Trotting Track Strewn With Wreckage

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 238, 28 December 1927, Page 12

Trotting Track Strewn With Wreckage

THERE were all the elements of disaster in the last race at Alexandra Park yesterday, but fortunately the injuries to the drivers were not regarded as being serious. The race was the St. Heliers Handicap, in which there were ten starters. At the conclusion of the first circuit Amaris, on the rails, and First Carbine, on the outside, were leading out of the straight, when Amaris tangled and came out. Black Lila, who was going along nicely on the rails a length and a-half behind Amaris, collided with the latter, and horse, sulky and driver went right over Amaris. “ON THE RAILS” J. Shaw, the popular Auckland trainer and driver, was thrown on to the picket fence and suffered a dislocated collarbone. G. Phipps, behind Black Lila, also went on to the fence, and he appeared actually to skate along the palings before coming to rest. He was not seriously hurt. At the time Amaris tangled, the field was running in close order, so that when Amaris and Black Lila fell several others came over them. All Bell and his driver did the most spectocular leap, and although G. Phipps went high his altitude record was well beaten by W. E. Cockbill, who must have been lifted over nine feet in his sulky, for he maintained his seat. Then in quick order Nelson Tasker tipped out, and Concliffe, who ran out a bit, failed to avoid a collision with All Bell, and when he came down Lady Dunmore crashed over him. THE WRECKAGE Immediately after the accident the course resembled the scene of a wreck. Horses, sulkies and drivers were strewn over the track, the only combination that continued on being Nelson Tasker, who bolted with his driverless sulky. This gave one of the clerks of the course, Mr. W. S. Hirst, a chance to outdo Tom Mix, and he did it in great style. Nelson Tasker came galloping round again, but Mr. Hirst went down the straight and galloped alongside the runaway, and

while travelling at top speed he managed to seize the reins and pull the horse up just short of the wreckage, which by this time had not been cleared away. In this wise another smash was avoided, and Mr. Hirst fully earned the cheers he received for his feat. , It was extraordinary that after such a bad smash there w r as nothing more serious to report than the injury to J. Shaw. All the horses appeared to be all right, although some of thorn fell heavily enough to make them feel the effects later on. Bruises and scratches were the principal effects on the other drivers. A FARCICAL RACE When ahe accident occurred First Carbine and Hue Coronado were the only two of those close up to dodge it, and both were well out from the rails. They had the finish to themselves, First Carbine winning comfortably. Prior to the smash' Lord Nepean and Anselm had broken up so badly that they had practically pulled up to furlongs away, and then seeing what had happened they had a “go” for third money. When First Carbine passed the post the winner, the other pair were just passing the half-mile peg, Lord Nepean beating Anselm for the £SO attached to third money. Needless to say there was little interest taken in the result after the accident by other than the backers of First Carbine and Hue Coronado. ANOTHER CRASH In the second race there w*as a collision between Daytime and Auditress, the latter going well at the time, and this incident spoiled a good chance. Daytime was good enuogh to finish second. One of the hottest favourites of the day was upset in the Grandstand Handicap. This was Great Actress. Three furlongs from home she had retired from the lead and was going back on those behind when she fell, with the result that Orphan and King Pointer went over her. The driver of King Pointer did a perfect somersault over the rails, landing on the inside track. D. Withers, who was the pilot of Great Actress, was considerably shaken, but he went out to drive Peter Swift in the next event. However, after going preliminary, he had to give up, and J.

Shaw drove Peter Swift in the race. All these mishaps were 'purely accidental, and everybody concerned came through their ordeals with rare good luck.

AT EPSOM YESTERDAY

FORM REVIEWED NOTES ON THE RUNNERS BY ABAYDOS The Sun’s Rays Bright Light, as THE SUN suggested, shone brilliantly in the Introductory Trot and his supporters had radiant faces when the dividend was hoisted. Worth the Trip Alex. Corrigan, after taking part in the first day’s racing at Greytown, left at 7 p.m. on Monday evening for Palmerston North, where he caught the express for Auckland. He arrived in time to drive Bright Light and found tlxe trip worth while. A Solid Boy Nelson Boy trotted a sound race and should go very close to picking up a stake before returning South. He was displaying a lot of pace w r hen he made a break near the post. Still Consistent Anseline trotted with her usual consistency, but a couple of breaks kept her back in third money. She should break it for a “divvy” one of these days. Should Do Better Raima and Gold Sovereign both trotted solidly and their form suggests that they will be knocking at the door before the carnival terminates. A Bit Unlucky Auditress was a trifle unlucky in the running of the December Handicap, otherwise she would have been nearer the money. She was finishing nicely over the final stages. Not Quite Good Enough Daytime was not quite good enough to pull off the 12-furlong heat, lacking the necessary to resist the effort of Wallroon over the last furlong. The latter was capably handled by Percy Rogers, who deserved a turn at fortune’s wheel. Not Going Right !Uns£e 3erfc did not do things right

in his races yesterday, and his showing was difficult to understand. It certainly looks as if Bert wants the sting out of the ground.

Another Cup to Bryce Ahuriri. dual New Zealand Cup winner, added another big trophy to his list, when he led the field home in the Auckland Cup. He put up a fine performance and was splendidly handled by J. Bryce, who has now won three i Auckland Cups, and been connected with five New Zealand Cup winners. One To Be With Jack Potts gave a fine display in the Cup and his form would suggest cn early victory for the aristocratic American production. C. Donald has him in rare fettle, and will be unlucky if he does not get a stake. Do Not Forget Machine Gun’s friends must be satisfied, if somewhat disappointed, with the manner in which Berry’s charge shaped in the Cup. He looked a winner when heads were turned for home, but a skip spoilt a good chance. He should be kept in with at the meeting. Coming Right Cardinal Logan’s display in the big race was pleasing and the Logan Pointer gelding is coming back to form. He should be seen to advantage in 10-furlong events in the near future. A Good Double Native Star proved the goods in the Parnell Handicap, but the break by Tony Victor near the post was all in her favour. She is a great mare over the last part of a journey, and a credit to her trainer, the genial “Skipper” Price. Any Time Now Tony Victor has just been defeated for the thick end of the stake in his last two outings and his turn must come any time now. He was a bit unlucky yesterday. Solid Customer Tiger Salve trotted a solid race in the Parnell Handicap to receive third prize. Lee has the ex-Australian -well and he will not be long taking out again. Bell Harold in Form Bell Harold showed what a moderate lot was opposed to him in the Akarana Handicap by coming at the finish with a fine burst and winning nicely. He was cleverly handled by W. J. Tompkinson, who also drove Native Star with great judgment in the previous race. Still Second Once more Bob Logan secured the second stake and his supporters a small return for their investment. Bob is solid enough, but lacks a final kick. He will surely break tHe spell soon. Game Enough Rua Pere and Mulwaree both gave a lot of cheek in the Akarana Handicap and when the straight was reached their prospects looked rosy. They battled on gamely enough to the end, but did not have enough pace for Bell Harold and Bob Logan. The Boom Burst The Great Actress bubble burst completely in the Grandstand Handicap. The mar© was in the lead early and had every chance, but compounded at the end of 12 furlongs. The pace was on all right, and this evidently found her out. Brilliant Mare The Shrew did not only win the Grandstand Handicap, but did it like a champion. She covered far more ground than anything else in the race and at the finish buried her opponents for speed. A Good Sort Native Prince proved that he is a solid pacer by the manner he raced in the Grandstand Handicap. His effort was a good one, but he could not stall off the challenge of The Shrew. P. Riddle should get a stake out of him before he returns home. A Fine Essay Rockburn put up a bold effort in the two-mile event yesterday and in getting close up third to The Shrew and Native Prince gave his few supporters a real good run for their money. One of these days it will be “take out,” all right. Good Thing Undone The big three—the bracket—came undone in the Rowe Cup. Elzear and Young Blake early put their admirers at rest and Happy Rosa was not solid enough. It was a shocking exhibition on the part of the Canterbury pair. Popular Win J. Paul’s win with Waikaha was a popular one, and the Mangere trotter, despite his recent failures, was heavily supported. He put up a fine exhibition, and again won nicely without going his handicap time. Betty’s Fine Effort W. Orange knows how to handle Betty Moko and he nursed her nicely in the hard going to make a big final dash for victory. She cut Sister Beatrice out of second money on the post. If the sting is out of the ground Betty will do better. Improved Trotter The honours of the Rowe Cup -re perhaps with Sister Beatrice, who only recently qualified for such select company. The Hawera mare put up a great race and was unlucky to get squeezed out of a dividend at the post. She will soon pick up a stake. First Carbine Returns First Carbine came back all right and picked up a prize, but owing to the unfortunate mishap which brought down six contestants, he was not asked to show how far the return has reached. Fresh Arrivals W. Hughes, with Loch Moigh and narf OC t k ;i arrlvecl thls morning to take pait at the carnival during the remaining days. The Manawatu horses have not done a great deal of work since solid B customers. 1 —rtheless A Rising Star Red Star, who won so well at the Otahuhu fixture, will be a competitor before the present trotting carnva concludes, and judging by the manner he has been doing his wmL- V, r track, Mexted wiUbe in tfemoneV