WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 21

WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

NOVICES ON THE IMPROVE. Golden Knight, who claims an engagement in the "Innovation Handicap at the Waikato meeting, was a competitor in the Introductory Handicap at Cambridge, but after having every chance failed and could only gain fourth place. However, he did not put a foot, wrong all the way, and maybe when he strikes a fine track he will be seen to better advantage. Golden Knight is an aged gelding by Gold Bell from Lizzie Franz and is trained at Hamilton.by W. Olliver. Another novice in the same stable who is likely to benefit from the racing he is having is Bachelor King, with whom a very patient policy has been adopted. He shows a good turn of speed, and he can be relied upon to go better later in the season. A LIKELY PROSPECT. Hori Bingen was not produced in the Introductory Handicap at Cambridge last Saturday owing to his late arrival at the course, but contested the Bruntwood Handicap later in the day. After his good form at Hawera he was installed a warm favourite. He had every chance, but the best he could do was to gain third place. He was in front most of the way, but began to stop soon after entering the straight. On a very heavy track the mile and a half journey proved a shade too far for the Peter Bingen gelding, and on his running it looked as if his connections would have nearly collected the thick end of the stake if he had been able to etart in the Introductory Handicap. However, he is again engaged in the novice events at the Waiakto meeting, and provided the going is fairly good he should have great prospects of winning his first race. BROKE BADLY EACH TIME. Prior to racing at the Cambridge meeting nothing had been working better at Epsom than the Australian-bred pacer Star Pronto, but in his two races lie tailed to go anything like steadily and could only gain a minor place. In his first start in !ho Leamington Handicap he broke up badly in the first furlong and lost a lot of ground, while he also failed to go steadily when once settled down, tie showed fine stamina over the last couple of furlongs, and on the strength of the effort was elected a strong favourite for the Bardowie Handicap. Once again he ailed to strike a gait at the start and was a long way back with half a mile to go. He then set out after the leaders and, showing all his fine speed, was only half a length away from the winner, Silk Cord, at the Sing post. It was a great effort and it is a pity that he cannot be relied upon to pa?e steadily all the way,, ae there are few faster pacers in commission.