TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 249, 11 January 1928, Page 7

TROTTING

By

“ Abaydos"

NOTES AND COMMENTS

CLASSY SQUARE-GAITERS RECENT FORM REVIEWED From the point of view of general ability the square-gaiters seen in the first division at the recent Auckland , fixture were well up to the best tradi- J tions of the unhampered style of loco- ! motion. Although the classy per- ; formers did not succeed in putting up any superior time tests the achieve- j ments of the place-getters were full of | merit. Delivered the Goods Waikaha, who has long held the position as Auckland's trotting idol, fully justified all the good opinions formed of his powers by defeating a real tip-top field of straight-out trotters. He was labelled on the opening day for the richly-endowed Rowe Cup and duly landed, but, like the Arabs, “folded up his tent and silently stole away.” J. T. Paul does not believe in over-racing the good son of Gold Bell and the policy proves highly successful. Betty’s Gameness Despite the fact that she could not undertake much work of a serious nature for several days prior to the Auckland carnival, the popular Penrose representative, Betty Moko, put up a sterling performance in the Rowe Cup. when she finished second to Waikaha. The going was not in her favour, but the hard race told its tale and on the second day with the turf to her | liking Betty was unable, to withstand a deadly final challenge from Peter Swift:. On the final day T. Brady’s mare showed further signs of the campaign and was well beaten. Sister Beatrice is not a mudlark and once again she demonstrated that the turf must be solid if she is to give of her very best. In the Rowe Cup Jim Bullock’s charge ran a great race and was just cut out of a second dividend. On the middle day the soft going militated against her chances and she left her backers high and dry. On the last day the Hawera mare was able to feel her feet, and put up another fine effort when she beat all except Young Blake. A Solid Customer Peter Swift was doing such good work at various stages of the Rowe Cup contest that it was somewhat of a surprise to find him practically one of tli© outsiders of the classy field on the second day of the function. When it came to real business the Petereta gelding showed splendid dash and outstayed the opposition to win nicely. Although out of a place on the final day Peter gave a lot. of cheek in the race. Escapade: at Mangere Escapade trotted in good style in her Rowe Cup essay and beat a whole lot of her opponents, being close up fourth to receive the minor portion of the purse. She did herself with glory- on the second day when asked to go with the sprinting pacers, but on the concluding day the trotting queen took on the “heads” in the big two-mile event and put up a solid performance, being in the picture till she left her feet at the home turn. She is now located at J. T. Paul’s establishment. Found Task Hard Money Spider was well backed each day at Epsom, but he failed to give his supporters any return for their confidence in his ability to defeat the opposition. His best attempt was made in th© Epsom Trot on the middle day of the session, and making for the straight the last time Bryce’s candidate was being b proclaimed a winner, but put in a skip that ruined his prospects, third being his portion. On the final day he was sent out a good favourite, but did not show up at all. A Bold Bid Old Tradesman put up a desperate struggle over the final stages of the Association Trot for the 60 sovereigns attached to the third berth. Rose Bingen was on a similar errand and pressed Ted Sandall’s trotter for the prize, but Tom Roe, who knows how to handle square-gaiters to perfection, kept th© First Voyage gelding going to get a short head decision over the Rowe Cup winner of two years ago. Not a Champion While Happy Rosa proved equal to cleaning up a section of the trotters in the Commonwealth, since taking up her abode in that territory, she has not made sufficient advancement to put anything across her New Zealand opponents. In the Rowe Cup, Happy Rosa had every chance, but before the end hove in sight Peter Riddle’s mare cried enough. She is not yet up to high-grade Dominion standard. Although John Mauritius failed to pull out any of the stake money during his Visit to Alexandra Park, Donald’s charge went fairly well on each occasion, and his form suggested that when the opposition weakens he will be on deck to collect a stake for his owner. John is endowed with a good deal of pace, but when under pressure does not seem capable of regulating the speed and leaves his feet.

AN ARRANT ROGUE NOW A GOOD HORSE From an arrant rogue, Colesberg has developed into a particularly consistent galloper, who is apparently a cut above the average handicap horse on A.R.C. courses at present (says a Sydney wrter). He won the Kensington Handicap at his last effort, and on the same course, allowed to drift out to a comparatively long price, followed that i .success with an even more convircing victory, even allowing for* the fact that Silent Rose lost more ground than was necessary at the turn. Colesberg was an outsider at his first effort, but at one stage of the betting gave promise of starting fairly short. Apparently punters reckoned the increase in weight, combined with the heavy going, would stop her, and the lighter weighted Lambero went out a hot favourite.

Punters must have been pleased with their judgment over the first half of the journey, but when Emblem's Lady shot to the front along the back, Lambero was done, and all the way to the straight the leader looked sure to hold her advantage. Silent Rose was the most prominent of the others at that stage, and though Colesberg was moving up well, his chance of overtaking those in front did not look bright. It would not have been bad if Knox kept Silent Rose a little closer to the rails, but the mistake on the part of that rider meant a narrow victory for Colesberg, for he finished gamely. Knox did the right thing in keeping Silent Rose out of the heavy going on the rails, but there was really no need to go to the drastic extent lie did. and that mare was very unlucky to go down.

Hope of Victory The displays of Rose Bingen, while failing to prove remunerative, would serve to encourage her connections in their search for an early stake. The daughter of Nelson Bingen—Rose Elect benefitted by the racing and at her last attempt was showing some of the dash that gained her honours ? few seasons back. If Darkie Broughton perseveres with her, Rdso Bingor should get on the winning list thi season. Made Amends

Young Blake did not please hi friends by his showing in the Row Cup, but he made some amends whq he put in a great effort among th pacers on the second day. although only carried him into th.rd bertl When he came to light on the con eluding day in the square-gaited con test. Young Blake was quickly for given for his misdeeds of the pre\ i ous days, and he pulled followers o the bracket out of the fire. Elzear, who has enough pace when going right to clean up the best of the Dominion's trotting sxponents, repeated her performance last Jure at the Park and gave a shocking display all through. She would not leave the mark and when finally persuaded to take it on would not do anything right. The last day Tomkinson’s mare did it nice in patches and showed a great burst of speed while sticking to her gait. The Gisborne Crack

Although a member of the squaregaited fraternity the Gisborne crack Peterwah elected to mix it with the pacing element and he succeeded in silencing the opposition, good and all as it was, on the middle day, when lie lifted the big end of the stake in the Summer Cup. On the closing day Peterwah made two attempts to put ft over the hoppled brigade, but the task was a bit beyond him. Napland, who some little while back was ranked with the first flight of square-gaiters, and is now a stable mate of the great Peterwah. has not effected the come-back yet that his sporting owner-trainer was hoping for. During his races, however, the Fetereta gelding showed some glimpses of the better days and it will not be surprising to see him land a stake again before the present season terminates. He is now in Harry Kinnimont'e stable at Royal Oak. IMPROVING SQUARE-GAITERS GOOD CLASS SEEN AT EPSOM RECRUITS FOR HIGHER HONOURS The Auckland Trotting Club is to be congratulated on the splendid manner in which it cater, fo- the secondary division of pure-gaited contestants, and the clubs enterprise in allotting good prize money u P * * ieat class each day of the recent carnival was rewarded with big fields, keen speculation and interesting racing. Very often the events placed on various programmes for the improving trotter do not prove very attractive, and during the last year or so. despite every encouragement from the Auckland Trotting Club, this particular section has not come up to expectations. The 3 928 Christmas carnival, however, proved a pleasing exception, and the number of genuine improvers seen in action must have constituted a record in this respect. The way a number of them improved on their handicap times, as shown in Saturday’s SUN, would’ furnish another record, while the excellence of the fields and the racing in this division was gratifying to th*> management and greatly appreciated by the large assemblage at Alexandra Park each day of the Christmas session. WILL RECEIVE PROMOTION Such solid trotters as Bright Light, Raima, and Nelson Boy showed form that will gain them places in higher society in the future, and both Bright Light and Raima, when they step out after promotion. will not disgrace themselves in the more select circle. Other improving ones in Billy Carbine and Dolores will be heard of again before long, while *the well-known and consistent warriors of the track, Anseline and Gold Star, gave displays that will encourage their connections to go on with the good work. While not gaining monetary distinction. Gold Sovereign, Marble Star and* Bingen Starr demonstrated they are not yet spent-lights, and when they take their place again in this class will receive a good measure of public support. FAMOUS DRIVER RETIRING AFTER WONDERFUL CAREER T. W. MURPHY CHANGES HiS GMT The famous American driver and trainer of trotting horses, Thomas w. Murphy, who has developed more champion light-harness horses m America than any other trainer, Has decided definitely to retire from active participation in trotting races, ovrtng to failing health. Murphy is likely to train thoroughbred horses in the future. The American trotting sport, however, loses a master craftsman, whose clientele included, in his long and honourable career in the sulky, many of American wealthiest patrons of the light-harness sport. HANDLED MANY CHAMPIONS Some of the many champions developed by Murphy are the trotters Peter Manning, mile record I.sff: Tilly Brooke, record 1.59; Arion Guy, record 1.591; Rose Scott, record 1.59 f: and tne pacers Directum I. record 1.56|: Margaret Dillon, record 1.58£: Miss Harris M., recorc 1.585; Frank Bogash Junior, record 1.595; and Merriment, record 2.00. Since 1909 this champion American driver has been the leading driver on the American Grand Circuit no fewer than 14 times, his record during the past season again exceeding any other driver. TROTTING FIXTURES Forbury Park T.C.—Jan. 27, 2i. Hawke's Bay T.C.—Jan. 2S. Nelson T.C.—Jan. 31, Feb. 1. Takaka T.C.—Feb. 2. Cheviot T.C.—Feb. 4. N.Z. Metropolitan T.C.—Feb. 11 Olahuhu T.C.—Feb. 8, 22. Kaikoura T.C.—Feb. 25. Marlborough T.C.—March 2. Invercargill T.C. —March 2, 3. Waikato T.C.—March 3. Mana'watu T.C.—March 7. Timaru T.C. —March 8, IA. ; Wyndham T.C.—March 14. New Brighton T.C.—March 15. 17 Thames T.C.—March 24. Wellington T.C. —March 24. Wanganui T.C.—March 29, 31. N.Z. Metropolitan T.C.—April 7, li. Hawera T.C.—April 7, 9.