THE AUCKLAND MEETING

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 3, 5 January 1931, Page 13

THE AUCKLAND MEETING

KOHARA DISAPPOINTS.

JEWEL) POINTER'S MILE

FIRST FLIGHT'S ONE RUN. That good filly First Flight had only one run at the Auckland meeting, her appearance being made on the opening day, when she finished fourth in the December Handicap won by Benefice. In that race First Flight was unlucky in the running, and she can be ticked off to win very shortly. HORSES RESTING. Following the strenuous racing they had at the Auckland meeting a number of local horses are now having a respite. There is little ahead for the best performers, but the majority of trainers have novices or middle-class horses in training for the Northland meeting which takes place this month. TWO GOOD RACES. Though the form of Free. Advice had not been encouraging it was expected that the chestnut mare would not return to Christcliurch without getting some of the prize money. She raced in the Cup, and was right in the picture for over a mile and a half when she began to drift back. The Summer Handicap on the second day saw her at her best, and this time she went a good race, only to be touched 11 off by Sir Author. On the final day Free Advice made another bold bid for victory, and in a thrilling finish in the President's Handicap she deadheated with the Cup winner, Carmel. Carmel had to step 4.23, and Free Advice, went 4.26, her best to date. As she can both sprint and stay, Free Advice should pick up a stake in her turn. ANOTHER RECORD. Though he did n-t win a race at the meeting, the idol of the Auckland public, Jewel Pointer, was in the money all the time, and he never raced better than at the meeting. His form and condition reflected the greatest credit upon his trainer, S. August, because it was anticipated when he was given the son of Logan Pointer to train that the horse had seen his best days, and, in addition, was none too sound. But August has him as well now as ever he was; in fact, in the fast mile on tTie final day he drove Jewel Pointer into second place in a big field and went 2.7 4-5, the fastest time ever recorded for eight furlongs in a race at Alexandra Park. The way Jewel Pointer stands up to his racing is remarkable, and he must be an iron horse. Any distance, any conditions, and as often as required, he is there to play his part, and horses like Jewel Pointer are few and far between. BOTH BEATEN. To many the surprises of the meeting were the failures of Harold Logan and Wrackler to secure a stake. Harold Logan was admittedly unlucky in the Auckland Cup, and but for losing his position a quarter of a mile from home and then having to go round the leaders at the straight entrance, the chances are he would have defeated Carmel. However, no excuse could bo made for him. on the final day in the President's Handicap. In this race he had every chance, being up with the leaders early, but he did not finish on a3 well as expected. However, his defeats will not cause him to lose cast, as he is undoubtedly a great pacer. 1 Wrackler went fine races each day, but at the handicap was not good enough to win. The common-looking son of Wrack is a rare stayer and has great pace, but the handicapper has found his level, and it is not going to be easy for him to gather' in any more money. It is a pity there are not more opportunities for the champions to win stakes. There are only two or three meetings in a reason at which a horse of the calibre of Wrackler can hope to win a race. GREAT TROTTERS. No races arouse more interest than those set apart for the best straightout trotters. At the Cup meeting the array comprised many of the very best in the Dominion, and the contests proved thrilling and possibly the best of their kind ever staged here. The Rowe Cup was won for the second year in succession by Raima, but Mr. H. Lloyd's chestnut may have been a trifle lucky in defeating Surprise Journey. The latter won on the opening day and was then set aside to wait for the Rowe Cup, in which he was on, the limit. But the fates were unkind to his owner, and, instead of stepping off the mark with his usual smartness, Surprise Journey began so badly that he lost all his handicap and appeared to be in a hopelass position when he did settle down to trot. By this time Raima had secured the lead and was trotting in fine style, and his victory looked like being achieved easily. However, Surprise Journey, trotting brilliantly, gradually made up the ground lost at the start, and when the straight was reached he was going well and in a handy position. In the straight he finished gamely and solidly, but the task he had set himself was just a bit too much, and he could not reach Raima. BRILLIANT THREE-YEAR-OLDS. The ..meeting between Arethusa and Red Shadow had long been looked forward to. Both had proved themselves brilliant three-year-olds, and opinions were divided as to which was the better of the pair. They met on each of the three days, twice at a mile and a half and once at a mile and a quarter. On the opening day Arethusa gave Red Shadow 24yds in a mile and a quarter, and though she did not win she finished third, while Red Shadow failed ot get a place. Because of this the Derby was regarded as the best of good things for the filly, but the uncertainty of the sport was emphasised when Red Shadow, meeting her on even terms, downed her by a narrow margin in the record time for the course of 3.20 2-5 for a mile and a half. Those who watched the race care-1 fully expressed the opinion that M.j Holmes took Red Shadow too cheaply, ! and it certainly seemed so. The pair ] met again on the final day, when, owing to an absurd position created by the handicapping system, Arethusa was asked to give Red Shadow 24yds start over the same distance as the colt had beaten her the previous day when they met on even terms. As was only to be expected, Red Shadow won agaiu, beating the filly fairly comfortably, but he had to go 3.19 4-5 to win, which is a sensational effort for a three-year-old. i They are a brilliant pair, and all going i well will take the highest honours.

FAILED BADLY. Two of Auckland's best .horses, Gold Jacket and Kohara, failed badly in their | races. Gold Jacket's form was exl pected, because he had been working ; badly for months past, but Kohara had, i been recording such fine trials for S. I Groat at Otahuhu, that he was expected j to at least gather in some of the prize I money. In none of his races did he ! threaten to take a hand in the finish, I and his form must have been distinctly disappointing to his owner and trainer. i NOT SOLID ENOUGH. That Royal Triumph is one of the speediest young trotters seen in Auckland for • a long time there is not the slightest doubt, and before the meeting j opened there were those who ventured the opinion that he would prove equal Ito winning at each start. As it turned out he did not win either of the two races he contested, but he showed all his speed, only to put in a break each day which affected his prospects. There is plenty of time ahead for Royal Triumph, and if R. A. McMillan can only get him to go a little more kindly and not pull so hard in the early stages, Royal Triumph will be racing in the best company. WELLINGTON NEXT. The next meeting of importance which caters for high-class horses is that of the Wellington Trotting Club, and though Auckland stables are not likely to be very strongly represented numerically it is certain that more than one trainer will make the trip South. Jewel Pointer is certain to go, and the son of Logan Pointer, in his present form, should get some of the money, even should he fail to win outright. He was never better than at the present time, and though he established a mile race record for Alexandra Park when he stepped 2.7 4-5 to get second on the final day, that effort is not likely to earn him any penalty for two miles. As a matter of fact, Jewel Pointer has been particularly leniently treated by the liandicapper in his recent racing, and being a good horse at any distance it is difficult to keep him from gathering in stake money at his present handicap.