Young Square-Gaiters

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 352, 12 May 1928, Page 7

Young Square-Gaiters

Some Promising Form Shown By Two-Year-Old Trotters

KORO PETER’S FINE DISPLAY

r VHE SMART PERFORMANCE OF THE TWO-YEAR-OLD TROTTER FIRST WRACK AT ADDINGTON RECENTLY ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION AND GATE RISE TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF YOUNGSTERS OF THAT TENDER AGE MAKING GOOD AT THE SQU ARE-GAIT ED BUSINESS.

The meritorious performance o? First Wrack, a daughter of Wrack and that great brood mare Pearl Child, set the fans talking and at the same time knocked the oft-used argument that trotters at the baby age could not be expected to hold their own against more seasoned horses. Her third in time that was practically unheard of previously by young square-gaiters, was looked upon as marvellous, and experts did not forget to comment upon the two-year-old’s fine record, the filly having registered 3.46 3-5 for 12 furlongs. First Two-Year-Old Winner But since that happening, another trotter of the same age in Koro Peter has proved that two-year-old trotters are capable of stirring deeds, and at Cambridge last Saturday the son of Peter Moko put up a performance that has not failed to attract attention throughout the Dominion, and one that stamped him as something out of the ordinary. Before the achievements of First Wrack and Koro Peter, the Gisborne crack trotter Peterwah had claimed distinction as a two-year-old, when in July, 1923. the American-bred youngster ran second to King Peter at Gisborne, tramping the mile and a-half in 4.1. Whil© Koro Peter's time was slower than that of First Wrack, his performance was a fine one, as he beat a big field of experienced trotters pointless in 3.54 3-5. There is no saying what the Peter Moko gelding might have achieved had he been troubled, but the fact remains that he did all required of him in an attractive manner, and in a way that suggests he will reach high-class trotting society. Early Promise Koro Peter is a son of Peter Moko, a well-bred sire introduced into this country by Mr. W. G. Bright, while his dam is Koro Ena, who traces back from her sire, Van Coronado, to McKinney. The young trotter in question is owned by Mr. T. W. Cooper, of Papamoa, near Tauranga, who trains the gelding and drove him with confidence. “Abaydos” learned from good authority after the race that Koro Peter, when a yearling, showed

great promise, and even at that early period of his career was capable of running 12 furlongs in time that would have accounted for some of the “improvers’ ’* trots on the cards of various country clubs. When the big son of Peter Moko,

a four-year-old, established his record at Cambridge of being the first trotter of lii.s age to win a handicap, the track was not conducive to fast time, but in registering 3.54 3-5, which is equivalent to a shade over 2.36 to the mile, he went faster than the three-year-old trotters who won the recent Melbourne Trotting Stakes and the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Forbury last Saturday. The Victorian trotters’ blue riband was won by Night Sign by The Design (full brother to The Triumph), who took 2.42 2-5 to complete the mile. The New Zealand trotters’ classic was won on Saturday last by Manhattan, by Happy Voyage from Lady Cherry, who took 4.8 1-5 to travel 12 furlongs. Mr. Nicoll’s gelding, however, won with ridiculous ease on a holding track. Reverting again to the Cambridge two-year-old winner, Koro Peter, it is worthy of note that his dam, Koro Ena, has a elassy-looking yearling by The Triumph, who is said to be a champion in the making, while she is also stinted to Worthy Bond. Peterwah Youngster The appearance of another two-year-old in the Introductory Handicap at Cambridge promised to add further interest to the contest, as well as draw attention to the possibilities of the young trotting stock, but owing

to an unfortunate incident at the start the public was robbed of fhe chance to see this aristocratic-looking baby in action. This was Great Way, a handsomelooking son of Peterwah from Medway, who although not long under Harry Kinnimont’s care was showing excellent promise. On the track at Alexandra Park he did his work like an old hand, and after his displays before leaving for Cambridge it was not surprising to find him well supported. That Great Way took no part in the race was neither his fault nor that of his driver. When the signal was given one of the older division immediately cannoned into the youngster, just as he •'fas getting into his stride, with the result that the driver was dislodged and the trotter galloped away to finish up by hurdling a fence. Three for Honours Next Year It is fortunate, however, that no serious damage was done to the Beterwah colt, and in this respect the Bridgens Bros, are indeed lucky. It was thought the Incident might upset the youngster’s equilibrium, and have a had effect on him when again taken to the track, but since the affair Great Way has gone along smoothly si his_ work and there is every reason.to believe he will take no harm from the escapade. All going well H. liinnimont will take the young trotter to Hastings for the fixture there on June 4. As there are other two-year-old trotters showing promise without going to the races, there will be a wealth of three-year-olds in this section next season, while the public will watch with keen interest the doings of Koro Peter, First Wrack and Great Way.