AUCKLAND TROTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 304, 23 December 1940, Page 10

AUCKLAND TROTS.

THE OPENING DAY. JUBILEE CUP CARNIVAL BRACKETED PAIR FAVOURITE. With a total of 143 acceptors for the eight events to be decided on the opening day—Friday next—of it*j Jubilee Cup meeting, the Auckland Trotting Club has every reason Vo look forward to the fixture in a spirit of optimism. The Cup itself hae drawn the best pacers in the North Island, while the South Island will be represented 'by Cruiser, Mongolian, Med Worthy, Bill 8., and Accountant, all good -winners over two mil as. The present favourite is Molly Direct, who ds bracketed with Ked Flush, both from M. Stewart's eta.ble, but she is closely pressed by Bill B. and Ned Worthy, with Accountant and the Josedale G rattan—Paraurl combination also held in regard. However, Josedale Grat'tan has by no means come through a good Cux) preparation. Not At His Best. Tlie Aimerican-bred stallion was sweating •freely iboth before ami after contesting the Free-for-All at the matinee meeting on Satin-day. He was on the big eide, and in addition was eore. The result was that he did not pace smoothly until tihe last half-mile was reached, when he began to reach out, and from that point on he ipu-t in some great work, to be a close third at ttlie end.

Hk trainer, P. J. Smith, ie not very optimistic a'lwut having Josedale Grattan thoroughly tuned up for the Clip, but nevertheless expeors him to go a good race, especially if the pace ha.ppene to be slow for the h'ret mile or so.

L On the other hand Bill 8., who arrived : at Epsom on Saturday, ie in the pink of condition, .and he ie expected to give a great account ot himself. His trainer, J. ("Scofty") Bryce, last year thought that whait beat the* Single B horse would win. ■but he went wrong on the eve of the meeting and was with drawn from all engagements.

C. S. Donald, the Belfast (Canterbury) 'breeder and trainer, took the Oui]> twelve monflia ago with the Jack Potte mare Marlenc, who won a double at the MetropoliiUan meeting last August, and then went on three months later to win the Xew Zealand Cup in (brilliant fashion. Accountant, another of Jack Potts progeny, will represent the stable on this occasion, an<l he can be relied upon to provide tough opposition, for lie ie a proved stayer, whose real ability has yet to foe thoroughly developed.