WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 206, 1 September 1936, Page 14

WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

ONE OF HIS BEST RACES. Trotting without mistake, Stalky was responsible' for one of his' best performances when he finished second to Vain Lad in the Introductory Handicap on Saturday,and the racing he . had at Cambridge evidently improved the Otahuhutrained gelding. Stalky has been in the novice ranks for a long time, but a repetition of his latest form would soon enable him to open his winning account. BROKE TWICE. But for breaking at the start, and then later in the race, Meadow King would probably have won the Royql Oak Handicap on Saturday. As it was, he finished five lengths away from the winner, Young Rodney. Meadow King showed great speed when trotting, but he is always apt to leave his feet. It should not be long before he atones for the defeat, as he looked a trifle big in condition and should be susceptible to improvement.

NELSPEAR FAILS AGAIN. Once again Nelspear has left her supporters wanting, and effort in the Introductory Handicap at Epsom on Saturday was a very disappointing performance. She broke and lost a little ground at the start, but had made up the leeway at the end of a mile. However, when asked for a little extra going along the back the last time she failed to respond, and her fifth placing at the finish was not very attractive. Nelspear has previously shown distinct signs of having enough speed to win a novice trotting event, but she will have to improve a good deal to merit the same cohfidenec as her supporters showed on Saturday. IN WINNING VEIN. A feature of the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday was the success of horses in which Mr. E. G. Bridgens is interested. His association with Dr. M. G. Pezaro in Vain Lad and Tollgate brought him two winners, while his interest in Nervie's Last, who gained a first and third placing, further augmented his winnings. Incidentally, the Takanini trainer F. J. Smith started five horses on the day and was successful with Vain Lad, Tollgate and Nervie's Last, while King's Guide ran second and Spessiva and Nervie's Last gained third placings. The only time lie failed to return a dividend was when Nervie's Last finished third in a six-liorse field in the August Handicap. WINNING OWNERS. The successes of King's Play and King Country placed Mr. W. Johnstone, with £305, at the top of the winning list of owners at the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting, while Dr. M. G. Pezaro and Mr. E. G. Bridgens were next with £'230. Mr. E. G. Bridgens, in association with Mr. F. A. Bridgens, also collected i-105 per medium of the success of Nervie's Last. Others on the list were: Mr. H. Hedley (£130), Mrs. V. Quill 11 (£125), Messrs. J. P. McKendry (£115), B. Dyer (£SO), C. Moran (£35), C. H. Trigg (£3O), B. J. Koulstou (£3O), E. R. Smith (£25), A. Laver (£25), Miss W. Griggs (£2O), Mrs. H. Metcalfe (£2O), Mr. L. N. Vernall (£ls), Mrs. F. Guerin (£10), Mrs. F. E. Piper (£10), Mrs. F. A. Vincent (£10,) and Mr. E. H. Cucksey (£10). HIS FIRST WIN. Although Vain Lad had been suffering from the effects of soreness in his latest work, he had evidently got through a lot of good work, as he paraded in excellent order for his engagement in the Introductory Handicap at Epsom on Saturday. He was fairly well backed, but at better odds than is usually associated with entrants from F. J. Smith's stable. At the start he went away smartly and took up the I running. He held sway for the rest of the | journey, and it was early apparent that lie would win. A feature of the gelding's . performance was the solid manner in •which he did his work, and he never looked j like making a . break. As it was Vain i Lad's first start in a race he can be ] expected to derive a good deal of benefit from the experience, and he should pay his ; way this season, provided he stands a preparation, as he is troubled with soreness. APPRECIATES SHORT DISTANCES. Although it was recognised that Nervie's Last had failed to stay in his last two, appearances over two miles, he was never- i theless entrusted with good public money j in the August Handicap on Saturday. How-1 ever, once again he failed to finish on over the final few furlongs, although it was better than the efforts of the Australianbred pacer at Cambridge and Glaudelands | last season. Later in the day he came out in the Massey Memorial, one mile and a i quarter, and on this occasion beat the opposition fairly comfortably. He went to ] the front at the start and turned for home , with about a length's advantage. He ' increased this to a length and a half by , the time the judge was teached. Nervie's: Last is a fine unhoppled pacer, who does | nothing wrong, and kept to sprint dis- I tances he would win a lot of races, though i he does not shape like a stayer. SHOULD REACH GOOD CLASS. With three victories to his credit in his j last three starts, there is no doubt that i King's Play is destined to take a high place among the pacers in the North island. On Saturday he was installed a warm favourite for the August Handicap. He began smartly, but his driver was content to drop in behind the pacemakers in fifth place, and he was still in this position when the field left the straight for | the last time round. King's Play made a fast move just entering the last half-mile, : and, sustaining his run, went to the front, j From this point on he never looked in ! danger of defeat, and his winning margin at the finishing line was three lengths. It was a very impressive performance, and as the son of Blue Mountain King is not troubled by a long journey his next few starts should again see him adding to his already good record. G. T./Mitchell, jun., turned the gelding out in splendid order, while his reinsmanship left nothing to be desired. j A SOLID PERFORMANCE. ! Prior to the Auckland meeting nothing had been working better at Epsom than Charteris Bay, anil although the bay pacer was set a hard task off 24vds in the Mount Eden Hittidicap he came in for good support. Charteris Bay was one of the quickest to find his feet, and when the field was fairly on its way was in third position. He was held in behind the leading pair until the top was reached, where he . quickly ran through to the front. He was ! still the pilot at the home turn, where j King Country challenged him. The pair then staged a rare battle, and it was only over the final stages that King-Country gained the advantage, to beat Charteris Bay by a neck. It was a very even performance. Charteris Bay was brought out again later in the day, but failed to show the same dash and was never in a promi•nent position after the first half mile had been covered. Charteris Bay, who was raced without straps, appreciated the heavy going, and he has only to retain his present form to take beating at his next appearance.