TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 337, 24 April 1928, Page 13

TROTTING

. By

"Abaydos"

notes and comments

TROTTING at te aroha form of winners The holding nature of the Te Aroha track was responsible for olaced horses putting up times that Lire, with the exception of one race, all slower than their handicaps* This, however, must not be taken as an indication that the racing was not up to the usual high itandard witnessed at country fixtures in the province. The sport provided was interesting, while in many cases handicapper Gooseman succeeded in producing exciting and stirring finishes. Another Te Awamutu Surprise ZEALOUS, a six-year-old mare by The Pointer from Hova, owned and trained at Te Awamutu, created a surprise in the Waitoa Handicap by winning from end to end. Carefully handled by A. \V. Broughton, she never looked like making a mistake, and finishing well, won by a clear length from Lord Haldane. Penalised 24yds in the Ruakaka Handicap later in the day, Zealous was unable to get through the big field in front and did not show up* / The Right Kind to Have From a long way back Lackiewood gathered up a large quota of those in front of him in the Elstow Handicap, and at the end of half a mile was in third berth, but still well back from Carwood and Lena Ansel. Reg. Woods took him into second place down the back, but his task of overhauling Car-

wood looked impossible, the latter* being then 60 yards out clear. Carwood compounded and Lackiewood went on to win by a narrow margin from the fast finishing Billy Carbine. Andover Displays Stamina After being somewhat slow to strike his straps Andover soon settled down to his work and before a circuit was covered was in front, and there he stayed till the judge was passed. Broughton drove the Hova gelding a patient race and as various contestants issued a challenge he allowed his charge to keep them at bay. Although he only won by a neck, the winner had it well on his nearest attendants. His good effort dispels any doubt as to Andover’s staying propensities. Gold Dial began with a “fly” in the Cup and was always well placed after the first six furlongs were negotiated. From there on G. Williams never allowed the mare to be further back than fourth. She turned into the straight behind Taipans and Nelson Tasker, and at the distance headed the latter and wont after Taipare, The grey looked a winner, but Gold Dial's c lot lifted her past the post to win by a head in brilliant fashion. The win was very popular. Converted Pacer’s Consistent Efforts Lord Haldane, after his fine performance behind Zealous in the first race, looked to have a great chance in the Ruakaka Handicap, but despite this tact he -was allowed to start at a good price. Owner Saunders got the converted pacer away well and after trailing Carnui for half a mile went to the front ancl stayed there, shaking off a late sortie by Great Ballin, to win by a neck. A. R. Saunders deserved the success, as he has been most attentive and persevering with the Good Gift gelding. Horizon Lands at Last Horizon went a solid race in the H.oc Springs Handicap, and well handled by Garth Robertson, won nicely at the finish from the warm favourite, Haerangi Pai, who broke badly at the start and put up a splendid performance to get second. Horizon was always in a position and three furlongs from home took command, staying there till the post was passed. He was produced again in the saddle event, where he was penalised 24yds, but he got away badly and was never sighted afterwards. Gold Star Delivers the Goods Despite several bad breaks Gold Star did well enough to win the Waihou Handicap by a couple of lengths. When half the distance had been covered Stephens took his charge to the front, but crossing the top he faulted again and dropped into second berth. Making for the final bend Gold Star ran up and headed Floraline, and going on won by two lengths. The win was well anticipated as Gold Star has been trotting very consistently since his win at Whangarei in December. A Quick Beginner Ability to begin quickly, added to the fact that he had the services of that expert and capable horseman, ‘'Darkle” Broughton, contributed to the success of Charming Pronto in the saddle race, with which the programme concluded. There was a general mixup at the start with a lot of the competitors, but Broughton shot his mount °ut and established a good lead, and uiaking every post a winning one, lasted long enough to win from Gold Cast by a narrow margin. THE RUNNERS-UP Wow Billy Fared Billy Carbine, who finished second Lackiewood, trotted a sound race and made a determined effort in the

m home to overtake the winner, who ad run past him earlier in the con;st. Billy got within a neck of the garuawahia-owned square-gaiter, but was more on sufferance that he was > close. In the two-mile later Billie obbled badly and hit the rails going lit of the straight, and was knocked ght back and had no chance afterwards.

Why backers allowed the consistent Great Ballin to go out at such long odds in the Ruakaka Handicap was one of the mysteries of the meeting, and those who pinned their faith and a few dollars to Garth Robertson’s charge reaped the benefit of a fine price for second place. Three furlongs from home the Ballin gelding was

six lengths behind Lord Haldane and Gaza, but he came with one of his dashes over the last stretch and was only a head away at the post. That head, however, made a big difference to the purses of his supporters, who were, nevertheless, well pleased at the result. Sebisca Still Cheeky The aged Harold Dillon horse Sebisca trotted a good race when he tackled the pacers in the Manawaru Handicap, and he had everything well beaten except the winner, Andover. Mitchell’s gelding was always in the firing line and kept the winner fairly busy. In the two-mile trot later in the clay Sebisca was again well in the picture till a bad break in the straight the last time sent him into third berth. At the time he hel da winning chance and would certainly have been second. Taipare Fought Well Taipare ran a splendid race in the Cup and was beaten because Gold Dia 1 was just a bit too brilliant at the finish. A. McMillan drove the grey >vith cool judgment and made a move to the front at the approach to the home turn. Taipare had Nelson Tasker settled 100 yards from home, but before the post was reached the whalebone was brought into play and the grey son of Our Thorpe responded gamely to get “snuffed” out in the last stride. An Unlucky Filly The three-year-old Happy Voyage lilly Maerangi Pai, was unlucky to get beaten in the Hot Springs Handicap, but she began badly and when half a mile was covered it looked a question of impossibility for the favourite to get anywhere among the money. She paced resolutely, however, and gradually reduced the gap, to the satisfaction of her numerous supporters. The filly made a big effort, but failed to reach Horizon. Under the circumstances she did remarkably well to finish where she did. Consistent Floraline The Florizel trotting gelding Floraline made a line showing in the Waihou Handicap from the back mark, and when he led the field half a mile from home it looked a “jackie” for the veteran, Sam Hamilton. But when Gold

Star and Sebisca came again in the straight Floraline had no punch left, but Sebisca breaking in the final run, Hamilton drove his charge into second money, and backers almost saved their rashers. Gold Cast Gets Closer Gold Cast, the aged son of Gold Bell—Castling, went very close to pulling off the saddle heat, but he did not begin with the lightning-like dash of Charming Pronto, and this cost him first place. When under way Gold Cast paced solidly and half way up the straight it looked as if lie would overhaul the leader, but Charming Pronto hung on desperately to win by a narrow margin. The Gold Bell pacer should have his turn shortly.