KEEN TROTTING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 38, 15 February 1943, Page 5

KEEN TROTTING

THRILLS AT EPSOM

BERKETT TAKES DOUBLE

Exceptionally exciting racing distinguished the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday, the largest winning margin in the eight eve ?. t , s , being the length which was credited to Black Label in the Railway Handicap. Several of the other issues resulted m "touch and go" decisions; for mstance: Safari, half head, in the Trial; Bel Hamed, short neck in Great Northern Trottiag Stakes; Numba, head, Royal Handicap; Parrish Lad, head, Otahuhu handicap; Modern Parrish, head, Mount Albert Handicap; and Josette, neck, in Papakura Handicap. The other winner, Douglas McElwyn, beat Robie by threequarters of a length in the February Handicap. The Holmes brothers, Maurice and Allan, carried off the honours in the Great Northern Trotting Stakes, Maurice driving the favowite, Bel Hamed, to victory by a neck from Allan's representative. Imperial Ledy. The youngsters covered the mile in 2.18, and it was a fine effort on the part of Bel Hamed to win, for she was very slow in striking her straps, with the result that Imperial Lady had about 30 yards start by the time the U Scott filly was pacing properly. The other juveniles were outclassed. A Profitable Trip The Richmond horseman, L. F. Berkett, only brought two horses to the meeting, and both were successful, Safari taking the Trial, and Douglas McElwyn the February. However, there is no gainsaying the fact that he was very fortunate to win the Trial from Forewarned, Mr. F. A. Bridgens' representative, trained and driven by F. J. Smith. Forewarned had run into the lead when several furlongs from the judge, and although hotly challenged by Safari over the concluding stages, he was comfortably holding the upper hand—by only a small margin, 'tis true—until Etta Girl, in trying to get through an impossible opening on the rails, caused a diversion, enabling Berkett to snatch the verdict. No Shortage of £.s.d. The weather was fine and the track was fast. There was a very large attendance. The totalisator handled £84,993, compared with £50,792 10/ last year, an increase of £34,200 10/.