TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 183, 4 August 1936, Page 14

TROTTING.

N.Z. TRAINER RETURNS PROSPECTS OF LAWN DERBY. VIEWS OF E. J. KBifNERLEY. 1 lie well-known ex-Atklington trainer E J. Kennerley returned Irom Sydney to-day, with the bay mare Princess Onyx. It is/ Ins intention to take up quarters at I'.soni• and there is every chance of hies increasing his team with several new additions from the South. Kennfrley has been in Australia for nearly two years, and has met with a great deal of success. During the past season lie drove 30 winners, gaining live successes with Red' Direct and four with -Kemember Me. Commenting on trotting conditions in Australia Kennerley said that the sport was definitely booming in both West and Sonth Australia, an added fillip being the likelihood of several entrants from the Dominion for the Australasian championship to be held at Adelaide next January. The horses raced on the other side were of good class, and he is of the opinion that Lawn Derby is one of . the best pacers he has seen.

"When he won the Harold Park Handicap recently Lawn Derby put up one of the best performances of his career, and only a good horse could have gained success. The race is run on a three-lap to the mile track, and Lawn Derby was 3Gyds behind. He absolutely outclassed the opposition, and then registered 3.20 4-5," said E. J. Kennerley. "I was talking to W. J. O'Shea, the trainer of Lawn Derby, just after his success, and by the way lie spoke there is practically no doubt that the Australian, champion will visit Addington for the New Zealand trotting meeting," he added.

Asked about the Victorian horse New Derby, Kennerley said that lie had great speed, but was inclined to be erratic at tlie start, and he was just as likely to stay at the barrier as strike a gait. Several trainers in Sydney would like to visit the Dominion, and there was every possibility of S. McMillan bringing a team over shortly. He had some good horses, and among those likely to make the trip were Marble Bar, McGee and McGinty. The trio were all good sorts, and would win races in the Dominion. I

Kennerley's charge, Princess Onyx, was only sent to Sydney about a month ago, but was not raced. She won a couple of races at the trotting gait, one at New Brighton and another at Greyniouth, but it is the intention of her mentor to change her over to the pacing gait, and she has already been working with the straps.

< I WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES. i —— f TRAINER INDISPOSED. D. Cook, who at one time was associated with several prominent Auckland trctting stables, and was training at Epsom for ! some months, has been forced to take ; an extended, rest owing to ill-health. ; NOT BEING HURRIED. Indianapolis is not being asked to do " anything that will encourage speculators, but a steady course of training undor C. 1 Dunlevy at Addington apparently sug- ■ gests a New Zealand Cup preparation. Months of idleness cannot help a eliam--1 pion, but possibly the Oainaru meeting in I October may find Indianapolis and Roi ! I'Or engaged in a battle that will fit them for the New Zealand Cup. A BRILLIANT PACER. Blair Athol's finishing run in the Allaged Stakes at Ashburton last season I showed him to be a game racehorse, and | with any luck in the running he would | have troubled the winner, Pot Luck. Durj ing recent months he has been given a | spell, but his entry for the Advance Hani dicap at Addington suggests that his trainer is well satisfied with his condition. Blair Athol is set the difficult task of giving away 12 yards over a mile and a quarter to a number of smart pacers, but lie is such a good beginner and such a' genuine race horse that this task may not prove beyond him. M. B- EDWARDS' TEAM. Mi B. Edwards has a' formidable team to represent his establishment this season. With War Buoy- and Gamble eligible to compete in the next New Zealand Trotting] Cflp he has a very strong claim to some I of the rich prizes that will be available at Addington in November. War Buoy lias recovered from the mishap that befell him during the latter part of last season and is in excellent condition to receive the fast work to fit him for serious contests. Gamble has been doing road work and is in good condition to undergo a thorough preparation. Craganonr is still in active training, and he is fit enough and capable of winning races, provided he has them run to his liking. The gem of the team is Frisco Lady. She is a model of fitness, and if good looks count for anything she should reach the highest class. Gold Tinge has never been in better order than at present, and on soft ground she has few peers. Nobleman is well, forward for immediate racing, but the two-year-olds, Frisco Boy and Zincali, are on the easy list. Phalario is a handsome colt. He is by Jack Potts ' from Flossie Dillon, the dam of Tom Thumb. He is a two-year-old and showed great promise in his early training, but he developed a splint and had to be thrown out of work- Other members of Edwards' team are Red Flush, a half-brother to Gamble by Frank Worthy; a colt by Frank Worthy from Bertha Bingen (Nelson Bingen—Bertha Bell); and one by.Frank Worthy from Wharepiana.