QUIET AT OTAHUHU AND EPSOM

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 981, 26 May 1930, Page 15

QUIET AT OTAHUHU AND EPSOM

SOUTHERN JOTTINGS The wet weather experienced during the latter part of the week saw trotting business practically suspended at Epsom. On Friday the track was in fair order, but trainers were optimistic about the conditions holding good for Saturday and played the waiting game, with unsatisfactory results. Change of Name F. J. Smith had his new importation, Mussolini, on parade at the Park on Friday and the roan was greatly admired by those present. He is a compact, clean-legged, well-mannered horse and when accustomed to his new surroundings and changed conditions should do all right at the racing game. Owing to another Mussolini racing in the Dominion, owner Smith is claiming Wellington as the change of name for Wellington Direct's son, whose lirst port of call in New Zealand was Wellington. Woodvale on Deck Again Jim O’Kano has an addition to his Lpsom team in Woodvale, a pr-rformer well known to Auckland followers of the popular sport. The son of Wildwood Junr. has not done much racing during the last two seasons, but previously had some good winning efforts to his credit. If he has not lost all form, Woodvale will have his chance now, as he is in capable and painstaking hands. Owner Warnock has also placed an A 1 Mack youngster under o’Kane’s charge. The Derby filly Noreen, belonging to Sid Jiodle3% is shaping well for the same trainer. Quiet at Otahuhu Weather conditions have also precluded Mangere and Otahuhu trainers ii-om doing any solid work with their candidates. A few. however, took advantage of the. better conditions earlier in the week to get in a fair amount work. With the loosening of square-gaited events on the Auckland winter card, the trotters are receiving :i good deal of attention on the suburban track. In Good Condition When the weather was suitable Sid August put in an appearance at Otahuhu with Jewel Pointer and Stanmoor, both of which are looking in uood heart. Jewel Pointer was allotted solid work and stood up to it in approved fashion. Stanmoor, who has raced most consistently during the reason, is showing a return to form again after a brief respite. August has a handsome youngster by his old favourite Nelson Fame, which is shaping well in its primary education. Wants Solid Footing T. Roe has Gold Sovereign bowling along nicely and the son of Gold Bell promises to be in splendid condition for the winter carnival. The greatest drawback to the trotter’s claims to success will bo the . holding tracks which usually obtain at this season of the year. To see out a hard two miles Gold Sovereign requires to be right on top of the ground. He has done well during the present season for trainer Roe, who is undoubtedly one of the best men in the land with unhoppled merchants. Another for June

F. Gilchrist, who has been on the easy list as far as trotting is concerned, is taking up old Direct Action again with a view to collecting a prize at the Auckland June fixture. The trotter, despite his lengthy holiday, is in good condition and his trainer/ expects to have him in readiness for the fight next month. Etta Cole, another of F. J. Docherty’s trotters, is on holiday and putting on plenty of weight, which will be to her advantage later on. When Belle Axworthy visited Addington for the Easter carnival of the Metropolitan Trotting Club, she was responsible for a brilliant track essay over a mile and aquarter that will not easily be forgotten if the Travis Axworthy filly is on hand again for the next Addington session. She was unfortunate in her one race at the Metropolitan Easter meeting, breaking up at the start and again in the straight, after making a great run into second. As a result of that big effort she developed soreness and was not started again at the fixture. Under A. J. Julian’s charge the filly had a most successful season and was never out of a place. In fact only once she missed paying a dividend, when she ran third in a two-miUi essay. Next season ehe should reach the highe®t grade “Tartar’s” guidance. Promising Youngster The three-year-old 'Willie Derby, who is by Nelson Derby from the trotter Credit Slip, has a lot of and as soon as he can properly control it He will soon win a race. He is trained ** Aldington by W. J. Tomkinson, "no has devoted a lot of time endeavouring to perfect the young pacer’s vfj WilHe Derby is improving in his acing, and at Oamaru. on a wet, neavy track, he was one of the first to begin in the Advance Handicap. He ma^e a mis take. and lost his Uu.. oa * Dnce he struck his gait pro- » he pace(l a fine race, and was on well the finish, ending U P in fourth place. A Useful Pacer fhe Walmate pacer Nor’-wester - hi the Advance llanap * i ne second race at Oamaru. after the start he was with the ieacung division, and held his place till was reached, when he fell j K * * n the fourth race, over a mile j m . a_c l uar ter, in saddle. Nor’-wester another smart beginning, and, niit 6 hls Previous race, he fought j heir,,? goo<i finish with Happy Band, Wb.s Just beaten for second ptace. It ? s though A. Smith, the Waiin » 1. _ trainer, has a very useful sort ! n the L o§ran Pointer gelding. T °o Much Weight tlle sul *est signs of progress th* i 1 harnes s racing is the fact that E-rea* P ;f ided Pedigree has shown a fr. diminution in recent years. ses nowadays must be bred to win, to r \f. arl y in the purple as possible thmivu nigh-class performers. Alenno?* 1 speed keeps on improving, and cufi ® <Juentl y makes races more diffig... f to»win, a large number of horses ? , lie Post with a superabundance .5 * n saddle or the sulky*. re tain the idea that weight \v i ? fittlo difference in a sulky, a lik* stop a train, and why not orse. asks an Otago writer. Coming Back to Form . Linkman is looking very well. In recent training work the Ma.teh-