TROTTING.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 5 April 1926, Page 6

TROTTING.

METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB EASTER HANDICAP TO LOGANWOOD.

By Telegraph-— Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 3. The Now Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Easter meeting opened today in fine weather, and beforo a large attendance. The course was in excellent order. The totulisator investments were £48,612 10s, as against £60,616 10s last year. Results: — PRELIMINARY HANDICAP, of 300 soys; 13 furlongs.—l Frisco Beau (D. Withers) 24, 1; 7 Blue Thorpe 84, 2; 9 Peter McMillan 12, 3. Also ran —5 Randolph, 10 Huia Son, 13 Fancy Pronto, 8 George Tlnon. 11 Direct Action, 2 Engagement, 14 Ben Elect, 6 Merry Peter, 4 Avalanche, 12 Johnnie Bolls, 3 Merry Bingen. Won by a| length, three lengths between second and third. Time, 3min 62 l-ssec FENDALTON HANDICAP, of 300 sovs; 1 mile.—s-Whetu (J. Bryce jr.) 24, 1: 11 Darknito 36, 2:7 Tarzan scr, 3. Also ran—9 Re.ta, 8 Riot, 3 Hydaspcs, 15 Rorkc’s Drift, 13 Thixendale, 4 The Nipper, 12 Diamond Child, 1 Pointalena, 6 Homer, 5 Rex Coronado (eoupied with Whetu), 2 Rosie Nut, 14 Asturio, 10 Brutus. Won by a head, four lengths between second and third. Time, 2min 13 l-ssee. EASTER HANDICAP, of 1000 sovs; 2 miles.—lo Lognnwood (D. Withers) scr, 1 ; 1 Dillon Wilkes (R. B. Bony) 12, 2; 3 Jack Potts (B. Jarden) 48, 3; 4 Black Admiral (51. B. Edwards) 48, 4. Also ran—2' Bell Harold, 9 Harbour Light, 7 Countryman, 6 Drcamalion, 11 Dolly Dillon, 8 Queen’s Own, 5 Logan Chief. Won by two lengths each way. Time, 4min 33scc. EXPRESS HANDICAP, of 500 sovs; 2 miles. —10 Dick Dillon (G. Phipps) 24, 1; 1 Fight Ever 12, 2; 6 Escort 24, 3. Also ran —8 Golden Devon, 9 Rosie Nut, 3 Talent, 4 Trenand, 5 St. Maura, 2 Judge Hancock, 11 Fashion Queen, 7 Succession, 12 Harold Bunvood. Won by a neck, a length between second and third. Time, 4min 34 l-ssec. AUTUMN HANDICAP, of 400 sovs; 2 miles.—4 Red Oak (N. L; Price) 24, 1; 1 John Mauritius 72; 2; 5 Merry Bingen 21, 3. Also ran—2 Happy Rosa, 12 Pieter Timmerman, 8 Duke - Bingen, 7 Kelman, 6 Audo Bell, 13 Little Logan, 9 Jnglo Bingen, IT Mnngoutu, 10 Tiny Moon, 6 Nighborn, 14 Whisht. Won by two longths, four lengths between second and third. Time, 4raih 38 3-osec. Whisht lost Iris driver, Ingle Bingen was pulled up, and Mangoutu and Little Logan fell. WILKIN HANDICAP, of 400 sovs; 2 miles. —4 Granite City (W. Bryce) scr, 1; 1 Sea Pearl 12, 2; 6 Billy'Whizz scr, 3. Also ran—3 My Sonny and William the Great (coupled), 5 Wairua, 12 Springnote, 8 Vera’s Doll, 10 St. Filhin, 2 Tahoe and Berenice (coupled), 20 Inchbonnic, _lB Dusky Pointer, 23 Denver Wockl. i 5 Free Lance, 13 Harley Dillon, 14 Pearl Coronado, 22 Haunui, 17 Guy Fawkes, 11 Shine Soon, 20 Binscarth, 16 Bingen Lad, 24 Diamond Child, 7 Four Bells, 9 Audominion, 19 Bing Boy. Won. by,half a length, a length between second; and third. Time, 4min 38sec. BELFAST HANDICAP, of 400 sovs; 2 miles. —1 Black Lila (G. Phipps) 36, 1; 2 Silk Thread 12, 2:7 Master'Audo scr, 3. ALso ran —8 Lord Bingen, 4 Some Wi'kcs, 9 Ratann, II Lincoln Huon, 3 Wharepiana, 10 Golden Sun, 5 First Fashion, 6 Prince Lyons. Won, by two lengths, a head between second and third. Time, 4min 32 l-ssec. FLYING HANDICAP, of 400 sovs; 14 miles. —3 Waitaki Girl (R. B. Berry) 48, 1; 7 Becky Logan 24, 2; 2 Peter Bingen scr, 3. Also ran—l 3 King Dillon, 11 Landlord, 12 Bruce, 9 Partner, 10 Gleaming, 8 Dreamaliou, 5 Her Ladyship and Prince Pointer (coupled), 6 Queen’s Own and Audacious (coupled), 4 Bonnv Logan and Willio Logan (coupled), 1 Minton Derby. Won by two lengths, three lengths between second and third. Time 2miii 41 3-ssec.

NOTES ON THE RACING.

(Special to the “Herald.”)

The Tfeather was fine, although dull, for the Metropolitan meeting, and tho 'track was in good order. The attendance was large, and expectations of a substantial drop in the totalisator turnover were not realised. It was estimated that 8000 people left Christchurch for tho Exhibition, but apparently tho majority of supporters of trotting remained at home. A goodly contingent was in evidence from South Canterbury.

A feature of’ the racing was the brilliant effort of Waitaki Girl in the last race, Aker’s mare registering one of the finest performances ever seen on the Addington track. This made her fourth successive win, and apparently she has not reached her limit yet.

The American gelding Frisco Boa.it, was tho pick for the Preliminary Handicap, with the Winchester mare, Engagement, second in demand. Fancy Pronto broke up at the start and Bon Elect cracked up at tho end of a furlong. liuia Son made play from Peter McMillan and George Huon. Engagement was going well when she left her feet at tho first bend. At the back the leaders wore liuia Son, Peter McMillan and Merry Peter, and this trio held their places when tho last lap was entered upon, but Merry Bingen, Johnnie Bolls, Blue Thorpe and Frisco Beau were all close up. Peter McMillan took charge at tho back, where Hum Son compounded, and at tho bend the order was Peter McMillan, Frisco Beau, Randolph, Merry Bingen and Johnnie Bells. Blue Thorpe was travelling fast at the tanks when ho broke and lost several lengths. Frisco Beau led into the straight and held 1 his place to the end, winning by a short length from Bluo Thorpe, who came again with a fine finishing run. Peter McMillan was three lengths away, with Avalancho at the head of the unplaced division.

Tho Waimate gelding Pointalena (J. McLennan) was installed favourite for the mile saddle race, Bosio Nut and Hvdaspes being 'in most demand of the others. Hvdaspes whipped round at the start and lost a couple of seconds, and Tliixondale, Diamond Child, Bex Coronado failed to leave correctly. Passing the .stand tho first time, Beta and Biot were showing out from Nipper, Tarzan, Borke’s Drift and Hyduspes. At tho back, Beta and Riot were just in" front of Nipper, with Tarzan and Whetu next. At the bend, Whctu and Pointalena moved up and Rcta. dropped out. Whetu led into, tho straight from Biot and Pointalena, and lasted just long enough to etall off a challenge from Darknito, who travelled verv fast over the last two furlongs, ami suffered defeat by only a neck. With another two strides to go Darknito would have been the winner. Pointalena broke a blood vessel half a milo from home, and did well to finish so close up. The much discussed Dillon Wilkes was sent out a short-priced favourite for tho Easter Handicap, with 801 l Harold and Jack Potts next in request. Bell Harold led out from Logamvootl and Harbour Light., and at tho end of half a mile, the order was Bell Harold 1 , Logamvood, Drcamalion, Dillon Wilkes, Jack Potts and Dolly Dil'on. Running along the back Drcamalion took charge and at the mile was -bowing the way to Bell Harold, Some Wilkes, Countryman and Queen's Own. At this stage all , the horses were in close order except Logan Chief and Black Admiral, who were leu or a dozen lengths behind the bunch. Countryman was hu'sllcd to the front coining

along the straight, and _ commencing the last round he was just heading Bell Harold, Drcamalion, Loganwood, Some Wilkes, Queen’s Own and Jack Potts. Countryman broke badly at tho top bend l , fortunately without causing trouble to the others. Loganwood led down tho back from Bell Harold, Queen’s Own, Jack Potts and Dillon Wilkes. Turning for home tlie leaders were Loganwood, Dillon Wilkes, Bell Harold, Jack Potts, with Black Admiral moving up fast from the rear. Holding his own to the finish, Loganwood won by a couple of lengths from the favourite, who was a similar distance in front of Jack Potts. Black Admiral came with a rattle and collected £75 for fourth place, and Logan Chief beat the remainder. Loganwood is not a good stayer, but was-’al-lowed to run his own race. Fight Ever, Judge Hancock and Talent carried the biggest totals in the Express Handicap. Several of the front markers were slow to begin, both tho limit pair Rosie Nut and Golden Devon being out of the hunt early. Fashion Queen refused to go away, and St. Maura lost considerable ground. Talent was soon out in from Judge Hancock, Trenand and Escort, and passing the stand' this quartette were running in that order, attended by Succession and St. Maura. At the end of another circuit, Talent, Judgo Hancock and Succession were just in front of Escort and Harold Bunvood. Dick Dillon put in a fast run along tho back, and Fight Ever moved up at the head, where Judge Hancock was done with. Turning for homo, Talent, Escort, Dick Dillon and Fight Ever were bunched, and a spirited race to tho winning post ended in Dick Dillon defeating Fight Ever by a neck, with Escort barely a length away, and Talent half a length further back. Tho winner, who hails fromt Auckland, was one of the outsiders of the field, but the betting was unusually even, and tlie dividend did not run far into double figures. Figlit Ever was a trifle unlucky in losing ground at tho start, which entailed coming from the remand running round the bunch at the turn. Judge Hancock broke badly in the final stages and appeared to bo sore when he returned to the enclosure.

Tho Autumn Handicap, the principal race for trotters, was marred by a couple of accidents, and severely tested tho nerve of some of tho drivers. John Alauritius was installed a staunch favourite, and backers again rallied to the support of the disappointing Dunedinowned mare, Happy Rosa,. Pieter Timmerman, Duke Bingen and Happy Rosa went away in that order, but the last named broke early and lqst fifty yards. Whisht bumped his driver hut of the su'ky and caused considerable consternation by galloping past the field. Passing the stand the first time Duke Bingen was in charge, followed by Pieter Timmerman, Red Qak, Merry Peter, Ingle Bingen, Little Logan, Ando Bell and Happy Rosa. At the mile Red Oak had opened up a gap of ten lengths from Duke Bingen, then came Happy Rosa, blaster Audo, Merry Bingen and'John Mauritius. Whisht careered down the straight just behind the leader and seriously interfered with him just, before reaching the half-mile post. This reduced lied Oak’s lead considerably. Half way down tho back stretch Mangoutu broke and fell, bringing down Little Logan and interferring with Ingle Bingen. 'When the wreck had been cleared away, Red Oak was/leading round the bend from 'Whisht- (drivorless), John Mauritius and Audo Bell, the others nearest at hand being Pieter Timmerman and ■ Merry Bingen-. Holding his own th the straight, Red Oak won by three lengths from the favourite, who was six lengths ahead of Merry Bingen, Pieter Timmerman and Audo Bell. This trio finished with necks between them. The winner, who was steered by the veteran, N. L. Price, reduced his handicap time by over six seconds, and probably would have won had there been no mishaps. John Mauritius was a bit unlucky in going 4.35 2-5 olf 4.41, without registering a win. A field of 26, thirteen of them on tho limit, lined up for the Wilkin Handicap. Sea Pearl was the popular selection, but there was good support also for the Tahoe-Bereuice couplet. Granite City took up the running from William the Great, Vera’s Doll, Billy Whizz and Harley Dillon, and this lot went past the stand accompanied by Haunui, Dusky Pointer and Wairua. Commencing the final circuit, Billy Whizz, Harley Dillon, llauuui, Ftfu'r Bells, Vera’s Doll, and Granite City were the leaders of a big bunch. Racing along the back, Billy Wliizz and Haunui were together; then came Four .Bells and William the Great, followed by Sea Pearl. Wairua and Granite City. Billy Whizz led into tho straight from Granite City, Haunui and Sear Pearl, and after a great contest, Granite City secured the verdict by half a length from Sea. Pearl, who beat Billy Whizz by a length. Wairua was a very close fourth. Bing Boy turned round when the barrier went up. Frco Lance failed to begin well and Tahoe was never prominent. Granito City has been one of the unlucky performers of tho season, twice finishing second in fast times, and his win was a fitting reward for his owner-trainer, W. Bryce. For the Belfast Handicap, the Aus-tralian-bred mare, Black Lila, who was esteemed well handicapped, was sent out about £IOO better favourite than Silk Thread. Ratann quickly established a good lead of several longths from Silk Thread and Master Audt, but at the end of half a mile was just in front of this pair, and Lincoln lluou and Golden Sun. At tho end of a mile Wharepiana, who lost about three seconds in the early part, clashed to the front from Some Wilkes and ltatana. Leaving the straight with a round to go, the leaders were Wharepiana. Some Wilkes, Silk Thread, Ratana and Golden Sun. Wharepiana had a shot three furlongs from home, leaving Silk Thread in charge from Some Wilkes, Master Audo, Prince Lyons and Black Lila. Silk Thread looked a winner at the top of tho straight, but broke badly, and was beaten by two or three lengths by Black Lila, wlio finished impressively. after being well back with a round to go. Silk Thread was still tangling as ho passed the winning post and was rather lucky to boat Master Audo by a head. Prince Lyons was a good fourth. Black Lila is a stablemate of Dick Dillon, who won early in the afternoon.

A speedy collection of pacers took part in tho Flying Handicap, for which Minton Derby was preferred to Peter Bingen and the Holmes bracket. Peter Bingen, King Dillon, Bruce and Gleaming were first to show out, and at the end of four furlongs King Dillon, Gleaming, Bruce, Her Ladyship and Peter Bingen were bunched, with all but Drcamalion and Queen’s Own close up. Half a milo from home Bruce, King Dillon, and Peter Bingen were in charge, with Waitaki Girl moving up fast. At the bend Peter Bingen was just in front of Waitaki GirJ. Becky Logan, and Minton Derby, hut once heads were turned for home Waitaki Girl was given her head, and tho issue) was quickly placed beyond doubt, tlie brilliant Kurow-bred mare hashing past tlie post two lengths clear of Becky Logan, who beat Peter Bjjigeu by three lengths. Bonny Logan finished well in fourth placo. Although Waitaki Girl was not expended over tiio last furlong her time was only a fifth outside the Australasian record tor a mile and a. quarter. The race was run in an execrable light and very few of the onlookers had much idea of what took place during the contest. Probably this assisted one driver to escape detection of undue flourishing of bis whip.