TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 12

TROTTING.

AUCKLAND MEETING. UNFAVOURABLE CONDITIONS. HIGH-CLASS PACERS IK ACTION The sport provided at the summer meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club was of a particularly high standard and it was extremely bad luck that the club was not favoured by better weather. As it was they showed a fairly big increase, but there is little doubt that had it been fine for both the second and thir 1 days totalisator receipts would have been the largest handled for some years. Trotting appears to be definitely on the up grade in Auckland and it promises to reach the same high plane of popularity it enjoyed some seasons ago. j RACED DISAPPOINTINGLY. j A surprising feature of the running of the Auckland Trotting Cup was the two breaks put in by Grand Mogul. He tangled when going fast with a round to go, and later after recovering most of the lost ground he again left his feet crossing the top. On the second day he failed to handle the going, and after holding a prominent position with three furlongs to go began to drop back, and was soon out of the contest. His form was too bad to be true, p.nd it would not be surprising to note the southern pacer ] showing to more advantage in his next few starts-. One thing is certain, and ' that is that he cannot hit out the same when the track conditions are riot favourable. AN EASY WIN. One of the easiest wins at the Auckland meeting was that of Derby Lu in the Xew Year Handicap. She was one of the smartest to hit her straps, and when the field was properly on their way was some three lengths in front. She held her advantage throughout, and never looked in danger of defeat over the latter stages of the race. Derby Lu started a strong second favourite, and evidently she was expected to be all the better for the run she had on the second day, when she failed to show up. Derby Lu is off the front of the Cambridge Summer Handicap at the country fixture on Saturday and she only needs to reproduce the same form to take a lot of beating. I SECOND EACH DAY. The most consistent pacer -at the meeting was Frank Best, who contested the novice races on each day. He appeared to be a shade unlucky not to win the December Handicap on the first day. as his driver appeared to miss a golden opportunity of going up to the leaders as they raced across the top. H e was then forced to make his run on the rails and it was not until well into the last furlong, that he was able to get through. He finished on, and was onlv a length and a half away from the winner. True Trust, at the post. The second day F. J. Smith took the reins behind the gelding. but once again he had to be content with second place. He looked a certain winner just after straightening up, but Molly Direct had too much in reserve, rrank Best did not appear'any the worse n ,' lls ° u tings when he competed in the rarb Handicap, and his coupling with Musketeer installed the pair a strong first fancy. Frank Best was a trifle slow to begin, with the result that he was back in about tenth place when the field went alontr the baqk the last time. His driver took him up fast from this on, with the result that he was showing out in front as they turned for home. He appeared certain to be rewarded for his consistency, but over the last furlong his stable mate Musketeer had too much in reserve and beat him by a length and a half. Frank Best has now run four seconds on end. and surely deserves to bf-eak his maiden status. He will be taken to the Cambridge meeting on Saturday and the son of Frank Worthy should <>ave bright prospects on the country course. GREAT MUD LARK. Red Shadow gave out distinct signs of leturning to the winning list when he acted as runner-up to Indianapolis in the New Zea'aud Trotting Cup, and it was confidently expected that the chestnut stallion would take a lot of beating in the Auckland Cup. He was set a hard task off <SOyds and it was not made any easier with the pacemakers running their hrst mile a half in 3.17. He finished on gamely in thrf last furlong, but could not make up leeway and had to be Content with third place. As he is recognised as a really great horse in heavy going there was never any doubt that he would take a lot of beating when harnessed up for the Champion Handicap, one mile ani a quarter, on the second day. On this occasion the slower going pulled the leaders up a little and when the field came round the home turn Red Shadow was within striking distance. He came through on the rails in the straight and got up to win by a neck, but was going away. He gave the opposition 60yds on this occasion, and when the going was still heavy on the last day and he was conceding the same horses only the same start over six furlongs further, the result looked a foregone conclusion, and so it proved. The chestnut was in third place as they went along the back the last time and assumed command as they went across the top. From then on the issue was beyond doubt. Red Shadow was produced in rare order by the veteran trainer J. Bryce and the stallion's condition did him credit. Red Shadow is on a very difficult mark, but whenever the track happens to be soft lie will continue to take a lot of beating.

NICE CUT OF IMPROVER. A nice sort of young pacer in Trustworthy won her first race when she wan successful in the December Handicap on the first day of the Auckland meeting. She_ had only had her first start at the Waikato meeting a fortnight before, and it was a very solid performance to win at her second abearance. Trustworthy was always well up in the running, and moving up at the home turn came home very truly to defeat the opposition. She competed in the G.N. Derby, but failed to act in the going, and was never going kindly. Trustworthy should develop into a good sort with experience. A FINE PERFORMANCE. The chief event of the fixture, the Auckland Trotting Cup, was annexed by a local borse in Kingi; Warrior, who was responsible for the best race of his caieei. He was laine a week before the meeting and his trainer, F. J. Smith, was not sanguine that the black pacer would see the post. However, he improved as the days passed and on the Saturday, thre<? days before the fixture opened, he was given strong work over several circuits. He pulled up all right and was sent to the post. King's Warrior began better than treual an<l when the field settled down he wa« in a handy position behind Smooger, who was setting a very willing pace out in front. Smith took the son of Blue Mountain King to the front as they came round the home turn and he finished on in very game style and at the post was three-quarters of a length ahead of Rey Spec.- It was one of the best performances registered at Epsom for a long time and he was given a great reception. He was sore when he pulled up and it was only because the conditions were heavy that he was started on the later days of the meeting, but he did not show the same dash. It is a pity that King's Warrior knocks his knees so badly, as lie is probably one of the best horses bred locally for some seasons. He is now being given a spell and will not be required to race for some time.