TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1927, Page 15

TROTTING.

WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

(By ORION.)

FIXTURES. y e b 2o or March 11 —Kaikoura T.C. March 4. s—lnvereargill Trotting Club. March 4 —Marlborough Trotting Club. March s—\Yaika.to Trotting Club. March D—Mauawaiu Trotting Club. March U—laranaki Trotting Club. M:ircb 1-—Tirnaru Trotting Club. Mvch 16 —Wyndham Trotting Club. May "■—Camoridge Trotting Club.

Both Horizon and Master Huia failed to go away at the start of the Newmarket, and had their prospects settled. £ggie Bell broke up badly after going three furlongs, and was pulled up.

Gold Dial, on the running the first day, looked to have a good chance in the >"ewmark#t Handicap, but she did not go away well, and failed to show up at a'riy part. Backers should forget all about this run when she next steps out. Uramic had every chance yesterday in the Newmarket Handicap, but, trying to go after "Maggie Pronto for over a mile was too solid for him, and he was very tired when the run home began, feeing eventually beaten into fourth place. Although she did not get in the money Bridget Galindo went a slashing good race in the Suburban Handicap. Certainly she had no chance of winning but, as she will not be penalised for running fourth, she should be handy in an introductory trot, where the limits are not too big. Although Concliffe lost several lengths through not hitting his straps properly at the start of the Dominion Handicap, it is questionable whether he would have scored under any circumstances. He went a fine race each day, and the racing should work ar. improvement in him. eo that he can be expected to win a good stake at any time now.

Prior to the meeting, Maggie Pronto was regarded as a likely one of W. Tomkinson's team to get a race, but she failed so badly the first day that it came as a surprise to see her start favourite yesterday. And not only did she win, but she cleared out from the field, and, with half a mile to go, must have been at least a dozen lengths in front of her nearest opponent. Eventually she won by four lengths, a big margin these days, but the fact that she went 3.27 1-5 off a 3.33 mark accounted for the complete job she made of the field. After the race Tomkinson was asked to explain her performance compared with her effort on the opening day. His explanation was that on Sat> urday she got badlv interfered with, and was sent to a break, which settled any ?hance she had. This was accepted as latisfactory.

Amaris had two star, at the meeting, but did not show up at all, and was never near the leaders in his races.

Billy Sea went off the mark well each day and his behaviour was all that ould be desired, in fact, there were worse behaved horses than he at the meeting.

F. Holmes supplied the favourite for the 3.18 harness mile with Rev Logan, but was only in the last few strides that P. Holmes landed the son of Rey-de-Oro's head in front of Jean Darling. As Rev Logan had to go 2.16 to get the money he will have to meet stronger opposition in future. "

Florent showed a lot of grit in getting second to Maggie Pronto. The Florazel gelding was up second early, but on the trip was headed by both Uramic and Van Rich. However," Florent came along again at the end, and beat them both without, of course, having a chance of reaching Maggie Pronto.

It was thought if Auto Machine went solid all through a race he would be a very hard proposition. Well, J. O'Shea got him away in front in the Dominion Handicap and he never made a mistake leading into the Straight. However, from there to the judge the son of Machine Brick faded out.

Those who noticed what a great race Petroleuse ran the first day after being slow to get going profited yesterday, when y the daughter of Petereta beat her field pointless off the COyds mark in the Suburban Handicap. There is not a great deal of Petroleuse, in fact, she looks only a pony, but what there is of her is good, and a more solid trotter has not been seen out in the introductory class for some time.

Locanda Mae raced most consistently at the meeting. He was in a place in the big event each day, and topped these efforts off by beating a fine field of sprinters, which included Nelson Fame, Kohai. Bessie Logan and others, in the Coates Handicap. M. Holmes drove with fine judgment in all his races, but his driving exhibition in the Cup on turday did not meet with tae approval of the stipendiary stewards, and he was cautioned for reckless driving.

Cardinal Logan did not have the best of luck in the run up the straight in the Otahuhu Cup on Saturday, and his win yesterday in the Dominion Handicap was well anticipated. Once the field had properly settled down A. Hendricksen never had him further back than second and the son of Logan Pointer battled it right out to win by a long neck. The honours of the race were with Sea Pearl, whose finishing run was of the attractive order and in going 4.26 into second place she registered easily her best performance to date.

Ngatira lost all his handicap through breaking at the start of the Alexandra Trot, and then trailed the field along.

Direct Morning is evidently not a real good horse. He left well in the Richmond Handicap, but never got out of the second bunch of horses on the trip.

There was plenty of monev for Direct Wood yesterday, but it did" not assist her at all, and, losing most of her handicap at the start, she never made it up again.

Wimmera King is not trotting at all =olidly, and broke several times during the running of the Alexandra Trot° Being 19 years old, perhaps the old fellrw has had enough of the game.

Jean Darling has been a consistent little mare, but she seems to be in her right place now. Off 2.18 she ran second in the mile, but off a 2.52 mark (2.18 gait) in the mile and a-quarter, the best she could do was finish a moderate fourth.

Machine Gun was a fortunate horse yesterday in winning the Richmond Handicap of 4.34, and only having to go 4.35 1-5. It was a very slow race in the early part and at least two of the back-markers could have been up with the leaders at the end of a mile. As a matter of fact it seemed to be a false run race.

A. Julian never had an easier drive than Luvan in the Farewell Handicap, and the manner in which she disposed of her opponents makes it very clear that whenever she goes right the others will know there is a race on. Backers took a short price about her chance yesterday, but after seeing the race, the price was a particularly good one.

The Havvera sportsman, Mr. J. R. Corrigan, won both events for trotters with Petroleuse and Sister Beatrice. The latter stepped to the front at the start of the Alexandra Handicap, and was never headed, winning nicelv from Sebisca, who was perhaps luckv'to get second, as both Pete Peter and Peter Swift broke up a few yards from the post when fighting it out for second monev.