Native Hero is in Nelson Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 576, 31 January 1929, Page 11

Native Hero is in Nelson Cup

TROTTING AT RICHMOND THE annual trotting fixture of the Nelson Trotting Club opens at Ivichmond to-morrow and will be concluded on Saturday. With the exception of the local events good fields will face the starter and interesting contests should result. A review of the first day’s card hy “Abaydos” is appended.

The Nelson Trotting Club is an old-established organisation and fora considerable number of years has carried on the sport of the light harness horse with a varying increase of success. Thirty years ago the district was famed for its fine breed of hacks and in those days the famous coach horses of Newman Bros, were a special attraction in themselves. Some of these showed good trotting ability and their efforts induced others in the business to test the speed and stamina of their quadrupeds. The introduction of pure trotting blood into the province had an uplitting effect on the sport and later the fixture at Richmond attracted the attention of North Island and Canterbury owners, and the annual affair at Richmond became a popular fete. Marching Forward Those controlling the destinies of the club were eager to further promote the pastime and eventually an additional permit was secured, and this gave the trotting club an opportunity to stage its function at a different period to the jockey club fixture. Since holding a two-day carnival the Nelson Club has met with a, good measure of success, the presence of a large number of visitors irom the North Island. East Coast and adjoining provinces giving the sport a further impetus. Cup History Away back in the early nineties the chief event at the Nelson fixture was run over three miles in saddle, and in 1892 Clyde, a son of Fitzjames, was the winner, tramping the distance ip 9.6 2-5. In 1899, W. Orange had a great trot at Nelson, winning a double with Lady Ashley and Trickster. The latter after winning the Pony Handicap, came out in the next heat —the big event—and won easily, recording 7.26 for the journey, which was then two and a-half miles. The year 1902 was Nelson’s jubilee and the trotting cup was won by Leda, who tramped two miles in saddle in 5.45. In 1914 the distance was two miles and a-quarter, Tarawera wining in 5.55. From this on the distance became two miles, and the limit was gradually curtailed until in 1920 (Wairoa Belle’s record dividend year), the Cup was set at a 5-minute class, but further reductions have brought it down to 4.50. The following are the winners of the event of later years: 1920 Lovebird, T. Fox 5.24.% 1921 Jewel Wood, J. S. Shaw. 4.47. 1922 Little Pointer, D. Withers, 4.57 3-5. 1923 — Plywood, O. Smith, 4.45. 1924 — Riwaka Belle, W. Peterson, 4.46. 1925 Dusky Pointer, G. S. Smith, 4.50. 1926 Peter Elect, M. B. Edwards, 4.54 3-5. 1927 Van Rich, G. Caddy, 4.58 4-5. 1928 Neerson, M. B. Edwards, 4.42 2-5. To-morrow’s Card The card will be opened with a local race and a small field will parade for the TRIAL HANDICAP Of £7O; 1£ miles; limit 3.50. Lady Author . Lt yds bhd Hardiness ... Lt Insurance ... 24 Little Guy . . Lt Waipuki ... 36 Pink Sugar . . 60 Of the front trio Lady Author will appeal most as little is known of the qualifications of Hardiness and Little Boy, but Insurance is an improving sort and L. Berkett should have a royal show of opening his winning account early. Waipuki is a useful pacer and may be awkward, while Pink Sugar will have friends. Insurance will be favourite with Waipuki next in demand. The square gaited representatives will next have a turn, their attention being claimed for the BRIGHTWATER HANDICAP Of £7O (for unhoppled trotters); IS miles; limit 3.53. Peter I.*'igh . Lt Alton Brook . 12 Billy Bingen Lt Bon Jour ... 60 Nelson Gara . Lt Rebecca ... 84 Bingen .Spier . l.t Maori Peter 84 ids bhd Nelson Parrish 84 Tot Logan . 12 The front quartet comprises the • novices’ Contingent, and if Bingen Spiers can uphold his family reputation he will have something to say in the settlement of the dispute. Tot Logan should have a chance in this company, while Bon Jour is a fairly solid trotter. Rebecca and Maori Peter are two well-known performers and Nelson Parrish is a young trotter that has made good already. With such a puzzling lot the favourites may be Tot Logan and Bon Jour. The next item is for improving pacers, and a useful field will contest the WAKEFIELD HANDICAP Of £80; li miles; limit 3.3. Ocean yds bhd. Whispers . . Lt. Reta Nelson . 12 Drift Wave . Lt. Kodie 12 Grey Logan . Lt. Mona Logan . 24 Kentucky Queen Elizabeth 24 Direct . . . Lt. Star of Hope . 36 Mary Brown . Lt. Ocean Whispers is a fair sort hailing from Greymouth, and if in order will lead the field a merry dance, while Drift Wave has some recommendation. Consistency is a strong feature of Reta Nelson’s displays, and Kodie is a likely sort. Mona Logan is a fine beginner and if started will make things interesting, while Queen Elizabeth is a promising pacer that should be quite at home in this society. Star of Hope is an offspring °f the famous Wairoa Belle, and can muster up a good turn of speed. Backers, however, will go for Queen Elizabeth and Mona Logan. Probably the largest field of the day will be harnessed up for the main event, the NELSON CUP Of £200; 2 miles; limit 4.50. Geo. the Fourth Lt. Great Delight 12 Nanette . . . Lt. Hostess ... 24 Pair Lad . . . Lt. Kevinbrae ... 24 Lady Jewell . Lt. Lincoln Huon . 36 Alusieal . . . Lt. Glenrowan . . 36 Krina .... Lt. Jupiter (late Red Rey . . . Lt. Pegasus) . . 48 yds bhd Sungleam ... 00 Richore ... 12 Bessie Dillon . 60 •Native Hero . 12 Of the front division the most experienced customer is George the :E~y'T^ors77rY^ r T~-HH M 8 PROMISING NOVICES Trainer Geo. Stubbs is slowly but Surely working an improvement on the unnamed maiden trotter by Peter Moko from Hena, and while •t will take time for the halfbrother to Ohena, who is meeting with success in Australia, to deyelop the speed that will win races, it is pleasing to see the gelding making good progress with his education. The pacing novice in the same stable. Lady Yvonne, has developed into a shapely mare, and |s displaying a nice turn of speed in her track work. % a* a* 3*

Fourth, and the old pacer has been threatening to win a race for some time and his turn may now come. Red Rey showed up at Wellington, Koiwa won at Reefton, Nanette scored at Greymouth, and Fair Lad, Lady Jewel and Musical have had racing experience, but all these appear to be overshadowed by Native Hero and Great Delight. The former is a promising sort and won comfortably at Carterton during Christmas, and what beats the son of Native King should win. Great Delight can stay the journey, while Richore is a recognised flyer, if only he will go away. However, the Hawera stable may rely on Hostess, who is a natty little 'mare, with speed and stamina. Kevinbrae

is not too reliable, but when he is in the humour takes beating. Further back Sungleam and Bessie Dillon are a speedy pair with good possibilities; but Native Hero should collar the market, with support for Hostess and George the Fourth. The local candidates, who in this instance are few in number, will measure strides in the LADIES’ BRACELET Of £7O; 1£ miles; limit, 3.50. Jack Wilkes . Lt • Yds. bhd. Hardiness . . Lt Waipuki ... 36 Bell o’ Mine . Lt Grey Logan . . 96 Star of Hope . 108 The front liners must be taken on trust, as little or nothing is known of their capabilities. Waipuki will find favour in this lot, while Grey Logan will be a big possibility. Star of Hope from the back will let those in front know she is in the race, but Waipuki will be a tall order, with perhaps Star of Hope having next call on the market. A faif* field will be geared up for the PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP Of £7O; 12 miles; limit, 3.45. Waipuki .... Lt Great Wtlkes . 30 Nelsonian . . . Lt Great Atlior . 36 Pink Sugar . . Lt Matenga ... 36 Yds. bhd. Kentucky Direct 48 Harold Lee .., 12 Great Delight 72 Drift Dave . . . ' 24 Some of these are engaged earlier in the day and their displays will throw light on their prospects in this race. On the end is the promising youngster Nelsonian, and he should account for those about him, although Harold Lee is one with good prospects. Great Wilkes is a solid customer and Great Author has recent encouraging form to recommend him. Matenga

will appeal to many and Kentucky Direct will not be friendless. If reserved for this heat Great Delight would hold a trump card, but as he will probably choose the Cup, Great Author and Berkett's elect should be the favourites. Again the unhoppled trotting aspirants will take the field, and a good number will go to the post for the WAIMEA HANDICAP (For Unhoppled Trotters.) Of £BS; 2 miles; limit, 5.12. Peter Leigh. . . i-t Nelson Gara . . Lt Bon Jour . . . 4S Bingen Spiers . Lt Audo Spray . . 60 Billy Bingen . Lt Rebecca .... 96 Tot Logan ... Lt Maori Peter . 96 Alton Brook . Lt Fille de Ballin 120 Tot Logan may be the pick of the limit bunch, but the form of the novices in the earlier trot will be a guide to their chances in the longer journey. Bon Jour is nicely placed, while Audo Spray has pretensions to reaching a higher grade. Rebecca and Maori Peter will keep those in front going all the time and the latter, if back to form, will be putting in solid work at the right end. Fille de Ballin when in the right trim, is a real trotter, but may not be quite ready, so Maori Peter and Audo Spray may be the elect. . There is a big contingent listed for the concluding heat of the day, the DASH HANDICAP Of £9O; 1 mile; limit, 2.24. George th© _ . . Tds. bhd. Fourth ... Lt YV akefield . . . 12 Richore . . . Lt Tommy Dillon 12 Kangaloon ... Lt Nanette . . . l-ii-„ir Lt Mona Logan 12 Reta Nelson' . Lt Queen Klizaheth 12 Ladv Jewell . Lt Glenrowan . . . 1Kodie Lt Sungleam ... 60 Star Cluster . Lt Lincoln Huon bO Eit'ht of the 16 acceptors are off the front line, and If Richore would hit the trail smartly It wouldn’t be a race Corrigan also has Queen Elizabeth in this “go,” and should she fail to take out earlier in the day, the bracket will be a warm one. Kangaloon is a useful kind and so is Reta Nelson, while Berkett has a strong hand with Kodie and fatar Cluster the latter being a smart hlly. Tommy Dillon will command a whole heap of respect, and Nanette wiU be a nuisance if a starter m this heat. Mona Logan has an earlier engagement. but if reserved would run a merry mile, while Glenrowan should find this lot to his liking. Sungleam and Lincoln Huon are speedy milers, but if she goes to the post Nanette will he the fancy, while the Berkett and Corrigan, brackets will receive solid support

HIS FIRST RACE The Gold Bell-Sundial four-year-old colt belonging to the Wellsford enthusiast, G. A. Williams, has come along in good style since being under the care of Geo. Webb at Epsom. So pleased is the owner of Gold Dial and Bell Dial’s brother with the progress made that he has decided to give the youngster a run at Kawakawa in the Show trotting cup, and Gold Bell’s son has gone North for the engagement. He should make a creditable showing in his first public essay.