AUCKLAND CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 200, 24 August 1937, Page 14

AUCKLAND CLUB.

UNHOPPLED HORSES. THE TWO MILE EVENT. SWORDSMAN WILL BE FANCIED One race that can always be relied upon to provide the public with plenty of interest ie the unhoppled event for straight-out trotters, and the Royal Oak Handicap, to be run at Epsom on Saturday next, should prove no exception. The class is up to its usual standard, and at j this stage the issue appears to be open. Bronte is more than useful in this class, and being a very 6peedy sort over the first mile, he is sure to 6et a merry pace. He raced Te Kahu for nearly a mile and a quarter at the Auckland fixture in June, and will only have to repeat that effort to have prospects. Roi Grande, who is also on the limit, has shown no form for a long time, besides which he is susceptible to bleeding, and he will have to show some form before being recommended. Making his first appearance for over twelve months, Carl Mack went an exceptionally good race to finish third on the second day of the June meeting and slight improvement upon that effort would give him a chance. He possesses plenty of speed and now that he has had the benefit of racing should be ready to stay out two miles. As the result of the racing he had last season Swordsman is beginning to show more solidity, and he should not be long in rewarding his owner, Mr. W. Hocking, for his .patience. This colt.is aristocratically-bred, and claims some of the beet trotting blood in--America. He has more than average speed, and ~his r prospects off 24yds look-second to none. Swordsman has been working in approved style. - - ..." Tan John is the only entrant from outside the Auckland province,- and-it is not known as to whether he will make the trip north. However, should he come he will make his presence felt, even though he failed at his last appearance at Epsom. On that occasion he was not at home in the heavy going, and broke when a mile 'had been traversed. According to Teporte from Waverley, he has been getting through some useful work of lateThere is little doubt that Te Kahu is one of the speediest trotters in the Auckland province, but he finds it a shade beyond him to run put a good two miles. However, he is a very reliable sort, arid will be up with the leaders early in the contests, and for this reason has to be taken into consideration. Young Rodney has been getting through his tasks at headquarters in -approved style, and little fault can be found with his condition. He ran two splendid races at the Auckland June fixture, but found the task of giving away such a big start a shade beyond him. He is now meeting the field on better terms, and the Nelson Bingen gelding may be equal to gaining a place. L. Laver will drive him. - Meadow King is the back-.marker on 106 yds behind, and he would have excellent prospects should the going be holding on the day. He is one of Auckland's most able trotters, but is apt. to leave, his feet in the running. He will not be neglected.,

Swordsman looks like being the favourite with plenty of attention paid to the chances of Te Kahu, Young Bodney and Meadow King. '