TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 247, 19 October 1939, Page 22

TROTTING.

AUCKLAND MEETING.

VISITING HORSES ARRIVE. M. STEWART'S TEAM FIT. Much activity, the arrival of a number of visiting horses, the presence of a large, number of spectators, and 110 fast work, about sums up the proceedings this morning at Alexandra Park, where horses were in training for the Auckland Trotting Club's spring meeting, which opens on Saturday and concludes on Labour Day.

Red Flush, favourite for the Jellicoe Handicap, principal race on the opening day, and Policy, who is engaged in the Stewards' Handicap, were responsible for the best final half mile of the morning, completing that distance, under restraint, in 1.8. The next best was that of Double Peter (1.9), who won on this course a few months ago and who is now in capital condition. He is on the limit in the October Handicap, but It is likely that speculators will prefer the Tsana—Television—Militia bracket.

M. Stewart was present with seven horses—Red Flush, Tsana. Molly Direct, Tinker, Wishful and Policy, all pacers, plus the trotter Worthy Merit. As usual this young trainer's horses lack nothing 011 the score of fitness and he should continue in winning vein.

Other visiting trainers and their representatives were: —G. McNickle, with Double Peter and Loyal Direct; W. Higenbotham, with Redmond's Pride and De Riske; F. Scrimgeour, with Air Pilot; and J. Flanagan, with Black Native.

Training operations of any consequence were confined to the grass track, on which the flags were out 45 feet. The going was dead. >

Stewart worked his pacers in pairs and although all three pairs were sent over two miles they were restrained to such an extent that the fastest time for the journey was 5.14 —and that speaks for itself. Policy and Ked Flush were responsible for this time, but, when given a little freedom, they came home over the concluding half mile with their ears pricked in 1.8. Xext best were Tsana and Wishful, who recorded 5.19, the last half in 1.11. Tsana is developing into a fine type of pacer, and is better now than at the August meeting, when he finished second to Josedale Grattan, while the novice Wishful has improved since she ran a moderate third at Wellington a few weeks back.

The other Stewart pair, Molly Direct and Tinker, took 1.12 for the final half mile, and 5.27 for the journey. Molly Direct, who led throughout, won on the Alexandra Park course three seasons ago. She is on 24yds in the Parnell Handicap, and looks particularly bright.

The trotters, Black Native and Air Pilot, went soundly for a mile and a quarter,, at which stage the leader, Black Native, broke, Air Pilot going on to record 4.5 for a mile and a half, the last half mile taking 1.18. Gay Moko, never putting a foot wrong, did better over a similar distance, the times being 3.54 and 1.14. Redmond's Pride, somewhat light in condition, stepped out over two miles, taking 1.17 for the concluding half. Other trotters to go well were Stalky, Cyrano and Gold Kip. Cyrano spoilt an otherwise sound effort by a slight break.

Ringstone showed dash over the final part of a mile and a quarter, which took 3.16, the half mile in 1.13. This mare is settling down and showing improved stamina. Petite Jewel went off ahead of Double Peter from the mile and a half post, anil after dawdling over the first mile, which took 2.40, the pace was increased, Double Peter easily running past his companion to lead him by several lengths past the post after completing the last half in 1.9.

Others to get .through useful jogging and galloping tasks were Equipoise. Three Bells, Don Acron, Bingen's Best. Isobel Derby, Great Travis. Vanora, Amywin, Shrewdie and LucKy Love.