TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 900, 18 February 1930, Page 12

TROTTING

By

“ABAYDOS.”

OTAHUHU ON SATURDAY

BIG FIELD OF IMPROVERS “ABAYDOS” REVEALS THEIR FORM One of the wisest moves made by the Otahuhu Trotting Club was the inclusion of a race on the summer card for improving lightharness horses. That owners and trainers welcomed the step was proved when the entries were received, and acceptance day further demonstrated the usefulness of such an item on the programme. A big field will face the starter in this event and, wi|h so many contestants well placed by the handicapper, backers have no easy task solving the problem on Saturday. As can be gleaned from the following review of their form, the majority of the runners have a chance of catching the judge’s eye - Two wins in four starts is the record of the Otahuhu novice, Some Billon. The son of Peter Moko figures on the end of the Tamaki Handicap and if he can be induced to give of his best on the grass will take heading off. Pavlova won the ten-furlong heat at Te Aroha by a narrow margin from Lady Yvonne and Gaza, but this was her first success for some time. The Mon-o’-War mare should improve on that showing to have a winning chance on Saturday. Nathaniel is displaying improved form at Epsom and as the Our Thorpe gelding is partial to a short journey, the ten-furlong heat this week-end will be to his liking. Nathaniel, however, may be in need of a race. There will be no doubt about Gaza being well in the picture for the major portion of the Tamaki Handicap jaunt. He is a great beginner, and if the event was a furlong shorter, the Onehunga-owned pacer would hold excellent prospects. The last pinch seems to catch his breath. * * * Man-o’-Belle was noticed at Te Aroha doing good work for a mile in her races, and if the daughter of Man-o’-War has gone along the right way in the interval she will not disgrace herself when sporting silk on the metropolitan track. Mountain Princess has only twice been out of a, place since opening her public career in the spring and she has paid three first and one second dividend so far. Off her mark in the ten furlongs on Saturday she must be considered dangerous. * * * Maid of the Mountains is about due for another double-figure price and in the field of improvers this week-end should have a chance of making amends for recent failures. The mare has a lot of pace, but does not always use it to best advantage. Haroto’s spring form was good and if he has returned to the same standard would be a nuisance in the Tamaki Handicap. He has lately been causing his party some concern through a doubtful leg, and may be a trifle short of work. When last seen at Epsom, Ursuline looked like walking away with a handicap and at one stage was that far in front it appeared nothing would overhaul her. However, a bad break soon saw the Otahuhu mare out of the picture. She is on a good mark in the ten-furlong heat for improvers this week-end and if she goes solid might pay a price. * * * Over a mile and a-quarter at Whangarei Hohoro ran Explosion to less than a head—one of his best efforts A repetition of this on Saturday in 'the Tamaki Handicap would bring lots of joy to his followers. Arachne has let her backers clown this season over all distances, not because she is deficient in speed, but through her barrier vagaries. The mare has only to leave the peg correctly to say good-day to the m”n in the box. Dad’s Hope has given his best displays under silk in saddle heat's hut there is no reason why the chestnut should not one of these days make good when drawing the sulky behind him His track work of late is good enough to suggest he will soon earn a ptake. The bonny filly First Flight has built up well since Christmas and she will strip a greatly-improved youngster this week-end. When right the daugh+er of Blue Mountain King has a rare turn of speed and in the company she is taking on in the Tamaki Handicap will be a busybody. Audubon is back to form, and at Te Aroha raced generously. He con-

ceded Mountain Princess 36yds over 12 furlongs and shared the prize with the Blue Mountain King mare. Later on he finished third to Kingsclere and Dad’s Hope in the saddle event, and on Saturday he will be a nuisance in the Tamaki Handicap. Horizon has not been seen out much for some time, and he has no form this year to recommend him. However, previous essays by Huia Dillon’s son, when in the right humour, are of sufficient calibre to make him a possibility as a payer of a big price. Haerenga Pai was not seen :.n her best light at Te Aroha, and both times she went to the post the brown mare lost ground at the start. With a reasonable get-away on Saturday Haerenga Pai will be found making things willing at the business end. Great Ballin is taking time to strike his real form, and his showings this season have nowhere approached the displays he gave toward the end of last season. When Great Ballin gets the right key lie should be capable of capturing some prize-money. Nella Dillon, while not reaching high society at present, is one of the consistent pacers around this district, and in any event of ten furlongs or less, must always be given a chance. From her position in the Tamaki Handicap, the author Dillon mare will keep her opponents busy.

Kingsclere, Trustworthy and Lord Nepean, three candidates in the Tamaki Handicap, also claim an engagement in the mile saddle dash. In the latter heat they are off the front of the handicap, and their prospects in this item will be more favoured in many quarters than in the harness event. Kingsclere is a recent winner. Lord Nepean has been threatening to ‘‘take out” for some time, while Trustworthy has not been at her best since last June.

WORK AT EPSOM

SLOW TRACK FOR TRAINERS STEADY TASKS UNDERTAKEN After the heavy rain of the weekend the track was unfavourable yesterday morning for training operations. However. it dried sufficiently in the afternoon to. allow enterprising trainers to get in sound work. The footing was slow. Carmel, Native Prince and Jewel Pointer stepped away from the twomne post and paced along boldly for 12 furlongs, where Carmel eased up. The Cup pair then livened up for a good brush home, but Native Prince who was unhoppled, did not relish the an r d le fG h j s feet ln th e final stages. Jewel Pointer finished strongly after a sound task. Warspite and Stoney were allocated a two-mile effort, Warplane joining issue with half the journey covered. The two Man o War pacers finished up a couple of lengths in front of the ex-Australian white horse, who is not bv any means partial to soft going. Rose Bingen and Explosion also the'trot? tW ° miles soundly in unison, the trotter giving a good exhibition. A Julian also sent Belle Axworthy over a shorter distance and she acquitted herself in nice fashion. Dick Dillon handled the footing well " °, ver several circuits. The old chap is bright and perky for immediate engagements. * * * Tradesman, with Margaret Wallace as a companion, went several circuit So ofi 'pi] 1 ’ boldness and freedom: lertufiy well retamS hIS f ° rm ™ * * * in G I ea ia,mt anSe as , ain trotted steadily IIU. a 3 . over three laps, and the ment. r ° tter revelled in his allot- * * * stronglv Ca Hp, n6 , tramped two miles encourage his party*?” keep l him gofing. „.T here ,s no hors eman at Epsom Paying more attention to the policC of keeping himself fit than D. Cook, Neoem i„ pr ? bab 'y ride Lord “Cookif» ” u he saddle heat, rare , has a 9 ood seat and rare hands, believes in reducing an S d j&l™’ 'doT ft? shoes at no distant date.