TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 24

TROTTING.

WHEEL AND TRACK. GREAT FOUR-YEAR-OLQS. GAMBLE AND GRAHAM DIRECT With the season nearly concluded, and Graham Direct and Gamble in retirement, probably until next season, the performances of the two great four-year-olds is of interest. Both raced as two-year-olds, but owing to their coltish ways neither carried, the blue riband of a New Zealand Sapling Stakes winner. However; in their three-year-old period Gamble annexed the New Zealand Derby Stakes and Graham Direct asserted his superiority in the New Zealand Champion Stakes. Since then both horses have trained on to wage many battles, and there is a diversity of opinion as to which is the betu-r hoiise. From a time point of view Graham Direct lias the honours. He recorded 4.21 2-5 for two miles, when he ran second to Gamble in the Islington Handicap at Addington last August. Gamble's best effort over a similar journey is 4.23 2-5. During the three seasons they have raced Graham Direct has faced a starter on 44 occasions for 12 firsts, 8 seconds and 2 thirds. His total stake earnings is £3027. Gamble has competed in 25 events for 0 firsts, 8 seconds and 2 thirds for £2482 in prize money. Both horses are sound and well and have qualified for a 4.26 class, which is likely to be the limit of the next New Zealand Trotting Cup. They will then Iv 2in their fifth year, and their meeting with War Buoy, Tempest and Indianapolis, and possibly Willow Wave and Grand Mogul, will make the Cup event next season the greatest light-harness contest that has ever been staged in the Southern* Hemisphere. JUVENILE WORKS IN GOOD STYLE. The two-year-old filly liecky Direct is bowling along in good style at Addington. She is a well-grown juvenile and has shaped confidently in all her races. She is being got ready to compete in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, and while she may not be forward enough to beat Southern Chief in the big event at Ashburton in; June she promises to develop into a highclass three-year-old and play a big part in the three-year-old events next season. PULLED UP EARLY. After having been off the scene for over three years Our George was produced in the President's Handicap at the Waikato meeting, but looked very big and did not appear ready. He was up with the field for about a mile and a quarter, but after that began to stop, and with a round to go was pulled up. Our George is now trained by the Mangere mentor J. T. Paul, and although this trainer is recognised as a pastmaster at the trotting game he has a hard proposition to make a success of Our George. NOT A STAYER. , There is no doubting the fine speed of Worthy Princess, but until she learns to stay on better she is not a good proposition. In the Frankton Handicap at Claudelands she was one of the smartest to begin and settled down in about third position. She held her place until well into the straight, but once the pressure was applied she failed to put any dash into her work and faded out badly. Worthy Princess was produced in excellent order by W. Hughes, and when she strikes easier opposition she may be found taking a lot more beating.

PACED SOUND RACE. Taxpayer ran a good race in the President's Handicap at Oaniaru to fill fourth place. He was the baekmarker in a field of ten, having to concede an improving lot of pacers up to 48 yards. S. A. Edwards allowed him to make up his ground in a gradual manner and lie was close up in hfth place at the mile and three-quarters post. He came on to occupy fourth place, the distance he was behind the winner being given officially as three lengths and a half. As the winner, Grand Mogul, which was in front over the last mile and a half, paced the concluding four furlongs in 1.1 2-5, and the last two furlongs in 30 2-ss, it is obvious why Taxpayer could not overhaul Mr. Barton's speedy chestnut. In view of the pace set over the last mile, which was covered in 2.10 2-5. Taxpayer did well to concede Grand Mogul 3Gyds and finish as close as he did to him.