TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 536, 13 December 1928, Page 11

TROTTING

(By

"ABAYDOS")

NOTES ANIKOMMENTS WAIKATO SIDELIGHTS PLACED HORSES IMPROVE HANDICAP The Waikato Trotting Club’s fixture on Saturday was responsible for two phases, important ones at that, remarkably close finishes and improved times. In the former instance the work of the handicapper, Mr. C. E. Gooseman, was the cause of so many thrills at the box, while in connection with the timing incidents, an improvement was affected in every race, the special attention given the Claudelands speedway by caretaker Harry Rouse, was the deciding factor. Hard Luck Again Groat Way lost fully 100 yards at the start of the Introductory trot, but once ho settled down the Peterwah gelding prave a nice exhibition of trotting- and when the field swung into the straight H. Kinnimont’s squaregaiter was doing great work and looked a winner till a tinal mistake 100 yards from the post saw him beaten into fourth place. When he tastes the sweets of victory this young trotter will go on winning in good style. A Lucky Winner The Corrigan representative Cervine, who was well supported in the opening trot at Claudelands, duly landed the stake, but there was not much in it at the finish, as he broke near the post, but Carwood. who was then in front, algo left his feet and Alex. Corrigan had the pleasure of driving a winner. Had Great Way and Carwood gone right, Cervine would have been third; still, this is ail part of the game. Attractive Display Rolfe Audubon, driven a confident race by Jack Shaw, won the Frankton Handicap in approved fashion.. The son of Great Audubon—Miss Rolfe did not strike his straps at all promisingly and his army of admirers looked nervous. Once on the journey the three-year-old caused no further uneasiness and pacing in splendid style, he was in a good position with half the journey gone. Then Jack Shaw said “get up” and Rolfe said “good day” to the judge, and the crowd roared “hooray” as the handsome chestnut was favourite. Improving in Stamina Regret, who now races in the interest of the Hamilton sportsman, J. G. Browne, ran a sound go in the Frankton Handicap, and after making the pace practically all the way, hung on well at the finish to keep Vanity Boy from returning his supporters a second dividend. Bast year, when Regret was in W. Turner’s hands, she showed a lot of pace over short journeys, and now looks like staying on. The Wildery mare did not shape as well at a later stage when raced in the unhopped heat. Winding the Watch W. Head drove a patient race with The Shrew in the Mark Memorial Cup and when the final stage was entered the mare was making a desperate effort to overhaul Nelson Tasker, who was hanging on like a bulldog. But the Hastings mare had the most in reserve and got the decision by a neck, but she had to go quicker tfczm at any other period of her racing career. Not Too Lucky Nelson Tasker seems fated not to win a two-mile race and the Henderson pacer was a bit unlucky in the Mark Memorial Cup, as ho lost enough ground through not going away correctly to make the difference between victory or defeat at the box. He went to the front early and was the pilot all the way till The Shrew got up in the last few strides to top him off. Fred. Gilchrist drove Nelson Tasker a good race and H. C. Nicholl’s pacer took a slice off his best two-mile time. Medusa Stays Well Jack Shaw landed a double with Tartar Julian’s team on Saturday, when he drove Medusa home by a narrow margin from Explosion. The halfsister to Rolfe Audubon was always in a good position and three furlongs from home her driver drew to the front, and although Explosion put in a hot challenge in the run to the box, Medusa hung on gamely to get the decision. This was the mare’s first essay over two miles and she made a good impression. Costly to Backers Explosion, making his first appearance since his Wanganui failures last March, looked in nice trim at Hamilton and he was well supported in the slower two-mile heat, although Medusa was the actual favourite. Alex Corrigan did not bustle the chestnut over the early stages, but he was in a handy position at the home turn and responded gamely to the driver's call, but he just failed to get up. In the final event of the day, Explosion was made a warm favourite, but he compounded early and was not persevered with. Thrilling Finish The finish of the Stewards’ Handicap provided the sensation of the day, Anselm, Uncle Bert and Gold Dial fighting out a terrific finish in which the judge was unable to separate the firstmentioned pair, with Gold Dial a bare head away in third place. Both Bill Clifton and Theo Allen were hard at it with the flails to get the last ounce out of their charges and seemed satisfied with the final result.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT

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