NOTES FROM EPSOM.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2 January 1924, Page 8

NOTES FROM EPSOM.

(By "STEEL BELL.")

FIXTURES SEASON 1923-24. January 12—Wellington T.C. Annual. January 16—Manawatu T.C. Annual, lanuary 10 and 22—Wanganui T.C. Annual. January 31 and February 2—Forbury park T.C. Summer.

The Auckland Trotting Club have every reason to be jubilant over their Christmas Meeting, and great praise is due to the officials and staff for the very able manner In which the meeting was handled. Tbe. totalisator Increase was expected, and the investments proved over £5000 more than last year's total. Some excillent racing was witnessed, and many very close finishes.

In the Introductory Handicap on the first day Rose Bingen gave nothing else a chance. She lert the mark like clockwork, and when halt the jcurney was covered she was up with the leaders, and from then on was never troubled.

Araby (late Peter Riddle). one ol the Australian maiden trotters, was well fancied ror the same event, but was not able to stride with the winner. Tinbrown gelding was well supported in the maiden trotters' event each day, but only succeeded In running into second place oh the second day.

Battery Bell Is a greatly improved trotter since entering T. Hoe's stable. The Gold Bell gelding lias trotted kindly the last three meetings, and has succeeded in annexing two nrst and one second in the last six starts.

•Peter Dean showed up well on the concluding day or tlic meeting. On the nrst clay he ran into fourth place in the Introductory Handicap, and the third day lie won a double, the Tamaki Handicap and the New Year Handicap, being bracketed oil the machine with .Mpper in the latter event.

Lord Nepean surprised the n.Md in the December Handicap, winning comfortably, and returning his supporters a fairly good dividend. He was capably handled by J. Kenny. Tho owner was rather unfortunate In not being able to start the son or nibbonwoocl and Spriiigheel on the second and third day on account or the horse going raster than the time speciiled ror horses to bo eligible for the maiden events.

Peter Mac behaved badly in the Auckland Cup. interfering with several or the other competitors at different stages or the race, the enter sufferers being- Linden, Great Hope, and Acron.

Great Hope raced up to the leaders two furlongs rrom Home In the Presidents Handicap on the second day, but railed to sustain his run, and disappointed his supporters.

Priscilla Dean raced disappointingly at the meeting, and proved costly to her "connections.

La Fayette had everything; In His ravour, but was outclassed in cadi or ills engrairements.

Style failed to settle down in the Parnell Handicap, on the ilrst day, bui showed great improvement In trie Tamaki Handicap on the third clay, when he trotted more steadily, and finished in rourlii place.

Coldwater was expected by his connections to win the Great Northern Handicap. but the event proved to be the best or good tilings for tho winner, Dick Dillon.

Bell Tower paced a good race into third place in the Tramway Handicap. Arter leading: ror most or the way. lie was just Headed oir In the last few strides by Wild Pointer and Florrie Blngren.

Lottie Audubon went a little sore prior to the Auckland Trotting Club's Christmas Meeting, and was not started on the opening day.

Mutu trotted faultlessly in the Rowe Handicap, and led from start to tlnish, returning his supporters a douMi-ng-ure dividend. rterore the meeting opened the Great Northern Derby was looked on as being a ono-nr.rse race, but on the day it proved much more interesting. Mr. fi. cran's bay colt Nelson Fame ran Taurekareka to a neck, in the smart time or 3.29 3-5. Nelson Fame is a ruII-brother to Kelson Derby, winner of the Great Northern Trotting Derby, 1920-21 season.

Peter Swirt proved a disappointment on the nrst two days or the meeting, but made amends on the third day, when lie deadheated with Lady Nan in the Association Trot Handicap, and rewarded his supporters witli a lair return.

Tbe Squire trotted one or his best races to date when lie finished third in the Rowe Handicap. The same can be said about Marion Style, who tlnislied in second place.

The mix-up at tho start ot the Rowe Handicap put Nikora, Normica Heir, and Delville Wood out or action for the event, and consequently took a lot or interest out of the race.

Prospect proved a disappointment at the meeting by failing to leave the mark on each start. The bay mare proved costly to her connections, being brought from the south for the meeting.

Man-o'-War's win in the Ranrurly Handicap rrom 4 3 yards behind was the most popular win at the meeting. He was well Handled by A. Corrigan. and both horse and driver were cheered on returning to the birdcage.

In the Epsom Trot Handicap, on the second day. Nikora made amends ror her first day's dereat, and returned a doublefigure dividend.

The Taranakt-trained gelding Van Cap was a decided disappointment at the meeting, as he stood on the mark on each occasion.

Aeriel Bingen did not trot kindly in either or his two starts at the meeting. On the first day he was driven by 4. Bryce, and on the second day W. Orange was behind him. his showing being only moderate on both occasions.

March On was transrerred to J. Kenny's stable after the first day or the meeting, and will be prepared by him Tor Tuturc racing.

S. Groat was unrortunatc in missing the acceptances or Pitaroa ror the last day or the Christinas meeting.

Haricot was unlucky in the New Year Handicap, as she met a lair amount or trouble, and was just too late to head Peter Dean off.

it is likely that J. Shaw will take I.ightnin' to Christchureh next week, where Mie will be retired to the stud, as he has little hopes or her being able to race again this Auckland season. In all probability she will be mated with Acron.

Hair an hour be.rore the racing started ror the concluding day or the meeting Peter Dean was sold by Mr: W. H. Smith to Messrs. I. Sweetapple and J. Shaw. The investment firoved a lucky one ror the purchasers, as ilie Petereta —Ivy Dean g-eldinsr was successrul in both his starts in their interest. He was driven by J. Shaw in both races.

Owners and trainers are reminded that the nominations Tor the Wanganui Trotting Club's Meeting close on Saturday next, January 5.

Handicaps for the Wellington Trotting Club's annual meeting: will appear tomorrow, January 3.