TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 252, 24 October 1934, Page 18

TROTTING.

AUCKLAND MEETING. WORTHY LIGHT'S RECORD. REALTY RETURNS TO FORM. Prior to the Auckland meeting nothing had been showing more speed in his work at Epsom than Realty, but the bay gelding had disappointed so much in the past that | he had to be taken on trust in his engage- ! ments, On the first day he competed in I the I'arnell Handicap against a field of well-performed pacers. Always in a handy I position, lie came away at the bottom of the straight and never looked like getting beaten. On Monday lie collected another win when he annexed the Junction Handicap. Both victories were registered in very impressive fashion, and now that Realty has regained his best form he may go on to further successes. NIMBUS SOLD. Nimbus, who finished third in the Parnell Handicap on Saturday, has been sold to Mr. E. J. Parkes, and the chestnut gelding has joined L. McMahon's stable at Whangarci. Nimbus was only recently acquired by Mr. C. Moran, and in his only two outings he has finished third. A levelheaded pacer, the son of Wrack should soon rcjiay some of his purchase money. HAS THREE ENGAGED. With Indianapolis, Mountain Dell and Tempest engaged in the Free for All, of a mile and a quarter, on the third day of the Metropolitan meeting, the Dunedin owner, Mr. G. <T. Barton, holds a very strong hand. Tempest is a new entrant for this class of race, but he is regarded as a very brilliant pacer, and little inferior to his better-known stable mates. NOT HIS BEST FORM. The three-year-old Proletarian raced very disappointingly in both of his engagements at the Auckland meeting and the bay colt is not living up to his very promising work at Epsom. Ojj the first day he failed to leave the mark correctly and tailed the field all the way. In his effort on Monday he skipped at the start, but soon ran up handy to the leaders, but lie never seemed to be pacing correctly and he finished well back. Although it is hard to advance any excuses for Proletarian, it is not his best form, and he may yet redeem himself. WILL IMPROVE. Great Chum was only produced once at the Auckland meeting, when he competed ill the improvers' Handicap on the first day. He went oft smartly, but his driver did not bustle him, and the gelding was lying fifth practically all the way. He made a bit of a run in the straight, but tlie leaders had too much of a break, and he had to be content with the minor money at the finish. Great Chum is improving all the tunc, and this season should sec the sou of Nelson Bingen and Harvest Home reaching much better comMIGHT HAVE BEEN EIGHT. The Takanini trainer l'\ J. Smith harnessed up five winners at the Auckland meeting, but with uny luck he would have improved upon his tally. On the first day Wee Machine would have nearly won the I'arnell Handicap but for breaking early in the race and losing fully 40yds, as lie was only beaten by a little over a length. Later in the day Ganton was stopped at the start by Wiriwhata and lost a lot of ground and. then ran Manna's Son to a length. On the second day, but for a bad beginning, War Girl would have nearly won the October Handicap.

DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE. For a horse who claims engagement in the New Zealand Trotting Cup next month, Impromptu was responsible for an inglorious display on Saturday, the gelding tangling and skipping nearly all the way, to be eventually pulled up. In the Labour Day Handicap he paced a much better race, and, although lie eventually finished last, the early effort of getting up to fourth place with a round to go was too much for him. At his best Impromptu is a brilliant pacer, but he will have to improve upon his Epsom performances to have a chance in the New Zealand Trotting Cup. A BRILLIANT HORSE. Worthy Lijjht continues to add to his already long list of successes and ho added two more when he won both days at the Auckland meeting. Since he commenced racing in the 1032-33 season \\ orthy Light hae> had eighteen starts for thirteen firsts two thirds and three times unplaced. It is u most impressive record, and there is no doubt that Worthy Light is one of the most brilliant pacers to race in Auckland for some time. He has won over practically all distances, possessing both speed and stamina. It is the intention of his trainer. F. J. Smith, to take Worthy Light to Addington next month, where he will start oil' 4.28 for two miles, and the little chestnut has excellent prospects of further adding to his laurels. He will need to register one more victory before he can be nominated for the Auckland Trotting Cup at the Auckland meeting at Christmas.

TWELVE NOMINATIONS. Twelve horses' have been nominated for the Free for All, of two miles, to bo decided on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Clubs spring meeting, and all with the exception of Pegaway will race in the Cup on the first day. A great beginner, Harold Logan will have an opportunity of picking up the lap prizes, besides tlie major end of the purse of £500, but there are several horses who will keep the little pacer up to his work, and these include Indianapolis, Red Shadow, and Roil' Or. In certain quarters the last-named is favourite for the New Zealand Cup, and his three performances of better than 4.15 for two miles entitle him to consideration in any field he is asked to meet. The field for this Free for All may be still further reduced, for earlier in the day a big attraction to owners is offered in the Courtenay Hanoicap, 4.28 class, of £750. Two races each over two miles in one afternoon is a big task to demand of any horse.