TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 246, 18 October 1939, Page 14

TROTTING.

SATURDAY'S RACING.

UNHOPPLED DIVISION.

GREAT SURPRISE TO REAPPEAR.

Xo small degree o? interest will be taken in the unhoppled trotters at the Auckland Club s meeting, which is to be held at Alexandra Park on Saturday and Monday next. There are two races for horses of this gait, and one of the fastest young performers seen in Auckland for some time is due to make a reappearance in the Mountain Handicap, a race over a <! ikl a half with a limit of 3.40. inis is G-reat Surprise, a five-year-old gelding by Surprise Journey from a Great Audubon mare, and winner of two races last season.

The Mountain Handicap should be keenly contested, the improvers engaged confusing the issue. Take Air Pilot, 1' ion tier Boy, Gay Moko and Decoy Bird, for instance. All lour are winners, and they showed improvement last seasoi . Air Pilot won the Koyal Handicap at Epsom on May 31, defeating Within, 48 yards, and Frontier Boy. 12 yards, in 3.40, Within going one better later in the day to take the Members' Handicap. Gay Moko won two events and was in a minor place on five occasions out of her last eight starts. That was good form, and it is in her favour that she is exceptionally fit at the present time. Frontier Boy has plenty of speed, but has spoilt chances of adding to his winning record by breaking. However, it was noticeable that he was trotting more solidly towards the end of last term. Next comes the Wrack gelding Decoy Bird, who ran 4.47 from 4.57 to win the Members Handicap at Claudelands in May last, and who definitely is a good trotter in his class. He is on 24 yards here and lias bright prospects. Great Surprise, who is now trained by that astute mentor ,J. T. Paul at Mangere, created a deep impression by the manner in which he simply played with the held in the Stewards' Handicap, a mile and a half, at the Auckland winter meeting. Gay Moko was second that day and they were both on the limit, whereas now Great Surprise has to concede Gay Moko 24 yards. That is not beyond his capability, if he is fit and well, and although he was spelled after winning, it is unlikely that Paul will not have him in good racing condition. The back-marker is the former champion. Nell Volo, 156 yards behind. by her form at Aldington in August, Xell Volo is no back number. She broke up badly at the start of a race there, the mistake costing her 80 yards, but even then she finished in a place. Slower Class Race.'

In the slower class Waitemata Handicap, also a mile and a half event, the seven on the front include Margin and Snow Cloud. Margin showed distinct promise when she ran second to Sir Tony in the Introductory Handicap at Epsom last August. She i« only a young mare, aged six. and she should go on improving. Snow Cloud, a Guy Parrish gelding, also showed up in that event, and he was not tar away from the three leaders as they passed the winning post. Both horses should run good races.

Ihose oil the 48 yawls line include Elliotvale and Sir Tony, recent winners on-the Auckland course; Barney Bingen, who was successful on the last country circuit; and Redmond's Pride, whose first at Wanganui in March last was full of merit; and Great Guv, second to Redmond's Pride. .These five 'horses are also engaged in the Green Lane Handicap, a five seconds tighter class, on the second day, and they may be better suited there, for they will be racing off the front, unless one of them is penalised for a win in the Waitemata Handicap. This is a distinct advantage, as they are so much less likely to meet with interference from wayward front-markers.

Sir Tony proved himself a good sort when he won, while Elliatvale is very speedy, but is liable to' leave his feet when under pressure. The day Redmond's Pride scored at Wanganui, he ran the mile and a half in 3.36 from 3.49, after leading all the way. He is on 3.45 here. Much the same remwk applies to Barney Bingen as that associated with Elliotvale, but flip latter appears to be the better horse, judged by the form thejj displayed last year. As indicated, this should be a very interesting event, and the running of it will probably throw a revealing light on the prospects for -the Green Lane Handicap on Labour Day.