ACTIVITY AT EPSOM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 205, 29 August 1940, Page 20

ACTIVITY AT EPSOM.

SATURDAY'S MEETING.

SEVERAL USEFUL TASKS.

CONDITION OF EQUIPOISE.

Inclement weather conditions failed to prevent a goodly attendance of spectators at Alexandra J'nrk this morning, when training Uisks wore carried out by local horses with engagements at the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting at Epsom on Saturday. Xo doubt a number of them put in appearance on the off-chance of witnessing some visiting performers in action, but they were doomed to disappointment, as the Hamilton, Cambridge and Ashhurst entrants will not arrive until to-morrow.

Thero wore some pleasing efforts, but trainers were not after time. Star Guide, wlio claims an engagement In the Grey Handicap ; Three Bolls and Nawton Parrish, Aup'.jst Handicap acceptors; Princess Linnett and Clay Pot (the two lant-nnmed iinliopiile<i) created favourable impressions. iwid they will luck nothing on the score c>l! condition when they step out on Saturday.

Practically nil of the work was done on Hie gniss track, on which Hie poles were oiit 50ft, but Kqnlpoixe was sent over a mile nnd a quarter iih the dirt by S. M. August. This brilliant pacer was under restraint thi-oiißliout, covering the distance in 2.58, the final hnlf-mile in 1.8. The Key do Oro horse has come on fast during the pnst fortnight, but he was tender when pulled up. and he is not likely to be at his best on Saturday.

The novice performer Magic Task, who hna ii nice turn o£ speed, was somewhat wayward while traversing a mile and n nuarter. but she came home well over the last half-mile in 1.11 2-3.

Auto Lad (W. Fleming) created a mild diversion when he broke badly at the start and fell, but he watt soon on his feet, and, later, showed speed while working over a mile and a half with Three Bells (E. N. Kennorley). The latter was on a tight. rein, slightly In front at the flnleh in 3.50 2-3, the sprint taking 1.10. Auto Lad Is very fit, but despite his success at Claudelands a few months ago,- he must still be taken on chance at the start.

Northern Smile (Little), an acceptor for the tlixt. division of the Mount Eden Handicap, was conceded 48- start by Blngen'a Best (J. Garnett) and Tommy MeKlwyn from . the mile and a quarter post, and (die was slightly in front at the end after running the distance in 3.11 and 1.14. It was, a nice effort, and Northern Smile is riot without prospects at the week-end. Tommy McElwyn is also in the pink of condition. Both trotting soundly, Kewpie's King (B. N. Keniierley) and Bon Haven (P. Ellin) took 5.1>0 to run two miles, with the former jiistt in front at the post. Kewple'H King was raced as a trotter at the Metropolitan carnival recently, .when he went badly.

The trotter Peter Harvester (C. M. Morrison) put plenty of heart into his work ae he ran away from Trafalgar Boy (D. Cook), and Port Chalmers (T. Roe) at the end of a mile and a half in 3.30, the final half-mile taking 1.14. This was Peter Harvester's best effort since he arrived here a few months ago.

Gold Kip (K. Bell) broke twice while going with William (I. Morrison) over a mile and a half, and the latter completed hie task nicely in 4.7, the last mile taking 2.38.

Clay Pot (J. Paton) unhoppled, .accom-* pa nled Bronze Queen (W. Clifton) over a mile and\ a quarter in 3.10, the sprint home taking 1.13. These two mares are very bright. ; Others to work satisfactorily were Portadown, Star Guide, Bedford/ Sweet' Aloes, Oreat Chum, Antarctic Star, Horl 'Bingen, Katooiuba, Princess Llnnett, Miinga Tangi and Nawton Parrlsh.