for the big fight on Tuesday next- H* 3 recent performance at Epping in running two miles in 4.24 has attract**® considerable attention, and many aver that the time recorded would represent 4.20 on Alexandra Park. This is open to debate, but in any case there be no disputing the fact Riddle and W horse will play a big part in the settlement of the race. Not Right Yet Evidently

Cardinal Logan, although looking nice and bright in appearance, is t dently not all in order otherwise. his form on Tuesday morning disclosed. Before six furlongs were covered he was sw eating profuse. • and blowing like a whale, which is no usual w r ith the dashing son o: Log-i Pointer. His hard race in the Zealand Cup has evidently left u* mark on the Cardinals composition, as was demonstrated by his hc< ‘ dash at the Otahuhu fixture. K not the gelding s correct form n long way, and from present indication® the son of Logan Pointer will not seen at his best on Cup day.