Northland T.C.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 250, 22 October 1928, Page 8

Northland T.C.

FIRST OF COUNTRY

MEETINGS.

Big Crowd At Whangarei.

THE ABBEY LIFTS THE CUP.

The first of the country meetings of the trotting season in Auckland is being held to-day at Whangarei, where the Northland Trotting Club is holding its annual meeting. The weather is fine, and the track in fine order. The fields are small, but the racing interesting, and there is a good attendance, many enthusiasts making the trip by special train from Auckland this morning. The Opening Event. Margaret Wallace and Te Hono were withdrawn from the Dargaville Handicap. Nella. Dillon was favourite, carrying £270, Warspite next with £192, and Chrystal third with £174. When they were let go, Chrystal was slow to get going, losing several lengths. Nella Dillon and Wee Thelma were the smartest away, and led past the stand from Vanity Boy, Moko Fly, Chrystal and Bell Dial. Along the back the order was Nella Dillon, Vanity Boy, Moko Fly, Chrystal and Black Ballin. Across the back and into the straight came Nella Dillon and Vanity Boy together, and then Chrystal and Moko Fly. In the straight Vanity Boy came away and won by a length and a-half from Nella Dillon, Chrystal a length and a-half away. Then came Moko Fly, Black Ballin, Bell Dial, Patricia Bell and Warspite. Won Pulling Up. In a field of five Great Way was favourite for the Whahgarei Handicap, carrying £385, Koyal Bob second with £310. At the start Great Way refused to settle down, and Amberite, Golden Gate and Grattan Wilkes all tangled, with the result that Royal Bob went away by himself, and before half u. mile was covered was a furlong in front. There was no interest in the race, Boyal Bob being the only one to trot solidly, but so far was he in front that his driver started to pull him up at the home turn, and he won by threequarters of a furlong from Golden Gate, who beat Amberite, who was third, by one and a-half lengths. Grattan Wilkes ran off the course about four furlongs from home and dropped out of the race. Field of Four. There were only four runners in the Cup. Sunfish was favourite with £503 and The Abbey was next choice with £409. The race is easily described as The Abbey began well and immediately established a good lead. Nelson Tasker tangled for a few strides, but soon joined the second division. With a round to go The Abbey was six lengths in front of Sunfish and Nelson Tasker, who were together, with Gold Dial handy. Entering the back stretch the last time Nelson Tasker was second, but half a mile from home Sunfish made an attempt to overhaul. The Abbey. The latter, however, easily held his own, and won by six lengths from Sunfish with Gold Dial two lengths away third, and Nelson Tasker a bad last.

After the race the cup was presented to Mr. Moodabe by Mrs. Brae, wife of the president of the club. This is the first trophy to be won by the well-known Auckland sportsman. Results:— DARGAVILLE HANDICAP, of lOOsove. One mile and a-half. (Limit 3.13.) 4 —VANITY BOY, br g, aged, by Norminstone—Vanity (Mrs. M. H. Robinson), limit—McMillan .... 1 I—NELLA DILLON, b f, 4yra (Messrs. Robertson and Ford), limite— Julian 2 3 —CHRYSTAL, gr g, 4yrs (Messrs. E. S. and P. A. Bridgen), limit—Kininmont 3 Also started: (11) Ben Zoloek, (12) Moko Swift, (9) Mountain Dell, (10) Patricia Bell, (2) Warspite, (7) Wee Thelma, limit: (6) Moko Fly, (8) Black Ballin, 12yds; (5) Bell Dial, 72yds. Won by one and a-half lengths, same distance between second and third. Times • 3.38 1-5, 3.38 3-3, 3.39. Winner trained by R. A. McMillan. WHANGAREI HANDICAP of lOObovb. One mile and a-half. For trotters only. (Limit 3.30.) 2—ROYAL 808. br g, aged, by Lord Roberts—Miss Marvin Downs (Mr. H. J. Millen). 12.vds —Owner 1 3 —GOLDEN GATE, br g, aged, by Gold Bell—San Francisco mare (Mr. C. Peterson). 120yds—Lee 2 3—AMBERITE, b g, aged, by Castaway —Blairgowrie mare (Mr. Jos.' Gee), 96yds—Owner 3

Also started: (4) Grattan Wilkes, (1) Great Way, limit. . Won by three-quarters of a length, a length length and a-half between second and third, and a-lialf between second and third. Times: 3.32, 4.0, 4.0 1-3. Winner trained by owner.

NORTHLAND CUP of 300sovs. Two miles. (Limit, 4.42). 2—THE ABBEY, ch g, aged, by Gold Bell—Abbess (Mr. M. J. Moodabe), limit—J. Shaw 1 I—SUNFISH, b g, 4yrs (Mr. Geo. McMillan), 48yds—A. J. Julian ... 2 • —GOLD DIAL, cb m, aged (Mr. G. A. Williams., 66yds—Owner .. 8 Also started: Nelson Tasker, 60yds. Won by six lengths, two lengths between second and third. Time, 4.45, 4.445, 4.44 4-5. Winner trained by J. Shaw, Auckland. KAWAKAWA HANDICAP of 125sovs. One mile and a-quarter. 3—NELLA DILLON 1 I—WARPLANE 2 S—VANITY BOY 3