TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 156, 3 July 1937, Page 25

TROTTING.

LIKELY IMPROVERS.

PACERS IN AUCKLAND. FUTURE OF SANDUSKY. GREAT PROMISE OF KING'S PLAT. Now that the North Island trotting season has concluded, many are speculating as to the future of several of the winners seen out during the preceding twelve months, and as it is from the improving classes that champions emanate a good deal of interest is always taken in these events. The quality of the candidates 6een out this year have not appealed as equal to previous seasons, but all the same some splendid racing was provided, The Auckland Trotting Club has enjoyed a better year than for some time, and now that the sport appears to be gaining popularity it would be pleasing to note trotting on the high scale of rive years or so ago. However, to get back to horses, some of the most likely prospects seen out this season may be Sandusky, Axminster, King's Play, Crocus and Kenworthy. They have delighted trotting enthusiasts with some splendid displays in their racing at Epsom, and each horse seems destined to take a high mark. Related To Bonny Azure. Sandusky is probably the best two-year-old raced in Auckland for a long time, and he should have no trouble in holding his own with the better-class horses. He has had only five races to date, and in each of his last four starts has paid a dividend. The first effort to attract the attention of the public was when the black pacer was decidedly unlucky in not finishing closer than third at the Thames fixture. He followed this up with an impressive victory over a mile and a quarter at Awapuni, scoring comfortably after being nearly knocked down half a mile from home. His next appearance was at Claudclands, and again the gelding struck trouble in the running, but was finishing on in fine style in second place. His recent form in gaining second place in the Sapling Stakes, after being in trouble three furlong from home, in etil 1 fresh in the minds of backers, and it may be mentioned that practically every South Island critic is unanimous in the opinion that Sandusky should have won. Present intentions are to take the youngster to Hutt Park next month to contest the three-year-old classic.

Sandusky is a half-brother to the brilliant pacing mare Bonny Azure, and is by Jewel Pointer from Bonnie Bingen, a mare who has proved an unqualified success at the stud. In his races Sandusky has displayed courage of the highest order, and he gives every indication of developing into a stayer. Another juvenile to show exceptional promise was Axminster. a member of J. T. Paul's stable at Mangere. He only appeared on the one occasion, this being in the North Isiand Challenge Stakes. He wan always in the firing line, and when tackled by Horsepower at the entrance to the straight the pair had a battle royal, and it was a treat to watch both youngsters display such fine courage. There was only half a head in it at the post, but the margin was against Axminster. Since that effort he lias been enjoying a spell in the paddock, and it is unlikely that he will race before the Auckland summer meeting. Axminster is the first of the progeny of Ringtrue to face the starter, and the latter promises to get some fine pacers. Axminster is out of Great Eyre, a failure on the race track but a fine success at the stud. She is the dam of Golden Eagle and Great Admiral, two splendid trotters, who won several races on the local courses. Axminster will probably measure strides with the best of the three-year-olds when the Great Northern Derby comes up for decision, and his supporters are confident that he will not be disgraced.

One of the finest prospects over two miles may prove to be Kind's Play, who this season has won four races. His form has been of the highest class am! it does not trouble him what the distance is. as he can both sprint and stav. A tendency to break has mined his chances on several occasions, but even so he has been one of the outstanding performers. He has covered two miles in 4.25 2-5, and this is one of the best times registered over the distance, apart from the Auckland summer meeting, when the going was very fast. Xow that the opportunities for King's Play are fewer in Auckland he will probably be sent south to compete against, the better class horses and he will disappoint if he fails to hold his own.

He is a five-year-old by Blue Mountain King or IMcr Bingen, but displays many of the characteristics of the former stallion and good judges are inclined to the Australian-bred horse being his sire. Blue Mountain King was reckoned to be one of the best horses ever brought to the Dominion, and but for unsoundness his record would have been an outstanding one. As it was he won an Auckland Cup and should have won the following year, but had to be content with second place. Kenworthy Consistent. The most consistent pacer of the local brigade was, perhaps, Kenworthy. who did not run a bad race right through the season, with the exception of the recent Auckland meeting, when he failed badly on the second day, but the going was atrocious and there was every excuse for any horse being beaten. On the Taranaki circuit Kenworthy raced at each meeting and was placed in each of his many outings. One of the features of his racing has been the splendid courage displayed by the gelding over the final stages of a race. Some of his efforts from one of the back marks have been really fine, and as he lias already shown his ability to run out two miles he should have no trouble in further contributing towards expenses in the ensuing season. Kenworthy is a most solid pacer and can be relied upon to record a sound performance whenever he is produced. He is a son of Frank Worthy, who met an untimely death while at the stud in the south. He did not receive many opportunities, but sired some more than useful pacers.

Although Crocus has only won one race few would be prepared to suggest that the bay pacer would not win any more, and judging by the promise she has shown at her last two appearances she should reach a much tighter mark. She opened her winning account at Epsom in April, and one was impressed by the manner in which she responded when asked for a little extra over the final furlong. At Epsom the other day she did not meet with the best of luck in the running and it would have taken an outstanding performance on her part to have won on the day. Crocus was not raced until she was four years old and it is not surnrising that she is beginning to show the benefit of having been given plenty of time. She is a daughter of Great Bingen. whose stock have been to the fore during the past season. Great Bingen was one of the earnest pacers ever to look through a bridle and he registered some high-class performances before his opportunities grew so few that ther* was no option but to put V.:.r, to the stud. He took a record of 4.19 2-5.

There are several more horses raced throughout the season that may see a much better day, but the above five appear to be the logical choice. The better class horses, like King's Warrior and Bonny Azure, have been left yut, as they have now worked on to a mark from which their opportunities are iiw «n<! far between.