WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 45, 23 February 1931, Page 13

WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

STILL UNLUCKY. The black pacer Prince Pedro, one of E. A. McMillan's team, can be counted very > unlucky. To date be has not won a race, but several tiroes he has gone slashing races in his class to finish in a place. On Saturday he knocked G 2-5s off bis handicap in the 2.58 mile and a quarter, but the luck was once more against him, and in the last couple of strides he was touched off by the favourite, Grand Canyon.

TANGLED BADLY.

backers of Arapai were taking a short price about the son of Worthy Bingen in the Trial Trot, but the price didn't help, and instead. of being first home, Arapai finished last, and over a furlong from the winner. His bad performance was due to him refusing to strike a gait at the start, and ' even -when he did settle down it was not for long, and he was soon in the air again. Arapai may possess speed, but he apparently is not yet sufficiently solid to anpeai as a betting proposition.

DRIVES THREE WINNERS. E. Smith had a great day and drove three winners—Mountain Dell, Linnett the Great and Queen Elizabeth., Smith came out from England a little over twelve months, ago, and he quickly demonstrated.that there was little he had to learn about training or driving trotters or pacers. He has been most consistent at driving winners, and now ranks among the leading trainers of the Dominion. His success should ensure him plenty of horses to train. ' '

NEVER IN PICTURE. Lindbergh, after his 4.18 for two miles at Addington, ran seconds below that form in the Papakura Handicap. He went away right, but so slow was he to gather up speed that at the end of half a mile he was last, and a long way back in a well-strung-out field. He was in a better position .with a mile gone, but his prospects at that stage were hopeless, »as only a super-horse could have won from his position. Lindbergh eventually finished a long way from the money.

HER TRUE FORM. Those who know just how fast Parrish Belle can go a mile and a half were quite prepared to see 1 er win the Trial Trot, but they expected a bit better than evens about her. Reports of how good the Wangahui-owned Arapai was made the visitor a strong rival, but at the finish of the betting the Auckland mare had the call. When the start was made Arapai went to meces and was soon last and in a hopeless position. Parrish Belle swerved across the course and lost about 24 yards befc | re dropped into her stride. By_ tllis tl1 "® Lady Ena was out 100 yards ir front of the field, and had she been any good should have won. but _ Parish showed her speed, and P as °» . opponents as they we^ account, she was witlnn s u o tance of Lady Ena with ha there g. Her driver was content to sit tW till just before reaching the. strai h , w'li£n lie let her run to the fion , easing, up by a length aiul a ha . price was sliort, but it should i any bigger next time.

BENEFICE AGAIN.

Benefice continues to gather in the stake money for her. owner, Mr. R. J. Sterling, and she added the 1 apa- j kura Handicap to her tally;. Bnt it was a close thing between victoiy and defeat, and A. Bryce, who drove her, must have heaved a sigh of relief when her number was hoisted. Baron Bingen finished better than the Auckland mare, but failed by half a head, so the judge decided. Benefice lias sucli a lot of speed that she should win again in her turn, but from now on the job in front of her will not be easy.

A POPULAR WIN,

The most popular win was that of Mountain Dell in the Otaliuhu Handicap. The race was very interesting all the wav, with Genuine out in front making the pace. F. Smith did not bustle Mountain Dell, being content to hold a good position. Going along the hack the last time the field bunched and Mountain Dell'appeared to get pocketed for a furlong, but she was still handy at the straight entrance. In the straight Smith pulled her to the outside and the mare finished at a great clip. She woie Free Advicc down and won by a head. The daughter of Blue Mountain King has won nearly £1800 this season and is proving a wonderful bargain to her owner, Mr. H. Mitchell, who bought her for a "tenner."

FIRST AND SECOND,

Although Grand Canyon only got up in the last couple of strides to win the Waiheke Handicap there was a lot of merit in the performance, as ho might easily have been beaten after lie tangled for a few strides at the start and got into a bad position. He drew the rails, but missing the jump out he was cut off and with a furlong gone was 011 the rails in tenth position. When lie got a cliance Donald took Grand Canyon out towards the centre of the track and passed two or three horses, and three furlongs from homo he made a move to bridge the gap separating him from Carnui and Prince Pedro, who were cutting at cacli other in the lead. In the straight Donald had to drive Grand Canyon full out to get up and win by a head, but had it not been for missing the jump out at the start he would probably have won comfortably. Grand Canyon knocked nearly seven scconds off his handicap. is a good looking pacer by Wrack—Nell Pointer and won a race at the recent Forbury meeting. Later in. the day, when penalised 30yds, Grand Canyon ran second to June Nordica in the Mount Albert Handicap.