TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 702, 29 June 1929, Page 11

TROTTING

PACERS ATJTHE PARK

SOME INTERESTING FORM POSSIBILITIES FOR THE FUTURE . By “ABAYDOS” As in the trotting section, there were many pacers under silk at Alexandra Park during the recent Auckland fixture that failed dismally in the heavy going, thus upsetting the calculations of their trainers and admirers. Others who previously had shown a disinclination to do their best when the footing was well under the surface, proved surprise packets and raced remarkably well under the adverse conditions. Outside of the dividend payers on each day—which have been discussed in previous articles—there were many engaged in the various contests which showed form that should be encouraging for their owners and trainers, and would suggest to their backers that while they did not participate in a dividend on this occasion, a return of the investments can be looked for when they are again in action. The Epsom-trained candidates, considering the disabilities under which they were placed for training facilities shaped pretty well. An Improved Pacer Hohora was well in the picture each occasion he sported silk, and on the opening day he threatened to get into a place that earns dividends, but fagged over the last furlong. The display of the Gold Bell gelding was a good improvement on some of his earlier essays, but his recent form following on that of Cambridge, where he

Tiaid a price for a second, proves that E. McMahon is getting Hohora to take the business more seriously on race days.

Mile Will Suit Him Kelson McCormack, who had been under the care of Bill Kerr to within a brief period of the meeting, was in good shape, but found the journeys a shade too far for his stamina. Claude Fairman was entrusted with the drive on two occasions and did all possible to get his charge into a place. On the first day, having been acquired on leas© by W. J. Tomkinson, the latter held the ribbons in a IQ-furlong flutter, in which ho started favourite, but it made no difference to Kelson’s chances when the end was in view. He will be a good proposition in mile saddle heats in the South next season. Not Done Yet Old Gold Cast was a credit to the Claudelands trainer, Fred Smith, and the Gold Beil gelding raced prominently without catching any of the prize money. Ability to begin always gained him the early load, but getting the rails on each occasion probably assisted him in stopping so quickly when the final pinch was entered on. A mile and a-Tialf is too far for Tony Gera’s pacer, and in the sticky footing on Monday, 10 furlongs was about five chains too long. Gold Cast is not by any means a “has been’’ yet, and Smithie, who will have a good string in the new season, looks sure to catch a :«lake with the old chap.

Some Other Time Vendome, who was one of the finestlooking pacers seen at Epsom during the meeting, was costly to her party and the public, who backed her as unbeatable in the Mangere Handicap on Saturdaj". Jack Kenner ley evi-

dently believed in making the first loss the only one, and the daughter of tilobe Derby did nut fulfil any futther engagement. V endonie bad a. bad passage during the race, and with a circuit covered was m an impossible to finish well back. But nei backers' would do well to remember that there will be another day when tVio liifk mav be m her favour, ana then .'ill losses will be well wiped off the slate. There were few better young improvers seen out during the meeting than Belle Axworthy, and if the three-year-old . d t,“3 ht [ ? r Travis Axworthy and Bell Bingen does not considerably add to . earnings next season, there will be something wrong with the game The filly ran surprisingly well ' n the heavy going, and her displays on each day were subjected to favourable comment by many goo judges. Since her prominent showing at Cambridge, Belle Axworthy has been at owner Youngs Matamata selection, where timme m ’ of Abrubanya fame, has been assisting with her preparation, and Travis Axworthy s daughter did him every credit, and it is qui on the cards that when the new aomtenn onens. Zimmerman win have a team around him at Matamata. Puzzling His Party Explosion is a regular puzzle, and despite liis known ability continues to lot bis people down when the colours ire unfurled. Prior to the fixture the big chestnut was showing a. lot of da.li irJfiis track work, and trainer Julian was prepared to see the son of Nelson Eineen-Ena Bell, disputing the issue at the box. On the second day the long-striding pacer was making a bold bid in this direction, but he became unbalanced in a particularly soft patch when making for the home turn, and