WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 248, 19 October 1928, Page 14

WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

(By ORION.)

October 22 —Oaaiaru T.C. October 22 —Northland T.C. November 6. 8. » —Metropolitan 1 C. November 17. 21— Otabuuu 'l'.C. November 24—Wellington T.C. November 29. December 1 — Forbury Par*

T.C. December B—Waikato T.C. Decernb«r B—Cheviot T.C.

December 15. 17 —New Brighton T.C. December 26—Gore T.C December 27. 29. 31— Auckland Trutting Club December 26—Ashourton T.C. December 26. 27—t'.outb Wairaraua T C December 26. 27 —Westuort T C. December 29 —W.nton T.C. December 31—Inangahua T.C.

132». January 1, 2—Canterbury T.C January 3—Westland T.C. January 4. s—Greymouths—Greymouth T.C. January 19 —Wellington T.C. January 24. 26—Forbury Park T.C. February 1, 2—Nelson T.C. February 9—N Z. Metropolitan T.C. February 16 —Wellington T.C. February 23—-Kaikoura T.C. February 23, 27—Otahuhu T.C. February 27, 28—Invercargill T C March I—Marlborough T.C. March 2—Waikato T.C.

The Abbess, dam of The Abbey, has produced a filly foal to Nelson Fame.

Lord Lu won a race in Sydney and ran second in another just before he returned to Auckland, and though the class he was racing in was not good, the bay gelding should go well at Northland on Monday, where the opposition is far from strong.

There was practically no interest in the final of the Epping Thousand because of the fact that Graceful Derby's heat time was so much superior to that of the other two, despite the fact that the track was at its worst for the third heat, says the Sydney "Referee." She just jogged along to beat Marie Dillon comfortably, while Talisman never had a chance of doing better than third of the three. Had the N.S.W. Trotting Club taken our suggestion at the time the Thousand was first mooted, to allow the placed horses, or at least, first and second, to run in the final, it would have been a much more spectacular decider. For instance, had Bankhead been in the final, he would have made Graceful Derby go

faster or go under, and there were two or three others who might have added to the interest even though it did not appear as if anything in the field had a chance to beat Graceful Derby on the day. She is by the champion pacer, Globe Derby from Pickaway, and is trained by J. D. Watts. She was credited with having run a 2.11 trial at Bathurst, so that it would have taken something really out of the ordinary to beat her from a 2.20 mark. Watts previously won a Thousand with Machine Brick, and he seems to have developed the habit of picking up champions in the country.

Joy Bird had one run at the meeting, but did not shape too well. The chestnut looked on the big side and may be a much improved marc next time out.

Those who saw how unlucky Jackie Audubon was at the meeting in the principal handicaps will be saving up from now on till the gelding steps out in a two mile race.

Cornelian was a disappointment at the Auckland meeting. The chestnut mare showed plenty of pace but she only carried on with it for a mile and then tired. She may not be quite ready yet.

J. Bryce's suspension was up on Sunday last, and he signalled his return to the sulky by driving Free Advice in her two wins at the meeting. These were the only drives he had.

The Tartar does not appear to have improved his ways at all. The Wildwood Junior gelcling can trot well fo» a mile and a half when he cares to go light, but it is so rarely he is in the right humour. He is a hard proposition for any trainer to make good with.

Laplander was for sale during his visit to Auckland this week, but the price asked did not lead to business. Laplander can go any distance and would have been a good proposition here, as there are* not many horses of his class in training at this and of the Dominion.

Young Blake's fine performance in going 4.28 3-5 into third place in the Hillsboro' Trot will see him at a short price at where he has a couple of seconds to come and go upon. Young Blake is a brilliant trotter and also a great stayer.

Ribbonwood's Last may not be at his best just yet, but he finished elo6e behind the placed horses in the Newmarket Handicap at Epsom on Wednesday, and on that run alone is worth considering when he is produced at Northland on Monday.

The Northland Trotting Club's meeting on Monday has not drawn quite the solid acceptances one could wish, but while the fields will be small in several events, the racing should be good. This club is very progressive and had owners accorded it a little more support they would have reaped the benefit later on.

Luvan ran two good races at the meeting this week, and if the big mare stands up to her work from now on she should get a good stake or two. On Wednesday she got into a pocket till the straight was well entered, but once she got clear she finished on well, but could not get to Free Advice. The latter is possessed of a brilliant turn of speed.

Van Rich is a consistent and solid little pacer, but just lacks that bit of brilliancy at the end which wins races. His owner is very popular, and should the little gelding land a stake, such would be welcomed at the training track. G. Robertson bas the pacer really well considering that he was showing signs of soreness up till a week or so before the meeting opened.

THE NORTHLAND MEETING,

In connection with the Northland Trotting Club's meeting to be held on Monday, the Railway Department announce that a special train will be run from Auckland to Whangarei, returning the same day. Excursion fares will be charged, full particulars being given in the advertisement in another column.

THE GREYMOUTH MEETING.

QUESTION OF CUP PENALTIES,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. In connection with the statement published on Wednesday that no penalty would be inflicted on any New Zealand trotting cup horses winning events at the Greymouth Trotting Club's meeting, the New Zealand Mertopolitan Trotting Club wishes it to be understood that it is not a party to such an arrangement, and in the event of a horse putting up a performance that would entitle it to a penalty it would certainly ex]>ect its handicapper to use his discretion and rehandicap the horse if hp deemed it necessary.