NOTES AND COMMENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

OTAHUHU FIXTURE NEXT WEEK STRONG CONTINGENT OF VISITORS With the Otahuhu fixture only a week away business should be pretty brisk at Alexandra Park during the next few days, although there will not be anything of much importance occurring till the various visiting contingents arrive. Everything points to a large number of visitors for the meeting, and they should, as usual, receive a good share of the plunder. TROTTING FRATERNITY While the quality of the pure-gaited contestants in the moderate class events, with a few exceptions, does not appear to be of much account, the standard of good trotting should be well maintained among the senior division. Some solid square-gaiters are engaged in the race for unhoppled horses, while in the higher grade events class is well represented. Has a Chance Real Todd should be one of the best of the limit brigade in the Trial Handicap, despite his erratic showing the last time he visited Alexandra Park. After leaving Epsom C. Willetts’s charge put up a good fight at Claudelands with Call Boy, and if he has gone on the right way must be given a chance.

The Real Goods Billy Carbine created a good impression in the spring when he put up such a fine race with Great Change at Alexandra Park, securing second berth and putting up good time. That it was no fluke the Henderson-trained trotter demonstrated shortly afterwards at Whangarei, where he came at the finish of a twelve-furlong heat and won like a good one. Billy seems to be in a class by himself among the Trial Handicap field. When He Gets Stamina Leo Mauritius is showing improved form and will have to be reckoned with during the Otahuhu fixture in the slow class square-gaiters heats. The Australian is a splendid beginner; in fact, in this department he has it on a lot of the pacers, and when on the journey never looks to do anything wrong. His fault is in the staying ability, but hels doing better with each work out. Just About Due Although Anseline is a good way back from the limit brigade in the Trial Handicap, there is_not many of them that have much cßance of finishing in front of her, and when it comes to real business Joe Gee’s trotter will be on the premises, and looks like getting a share of the prizemoney. The mare has raced consistently this season without breaking it for a win, but when it does turn up it will be a popular one. Bright Light, who is now trained by owner Kaspar is in splendid fettle and ready to shine again. Off the front of the event for unhoppled horses the Taranaki trotter, who is a lot better than a lot of people give him credit for, will keep the big field busy and it would not be surprising to see him first out and first home, especially if handled by A. Corrigan. Tough Nut to Crack Raima’s performances at the Auckland Christmas meeting showed that the half-sister to The Shrew has regained her form, while the manner in which she finished up her task on the final day suggested greater things for the Hawke’s Bay representative. W. Head knows how to get them ready for the job, and Raima will have nothing to complain of on the score of condition. On a 4.47 peg she will make it awkwhrd for the opposition in the Mount Albert Handicap: Should Do Better During the Christmas carnival the handsome American bred square-gaiter A 1 Mack was noticed displaying a lot of dash in patches, but he spoiled his work with bad breaks. Since then he should have improved a good deal, and from his position in the* field among the unhoppled performers, should be capable of adding a whole heap of interest to the popular event. Staging a Come-Back During December the old trotter Mutu gave strong signs of effecting a come-back, and it will not occasion much surprise to see him doing his best during the Otahuhu fixture, in which case the Te Awamutu-trained gelding would be in the firing-line when it came to a final struggle. At Claudelands he was a good second to Great Change, and on the final day at Auckland finisher just behind Native Star when that good mare went such a fine race into third berth. An Improving Mare The Hawera-trainefl Sister Beatrice is one of the most improved exponents of the square-gaited business in the Dominion, and when last seen under silk at Alexandra Park ran two fine races, finding one or two of the opposition just a shade too good at the handicaps. Jim Bullock, the veteran trainer, always lands Sister Beatrice at the post fit and well, and she can be relied upon to run a sound race no matter how select the opposition may be. Lovers of a real good trotter will be delighted to see the Palmerston North trainer, “Skipper” Price, bring his bonny mare, Native Star, back to Alexandra Park. Although making her first visit to the city in December the trotter soon won golden opinions and became as popular as her quiet and unassuming attendant. If Native Star is a starter in the President's Handicap, she will have a big army of admirers, and methinks their confidence will not be misplaced.