TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 979, 23 May 1930, Page 15

TROTTING

By ABAYDOS IN HIGH COMPANY TONIC QUALIFIES FOR main trotting events non-stayer comes to light Ever since His arrival in New Zealand the trotter Tonic has been proclaimed a non-stayer. However, at the recent Forbury Park fixture he upset this theory by two fine performances, which qualified him for the highest grade squaregaited events. Tonic was bred in the Commonwealth, being bv First Voyage from Medicine. Purchased by the Dunedin sportsman, Mr. Geo. Barton, Tonic joined W, J. Tomkinson's stable in 1912 S and bad his first New Zealand race at Oamaru. He was solidly supported but failed to get a place over the two miles journey. When the New Zealand Metropolitan Club’s Cup carnival came along Tonic found a 12furlong heat more to his liking and he won like u good one, tramping 3.27 from a 3.34 mark. After that the First Voyage gelding was backed as unbeatable at Dunedin in a two-mile event, but he failed badly. Cater lie came to Auckland and with everything in his favour was beaten well into second place by Great Change over L similar distance, and he raced in a disappointing fashion for Trainer Tomlinson. and subsequently he changed lands to join C. S. Donald’s stable, his new owners being Messrs. If. M. and (. T. Bovle, who secured the trotter ut a moderate price. Staying On Now Tonic was certainly the star performer among the unhoppled trotters at tho recent Forbury Park meeting. On the first day. from the back mark in the St. Clair Handicap, 60yds (4.40), he won very etisilv. After being penalised three seconds for that win, he stood his ground 1 in the Peninsula Handicap on the second day, trotting his best race to date and being forced

to register 4.32 2-5 in defeat. While ho can now bo handicapped on 4.34 for two miles, by reason of his having registered 4.32 2-5 from 4.37 in a 4.45 class, there would be few complaints were the full penalty not applied. Still, Tonic becomes eligible for the Dominion and Rowe Cups by Ills record, and this sudden rise to prominence will come as a general surprise, and particularly to liis former associates.