TROTTING TOPICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1030, 22 July 1930, Page 12

TROTTING TOPICS

CANDIDATES AT EPSOM CINDER TRACK OPENED The cinder track at Alexandra Park has now reached completion and this morning was open for work. Several trainers gave their charges a spin on the new circuit, and were pleased with its condition. The track will be kept well rolled and should provide a useful training ground when adverse weather renders the dirt track unusable.

Nella Dillon In Fine Heart Nothing looks better at Epsom just now than Nella Dillon, and the batty little mare is thriving on the medium pace exercise allotted her by Tom Patou. The daughter of Author Dillon is one of the most consistent pacers racing in the province, but she is far from being the luckiest in many respects. A win soon for the mare, trainer and owner, T. M. Robertson, would be well received by trotting enthusiasts.

Goldman's New Lease of Life Goldman, judging by his recent track displays, has taken a fresh lease of life, and Owner Hugh Hedley has good cause for his optimism. The aged gelding gave a couple of pleasing exhibitions last week for reinsman C. G. Lee, and the Gold Bell pacer so far seems satisfied to do his best for

“Togo.” With his advancing years, Goldman is finding it hard to head off some of the younger and improved fry, but the writer will not be surprised to seo him land a stake at some of the spring fixtures. Prince Triumph Improving

Among the “green” trotters at Alexandra Park, one showing marked improvement is Prince Triumph, in •F. J. Smith’s stable. The gelding has settled down to his work more resolutely, and last week he gave a steady display over several rounds, during which he was asked to move along at a brisk clip. The son of The Triumph is also rounding into good shape, and as the new season advances should show fine progress. The exEnglish trainer is also educating a Peter Moko square-gaiter that gives the impression that time will have to play its part in his case.

Arachne Working Pleasingly J. Shaw has Arachne looking a picture. and in fact it is doubtful if the daughter of Logan Pointer lias ever been in better fettle. The mare is not being set any solid tasks, but during the week-end she paced nice and evenly with C. Fairman in the sulky. A noticeable and pleasing feature of Arachne’s essay was the absence of her usual hard-pulling tactics. If the mare continues along these lines she .will win some good races for her owner, Mrs. I. E. Sweetapple, as there is no denying she is endowed with rare speed.

Tom Pepper Warming Up George Phipps has made his reappearance on the tracks with the novice trotter, Tom Pejfper, who is bearing a bright, healthy appearance'. The Peter Moko gelding had his introduction to-a race crowd at the Auckland June fixture, when he gave an encouraging exhibition without threat-

ening to pay a dividend. The Mount Koskill trainer effected a big improvement in the square-gaiter during the time he had him in charge, and there is reason to believe Tom Pepper, who is related to Waikalm on the dam’s side, will make good at the business.

It is quite probable that when Explosion next sports silk at Epsom it will be among the square-gaited fraternity. The son of Nelson Bingen Ena Bell has been pleasing trainer Clifton with his displays of trotting, and as there will be a couple of events at this gait to suit the big-striding chestnut at the relief meeting, Explosion may be found in the trotting heats. With his stable companion, The Abbey, the Nelson Bingen gelding is in good shape to commence sterner tasks. A. Patten’s Coloured Pair Alby Patten lias the Newdick pair Dan Direct and First Fame in nice shape, but their tasks at this juncture are not of a serious nature. The roan son of Wellington Direct is carrying plenty of condition, and with a few sharp runs should soon be ready for the races. Nelson Fame’s grey son has built up a good deal during the last few months, and promises to furnish into a solid customer. He will be given a race or two at the sfrring meetings as a try-out for his Derby engagement at the Auckland Christmas carnival. Gold Jacket in Good Order Gold Jacket continues to thrive on the light daily exercise, and his coat is as bright and shiny as a rrew coin. Nothing seems to trouble this brilliant pacer, and trainer McMahon anticipates the Gold Bell gelding will be just as good as ever when topped off; for racing. It is his owner’s present intention to get Gold Jacket ready for the New Zealand Cup. Mignonne. in the same stable, is going along the right way. and is furnishing into a more solid-looking mare. Nelson Girl Trotting Solidly Benefiting by the racing she experienced last month, and the success attending her efforts, Nelson Girl is jogging along steadily at Epsom, and will bo a very fit mare when next required to sport the colours. The daughter of Nelson Bingen and Auckland Girl took a long time to reach something approaching solidity, but A. Julian’s patient and persevering methods had good effect, and the mare was seen in an attractive light at Epsom last month. Now that she has tasted success, Nelson Girl will probably go on to gain further distinction. Veteran Owner’s Team Ted Sandal], one of the oldest lightharness enthusiasts in the Dominion, is getting busy for the approaching season with a team of three. Old Tradesman is the sheet anchor, and has never looked brighter. He is hitting out with all his customary freedom, and will soon be in readiness to collect more prizes. Margaret Wallace looks robust after her holiday, and should be seen at her best when the flags are next unfurled at the park. The novice trotter Solidity is also back at the game, and if the Gold Bell gelding would live up to his name “Ted” might get some money.

H. Kinnimon’t Youngsters Harry Kinnimont is only a weekly visitor to Epsom these times, but he has two very handsome voungsters under his charge. A two-year-old trotter by Nelson Bingen from a mare that boasts Peter the Great and McKinney blood is a real gentleman. He has a. bold style of locomotion, and promises to play his part well when put to the racing game. A remarkably well-grown yearling filly by Florizel is shaping well as a pacer. Her dam is by Gold Bell from a Vaucluse mare, and here again is an excellent strain of blood. During “Kinney’s” absence at other duties, the youngsters are attended to by assistant Porter. who carries out his work most efficiently.