TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 475, 3 October 1928, Page 10

TROTTING

{By -ABAYDOS.-)

Epsom Carnival Is Approaching

OPENS OCTOBER 13

SQUARE-GAITERS ENGAGED

The square-gaited fraternity promise as usual to play an interesting part in the approaching meeting at Alexandra Park, and while the fields will not be by any means unw ield> there will be sufficient material to attract a keenness among backers. Medium-size fields in such events are always more conducive to spirited speculation, and the fixture w hich opens next week-end will prot e no exception to this rule. With the exception of Smoko Peter, all the competitors in the mile and a-half trot, which gives the moderates and improvers a chance to get in the limelight, are well-known followers of the light harness sport. Taken all round they are a well-balanced and well-matched contingent, and there is a big possibility of something being capable of bringing off a surprise on the day.

Related to Gold Jacket Smoko Peter, as tlie name would imply, is a descendant of Peter Moko, his dam being Lady S., who has given t,, the turf a real good representative in Gold Jacket. Whether Peter can "smoke” or not remains to be seen, as he has yet to make his racing debut; and bile on appearances he should be capable of delivering the goods, it is probable that time will render J. Millen’s trotter better service.

One Worth Watching Loneso o, an aged mare by Nelson Bingen from My Mistake, will not be allowed to get lonesome on the machine if paraded at Epsom. At Oamaru in the winter. H. Frost went very close to winning a 12-furlong heat with her, and in a big field beat all except Nelson Prince, and ran the journey in 3.41 3-5 from a 3.45 mark. Lonesome will be troublesome in the mile and a-half events.

May Be the Surprise Packet If there is one customer more than another in the Waitemata Handicap capable of upsetting the best calculations it is Colonel Thorpe, who is working like a Trojan for C. G. Lee. The son of Our Thorpe is unfortunately not a real soldier when the fight is on, otherwise he would have been a good winner long ago. Last year at Wanganui he put up a creditable go, and later saluted the judge at New Plymouth. The Colonel knows his drill all right, but is not keen on full dress parades. Will Find It Hard

Etta Cole, while she appears on the limit, ha's given away time to get into the handicap, and should find it none too easy to keep out of the road of some of the more seasoned and experienced performers that will face the starter. There is no doubt the daughter of Peterwah is a promising young trotter, and while she may prove capable of holding her own in the company in which she is now placed, it is setting her a solid task. An Improving Sort Billy Carbine has filled out a good deal since last seen under silk, and the son of HI Carbine promises to strip in racing trim on the day. Garth Robertson has paid plenty of attention to the gelding and he should be a much improved performer this season. Billy raced fairly consistently last year, and while only once in first place was several times in the minor positions. Billy Carbine may strike the right target at the next shot. On the Improve

Kolmar demonstrated toward the end of last season that he could produce the goods, and in six starts paid a first and second dividend and twice pulled out the small end of the purse. Tlie son of Nelson Bingen gave a good display over a mile and a-half at Cambridge when, from 144 yards behind, he finished second to Koro Peter. After getting third at Alexandra Park the first day of the June carnival, Bill \Villetts drove him home a comfortable

winner on the final day. The Tara-naki-trained trotter will keep the opC position busy again. Well-matched Pair

Gold Star and Roma Bingen met several times last season and there was never much between them, and again they start off the new year from the same peg. . At Whangarei, Gold Star beat Roma, but the latter turned tlie tables at Hamilton. The mure was second at Thames, where Gold Star finished out of a place, but his turn came at Te Aroha, where he beat a good field, from which Roma Bingen was an absentee. Both trotters cun be looked to to make things interesting next week-end. Bright Light May Shine Again If Bright Light could be produced in the shape that Bert Adams had him at Christmas-time when he won the 12-furlong trot at Epsom, knocking approximately seven seconds off hi* handicap, the son of Petereta would give the opposition a I'rigliL When last seen out at Hawera and Wellington the chestnut failed to reproduce his Auckland form and was then spelled for tho winter. If Bright Light is reV galed in his shining armour some of tho others will receive a shock. Old Friends Meet Again Sebisca’s consistency during the latter portion of last season will not be forgotten by admirers of the old Harold Dillon gelding, and particularly his solid effort in June, when he finished second to Kolmar in the Royal trot. Anseline. who gave Sebisca 12 yards and a beating at Cambridge over two miles, is on the same peg, but over th© shorter journey prescribed for their next meeting G. Mitchell’s trotter will be more at home than Joe Gee’s mare. Well-conditioned Trotter

Tiger Salve showed last season that ho was a much improved trotter and, under th© capable tuition of C. G. Lee, tho Rock Huon gelding is again bowl! ing along in good style. “Togo” deserves credit for th© manner in which ho persevered with the Australianbred square-gaiter, who should not b« long in rendering his connections further good service. Tiger is nicely located in the Mountain Trot neii week-end.

SUCCESSFUL YEAR

THAMES TROTTING CLUB TRANSPORT FACILITIES DISCUSSED

(From Our Own Correspondent) THAMES. Tuesday. That trotting has taken a hold on the sporting public of Thames was evidenced by the large number of members present at the annual meeting of the Thames Trotting Club on Saturday evening. Mr. Jas. Twohill, who presided, said the club had a successful year, and with the opening of the Kopu bridge the next fixture should be even more successful in every respect. A member asked if it was not advisable to have a special train from Auckland to bring horses to the meeting instead of by boat. He stated

that there had been some dissatisfaction by owners with the boat accommodation. Mr. Murray said the trouble had been with the loading and unloading, Tho president, Mr. Twohill, said the means of conveyance should com# from the horse owners not the club. The Northern Shipping Company had helped tho club materially, and it was not for the meeting to make any suggestion as that proposed. Free-Legged Contest Tho placing of a free-legged event on the programme was brought up by Mr- J. A. Ensor, who stated h« had been approached by several Auckland owners. The question was left to the committee to decide. Mr. Jas. Twohill was re-elected president, and Mr. E. O. Brownlee secretary, with the following as a committee:—Messrs. E. Elliott, E. Kelly* R. M. Rhodes, H. R- Denize, W. H« Hayward, D. Mackay, E. Tizari, W. Teasdale, J. W. Kidd, G. Gray, H. G. Murray and S. Heslop.

TROTTING FIXTURES

Methven T.C.—Oct. 6. Auckland T.C.—Oct. 13, 17. Northland T.C. —Oct. 22. Oamaru T.C.—Oct. 22. Greymouth T.C.—Oct. 20, 22. Metropolitan T.C.—Nov. 6. S. 9. Otahuhu T.C.—Nov. 17, 21. Wellingoon T.C.—Nov. 24. Forbury Park T.C. —Nov. 29. Dec. 1. Waikato T.C.—Dec. S.