NATIONAL WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 184, 5 August 1936, Page 20

NATIONAL WEEK.

OPENS ON SATURDAY.

ADDINGTON TROTS

NOTES ON THE FOBM. Grand National Week at Christchureh will be inaugurated next Saturday, when the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club wih open its August meeting at Addington. Splendid acceptances have been received for the respective races and the sport should be of the highest standard. Nine is the smallest field engaged in any race and the class throughout is representative of practically the best of the southern horses in commission. The programme wiil open with the Introductory Handicap for unhoppled trotters. Gala Day is the only Auckland

entrant, but she would have to improve on past performances to hold her own in this class. Little Rita, Sister Mary and

Tyrone Lass may be the best on the limit, while Great Wood and Helen's Bay raced prominently during last season. Reward

and Wahnooka may be the pick of the others. The favourite division may comprise the Sister M< ry-Keward bracket, Great Wood and Helen's Bay.

The splendid performance of Blair Atliol last season will guarantee the chestnut plenty of support in the Advance Handicap, and his prospects appear excellent. Golden Mist did not meet with the best of luck at his last appearance, but is reported to have furnished into a splendid pacer. Greeumantle lias the ability, but is a trifle erratic at the start. The American horse Gallant Knight has been a trifle disappointing in his last few outings, but

as it was his first season in New Zealand he can be expected to improve. Stirling Lady gained her last success at Forbury Park in May, but has failed at her last four starts. Grand Finale and Lone Derby will appreciate the soft going. Blair Athol is likely to be favourite, with Golden Mist and Gallant Knight also well backed. The Chief Event. The princpial event, the August Handicap, comes next, anil there is plenty of material for a surprise. Of the five on the limit, nothing makes more appeal than Grand Mogul, who at his last four starts gained three firsts and a third jilacing. Southern critics reckon him a real champion, and he is nicely placed in this event to extend his already good record. Gold Tinge and Queen Author are partial to heavy going, but Kingcraft has shown 110 form for some time over two miles. l)e Soto recorded two splendid winning efforts at the Auckland winter meeting, and he should again collect some of the jirize money. Llewellyn's Pride is a useful sort, who can usually be relied upon to go a sound race, while Key Spec would only have to begin reasonably well to have prospects. Tempest will be coupled with Grand Mogul, and the bracket is assured of big public support. Rollo has previously shown to advantage in soft going, but Willow Wave, on the same mark, makes i.iura appeal. At the Forb iry meeting in

May this pacer gained eiTortless viclories in the principal two-mile events, and a repetition of that form would give him a chance here. Sunny Morn is getting on, while Red Shadow and Harold Logan, may need racing. The Grand Mogul-Tempest bracket will most likely get most support, with De Soto next in request.

One of the hardest races on the pro

gramme is the Trial Handicap. Eighteen Carat won several laces last season, including the Invercargill Cup, while Frisco Ladyis probably the best filly raced for some time. Although beaten in the All-aged Stakes at Ashburton, ■ she made amends lor the defeat by winning at her next appearance. She lias shown plenty ox stamina over the final stages of her races, and she should not 'be troubled by the two miles journey. Happy Knight won a couple of saddle races in effortless style towards the latter end of last season, and On Parade has shown definite signs of improvement by gaining a first and second placing at his last two starts. Southern Smile has good form to her credit, and she completes a strong limit brigade. Big Author gave great promise last season, but then dost form, .and tlie same applies to Isabel Derby. The backmarker is Pot Luck, and he is probably the best of the three-year-olds raced last season. A feature of his efforts was his fine stamina, and he will play a prominent part in the decision of this event. Summed up, those that appeal are Frisco Lady, Pot Luck and the bracketed Happy Knight and Eighteen Carat.

The better-class trotters are catered for with the Stewards' Handicap, in which there is a field of twelve. Flotsam has not laced for some time, but cannot be dismissed, while the best of the others on the limit may be Guy o' Mine and Sandy N. Discord has won three of her last four races, and she appeals as the logical first fancy. One thing in lier favour is that she rarely does anything wrong. Air Flow is brilliant over a mile and a half, but is a trifle unreliable at the start. However, her fine speed will ensure her playing -a prominent part throughout. Teviot Downs and Norma Bingen have the ability, but do not always produce their best. Bessie Parrish is reliable, and with Sea Gift may be tlie best of the backmarkers. A preference may be shown for Discord and AirFlow. '

Bonny Azure's Prospects. The Queen Mary Handicap will hold a lot of interest for Aucklanders, as the brilliant filly Bonny Azure will be making lier first appearance in the South Island. She is on 24yds, but, a reliable beginner, she should not be troubled by the handicap, and her prospects look good. Gay Gordon promised to reach a high grade a couple of seasons ago, but then developed unsoundness and was given a long spell. Ho has not raced for some time and may need racing. Noble Prince has fine speed over short course's, but may be troubled by the two miles journey. Bingen Palm has just returned from a spell, but usually laces better fresh. Avernus and Craganour liave chances, while Grand Mogul may be started in the August Handicap earlier in the day. A pair that have prospects are Bonny Azure and Bingen Palm. Although he is a slow beginner, Gamble looks well placed on 24yds in the Sehvyn Handicap, and the brilliant son of Jack Potts is sure to take a deal of beating. Rocks Ahead and Young frank are a pail' on the front who will ensure a merry pace being on all the way, while De Soto's chances may be governed by his running in the principal event. Mocast and Gunfire have prospects, but one that makes more appeal is Graham Direct. He is partial to soft going and will get plenty of backing. Gamble, Graham Direct and Rocks Ahead may be the best backed. ,

The day's programme will conclude with tlie open sprint, the .International Handicap. The Dunedin owner, Mr. G. ,T. Barton, has an excellent chance of completing a winning double with Cloudy Range, and the chances of the bay pacer look second to none. Supertax and Sure will command respect, but the sole Auckland representative. Kewpie's Triumph, does not appeal. Worthy Light may be the best of the others. Most money may come for Cloudy Range, Sure and Supertax.