Preparations for Otahuhu Trots

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 897, 14 February 1930, Page 6

Preparations for Otahuhu Trots

YESTERDAY’S TESTS

TRACKS IN GOOD ORDER Trainers with charges engaged at the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s fixture. which opens next week-end at Alexandra Park, were favoured with good tracks yesterday at Epsom and Otahuhu for test work. At both centres many horses were worked, but there was no attempt at time-making. The best effort at Epsom was put up at an early hour by Carmel, Jewel Pointer and Native Prince, who finished in that order at the end of a mile and a-half. This was run at a 2.16 clip, but later workers were, satisfied to go at between 2.20 and 2.24 to the mile.^ The Abbey (unhoppled) was given strong work over the cup distance, and W. Clifton’s pacer moved in free style. The same trainer sent Dad’s Hope, 12 furlongs, the chestnut showing good dash over the final half-mile. Warspite and Warplane were associated in a mile spin. The former was in front for six furlongs when

the Man o* War gelding moved up, and together they stepped home lively for the last quarter.

Direct Morning Goes Out Native Prince (Wynn Sheath), Jewel Pointer (A. Julian). Carmel (J. Shaw) and Direct Morning (C. Fairman), the latter in saddle, hopped out at the 12-furlong disc. With a mile gone Direct Morning stopped, and Carmel was trailing the other pair. When the three-furlong post was reached the pace was turned on. and with a good effort Carmel got up to head Jewel Pointer off at the post, with Native Prince close up. It was found that Direct Morning was lame, and he will not be a starter at the fixture. . * * * A mile and a-half was the allotisvU'eud for iir-miut. und alter •- a mil - at a _.26 clip, she ran the last hall a shade faster. The has fresh- mal up siiua Tv Aroha. Evelyn Locandu and Pavlova went

two miles steadily at 1.15 for each half. W. Nightingale’s pacers are in line form and will be very fit on the trysting day. * * * After travelling four furlongs on his two-mile jaunt, Explosion was picked up by Gold Treasure, and when they reached the mile disc the latter was making the pace to his own liking. From there on they paced in close formation, finishing together at a 2.20 gait for the half. All Bell (unhoppled) hit out gently from the 10-furlong post, and with a quarter covered Rockaway and Rosie Thorpe (both in saddle) hopped out in front. Rockaway was soon well in the van, but over the concluding stages began to wobble, and All Bell finished in front of his stable mate, Rosie Thorpe. The latter gave a promising display. Stoney was sent two miles by trainer Teuke, but a. mile slipped by before the white horse was asked to apply the speed gauge. The ex-Australian pacer responded well and making no mistakes finished up a sound task in attractive style. Great Change trotted several circuits in honest fashion for the same reinsman, and while he was not asked to go better than 2.20 at any stage did his work resolutely. The little fellow indicates that lie has mended his wilful ways. * * * Torpedo Huon, who is looking in fine condition, worked nicely over three circuits for L. McMahon, pacing with the utmost freedom. If he races up to his track essays, the ex-Aussie will shortly give owner Rarkes a return for his outlay. Lord Haldane was trotted at a steady clip for several rounds, but owner R. Saunders did not ask the Good Gift gelding for any speed. The one-time pacer still bears a mark on one of his front legs, indicating how solidly he struck himself in his second start at Te Aroha. Otahuhu Activities The trestles were wide out at Otahuhu on the grass circuit, and in consequence watches were not recording anything of a fast nature. Others worked on the clay track, which was well coated with d ust. S. Groat worked his Cup pair, Ivohara and Nelson Tasker, at a useful pace. Both pacers acquitted themselves well and are in fine shape for forthcoming Some Dillon stepped over ten furlongs at a 2.20 gait, but the Peter Moko gelding was not at all comfortable at some stages of the journey. His grass essays are not comparable with his displays on the dirt track. Master Uuia paced boldly over a mile and a-half. with a good brush home. The saddle*merchant is in good heart and should race prominently for T. Grimmond.

T. Roe was behind his old favourite Goldman, who went without the straps. Kicking off at the mile peg, he had not gone far when he kicked over the traces. Taken back to the starting point, the Gold Beil gelding did bet-

ter in his next attempt, nnd showed no signs of his recent leg trouble when pulled up. ITrsuline was given a strong task on the clay track, and the mare showed her usual brilliancy over the final half-mile. Don Zolock trotted steadily over a mile and a-half journey. Tony Victor, looking nice and bright, was not unduly bustled in a similar task. The gelding bears a real racy appearance at the present juncture. Van Rich was sent a mile and a.-half and after warming up to his task finished strongly. The little fellow has been giving G. Robertson some concern on account of. soreness. Trotters Step Out Gold Sovereign (T. Roe), Peterson (S. Robertson) and Sebisca (G. Mitchell) were associated in a two-mil* bout. There was not much pace on for the first mile, where Peterson held a slight advantage. Gold Sovereign, who was trailing his companions, moved up half a mile from home, and the two were at it from the turn into the long straight. With the pressure on Gold Sovereign broke, but settled quickly, and then Peterson faltered, but was soon into his stride. They finished practically on terms, Sebisca pleasing most with his faultless exhibition. S. Groat gave Queen’s Bond a “hurry up” over the final half of a ten-fur-long effort, and the Worthy Bond mare paced resolutely. The Otahuhu trainer has been patient with this promising novice and deserves to get an early return. Although making several mistakes on a 12-furlong jaunt, the three-year-old trotter, by The Triumph—Papatina (half-sister to Betty Moko) showed a. nice turn of speed for Gordon Brady. When the filly learns to keep her balance" she should make a useful trotter. Mountain Princess, showing keenness for her work, was held in check by J. Foley, who was satisfied to let his sturdy Blue Mountain King pacer step freely without unwinding the speed gauge. She has taken no harm from her Te Aroha efforts. Trustworthy, with Roy Lowe in the saddle, brought the morning’s work to a close by tramping a mile. She had a galloping pacemaker, but tangling slightly at the start, Trustworthy was soon well behind her companion. She paced in splendid style for seven furlongs, but the effort began to tell, and the four-year-old tired perceptibly over the last 100 yards. However, she is on the improve again.