DERBY ABSENTEES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 208, 3 September 1929, Page 12

DERBY ABSENTEES.

I 133 DOMINATIONS FOR 1931. j GRAin) CITY AND TORCHLIGHT GO WELL. REPUTE OX THE JOB AGAIN. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") , CHRISTCHURCH, this day. After the second payment eleven horses remain in the Trotting Derby, to be decided at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting in November. Unfortunately there are some notable absentees, including Grand Canyon and the Sapling Stakes winner John Jinks. The latter showed very attractive form when he won the two-year-old classic at Ashburton in June, and he would have added greatly to the interest in the Derby. Grand Canyon has not so far lived up to expectations, but with racing experience he should do much better very soon. While the absence of this pair is a matter for regret, Ngingongingo, Purser and Great Parrish are a well performed trio. The Xew Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has secured 133 yearling nominations for the 1931 Derby. It is a highly satisfactory list, all the leading sires being represented, while many of the youngsters are closely related to well-known performers. Twenty-four sires are represented. Author Dillon heads the list with eighteen candidates, followed by Xelson Derby, fourteen; Wrack, fourteen; Rey de Oro, thirteen; Peter Chenault, nine; Matchlight, eight; Xelson Bingen, eight; Travis Axworthy, seven; Peterwah, seven; Sonoma Harvester, six; Guy Parrish, five and Real Guy, five. Last week the brood mare Doraldina lost her colt foal to Rey de Oro. The youngster was a brother to Daphne de Oro. Tactless was given a work-out on the grass at Xew Brighton last -week, and p-iced in his best style. He is still fractious on the track, and a hard puller. Great Triumph looks very well, and he is pacing in improved form. The five-year-old has furnished a good deal of late. Spencer, who is by Homeleigh Dick, from that good trotter Olive L, is trotting in improved form in liis work, and if he keeps steady in his races he should soon be successful. Granite City raced consistently at the recent meeting at Addington, without being successful. He continues to do good work on the training track. J. Lorgelly is now working the trotter Peter Elect in company with Wild Hebe. He was given a useful work-out at New Brighton last week, and trotted solidly. Lorgelly may work some improvement in Peter Elect. J. D. Smith has the Matchlight pacer Torchlight going capitally in his work. Like most of his sire's progeny Torchlight is a good stayer, and will probably be seen at his best in two-mile races. Walter Kerr is now working Avonwood in the saddle at New Brighton, and the Harold Dillon gelding is pacing satisfactorily. He has a good turn of speed, and is a quick beginner, but he is not a good stayer. Repute looks l'ke racing in improved form this season. She has done a good deal of work, and is well forward in condition. Towards the end of last season she was in good form, but she contracted a skin disease which caused her to lose form. She is now well again, and is trotting solidly in traii>ing. Repute has a good turn of speed, and is capable of going two miles. The Histle, after his spell, is pacing capitally in his work under D. M. Robertson's cliarge at New Brighton. He is a useful sort when at his best. Alpine Melody is in J. Messervevs charge at New Brighton, and the West Coast-owned pacer is doing a lot of useful work.