TROTTING. . .

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 316, 29 March 1928, Page 5

TROTTING . . .

By

“Abaydos”

NOTES AND COMMENTS PACERS AT THAMES FORM OF IMPROVERS There was a great collection of the pacing fraternity at Thames during the week-end, and a very motley assemblage they were. Under the classification of highclass there could not be too many listed, but of useful and improving performers there was a solid total. Naturally, where such a big contingent was operating, there were some who have long since passed the stage of usefulness, and others who do not hold much prospect of ever reaching it. Winding the Watch Some promising improvers were seen in action, and a few put up rather smart performances. In this respect the palm must be given to the Te Awa-mutu-trained mare Cornelian, who put in a great effort in the second division of the opening event. The Author Dillon representative made up no leeway in the first half of the journey, but once she settled down to her work Cornelian displayed fine dash, and finally got up to win by a small margin. To get the £65 A. J. Broughton’s mare was required to knock 12 seconds off her handicap, traversing the distance in 3.26 2-5 off a 3.38?* peg. A Real Racehorse Although there was not much to spare at the finish of the first division of the Hikutaia Handicap, the result demonstrated that the winner, Warplane, is made of the material that furnishes real horses. The son of Man o’ War and Air Raid was only making his second public appearance, and his

performance was full of merit, and Mrs. Sweetapple’s bonny three-year-old promises to reach a good standard. J. Shaw handled him judiciously and wasted no ground, which was valuable when it came to the finish. Left High and Dry Nelson Dillon spoiled a good chance of fracturing his novice status at Thames by tangling at the start of the first division, which cost him a good bit of territory, and also the stake. When he eventually settled down the son of Nelson Bingen did good work, but although he put in a game effort m the run to the box he just failed to cut the leader, Warplane, out of the dividend. It was only half a head difference, but to Nelson Dillon’s backers it might have been half a chain, as they were left high and dry. One That Will Improve Those good sportsmen, A. Flanigan, Geo. Baton and W. Cockbili, could not but feel pleased with the showing of Rosie Thorpe in the second division of the Hikutaia Handicap at Thames on Saturday. The mare began fairly well, but was not hustled till she had found her feet, and when the back stretch was entered Rosie was in fourth place. Crossing the top she

made a great dab and ran almost up to the leader, when she left her feet, losing- a lot of ground. The daughter of Our Thorpe—Rosie Drift came again in the straight, but had no chance of overtaking the pair, who were fight- | ing out the finish. But in finishing third Rosie showed a lot of promise. Turn Must Come Great Ballin showed a bold front when contesting the second division of the opening handicap on the Thames : card on Saturday, and with half the distance completed Garth Robertson's horse looked a likely place-getter. The son of Ballin appeared to lack the necessary devil when it came to the serious end of the business, but when

it is remembered that he struck the solid heat then some excuse can be made for his failure. Great Ballin is among the acceptors at Wanganui, and if he makes the trip he should not return empty-handed from the river city. If the time-keeper’s estimate is correct, the second heat of the Hikutaia Handicap was cut out much faster than the first one, the second horse in the former running the distance four seconds quicker than the winner of the latter. Warplane, who won the initial heat, went 3.35 2-5 from a 3.43£ limit, and Peter Pirate, who finished second to Cornelian in the final division, was credited with 3.31 3-5 from a similar mark. Rosie Thorpe, who pulled out the third prize in this heat, was only about a second slower on the journey than Nelson Dillon, who ran Warplane to a short head in the previous race. Another Man o’ War Colt Warspite, another son of Man o’ War from a Victor Royal mare, owned by Averill Bros, and trained at Papatoetoe by R. Hall, gave an encouraging display when he contested the first division of the improvers’ item at Thames. The youngster did rot go out as well as some of those on the end, but when the stand was reached the first time he was just in behind Nelson Dillon and Nella Dillon, who were together in third berth. He soon headed Nella and was one of the few with a chance three furlongs from home. Warspite cut Ben Zolock out of third place in the run to the wire. Ben Giving Cheek Old Ben Zolock set a merry pace in the opening heat on Saturday, but it was the general opinion his effort was only of the “flash in the pan” type. Everybody was looking for Ben to stop at the end of six furlongs, but he continued to act the role of pacemaker so far that his few supporters had visions of a huge dividend. The Hal Zolock gelding lost the lead at the turn for home, and from there to the post he was showing signs of distress, but ho battled on and finished close up to the third horse. Ben gave quite a lot of cheek, and may capture a race of this description one of these days. Carnui Has Possibilities Quite a lot of nice things were rumoured about Carnui at the :Ith hour, with the result there was some solid support for the Point Chevalier horse, and he finished up fourth favourite in the division race. The son of El Caroine was driven by T. Roe, who broke the gelding in and gaited him, and he made quite a creditable showing for a mile, where he appeared to have had enough. Carnui was responsible for the warm pace set, as lie hopped out like a shot and piloted the field for a circuit, when he drifted gradually to the rear. He is a possibility, and judiciously placed would pick up a handy stake. Nella Dillon Stops Badly Nella Dillon had every chance in the first division of the Novice Handicap on Saturday, but she was not able to deliver the real goods when the call came. The Author Dillon filly began with her customary dash, and soon had a good position, which she maintained for a mile. Then she got the stitch and faltered, and when the post was reached there were four competitors in front of her. Nella may hav® left the race on the track before journeying to Thames, and she certainly did not reproduce the form that caused her admirers fo be hopeful of success. A Lucky Bracket A four-year-old gelding by Van Coronado from Lady Mary, trained by T. of Onehnuga, was given his first run in public on and although he did not present a very bold front, his few backers received a pleasing return. Kilty, as the novice

is called, was bracketed on the machine with Warplane, winner of the first division of the Hikutaia Handicap, which was a remarkable stroke of good luck for the former’s friends. Peter Pirate made his debut at Thames on Saturday, and although he did not return a divvy for his supporters he went so close to it that he gave backers of Cornelian a big fright. The three-year-old son of Peter Moko trailed Carnui, who acted as pacemaker, for half the journey, and then he was taken x fr ? nt .’ entering the a °k Paul’s charge was still going strong. He was slightly in front inside the distance, but when pressed tangled, allowing the favourite to beat him to the wire. If he goes on the right way Peter will be some good, and provid,ng he starts at Wanganui should get some easy money.