TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 771, 18 September 1929, Page 13

TROTTING

By

ABAYDOS

NOTES AND COMMENTS WAIKATO AND NORTHLAND CARDS ARE NEXT AUCKLAND FOLLOWS ON Business is still on the quiet side at the local tracks, but now that the Waikato and Northland Clubs have issued their programmes for October 12 and 19 respectively, to be followed on October 26 and 28 by the Auckland spring carnival, there should be a “livening up” policy adopted in the near future. A good number of young trotters and pacers is being rounded into shape, several of which may open their racing career at the country fixtures. Back to the Fold Warspite has rejoined J. S. Shaw’s team and the Man-o’-War gelding looks nice and bright after his holiday. It' the Epsom trainer can cure the pacer of his “hitching” habit he should make good this season, as he is endowed with a fine turn of speed, which, however, has been discounted in his races by his tendency to become unbalanced under pressure. Warspite is not an easy horse to drive, but Shaw succeeded last year in getting some money with the son of Man-o’-War. A Nice String The Epsom trainer has now a solid string to claim his attention, as besides the recent additions, Warspite and Florent, the stable shelters Native Prince, Carmel, Arachne, Stoney, War-

plane, and the young trotters by Travis Ax worthy and Worthy Bond. Native Prince and Carmel, who raced successfully at Christchurch last month, are well forward, and Arachne is also coming along nicely. The Logan Pointer mare shows plenty of pace, but is a hard puller in her races. The Right Material After a lengthy spell the trotting mare Lady Ena is again among the actives at Alexandra Park, under the care of A. Hill. The First Voyage mare is big in condition, but she does not usually take very long to get into racing shape and may be seen in action at the early country functions. Without reaching a high plane Lady Ena has picked up an occasional stake, and she may be able to repeat the performance this year. All sportsmen would like to see the Hill boys have a turn at fortune’s wheel in the trotting game, as they are of the right material that assists in making the pastime pleasurable, despite a run of misfortune. Carrying Condition Benefice has put on a whole heap of condition since going into retirement after her successful mission to Hastings in June. The Key de Oro mare is being hacked about preparatory to undertaking more serious duties in anticipation of the approaching fixtures. Present appearances would indicate that she will hardly be in readiness for next month’s tasks, but once under way Key de Oro’s daughter will

soon strike form. Her companion at exercise is the aged roan geldign Mulwaree, who is not carrying anything like the condition of his stable mate and should be ready for the early meetings. Where It Hits Hard George Phipps has taken Hick Dillon up again and the chestnut is looking bright after a good respite. The son of Kyana— Lou Dillon is, however, getting well among the sere and yellow shades, and unless some of the adjusters take a lighter view of his past

records he will find it difficult to pick up a crust. It is horses of this stamp, if kept on a hard and fast mark, that are> going to suffer great inconvenience and hardship under the new system, which, allows the improvers plenty of scope for securing the goods before reaching the mark of the older generation. Team in Good Order L. McMahon is being kept busy now with a team comprising Gold Jacket. Torpedo Huon, Hohora, Gold Seam, and the big Worthy Bond youngster that will race in the same interests as Hohora. The Epsom contingent is looking in good heart and the New Zealand Cup candidate, Gold Jacket, was never in better health to undergo a searching preparation. Many early selectors in the South omit the Auckland pacer from the possibles list, but when the son of Gold Bell hits the trail on the eventful day, backers of some of ! the earlier fancies will wish he had j missed the acceptances. Torpedo ; Muon has come along well since his recent race at the Park, and will be a much improved horse next month. SOUTHERN JOTTINGS The three-year-old gelding Pur- 1 ser created a very favourable impression when he made his initial effort in a race. This was in the Improvers’ Handicap at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting in ' April. In a strong field Purser was one of the outsiders, but he won f very decisively from Kelp, tramping the mile and a-half in 3.31 2-5. His next start was in the Sapling Stakes, won by John Jinks, but he failed to get away at the start and practically took no part in the race. ! The son of Man o’ War is looked upon in certain quarters as a probable Derby winner. Comes of G’ood Family Pleasant Wave may need more racing before she arrives at her best. She paced nicely in her New Brighton engagement recently without being prominent. Pleasant Wave is by Waverloy from Pleasant Drive (dam of Dalnahine and Dalmeny). She won the Dash Trot Handicap (saddle), of a mile and a-quarter, from Wilma Dillon at Winton last spring, when handled by S. A. Edwards. She is a useful harness mare also, and will be heard of in this department before long. Convert to the Square Gait | The five-year-old Writer, by Author j Dillon from Ruby S., was a promising i three-year-old pacer when he was in |J- J- Kennerley’s stable. In the 1927-28 I season he started on six occasions, win- | ning one race and being placed twice. He did not start at all last season, and i is now being worked as a trotter by I D. Withers. He was given his first j race since his conversion to the square I gait on Saturday last and his display j was encouraging. Linkman is O.K. Linkman is one of the few Cup horses trained at Addington. He is shaping like his class and is improving all the time. He failed to give Vesuvius and Trimmer a start in a mile and a-quar-ter brush at headquarters the other day, but considering the stamp of the two rogues (a pair of the fastest but most unreliable pacers on the track) that beat him, he loses no varnish. Linkman promises to be a solid stake earner this season, and while he may not tackle the big November heat, lie is just the stamp of pacer to be a nuisance in the Auckland Cup. A Good Pal Royal Comrade is doing his work like a tradesman for D. Bennett at Addington. By the time the Coast circuit comes along the little black stallion will commence to fill the oat bin. He landed a good parcel at the Coast last season, and should do the same again. Dave is at present having a run of outs with his string, but Royal Comrade promises to be a good pal in the near future. Partial to the Coast Cardinal ‘Logan’s next big mission, so it is reported in the South, will be the main events at the Greymouth Trotting Club’s spring meeting, where the cup horses are usually strongly represented. In the past two years Cardinal Logan has had things all his own way and the fact that he handles the Greymouth track to perfection may mean further success for A. Hendrickson's good pacer. In 1926 the son of Logan Pointer first showed his partiality for the small dirt track by winning the Greymouth Cup, and whenever he crosses the ranges secures a share of the spoils. Another for Tomkinson Country King, a promising live-year-old gelding by John Dillon —Country Queen (dam of Queen’s Own), will do his future racing in the colours of the Dunedin sportsman, Mr. G. J. Barton. Country King was one of the best young pacers raced in Southland last season, his record including four wins, a second and a third in 16 starts. His sire, John Dillon, has sired some other I good performers in the South, these including Wilma Dillon, John Jinks, John Noble and John Dee. Country King will go into W. J. Tomkinson’s stable.