IMPROVING PACERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1937, Page 21

IMPROVING PACERS.

KEWPIE'S KING'S PROSPECTS.

CONSISTENCY OF FRANK BEST.

Attention is always drawn to the novice and improving class events by reason of tne fact that it is from these races that the future champions emanate, and although only half the present season is over there are already some very promising improvers unearthed. Taking into consideration only the horses trained in the Auckland province. Keiiworthv. Kewpie's King, Our l'eggy, Frank Best and Axminster may be the best to follow. Kenworthy has raced very consistently of late, and this season he has started on eleven occasions for two firsts, three seconds anil two thirds, leaving four unplaced performances. Kenworthy displayed his best form to date when lie won the Kangitoto Handicap at Epsom recently. He conceded a field of improving pacers 36yds, and always looked a winner over the final furlongs, after being •well back in the middle stages. Jt was a brilliant performance, and there is no reason to doubt that he will develop into a stayer. Kenworthy is a son of Frank \V ortliy from a Peter Moko mare, and his fine efforts draw attention to the loss suffered by trotting through the early demise of the stallion Frank Worthy. The bay pacer has only to retain his present form to reach the highest classes.

One of the highlights of the recent meetings in Auckland lias been the displays of the chestnut pacer Kewpie's King. As a three-year-old Kewpie's King showed outstanding promise, but owing to recurring soreness had to be given a long .spell. After being off the scene, for over a season lie joined the stable presided over by C. H. (jroodall. and to this mentor goes a lot of credit for the manner in which the fon of Blue Mountain King has stood up to his racing. He had his first start for a long time when he competed in the Handicap on the second day of the Auckland summer meeting. Appreciating the soft going, he easily disposed of the opposition, and should have again scored- on the iinal day. as he covered more ground than anything in the race iind then gained second place. His next outing was at Epsom earlier in the month and he beat his opponents easily. Considering that he is a hard horse to keep on his feet the efforts were brilliant. Present intentions are to take Kewpie's King to the Wanganui meeting during Easter, and should he remain sound it ■will take a pretty good liorse to bring about his defeat. Kewpie's King is by Blue Mountain King from Kewpie. and w probably the best thrown by this fine brood mare, even though Kewpie's Triumph has reached a much faster mark.

The two effortless victories registered by Our Peggy at the recent Auckland meeting have drawn attention to the future prospects of this mare, and judging by her latest form she should continue to pay her way. , In both her races she left the opposition to it over the final furlong, and she should have no trouble in compassing a distance. Our Peggy has only been sparingly raced, and prior to Tier latest outings her best effort was to finish third in a novice event at Claude--1 mds. The bay pacer is by Our Thorpe from Flora Elmo, who is also the dam of Joy Bird, a very useful sprinter of a couple of seasons ago. Our Peggy should reach a high plane. Probably the palm for consistency should go to Frank Best, who in his last nine starts has won three times and been ♦second on four other occasions. The two defeats were recorded at Hutt Park, where the chestnut failed to leave the

mark either day. His effort in coming i from a long way back to win the Railway Handicap on the first day of the Auck-1 land February meeting was an excellent one and augurs well for his future. He phowed plenty of gamenesg over the last Jialf furlong and should have no difficulty jn getting a distance. Although he is as yet only a two-year-old, nothing shows more promise in Auckland than Axminster. This colt had his first start at the Auckland meeting earlier in the month. He began well and joined Horsepower in the lead with a little over three furlongs to go, the pair staging one of the best tussles witnessed at Epsom for some time, victory going to Horsepower by a neck. The defeat of Axminster was no disgrace, and the manner in ■which he bandied himself throughout the contest left a fine impression. A fine big colt, the son of Ringtrne and Great Eyre its yet shows "greenness," and the experience is sure to work a great improvement in him. Axminster, who is a halfbrother to those useful trotters Great Admiral and Golden Eagle, should turn out one of the best pacers produced in Auckland for sonic time.