Auckland Double Next Saturday

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 798, 19 October 1929, Page 13

Auckland Double Next Saturday

FINE PROSPECTS GOOD FIELDS ENGAGED Next Saturday the Auckland Trotting Club’s fine grounds at 1 Alexandra Park will present an animated spectacle when the spring carnival will be opened with a most attractive card. That the manner in which the club framed the schedule proved satisfactory to the majority of owners and trainers was fully demonstrated when the entries closed with secretary Mabee last week, and the presence of many outsiders at the meeting- will add to the general interest in the proceedings. The response from owners in the 3.36

I class for improving horses was most j liberal, and proved that the event justified its inclusion on the card. ! The principal events on the first days schedule, which comprise the “popular double,” are the Spring Handicap, of two miles, and the October Handicap, run over half that distance. In each heat some high-grade performers are listed, and these two races alone should be well worth a visit to the Epsom trysting grounds to witness. Spring Handicap. Two Miles, 4.33 limit. Of those on the front line, Sister Beatrice has not done much of late. Nelson Tasker has yet to prove real ability to get the distance in classy . society, but Great Delight should not > be passed over without a respectable reference. This pacer made rapid strides last season, and promises to reach a higher rung of the ladder this year. Gold Dial, good as she is, ap- [ pears too close to those in the next row, and two of these, Wrackler

and Jean McElwyn, are going to make the race brimful of interest. The former is a great stayer and will give his rivals no quarter, while Jean McElwyn is game and consistent and sure to put up a tough fight. Dillon Huon is in good shape just now, but will he give of his best? If he would ho could cause a lot of trouble to the favourites, and the same I applies to The Abbey, who only reI quires to go away correctly to be in the | picture at the finish. Torpedo Huon, however, should be a more reliable proposition on that mark, and as he is I coming back to form must be re- ] spected. The ex-Australian defeated i Wrackler last year, and may be able | to repeat the performance. ' Native Prince does not appeal altogether for a hard two-mile go, but he is in such rare condition that J. Shaw may succeed in capturing the biggest end of the stake. Just behind him is Linkman, a real genuine pacer, possessing speed and wonderful stamina, and he is going to be the hardest for i those nearer the front to keep from fly- j ing past them before the post is reached. Peter Bingen has a shade the better of the handicap compared with his New Zealand Cup mark, but that concession may not be enough to carry him to victory. Early fancies include Wrackler, Linkman, Jean McElwyn and Great Delight. Stewards* Handicap One Mile, 2.15 Limit. Warplane will account for Sunflsh off the end. and the Epsom-trained pacer should finish in front of a lot more in the heat. Joy Bird is a speedy miler and her display last Saturday was evidence that the mare is striking form again, and she must be taken seriously in the race under review. Goldman has nothing in his favour on a 2.13 mark, and both Carmel and Wrackler j would beat him. The former is a fine sprinter that on the handicap will finish in front of Stanmoor. who de- j feated him in August. Dillon Huon ! will find this race more to hi§ liking, j and he can go a merry mile if in the mood. Trainer Smith is very patient with ; Harold Dillon’s son. and this may per- J suade him to do his best. The Shrew I . has been off the scene for some time, but All Bell is always one to be reckoned with over a short course, and in ; W. Coekbill’s hands the old pacer may make amends for recent failures. Link- * man can unwind a wonderful burst of speed over the short course, and if he tackles this heat the others will know what it is to go fast if they wish to keep out of his way. Those forward at this stage are Joy Bird, Warplane, ; Carmel and Linkman. , ===