HAWKE’S BAY WILL HAVE WINTER TROTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 368, 31 May 1928, Page 7

HAWKE’S BAY WILL HAVE WINTER TROTS

GISBORNE LOSES FIXTURE HASTINGS REAPS BENEFIT “It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good," and the Poverty Bay Trotting Club, having abandoned its fixture for this season, the permit, at the suggestion of Gisborne enthusiasts, was handed by the authorities over to the Hawke’s Bay Club. Such, briefly, is the explanation as to why the Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club is staging a second programme during the 1927-28 season. Whether the East Coast light-harness magnates would have done better by holding a two-day fixture when the Poverty Bay stalwarts found it impossible to carry on is best known to themselves, but in any case everything points to the function on Monday next proving a big success. PRINCIPAL EVENT

The chief item on the attractive card is the East Coast Handicap—a 4.59 class two-mile event—carrying a stake of £2OO, while the owner of the winner will also receive a valuable cup. Thirteen of the twenty-three originally handicapped have signified their intention

of taking part in the contest, the most notable defection being that of the Epsom-trained Lord Haldane, who was well fancied in some quarters. Of the limit quartette Dealer will appeal most, and if the Cambridge-owned and trained pacer elects to go right all the way, he will give those behind him something to do to take the lead from him before the post is reached. George the Fourth is a solid customer that will make the opposition go all the way, but Haerenga Pai on the same mark may account for George and a whole lot more. She is a promising filly and there will be no doubt about her seeing the journey out; and whatever beats J. T. Paul's charge should receive the thick end of the purse. The one to do the trick might be Hostess, who is nicely handicapped on 4.48. The Hawera trained mare won over two miles very comfortably at New Plymouth and showed good form at Cambridge where she just touched Lord Haldane off at the end of a thirteenfurlong go. The Hawke’s Bay trotter, Raima, will have a lot of friends and he may show a bold front, although he has at times let his party down badly. Kevinbrae is a likely customer and he has no cause for complaint in being on 4.46, which time he registered in the Liverpool Handicap at Wanganui, when he won after a sterling struggle with Tui Wildwood and Lady Barrington. The Longburn pacer failed at Hawera and New Plymouth after that performance, which points to the St. Kevin gelding not being an everyday sort. He may do better on Monday. Childe Audubon has failed on many occasions and# looks to be held safe by Andover, who will require to be at his very best to get up to some of those in front of him. He shaped well

at Cambridge off the front, but is set a stiff task at Hastings. Van Cap has not shown any form this season that would suggest him as a likely winner, but should he be back to his better days he could make things very interesting. At the present stage, it looks as if Dealer, Haerenga Pai, Hostess, Kevinbrae and Andover may find most support on the day. THE OTHER LEG The June Handicap, which gives horses eligible for the big go another chance to sport silk during the afternoon, is run over a nine-furlong course at the equivalent of a 2.22-mile gait or better. Seventeen have paid up for this interesting heat which will provide the other leg qf the indispensable double, showing that eight have declined the Invitation to chase the prizemoney. There are some speedy customers in the front line and they will make those in the rear division step some if they wish to be in at the kill. Native Hero should find the distance to his liking, while Dealer, if he strikes the straps quickly, will set a merry clip. Then there is Haerenga Pai to be taken into consideration, and if she fails to take out in the big race, then her turn will be due in this heat. Another worthy of consideration is Worthy Bingen, and although the brother to Great Bingen and Co. has not sported silk for some time, he is such a solid customer he must be entitled to respect. Andover is nicely placed in this event and given a good getaway will be knocking when the box appears in sight. Hal Huon will cut out a merry nine furlongs and his victories at "Wanganui and Hawera were achieved in convincing manner. Cora Tacks is another speedy one that will find the distance to her liking, while the backmarker The Shrew is a game mare With a rare burst of speed that she can use to advantage. Haerenga Pai, Worthy Bingen, Dealer. Hal Huon and Andover will invest the race with plenty of interest.

: TRAINER LEAVES EPSOM FRED SMITH MAKES NEW HOME OFF TO CLAUDELANDS Fred Smith, the popular Ponsonby trainer, who for many years has been a constant attendant at Alexandra Park, departed with his team of pacers last evening for green fields and pastures new. During the season, Trainer Smith ! has not been favoured with the smiles ! of Dame Fortune as far as his team j is concerned; in fact, right through ! the piece bad luck appears to have j dogged his footsteps. Earlier in the season an accident to I that good mare Tui Zolock put her i out of commission, and her services ! were lost for this year. Delavan Bill’ i in the spring was registering times ! that should have earned him several ,

prizes, but he would not leave the mark, and Toll Chimes, when striking form and likely to get her name on the winning-list, went sore. Nearly Got the Machine His greatest effort for the season was registered in the Kopu Handicap at Thames, where, after receiving a bad passage, the Jewel Chimes gelding finished third, a neck away from Admiral Lock, who was a similar distance behind Bingen King. This was hard luck for "Smithie,” as his freelegged pacer was paying over a century to win. Smith is contemplating "going on the land" in a small way, but will still devote time to the horses as well as the cows, and Toll Chimes, Tui Zolock and* the unraced Our Thorpe—Belgian Queen gelding accompanied their owner to Claudelands. Fred, who was extremely popular with owners, trainers and trotting patrons generally, will carry w'ith him the be wishes of the sporting fraternoty for a succesful future.