Keen Trotting at Whangarei

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 493, 24 October 1928, Page 12

Keen Trotting at Whangarei

PROMINENT PERFORMERS

IT was most unfortunate for the progressive Northland Club that small fields dominated the proceedings on Monday, but the cordial support given the function by the public proved conclusively that the light harness sport is exceedingly popular in the Whangarei district. Under the circumstances, the result of the meeting, both from a speculative and spectacular point of view, was highly satisfactory.

The management of the fixture left nothing to be desired, the various officials vieing with each other in a desire to make the carnival both enjoyable and successful. President Brake attended to the requirements of visitors in his usual genial style, while the acting-secretary, Mr. A. F. Thomson, and his assistants got through their duties creditably. The starting of Mr. L. W. Nelson was quite a feature of the programme, while the stipendiary steward, Mr. R. T. Reid, was present to see that everything was in apple-pie order. The new stewards’ and members' stand, which was in operation for the first time,.was admired by visitors, and the structure, which fills a longneeded want, is a credit to the Whangarei Racing Club. „ Favourites Score Well Favourites had a royal day, and in only one instance missed getting a place. A. J. (“Tartar”) Julian had a day ouit, being successful on three occasions—Medusa (2) and Nella Dillon—while he also finished in second berth with Nella Dillon and Sunfish. Royal Bob -was the king pyi square - gaiter, winning both trotting heats wit'h ridiculous ease. Through the mistakes of those near him, J. Millen’s liorso quickly gained an advantage each time that put the issue beyond, doubt, and the driver took no risks. Medusa, who won the Waipu ITandi-

cap in faultless fashion, came out again in the Labour Day Handicap, and, making light of her 3 2 yards penalty, again gave an attractive exhibition, to win comfortably. Nella Dillon Coming Right Nella Dillon demonstrated that age is playing its part, by winning the Kawa Kawa Handicap in game fashion, after being a good second to Vanity Boy in the opening event. On the strength of her earlier run. and the fact that the distance, ten furlongs, of her second essay was more favourable to her chances, it was surprising she was not favourite. Vanity Boy showed that he lias responded to the patient treatment of A. McMillan by cleaning up the opposition in the Dargaville Handicap, and after being penalised 36 yards for the Kawa Kawa Handicap, put up another good run into third berth. After just failing to get home in the mile and a-quarter harness heat, War-

plan© made amends by winning the saddle race in good style. He was well handled by Claude Fairman, who kept the black gelding going all the way. Cup Presentation Although only four went to the post for the Cup it proved an interesting race, and half a mile from home backers of the favourite, Sunfish, were hopeful that the Southern-trained pacer would get to the Abbey. When it came to the final business, J. Shaw’s charge was quite at home and scored a comfortable victory. At the conclusion of the race, the president, Mr. L. Brake, congratulated owner Mootlabe on his success, and the driver on the confident manner in which he handled the winner. Mrs. Brake then presented a handsome silver cup to The Abbey’s owner. Mr. Moodabe. replying, said that while his horses. Jewel Pointer, Amaris and Co. had won many races, this was the first time he had the honour of receiving a trophy with the stake. He paid a tribute to trainer Shaw for the manner in which he turned out his team, and also for his reinsmanship. Form Reviewed Vanity Boy, while* a little slow to move in the Dargaville Handicap, was not hustled over the first half mile, but at this stage was in third position. A. McMillan waited on the leader till the straight was reached and then shot the Normiston gelding to the front and he won comfortably. Coming Right Nella Dillon had it on the field again at the get away and nicely handled by A. Julian she went a sound race, succumbing over the final furlong to Vanity Boy. The Author Dillon mare stayed on better than usual, and her turn came later in the ten furlong flutter. The four-year-old daughter of Author Dillon does well in “Tartar’s”' hands and as she gets older will turn out a good one. Promising Novice Chrystal was very slow to find his feet .in the opening handicap, getting tangled in the worsted, but oflce the grey got under way lie paced attractively and making up ground gradually was a good third at the post. Harry Kinnimont handled the son of Gold Bell —Dorothy Dimple patiently and his judgment resulted in him getting some of the money. Next time out the grey began much better, but at the end of half a mile misfired and failed to settle down. He will be the goods all right. All the Way First out and first home sums up the performance of The Abbey in the Whangarei Cup. He began well and Jack Shaw never allowed the chestnut to take things easy, keeping him up to

his work all the way. Half a mile from home Sunfish made a forward move but in the straight The Abbey went away again to win comfortably. The Gold Bell gelding is a useful customer. Didn’t Like the Cane Warplane had every chance in the Kawakawa Handicap and when he put in a run crossing the top, his backers smiled but the Man o’ War gelding appeared to strike trouble at this point. He came again in the straight and halfway down the running looked a winner. Under pressure, the black did not finish too generously and was beaten by a short margin. He made amends in the saddle heat, when he was backed down to a Limerick price. A Real Good One Medusa began quickly in the harness mile and sailing along sweetly in front was never troubled to win by a length. A. Julian was very confident all the journey although when Abrudbanya moved up three furlongs from home backers of the favourite were uneasy. They had no cause, however, for alarm, and the Man o’ War filly played with the opposition to win comfortably. Latex*, when penalised 12yds, Medusa won again just as easily. She is going to reach good society. Will Do Better Abrudbanya gave one of her best displays in harness in the Waipu

Handicap, and beat everything in the race except Medusa, although, had Nelson Dillon not lost a lot of ground at the start he would have been second. Bert Adams had the Swiss-named mare looking well, and she will be improved by her outing. In the final heat she again ran a solid race into third berth. Old Horse Comes Back Sam lloe is deserving of a whole heap of credit for getting old Pitaroa into such good shape, and in the mile race he was always showing a bit of dash. When it came to the extra journey in the final event, the aged son of Petereta and Aotearoa stayed on better than me majority and was unlucky to meet such a good one as Medusa. The result was pleasing to owner W. Boyd, who has just come into the game and will be an acquisition to the trotting sport. Profiteer’s Good Showing Sid. Groat has it on the earth for patience and perseverance, and the manner in which he turned out the aged gelding Profiteer was a credit to the Mangere trainer. The son of Gold Bell displayed a good bit of dash in the mile harness to get third, and on the strength of that run should have been second choice in the saddle heat. Well ridden by Mick Groat Profiteer put up a solid fight and although beaten into second place proved a better betting proposition than the winner. Everything His Own Way Royal Bob was the most solid trotter at the meeting, and the longstriding son of Lord Roberts made hacks of the opnosition. Bob has a reputation for leaving his feet, but on this occasion, assisted, no doubt, by the mistakes of the others, and having nothing to force him to depart from the correct gait, Jack Millen’s trotter had everything his own way. He won with such ridiculous ease that he will be given a chance later in better com* pany.