At Kensington Park

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 797, 18 October 1929, Page 15

At Kensington Park

TROTTING THRILLS TOMORROW Whangarei Annual Fixture Kensington park, w hangarei, will tomorrow be the scene of further trotting activities when the Northland Club presents its sixth totalisator fixture. Interesting racing is assured and with the splendid train and steamer arrangements for transit should entice a great crowd to the convincing ground. The card is reviewed as under by “Abaydos.”

hile in two of the events the fields ar© not large, in the main they are of sufficient size to ensure spirited speculation and provide, what fans love to witness, spectacular contests. No fault can be found with the class of competitor engaged, and judging from the efficient manner in which liandicapper Gooseman has arranged his adjustments, backers will have no simple

t£.sk in spotting the dividend payers. In the two races for novice and improving pacers, a class that is always well catered for at Whangarei, several smart maidens will b© seen in action, and their form will puzzle speculators not a little. All arrangements for the successful conduct of the function .are well in hand, and president Blake and his “merry men all” will leave no stone unturned to make visitors to Whangarei feel at home. The field for the principal event on the card has never attracted a large number, although some splendid contests have been witnessed for the prize, which has been won in successive years by Reliance, Rockburn, Buz Buz, Gold Dial and Th© Abbey. Tomorrow’s field is one of the strongest yet carded, and will, like the other events on the schedule, be productive of fine racing. Dargaville Handicap In this novice event, only two competitors are behind the limit mark, so with those in front th© draw at the post should play a prominent part. Queen's Bond, Man O’ Belle, Idle Girl, Mountain Princess and Gumdigger will b© having their first public run, and the quintet is full of possibilities. If

she lives up to her private reputation, Queen's Bond will do best. Kewpie’s Guy had the benefit of a race last Saturday, as did Gold Seam and Oliver Thorpe, and Kewpie’s daughter shaped pleasingly. Margaret Wallace, Don Juan and Moko Swift ar© not inexperienced, but appear too close, with a lot of th© front line to Moko Fly, who won decisively at Cambridge. Lord Lu should have a chance, but Moko Fly should be favourite over Kewpie’s Guy. If th© former declines Margaret Wallace may be favoured. Whangarei Handicap A small field is carded in the slow trotters’ event, and Te Horo and the A 1 Mack colt have the front to themselves, but just how long they will maintain th© advantages remains to bo seen. T© Ngutu must be given a chance, and if she elected to trot steadily would be a nuisance to Paradigm, whose victory at Claudelands entitles him to further respect tomorrow. Sweet Memory will need to show big improvement to get a place, but Lady Ena must be respected and may prove troublesome to the favourite. Most demand will be for Paradigm with Lady Ena next best. Northland Handicap If the seven acceptors face the starter there will be spirited betting in the big race of the day. On tho end Our Nancy and Explosion should do better than Nella Dillon at the distance, and after their bout at Claudelands, Explosion should have it on Smith’s maro at the handicap. Vendome is well placed, and promises to see a short price, but those behind her cannot be counted out of the struggle. Lord

Nepean is a game little chap, and the small field will suit him, while Uncle Bert’s last track essay has brought the old fellow into the limelight again. Goldman has gone so solidly in his last couple of two-mile races that he is sure to be knocking at the business end. If a starter Vendome will be favoured over Explosion, and if either is absent Goldman will be sought after. Kawakawa Handicap This ten-furlong flutter offers another opportunity to the novices, and as many of them will be seen out in the opening event, the public will get a better line on their prospects for this heat. Roland is a newcomer on the front, and may be equal to heading off his associates. If Moko Fly escapes a penalty earlier in the day, he will make things interesting for those behind him. Pavlova has come on well since joining W. Nightingale’s stable, but she may feel the need of a race. On recent form Nel D© Beau must be the hardest to head off, and Vanity Boy may be her toughest rival. It looks like Nel De Beau and Vanity Boy being the chief selections. Waipu Handicap Some smart sprinters are engaged in tho mile harness dash, and off the front Student Prince holds a good card and should take a lot of heading. Haroto does not appeal, Lady Barrington may not be ready, while Benefice, if in her Hastings form, would give the opposition a headache. Nathaniel is an improving pacer and should be respected. Vanity Boy and Bell Dial have other engagements, but Gold Cast is one that will give a lot o2 cheek when it comes to the final dash. Hohoro is not out of it on his mark, and if he could be induced to go correctly all the way, would be in at the end. The public may rely on Nathaniel and Student Prince. President's Handicap

Square-gaiters that can go two miles are billed to stage a thrill nere and while Paradigm looks to hold the front-liners safe, he may earn a penalty in the first trot that will give those behind him a good chance of success. If Lady Ena shapes well in the Whangarei Handicap she will be worth keeping in mind for the longer heat, as she stays on well. Direct Action is as game as a pebble, and if his leg stands the strain he will be bowling along at the right end. Peterson’s recent foi'm cannot be passed over lightly, and lie will doubtless be the elect of the field, while Anseline, who is never beaten till the box is passed is in fine form just now. Paradigm and Peterson will be the fancies. Kaikohe Handicap There is a smart field in the saddle heat, and it is full of possibilities. Princess Betty can scamper off the front, and Don Juan has done a lot of saddle work. Student Prince won in the South with the weight on top, and Lord Lu favours the style. Nathaniel, Benefice and Nel De Beau are a smart trio, but some of them may have earned a penalty when this heat rolls round. Te Wahia should go a solid jaunt in this heat, and Gold Cast can be relied upon to make a bold bid for victory, while Bell Dial is handily placed. Nel Do Beau and Gold Cast will have the most friends. Hikurangi Handicap All those figuring on the card in the final heat will have sported silk earlier in the day, and some of them may have had two attempts. Vanity Boy should be awkward off the end, while .Bell Dial would have a chance if reserved for this go, and Explosion and TTohora will not be troubled by the journey.

Nella Dillon is in a handy position, and being a smart beginner must be kept aside for the ten-furlong flutter. Lord Nepean, Vendome and Goldman will all b© stepping some over th© last quarter, but they may find it difficult to overhaul Nella Dillon and Vanity Boy.

for existence was a desperate one, but th© pioneers of the sport, like the earlier pioneers of the district, were mad© of th© right metal and would not admit defeat. These stalwarts Were convinced that the progress of the sport would be beneficial in raising the standard and improving considerably th© breed of the horses, as well as providing healthy recreation and enjoyment to the inhabitants of the district. It took some little time, however, to make the necessary headway to prove to the Government that the application of the Northland Club for a totalisator permit was justified, and it was while waiting for this silver lining to the cloud that the darkest hour was experienced. Darkest Days y Many supporters of the sport would probably have given up in desperation, but it was at this time that a few decided to prove that Whangarei was on the trotting map, and the ambitious project of inducing a high-class pacer to visit the fixture, irrespective of cost, was formulated. A personal canvas for the purpose met with such ready response that the enthusiasts took heart afresh, and secured the services of the great pacer Man-ro'-War. The appearance of such a crack-a-jack was electrical in its result, and the authorities were convinced that the Northland Club deserved full recognition, and a permit was accordingly granted. Nothing succeeds like success, and the achievement of the pioneers of tbe movement resulted in increased mem*

bership, and a desire on the part of many, who had at first looked on pessimistically, to be in the limelight. Some of those who laid the foundation for subsequent success have taken a back seat, but their interest in the future progress and development of the popular pastime is just as keen today as it was in the gloomy period. Like the pioneers of the district, who have wftched a new generation springing up to carry on the work so valiantly commenced, the pioneers of the Northland Trotting Club can sit back and rest from their labour while others carry on th© good work, which they so ably and energetically instituted. Those who took up the reins of management, when the tide was turned, have faithfully carried on the good work and today the Northland Trotting Club enjoys .a wonderful measure of popularity throughout this province. In their ambitious moments, members of the executive a few years back, placed a free-for-all contest on its programme, and while the response was negligible, th© presence of Great Bingen, Prince Pointer and Imprint at Whangarei gave the game a greater filip. As previously mentioned, the Whangarei enthusiasts have been unfortunate in regards to a, permanent date, and each year has witnessed a change round th© calendar. However, undaunted, the officials keep smiling, in an endeavour to suit the convenience of patrons and in the laudable desire to further raise the standard of the sport in the locality in which they are operating. Th© Northland club deserves to flourish and prosper and that it will meet with jts just reward in this direction is the wish of all sportsmen. 1929 TROTTING FIXTURES Northland TC- Oct. ID. New Brighton TC—Oct 32. Greymouth T C —Oct *6. 25. Auckland T C —Oct * 23. 2S. Oamaru T C —Oct 23 Wellington TC —Nov 2. N.Z Metropolitan TC—Nov 12. 14, 15. Otahuhu T C —Nov 20. £3 Forhurv Park T C Nov £7. 80. Nelson T.C. Dec. 6. 7.