MATINEE MEETING AT AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25088, 21 January 1947, Page 4

MATINEE MEETING AT AUCKLAND

TROTTING

TWO-YEAR OLDS SHOW PROMISING FORM

Keen interest was taken by the large crowd at the Auckland Trotting Club s matinee meeting, which was held at Epsom on Saturday, in*the first race for two-year-olds held this season. A f* 6l ” of 12 youngsters, which are all engaged in the Great Northern Trotting Stakes on the second day of the meeting next month, took part. The Minor, a filly by Gaillard, impressed by her winning effort, but several youngsters performed creditably and are likely to show a lot of improvement by the time the Auckland classic is decided. True ' Belwin, Hendon, and Lady Bexley staged an exciting race for the minor placings, finishing in the order named with heads separating them. True Belwin was checked when Colinette l fell in the first two furlongs and he did well to finish in second place. Lady Bexley, which began slowly, finished fast over the last few furlongs. Titanapolis gave a good account of himself in the early stages, but he weakened at the distance. Sir Vivian, which is trained at Addington by J. Young, was nominated for the meeting but he was withdrawn on Saturday. The early favourite for the Great Northern Trotting Stakes. Sir Vivian has worked well at Addington, but he was off colour recently and missed several days work. Jottings

Now trained at Tinwald by S. T. Webster, Julie was in second I place until the straight was reached in the Vauxhall Handicap at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting, but she weakened in the sprint home and was beaten into fifth place. Ben Ledi lost his chance when he failed to go away correctly in the Electric Handicap at the Forbury Park meeting. Sabu indicated that he is returning to form by his third placing in the free-for-all at the Auckland Trotting Club’s matinee meeting on Saturday. Worthy Prince lost any chance he had when he struck trouble during the running of the Southland Handicap at the Forbury Park Trotting Club's meeting. The King Axworthy gelding has a fair turn of speed and he may race best in races of up to a mile and five furlongs. Parrish Lad has run two good races at his last two starts and he may spring a surprise shortly. Spelling

The four-year-old Lusty Volo gelding, Great Venture, which trotted well to win two of his first three races this season, has disappointed in his last three races by breaking at the start and he has been turned out for a spell. Good Record

Mandrake brought his record to three wins, three second placings and a third placing in seven starts, since being purchased by Mr W. E. Stickings early in the season when he gave a sterling performance tq .win the Southland Handicap by a length and -a half from Doonholme in 4rnin-25sec, from a 4min 37sec mark at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Dillon Hall and Fortunate was well back.in eighth place when the field settled down and it was not until six longs had been covered that his trainerdriver, C. R. Berkett, attempted tf> improve his position with him. With a mile and a half covered Berkett raced' him up to follow Stirling Castle and with three furlongs to go these two were followed by Doonholme, Limerick Pride, Horatio Nelson, Janet Hall, and Worthv Prince. Mandrake led into the straight and he appeared to have something in reserve as he sprinted home a comfortable winner. Mandrake’s next appearance will probably be in the Royal Handicap on the second day of the meeting and he should prove hard to beat from the 12 yards mark. Consistent

Allowed to go out 15-11 in the betting on the Electric Handicap at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, the consistent Special Effort, which has recorded a win and six minor placings in 11 starts this season, gave his usual honest display to finish in second place to Coral Princess in 3min 20 3-5 sec, time which would win -most of this class of race. Owned by Mr W. B. McCone and trained at Island Cliff by C. R. Grant, Special Effort is an aged gelding by Quite Sure from Avail, which is by Rey de Oro from Glade, by Logan Pointer from the Galindo mare, Merce. Special Effort has been penalised 12 yards for his placing, but this should not prevent him from taking part in the finish of the Stewards’ Handicap at Forbury Park on Saturday. Impressive

The Australian-bred Direct Heir, which left the maiden classes only a few weeks ago, attracted attention to his prospects by running the well-seasoned Double Peter to a neck in the free-for-all at the Auckland Trotting Club’s matinee meeting on Saturday. A five-year-old horse by Louis Direct from Heiress, Direct Heir, which is trained at Takanini by F. J. Smith, began slowly and, with a better start, he would pipbably have reversed placings with the winner. Left Several Winners

Glimpse, which was bred in 1920 by B. Grice, Winslow, died recently at Springston. A mare by Logan Pointer from a Prince Imperial mare, Glimpse was acquired by S. J. Thomas in the early part of her career and when she was retired from the race-track she left several good performers, including Royal Silk, Royal Thread, Silk King, and Twist to. Silk Thread and Gold Paper to Rey de Oro.