TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 68, 21 March 1934, Page 13

TROTTING.

WANGANUI MEETING.

THE FORM REVIEWED.

A VERSATILE PACER,

One of the most versatile horses about | is undoubtedly Smooger, as this pacer is both worked and raced at trotting and pacing gaits. When at his best Smooger is a horse of good class, and he was responsible for a pleasing performance last Saturday when he filled the role of runnerup to Worthy Light in the Wanganui Trotting Handicap. Last year he was successful in the same race, beating Raider by a neck and registering. 4.32 3-5. As the race will do him a lot of good Smooger may be seen to more advantage before j long. j NOMINATIONS ON FRIDAY.

Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for events to be decided at the Thames Trotting Club's annual meeting on April 14, will close with the secretary, Thames, or Messrs. Blomfield and Co., Shortland Street, next Friday at 5 p.m.

AN IMPROVEMENT. Supertax showed a big improvement to win the Autumn Handicap at Wanganui after failing to stay on in the Innovation Handicap, when he appeared a likely placegetter, at the straight entrance. The distance of the race he won was a quarter of a mile shorter than his first engagement, arid this made a big difference. Supertax is trained at Ashhurst by H. Garnett and possesses plenty of pace, while he makes no mistakes. A DOUBLE-GAITED MARE. Wraclcless, who annexed the Kirkwood Handicap, is a full-sister to Lord Wrack both being by Wrack from Noiseless, but whereas Lord Wrack is a pacer. Wrackj less won at the trotting gait. The latter i was only sixth fancy on Saturday, but she won very easily and, being particularly solid, her prospects appear bright for next Saturday's engagement in the Borough Handicap, for which she has gone back 24yds. Wrackless has been nominated for pacers' races at Hawera, so that she ip evidently double-gaited, a characteristic of Wrack's progeny.

WON COMFORTABLY. The Hutt-trained pacer Lord Wrack gave a very pleasing display when be won the Foster Handicap and downed a hot favourite in Anita Fame. Anita Fame and Lord Wrack set the pace all the way and were together at the straight entrance, but from then on Lord Wrack finished verv solidly and won nicely by a length. L. O. Thomas has the Wrack pacer in fane fettle just now and another race may go his way before returning home. Lord Wrack received his early education at Epsom under F. .T. Smith, but was then sold to a southern owner and was placed in Thomas' stable.

HOPELESSLY LEFT. No line could be gained on Bingen Chief's prospects of annexing a two-mile race on his running in the Wanganui Handicap last Saturday, as W. Cockbill s gelding was turned round at the start and hopelessly left. This was had luck for his connections, as the pacer was in great order, and opinions differed as to whether Worthy Light could concede him 36yds. Bingen Chief will have a chance to make amends next Saturday, as he figures m the Liverpool Handicap on 12yds whereas Worthy Light has gone back to .'Ads. Should Bingen Chief leave the barrier he should be very hard to beat.

PLENTY OF SPEED. Florrie Real revealed plenty of speed in her races at Wanganui, but did not stay on too well when the pressure was applied. In the Innovation Handicap she was out ten lengths in front half a mile from home | but she then began to stop, and 1 bntlock beat her home by three lengths. Florrie Real was tenth selection on the machine and her owner, Mr. I'. Carmichael, just missed a very good win. Later in the day Florrie Real competed in the Autumn Handicap, and her form was a repetition of the earlier race, but on this occasion she finished third. Possessing plenty of speed, Florrie Real has only to develop a little stamina to be a good proposition for a novice race at one of the minor meetings.

PROSPECTS RUINED BY BREAKING. F. J. Smith's maiden trotter Bell Heather, was a disappointment at Wanganui on Saturday and her connections cannot understand her display, as she liad been trotting very solidly at Takanini. Tn the Kirkwood Handicap she broke badly at the start, but showed great speed to be -up in the lead after going six furlongs. However, another break rmned lwr prospecte and she was well back at the finish. Bell Heather was formerly trained m the south bv E. E. McDermott and gained a couple of minor placings in better class events, but she is never hkely c -,T top class, although, should F. J. Smith get her to control her gait, the . c j ia "®f s she would win a race for the Takanim trainer.