METROPOLITAN TROTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 162, 14 August 1914, Page 10

METROPOLITAN TROTS.

THE CONCLUDING DAY'S SPORT. The weather conditions were delightfully fine for the conclusion of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club'? Meeting held at Addington to-day, and there was a satisfactory attendance. As the result of yesterday's rain the track was decidedly holding, which interfered with the prospects of many of the com petitors and greatly inconvenienced the drivers. Though rather on the small side, the fields were of particularly high quality, and those present were entertained with an interesting afternoon's sport. Details of the racing are: — MIDWINTER HANDICAP (saddle), of 150

sovs. Two miles. 2 E. J. Morrison's b m Miss Dexter, by Rothschild —Berlin mare, aged, Bsec (A. Pringle) 1 7 J. H. Power's blk g Wild .Tree, aged, scr (Cairns) . . 2 3 H. Ellis's br m Truganini, aged, 8 sec (C". Willett) 3 Also started: 1 Whispering Lad lOsec, 3 Imperial Crown 11, 5 Mayfield 12, 6 Mushroom 14. Mushroom was in front for a round, and then gave place to Miss Dexter, Truganini heading the others. From this out Miss Dexter had matters all her own way, for though Wild Tree put in a good rim in the last circuit he was still eight lengths to the bad when the post was reached. Fifty yards further back came Truganini, followed by Imperial Crown. Time, smin Bsec. FEDERAL HANDICAP (harness), of 225

sovs. One mile and a-half. 1 J. Duffy's br m Regina Belle, by Bellman—Regina, aged, ssec (Logan) .. 1 3 D. Nyhan's br g Pashionwood, 4yrs, ssec (owner) . . . . 2 7 J. Shaw's gr g Andy Regan, Cyrs (A. Pringle); . . 3 Also started: 13 Rothschild Jun. 4sec, 11 The Whip 4, 10 Quinaldine 4, 8 Kirwee 5, 4 Our Aggie 5, 5 Radiant Morn 5, 6 Piecework 5, 2 Breeze 5, 9 Baron Franz,s, 15 Onawa 8, 12 Texas 8. Texas started smartly, but\soon lost her place to Andy Regan, and at the end of a circuit Regina Belle was with the leaders. Going along the back straight for the second time Regina Belle took charge, and Fashionwood closed on her. A good race post between this pair resulted in favour of Regina Belle by half a length. Andy Regan finished third, eight lengths back, followed by Baron Franz. Time, 3min 49sec. NATIONAL CUP HANDICAP (harness), of 500 sovs. Two miles. 4 H. F. Nicholl's ch m Pearl Child, by Rothschild —Verity, 6yrs, ssec (D. Warren) . . .... 1 1 J.'C. Whiteman's b h Adonis, by Harold Dillon—-Thelma, 6yrs, 4sec (F. Holmes) . . . . 2 9 J. McCutcheon's b h Ravenschild, by Rothschild—Ravensdale, aged, 2sec (N. L. Price) . . 3 5 Stevenson and McMath's ch m Win Soon, by King Child—Topsy, 6yrs, "sec 0 3 A. G. Wilson's b h Bright, by Rothschild—Ptarmigan, aged, 3sec . . . . 0 7 W. J. Morland's br m Country Belle, by Wildmoor—Bdnnie Belle, 6yrs, 3sec . . . . .. * . . . . . . .■. 0 2 J. D. Piper's b h Jewel Chimes, by Abbey Bells —Jewels Heiress, 6yrs, ssec ...... 0 6 S. W. Scott's b h Quincey, by Vancleve Gracie, aged, 6sec . . 0 8 C. G. Fryer's b m Princess Louise, by Prince Imperial—Dexter or Sacramento mare, aged, 7scc ...... 0

Peari Child 60on rah to the front, and at the stand she was just clear of Jewel Chimes and Adonis, after whom came Princess Louise and Win Soon. Going along the back Pearl Child increased her advantage from Adonis and Ravenschild ran up into fifth place. As the~y passed the enclosure for the final circuit Pearl Child had relinquished nothing of her advantage, while Ravenschild was in third place just on Adonis's wheel. From this out Pearl Child had matters all her own way, and won easily by 12 lengths from Adonis, who was easing up four lengths in front of Ravens-

child. Well back came Bright and Win Soon. Time, smin -2sec. CANTERBURY HANDICAP (saddle), of 200 sovs. Two miles. 1 J. H. Olliver's b m 0.1.C.. by O.Y.M. —D:I.C, 4yrs, 9 sec (E. Carlyon) . . 1 9 A. Fleming's b h Breeze, 4yrs, 2seo (owner) 2 16 D. J, Clark's b m Lady Rattoo, syrs, 4sec (G. H. Berry) .' 3 Also started: 14 Little Tib scr, 13 Medallion lsec, 15 Persuader 2, 12 Ariadne 3 M 8 Wallace Junior 4, 11 Radiant Morn 5, 7 Jack Ashore 5, 5 The King's General 8, 19 Imperial Tracey 8, 4 Stanley's Child 9, 3 Antonio 9, 2 Disappear 10, 10 Gee Whizz 11, 17 Elmwood 11, 18 Bonification 11, 6 Wingatui 12. Wingatui, Antonio, 0.1.C., and Disappear formed the leading divi.sion when two furlongs had been left behind, but at the stand 0.1.C. was just showing clear of King's General, Disappear, and Radiant Morn. 0.1.C. acted as pilot along the back, where Jack Ashore and Radiant Morn improved their positions. Turning into the straight, King's General slipped and fell, bringing down Disappear and Jack Ashore. From this out 0.1.C. had matters all her own way, and won by four lengths from Breeze, who was twice that distance in front of Lady Rattoo. Some distance away come Radiant Morn and Stanley's Child. Time, smin 3sec. ADDINGTON HANDICAP, of 225 sovs. Two miles. Muricata 2sec 1 Master Raymond Gsec • • . . 2 Te Kuiti lOsec .. .. .. .. 3 Scratched: Truganini. NOTES ON THE RACING.

When proceedings started at Addington to-day the track was in such a sloppy j-tate as to be fully eight seconds to the mile slower than on Wednesday. The West Coast-owned Whispering Lad was made favourite for the Midwinter Handicap, but he belied his reputation by failing to handle himself at all speedily in the mud. Mi.-,s Dexter, on the other hand, only made one slip, and her line turn of speed enabled her to hold Wild Tree quite safe in the finai struggle. Texas showed her usual dash of pace in the Federal Handicap, but was .well beaten at the end of six furlongs. After Andy .Regan had run himself to a standstill Regina Belle and Fash ion wood had matters all to themselves, and the former, favoured by the inside running, just struggled home by half a length. It was

a decidedly lucky win, for had Fashionwood not had to cover so much extra ground in getting round his field, he. would certainly hare finished in front of the southern representative. Adonis carried most money in the National Cup, but he had no chance with Pearl Child, who won almost from end to end. For such a diminutive customer, Pearl Child handled herself remarkably well, and at the finish was going much -better than anything else hi the'' race. Ravenschild performed creditably, but was not forward enough to see out a two mile race in the mud. ' Jewel Chimes was going particularly well for a circuit when he was called off for anticipating the starter 's bell. As showing the state of the course, the winner took 24sec slower to cover the two miles than she was handicapped to do. - 0.1.C.'s well-known capabilities in the mud led to her being made favourite for the Canterbury Handicap. She pulled her backers through all right, .b, ut had considerable luck on her side, for with a little over a round to go, King's General, Disappear, and Jack Ashore all fell when racing on the winner's heels. So well was Jack Ashore going at the time that he looked like winning, while Disappear also had favourable prospects.