TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 33, 9 February 1937, Page 14

TROTTING.

AUCKLAND MEETING. THE FEBRUARY HANDICAP. RACE FOR UNHOPPLED HORSES. CHANCES OF WINNIE PARRISH. One of the best races on a trotting programme is the event for square-gaiters, and the Held in the February Handicap at Epsom on Saturday looks certain to provide a splendid contest. Several of those engaged have recent form, and the presence of a couple of visitors will also add interest. The following is a review of the candidates' form: — Great Sonoma is a fairly consistent customer, but is apt to make several breaks on the journey. He does not lose much ground, however, and his speed usually curries him into a prominent position. He failed to go steadily in his races at the Wellington meeting, and will have to show a good deal of improvement to hold his own on this occasion. Imposture is a double-gaited horse and has won races in both departments. He is a long-striding gelding, and may go better than generally expected. Mute had a couple of races at the Auckland summer meeting, but failed to finish on, even though he displayed plenty of speed in the early stages. The outings are sure to have done him a world of good, and he is the most likely one to bring about a surprise. Winnie Parrish failed both days at Hutt Park, but the effortless manner in which she disposed of the opposition in her only start at Epsom during the holidays will ensure her having plenty of friends. One thing in her favour is her solidness, and she may be the favourite. Swordsman, after several disappointing displays, was responsible for a good performance in winning the two-tnije trot at Wellington, and appears to be improving with age. Swordsman is a very speedy colt, but is apt to leave his feet. Should he trot correctly all the way on Saturday he ehould be very hard to beat. Audo Patch is a useful sort, but is not the best of stayers. He is in great order, but will have to show improved stamina. Debutante is a visitor with a reputation, and has won three of her laet eix starts, besides gaining three placings. She is a very smart sort and has registered some good performances in middle class fields in the south. L. F. Berkett is an adept in the handling of trotters and Debutante should go well. Mountain Sun has been off the winning list for some time, but has gone useful races. His fault is that he usually does something wrong at a critical stage of a 1 race, and there is no reason to expect him to do better on this occasion. Te Kahu only started on one occasion at the Auckland summer meeting, finishing second to Meadow King over a mile and a half on the second day. He has previously shown his ability to etay and is a very likely customer. Gala Day is displaying of pace in her work at Epsom and she appears to be thriving on the work being allotted her. Gala Day, however, may appreciate a shorter distance. Roi Grande has not raced for a long time, but at his best was a good trotter. He has not done much work since resuming and may be all the better for a race. Meadow King is the backmarker on 120 yds and is set a very difficult task. He is a great trotter, but is now on a mark from which he can make no mistakes. A soft track would enhance his chances. It is a very open race, but some that to be well fancied are: Winnie Parrish, Te Kahu, Swordsman and Debutante. A MATCH RACE? INDIANAPOLIS V. LAWN DERBY. According to a southern writer arrangements are likely to be set in train for a match race between Indianapolis and the Australian champion. Lawn Derby. Visitors to the inter-Dominion championships at Adelaide are universal in the opinion that there is little between these epeed merchants, and on records theA is nothing much in it. Should the race eventuate its success would be assured. Lawn Derby is a stallion and does not wear a boot of any description and can race with or without hopples. He has a record of 2.3 1-5 to his credit over a threelap to the mile course, while he has traversed a mile and a half in 3.16. W. J. O'Shea. who won a number of races in the Dominion, trains the horse, and would be the driver if his owner. Mr. J. F. MacKenny, decides to make the trip. WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES. MAY BE WORTH WATCHING. Accel, who claims an engagement in the Waiheke Handicap at Epsom, is a member of F. J. Smith's team at Tilkanini, and is a bay mare by Acron. She has yet to start at a totalisator meeting at Auckland, but at the Ngaruawahia meeting she was successful. In this event she displayed a nice turn of speed and is a likely-looking novice. On the strength of that effort she is sure to come in for solid attention when she lines up on Saturday. CONDITION OF TRACKS. That dirt tracks wear out is evident by the condition of the Addington and the Forbury courses (states the Christchurch "Star-Sun"). The officials in charge of the grounds at Addington have taken steps to restore the course, and already one thousand loads of suitable soil have been carted on to the outside at the eastern end. It is intended to remove the soil near the inside fence and replace it with new material. For some time past the footing hae not been satisfactory and many horses have lost their balance on it. The course at Forbury is in a worse state than the Addington track, and is in urgent need of treatment. At the recent meeting at Dunedin owners and trainers complained about the powdered and lifeless condition of the soil. The water-car was used to keep down the dust, and this formed a crust which gave away in large pieces and caused many reliable pacere to act badly.