TROTTING TRACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 10, 13 January 1931, Page 10

TROTTING TRACK.

VERY QUIET MORNING

MOUNTAIN DELL RETURNS.

Though the conditions were good at Epsom this morning the work recorded was most uninteresting. There arc not many horses at headquarters engaged at the Northland meeting, and those that are were, with a couple of exceptions, not asked to work fast.

]?. Smith was the early bird and gave his team, Pavlova, Carl Alack and Man-o-Bellc easy tasks. Carl Mack is coming along nicely in his tasks.

Explosion was worked unhoppled over several circuits at the trotting gait. He moved freely and isin good condition to undertake approaching engagements.

Oliver Thorpe (Willetts) and Prince Etawah ((Shepherd) were strapped up and went a mile and a half. They ran the lirst half in 1.10, mile in 2.19, and then Oliver Thorpe drew right away from his companion and ran the mile and a half in 3.30 1-5. Prince Etawah paced well for a mile, but he tired badly from then on. '

Dad's Hope (Clifton) was sent a mile and a half. He went the first half in 1.10, mile ii) 2.22 4-5, and the full distance in 3.33 2-5. He was never asked to do his best and could have knocked something oft' the time.

A. Julian was easy with his team. He had Etta Cole out jogging in. the tsulky, the first time she has been harnessed up since the Auckland Cup meeting , .

Rolfe Audubon and Worthy Cause were given several sprints, over a furlong. Rolfe Audubon is looking better than for some time t > Lady Ena trotted solidly without showing a, great deal of pace when going a mile and a half. She was jumped off from a flatfooted stand two or three times and began quickly on each occasion. Mountain Dell put in an appearance again after her , short rest since ehe raced at the Cup meeting. She was not asked to do other than a little jogging. Margaret ■ Wallace (Sandall) and Nathaniel (Willctts) jogged several rounds, and then sprinted a half in 1.7. They were then eased up and went at half pace for the remainder o£ a mile and a quarter. Margaret Wallace is very well, but Nathaniel appears to bo carrying a lot of condition and he did not finish with any daeh. Gold Jacket (McMahon) was eent a couple of miles unhoppled. lie was allowed to run along at a fair clip all the way and he paced satisfactorily. He will probably be strapped up to-morrow and given a final workout to decide whether he goes south for the Gold Cup at Wellington on Saturday. Farrish Belle and Wrigley were out pottering about in the centre of the course. Others included' Vanity Boy. Lord Haldane, Karmri and Great Fame. Harold Logan and Native Prince went south last evening to contest the Gold Cup at Wellington on Saturday. Harold Logan has been working well at Kpsom, and he will get plenty of support. Native Prince is not likely to be fancied at the handicap. Jewel Pointer will go .south to morrow. He is such a genuine pacer that lie always has a winning chance.