TROTTING CARNIVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 305, 26 December 1930, Page 13

TROTTING CARNIVAL.

CUP DAY TO-MORROW. Crack Pacers and Trotters on Hand. REVIEW OF THE EPSOM FIELDS. The Auckland Trotting Club's Cup meeting opens at Alexandra Park to-morrow. This carnival provides the one opportunity (for owners of the best horses to secure big money in the North Island, and the programme on each of the three days caters for high-class horses. For the meeting which will be opened to-morrow, horses have been gathered together from all parts of the North Island and Canterbury. All have proved themselves racehorses of speed and stamina, and handicapped as they are to make for the best racing, the sport should provide thrills in plenty. Many of the horses have gorie, or been handicapped to go, miles in better than a 2.10 rate, which is travelling. The officials at the head of affairs, Mr. J. Rowe, president, and Mr. A. G. Mabee, secretary, have been connected with the light harness sport for a long number of years, and, with them in charge, everything possible to make for comfort and enjoyment will be attended to.

THE PROGRAMME.

PROMISING TROTTERS IN OPENING EVENT. In the Selby Trot, which is the first race to be considered, there are eleven trotters, and included among them are two or three who will shortly migrate into much better company. Blue and Gold, Royal Triumph and Wah, all on the limit, are three very fast horses, and it only wants one of them to go right to set those handicapped further back a severe task. Blue and Gold* appears to be the most reliable of the trio, but in the matter of speed Royal Triumph and Wah probably have moat. Wah is unreliable, but if he happens *o do this trotting right he will be the hardest to dispose of. Parrish Belle apparently does not stay well enough, Spirit Bell can have no chance, nor does Gold Star appeal. Tamahine (24yds), is not a bad trotter, and Kolmar, Anseline and Linnett the Great have shown they can trot well and stay. At the same time the result would appear to depend upon whether certain horses on the limit go right. Backers are always prepared to take a risk, and they will probably sum up in favour of ROYAL TRIUMPH, BLUE AND GOLD, WAH. DECEMBER HANDICAP. There are only nine in the December Handicap, but they are all smart horses, and picking the winner does not look an easy task. Baron Bingen has gone 3.24 3-5 into third place for a mile and a half, and was second at the recent New Brighton meeting over a mile in 2.14 2-5, which would suggest he has a good chance off a 3.29 mark. First Might is a smart filly, just a little bit "iffy" at the post, but once' settled down, she can travel fast. Little Guy had a great reputation last season, but he has not lived up to it. He may win this time, but his form has been disappointing. Rawhitiroa is a smart three-year-old, who was second to Arethusa in the New Zealand Derby. He went 3.25 3-5, and must be considered. Some Dillon is a good horse, but he does not always pace well on a grass track. If he happens to make no mistakes he will be about at the end. Scandal hardly looks up to the class, but Surprise Journey is a brilliant trotter for twelve furlongs. He went 3.24 at Addington last month to get third, but the track was fast. Benefice has been sprinting particularly well, and should go a good mile and a half. Great Ballin has, not shown his best form for some time. It looks like backers going for ETOST PLIGHT, RAWHITIROA, SURPRISE JOURNEY.

THE CUP. So much has been written from time to time since the handicap for the Trotting Cup appeared that there seems to be little left to remark. All along the favourites have been Harold Logan and Wrackler, and it seems safe to predict they will hold their places till the "off." Logan's Pride has supporters, but the pair who have been doing great work are Jewel Pointer and Kohara., No matter what distance they have worked, they have accomplished their part like racehorses, and though they may not win, they should give their supporters a great run. Carmel is the only one in the race who looks a likely surprise packet. He pulls hard in the early stages, and this may be against him at the end of two miles. However, there are four prizes, and those to share in it may be HAROLD LOGAN,' WRACKLER, KOHARA, > JEWEL POINTER. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP. Nine are carded for the Christmas Handicap, two miles. All Red is the only one on the front, and he is a useful pacer and one who should have no trouble in going his handicap of 4.42. Nella Dillon does not appeal, and though Dealer went one good race last meeting, he is not reliable. .Glandore has not won a race for years, but Gold Treasure is a fine stayer, and the class will suit him. Master Huia has one or two fair performances to his credit, and Country King is a speedy horse who may be preferred in the St. Heller's Handicap later in the day. Mignonne has been working brilliantly, and though she is just a trifle "iffy" at the post, she has only to leave right to be in the money. Peter Pirate is a good horse at his best, but has not raced for some time. The favoured ones may be » MIGNONNE, ALL RED, GOLD TREASURE. ASSOCIATION TROT. This race should provide one of the treats of the afternoon. No less than 15 high-class trotters are engaged, and though, most people will incline to the prospects, of Surprise Journey'- should he start]£lhe race may not be anything like a g£st| ; thing for him. Certainly he has faster than his handicap, but it wasrdone at Forbury Park when the like lightning. The same day Red. up a record for a

COUNTRY KING, i ENAWAH, BELLE AXWORTHY. AKARANA HANDICAP. Most of the horses in this race have earlier engagements, and form will act as a guide to- those looking for a winner to wind up the day with. However, with the brilliant three-year-olds Red Shadow and Arehusa in the race, there is no doubt about the favourites. Both are out of the ordinary. All Red is in a position to go well off the limit, hut Dan Direct has failed too consistently, and, like Little Guy, has- disappointed badly. Baron Bingen will be bracketed with the trotter Kempton, and the former can go a mile and a quarter well. Benefice is also a possibility, and Purser may now be back to his best. However, one cannot go past RED SHADOW, ARETHUSA, BARON BINGEN. THE CARD. IOA SELBY HANDICAP (Trotters) of J-*'*" 250sovs. Two miles. Limit 4.50. Blue and Gold Lt. yds. bhd. Gold Realm . Lt. Gold Star . . 12 Parrish Belle Lt, Tamahine ... 24 Royal Triumph Lt. Kolmar .... 48 Spirit Bell . . Lt. Anseline ... CD Wah Lt. Linnett the Gt. 96 1 9 dK DECEMBER HANDICAP of 250 sovs. One mile and a half. Limit 3.29. Baron Bingen Lt. Scandal ... Lt. First Flight . Lt. Surprise J'rney Lt. Little Guy . . Lt. yds. bhd. Rawhitiroa . . Lt, Benefice .... 12 . Some Dillon . Lt. Great Ballin . 24 -I OK AUCKLAND TROTTING CUP of JL.Ot) isoOsovs and Gold Cup valued at GOsovs. Two miles. Limit 4.25. Carmel .... Lt. Jewel Pointer 36 Florent .... Lt. Harold Logan 30 Free Advice . . Lt Machine Gun 36 Logan's Pride Lt. Native Prince 36 Mountain Dell Lt. Kohara . ... . 4S Reremai ... Lt. Gold Jacket . . 60 Sunshower . . Lt. Padlock ... 60 yds. bhd. . Wrackler ... 60 The Abbey . . 12 O f>K CHRISTMAS HANDICAP of 300 A.LitJf SO vs. Two miles. Limit 4.42. All Red . . . Li. Gold Treasure 36 yds. bhd. Master Huia . 36 Nella Dillon . 12 Mignonne'. . . 48 Dealer .... 24 Peter Pirate . 48 Glandore ... 36 Country King 48 Q1 A ASSOCIATION HANDICAP (Trot--0.-Lli t er s) of 400sovs. Two mile* Limit 4.38. The Tartar . . Lt. Ukulele Lady . 12 Etta Cole . . . Lt. .Tiger Salve . . 36 Gold Sovereign Lt. Maxegin .... 36 Mutu . • • Lt. Peter McKinney 36 Stanley T. - . ■ Lt. .Raima .... 48 Surprise J'rney Lt. Tonic .... 48 yds. bhd. .Writer .... 72 Akenehi .... 12 John Mauritius 84 ■ Bracketed horses: Surprise Journey and John Mauritius, Tonic and Writer.

three-year-old for a mile and a half. Tomkinson has Surprise Journey and John Mauritius, and may start both. If he does the bracket will get strong support. C. Donald has Writer and Tonic, also a solid pair, but Writer seems to be a long way back on 72yds. Etta Cole has never been working better than at present, but she does not produce her best efforts in a race. She may find that others in the race will go' too fast for her in the early part. Gold Sovereign is a useful sort, and The Tartar has speed, but may not stay on the last quarter. Akenehi, Ukulele Lady, | Maxegin and Peter McKinney are all fairly good, but Raima should hold them safe. Tiger Salve does not seem to possess much chance at his handicap, but Tonic is a speedy horse. It is a very open race, but when the machine closes solid money may be found on SURPRISE JOURNEY, RAIMA, GOLD SOVEREIGN. GRANDSTAND HANDICAP. There will be a small field in the Grandstand Handicap, and everything points to Glenrossie being at a short price. His form has been particularly good, and so consistent is he that it is difficult to prefer- one to him. Explosion is very well, and the small field will suit him. If he can handle the turns he should go a fine race as he will be finishing on. Proud Dillon went 4.29 to win at Addington last month, and reads well on 4.36 now. Warspite can have no chance on his track work, but a good bracket is Sir Guy and Tony Victor. The latter has gone seconds faster than his handicap, and beaten a .better field. ■ Trustworthy is consistent, but on 48yds she has nothing the best of it, and will be well tested. Stanmoor (84yds) is a long way back, and giving starts to horses who have gone faster than he for two miles. It is hard to get away from GLENROSSIE, PROUD DILLON, SIR GUY. ST. HELIER'S HANDICAP. " This mile and a quarter is the second "leg" of the double. There are six on the limit, and they are not a strong team. • Master Huia may be the best of the bunch. Country King should beat Gang Awa', both on 12yds, but the smart ones are on 24yds. Belle Axworthy, Enawah, Hal Chimes and Joy Bird have all plenty of speed. Hal Chimes will be coupled with Rockburn, and another bracket will be Free Advice and Country King. Pageant and Sir Author are fast horses, and so also is Warplane if he would go generously. It is a very difficult problem but it has to be attempted, and backers will rally round

<&3!lllll!lltlltllllllllllllltJIIIIIIIIII!llJIIIIIIIIII!ltJII!IIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIl:3lllll QKK GRANDSTAND HANDICAP of ■Q.OO soosovs. Two miles. Limit 4.38. yds. bhd. Sir Guy ... 48 Glenrossie ... 12 Tony Victor . 48 Explosion ... 24 Trustworthy . 48 Proud Dillon . 24 Stanmoor ... 84 Warspite ... 36 Bracketed horses: Tony Victor and Sir Guy. A Af\ ST - HELIER'S HANDICAP of' tt.tfcU srosovs. One niije aud a quarter. Limit 2.49. Brutus . . . Lt. Eimwiih ... 24 Firpo . . . . Lt: Gold Dial . . 24 Great Ballin . Lt. Great Delight 24 Master Huia . Lt. Hal Chimes . 24 Nella Dillon . Lt. Joy Bird .• .%. 24 Qn. Elizabetl: Lt. Rockburn .. . 24 yds. bhd. .Pageant . . . 30 Country Kins ]2 Sir Author . . 30 Gang Awa' . . 12. Free Advice . . 48 Belle Axworthy 24 Warplane ... 48 Bracketed horses : Firpo, Hal Chimes and Rockburn, Country Kiu'g and Free Advice. Pr i)K AKARANA HANDICAP of SOOsovs. one mile and a quarter. Limit 2.53. All Red ... Lt. Glandore ... 12 Baron Bingen Lt. Lord Nepean . 12 Dan Direct . Lt. Arethusa ... 24 Little Guy . . Lt. Purser .... 24 Surprise J'rney Lt. Red Shadow . 24 yds. bhd. Kempton ... 48 Benefice . ; . 12 Bracketed horses: Baron Bingen and Kempton.

TO-MORROW'S CANDIDATES. A Tabloid Review.—Glenrossie And Red Shadow. As usual, "Orion" below briefly deals with the horses engaged in the various events to-morrow. Luck plays an important part in racing, and the remarks expressed below may not necessarily prove correct. It is merely an opinion. SELBY HANDICAP. Two miles. Limit 4.50. Blue and Gold, limit. —This is a good mare. Last season she raced five times for four wins and one second. You cannot expect better than that. Gold Realm, limit.—Cannot recommend thisParrish Belle, limit. —Has pace but cannot stay. Royal Triumph, limit.—Only has to leave the mark and the others will have to improve to get to him. Wall, limit.—Probably the fastest trotter in the race outside Linnett the Great, but very unreliable. Might win easily, but he is a risky proposition. Spirit Bell, limit. —You can lay this one. Gold Star, 12yds.—No chance on performances. 24yds.—Should not be able to get to either Royal Triumph or Blue and Gold. Kolmar, 48yds.—Not a bad trotter. Has never, gone better than 4.45, and therefore has nothing the best of it. Anseline, 60yds.—Doesn't' win often enough to be supported. Linnett the Great, 96yds.—Possesses a rare turn of speed, and should make up her handicap, but the last bit of two miles may find her wanting.

DECEMBER HANDICAP. One mile and a half. Limit 3.29. Baron Bingen, limit. —Has gone a mile and a half in 3.24 3-5, and a mile in 2.14 2-5. Looks to be well handicapped on the limit of a .'5.29 class. Both times were done on grass tracks. First Flight, limit.—A good filly, but just a bit risky,at the start. Will not want to waste any time on the mark to win on this occasion. If she goes away right will be hard to beat. Little Guy, limit. —Since coming to Auckland has been a big disappointment He may win, but form doesn't say so. Rawhitiroa, limit.—A smart three-year-old. Won at Banks Peninsula in 3.33 4-5, and at his last start was second to Arethusa in the New Zealand Derby, in which he went 3.25 3-5. Some Dillon, limit.—ln the past has not been a reliable pacer on the grass track. This is a good horse if he could be depended upon. Scandal, limit. —The class should be too good for him, although he can go a good mile. Surprise Journey, limit.—A solid trotter, but trotters do not ofen beat pacers. He went 3.34 at the Metropolitan meeting last month, and has also gone two miles in 4.33 1-5. He does nothing wrong.- ' Benefice, 12yds.—Hai been working well, and is well able to go better than her handicap. Great Ballin, 24yds.—Does not appeal

iiHiiiiiiiiiiiitjiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiitJiiiiiiiiiiiiEJiiiiiiiimic* Peter McKinney, 36yds.—Just a useful sort, who' consistently goes good races. May be in the money. Raima, 48yds.—A fine trotter. Must ' have a rare chance. j Tonic, 48yds.—Will be bracketed with Writer; both good trotters. 'I John Mauritius, 84yds.—Coupled with Surprise Journey. GRANDSTAND HANDICAP. Two miles. Limit 4.38. ; Glenrossie, 12yds.—Everyone should be on this. , Explosion, 24yds.—Never better than at present and a great stayer, but he does not handle the turns well. Proud Dillon, 24yds.—Can go fast for any distance. Went 4.20 at Addington I last month and is now on 4.36. Must ! have a great chance. , 1 Warspite, 3Gyds.—Been going badly in , his work. ■ Sir Guy, 48yds.—A good and consis- ' tent pacer. Invariably in the money and ' a winner in 4.29 1-5 at Addington last j month. Never fails to give his backers a good run. I Tony Victor, 48yds-—Will be coupled I with Sir Guy. Not a bad sort. . I Trustworthy, 48yds. —Very consistent, but up against it this time. I Stanmoor, 84yds.—Is giving good . horses too much start. ST. HELIER'S HANDICAP. One mile and a quarter. Limit 2.49. Brutus, limit.—Cannot recommend him. I Firpo, limit. —Not jjood enough. . Great Ballin, limit.—Will have to improve on' form. j Master Huia, limit. —A possibility off the front. Can go a fair mile and a quarter. Nella Dillon, limit.—Company should suit her, but she is only ordinary. Queen Elizabeth, limit.—Not a good one. Country King, 12yds-—Has* a good turn of speed and should go well. Gang Awa', 12yds.—Company looks a bit too good behind her. Belle Axworthy, 24yds.—A speedy mare, but is proving very costly to backers. Evidently not a betting proposition. Enawah, 24yds.—This one can turn on the speed. Hard to find one to beat ' her. Gold Dial, 24yds.—Wins in her turn, but is just useful. Great Delight, 24yds.—Not a good pacer, and frequently breaks up for no reason at all. Hal Chimes, 24yds.—This pacer can go a mile and a quarter well. He will be handy at the end. Joy Bird, 24yds.—Not a good stayer, but the company will suit her. So also would the 2.13 mile on the third day. Rockburn, 24yds.—Hardly good enough on form. Pageant, 36yds.—Will have to be good to win off his mark. Sir Author, 36yds.—This is a speedy ( horse. Won at Addington last month, I going 2.45 3-5, but has a hard task this 1 time. I Free Advice, 48yds.—Will probably I run in the Cup. She is speedy over a sprint journey. ! Warplane, 48yds.—A moody customer, but has heaps of speed. AKARANA HANDICAP. One mile and a quarter. Limit. 2.53. All Red, limit.—Also in the Christmas Handicap. Baron Bingen, limit.—ln the December Handicap also. Can sprint well. Dan Direct, limit—Has disappointed too often. Little Guy, limit. — Seems to have speed, but does not carry on with it. The distance this time should be in his favour. Surprise Journey, limit. —In two other races. Benefice, 12yds.—Just a moderate who has been working well. Glandore, 12yds.—Why is he asked to give a start to anything? Lord Nepean, 12yds.—Too long between his wins. Purser, 24yds.—A bit sloav off the mark. May get a race at the meeting. Red Shadow, 24yds.—Help yourself, this or Arethusa. Arethusa, 24yds.—See Red Shadow. Kempton, 48yds.—A good trotter, but the pacers should beat him-

iiiiiiitjiiiiiiiiiiiicjiiHiiHiiiiHiiiiimiiiiniiiimiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiitJiiiiiHiiii AUCKLAND TROTTING CUP. Two miles. Limit 4.28. Carmel, limit.—The one horse who might bring off a surprise. Pulls a bit hard to be a real two-miler, but has 4.24 2-5 against him, and. has gone a mile and a quarter in 2.40, which is a 2.8 gait. If the race is run at a medium pace in the early part he should sprint home with the best. Florent, limit. —A good stayer, but the class may be just a bit too good for him. Free Advice, limit.—A speedy mare, but the only one in the race giving yards away to start. On paper has nothing the best of the handicaps. Logan's Pride, limit.—Has been very sore. Plenty of speed and a fair stayer but it takes a horse with four sound legs to win an Auckland Cup if the track is hard. Mountain Dell, limit-—Has been a good winner, but class should beat hei over the final quarter. She has nevei done fast time for two miles, her besl being 4.33. Reremai, limit. —Not always a solid pacer, and liable to put in a tangle One of the best stayers in the race. Sunshower, limit. —Does not read like a winner. The Abbey, 12yds.—No chance on form Harold Logan, 36yds.—A great pacer and should be the favourite. Hard tc pick one to beat him. Jewel Pointer, 36yds.—Good at anj distance, but might just fail over the last bit if the pace is solid. Is well treated in the handicap, and should gc a great race. Machine Gun, 36yds.—The class shoulc be too good for him at his handicap. Native Prince, 36yds.—Form does nol suggest he would win. Kohara, 48yds-—Has been recording great trials at Otalmhu, and is at good now as ever lie was. Sure to gc a good race. Gold Jacket, 60yds.—Cannot be sup ported on his track work. Padlock, 60yds.—A brilliant horse but cannot be improving. Wrackler, 60yds.—A' real racehorse. Can both sprint and stay, and he and Harold Logan should be the hardest pail to dispose of. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP. Two miles. Limit 4.42. All Red, limit.—At his last start was second to Harold Logan in the Taranaki Cup. The class to-morrow is not par ticularly good and he should go well. Nella Dillon, 12yds.—Has done nothing to warrant her. being regarded as a winner at two miles. Dealer, too reliable, but can go a fair two miles when he does it right. Glandore, 36yds.—Hasn't won a race for years. Gold Treasure, 36yds.—An improved horse and a good stayer. Should be in the money. Master Huia, 36yds. — J us t useful. Hasn't won a race for a long time. Mignonne, 48yds.—This mare will be the favourite. She is very well, and her supporters should be well satisfied with the run she gives them. Peter Pirate, 48yds.—Was a fair sort at one time, but lias been off the scene since June last. Country King, 48yds.—A good sort Also in the St. Helier's Handicap. Looks certain to win a race at the meeting. ASSOCIATION TROT. Two miles. Limit 4.38. The Tartar, limit.—Not a good stayer. Etta Cole, limit.—Always going to .vin, but doesn't. Gold Sovereign, limit.—Class appears x> be a little too good. Mutu, limit—ls getting old, and has lot raced for some time. Stanley T., limit.—Not starting. Surprise Journey, limit.—This is the me to be on. He went 4.33 1-5 at For3ury last month, and, now on 4.38, should be on the spot at the end. Akenehi, I.2yds.—A good trotter, but ms not raced for some time. Would iave to be rigbt at the top of her form o have a chance. Ukulele Lady, 12yds.—Not a bad sort, md if there is a surprise she may be he one to do it. Has gone 4.35. Tiger Salve, 36yd&—Not much chance. Maxegin, 36yds.—At his best a good rotter, but he has not raced for over , year. ,