TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 156, 29 March 1926, Page 5

TROTTING

WELLINGTON CLUB’S MEETING SOME EXCELLENT RACING ARMSTRONG HANDICAP WON BY CARDINAL LOGAN One of the best day’s trotting seen ,in Wellington was provided at Hutt Park on Saturday at the autumn meeting the Wellington T tot ting Club. Fortunately for all concerned the southerly storm exhausted its violence during the night, and although the wind was cold and strong early in the day it gradually died away and the races were held under good conditions, the rain being insufficient to do more than make the "track a little soft. The attendance was large, increasing considerably after one or two races had been decided, and the ■weather conditions improved.

The chief event, the Armstrong Handicap, was won all the way by the favourite, Cardinal Logan, but it was an interesting and spectacular race throughout. It was pleasing to see the club’s 'enterprise in putting on a highclass trot rewarded with a splendid race between good horse's, who gave a firstclass exhibition of the straight-out gait. This is the fastest class for unhoppled trotters put on by any club in. New Zealand so far. A good stake was provided, and the result justified anticipations. It was a very fine race to watch and the three placed horses went across the line close together. Peculiarly enough, too, the winner was the rank outsider of the party, and gave her supporters a handsome return. Visiting horses ran prominently, but four local-ly-trained animals were equal to winning.

The new totalisator which has been erected with a double face so that it is clearly visible to all patrons proved a great boon to speculators. The sum of £21,701 10s. was handled on the eight races. There was no previous autumn meeting for the purpose of comparison, but although the club has had ‘a better day so far as investments go, . it must be regarded as a very satisfactory total, and with the fine racing .witnessed there is no doubt that the trotting sport is now firmly established on the. road to sufces in Wellington lhe field for the opening event, the Improvers’ Handicap, was in capital line when the start was effected, but all the front division, with the exception of All Fours, failed to go away, and she was quickly in front with 'a good lead. Steel Wire was not long in catching the leader, the pair being several lengths fn front of the rest of the field. Positions were not changed till about a furlong from home, when Steel V’ire drew away and won comfortablv. The winner is locally owned and trained, and the success was popular He is a useful sort by Havoc. All Four is bv Brent Locanda from a sister to Ribbonwood, and is owned and trained in the Nelson district. She is a quality-looking mare, but not a good staver. The rest . of . the. field gave poor displavs, manv beino* a long way behind the leaders at, the finish. Direct Tod and. Lansdale were quickest away in the Beach Handicap, and like the pair in the first race got a btcr brake on the rest of the field. With n round to go, Shine Soon moved up and caught Direct Tod a quarter of a mrie from home, finally winning comfortablv. Shine Soon was -bred in Southland by -Messrs ■ Stenhenson and McMatch, and is by Harold Rothschild from the New Zealand Cup winnerWin Soon. He raced well at the New Brighton meeting in the two-mile saddle event. Shine Soon has a somewhat laboured action, hut is a good stayer. Direct Tod had every chance, but he is not a good staver, and the last Quarter of a mile found him out. Arike, who began' very slowlv, finished fast in third place. He might have troubled the first pair had he got awav fast. His Pal was hampered at the start by those in front of him failing to begin right, but he finished well. Denver Wood began well, but in a few yards mixed his gait and settled his chances. Zolock Palm, the favourite, was never d-angerons, nor was Bold Bill. Pearl Coronado threatened danger about half a mile from home, but failed to sustain her effort. Hardy Grattan won the mile and a half harness race for trotters in convincing style. He began well, and took the lead early, winning comfortably. Hardv Grattan is owned and trailed by E. Maidment, who has been associated with the sport for a great many vears The winner is by Hardy Wilkes, a great trotter in his time, from Grattan Chimes, another good ■ trotter, and is becoming much more solid in his races. He has a rather extravagant action in front which may prevent" him ever staying too well. Molly Audubon, who was very much on the light side, showed a fine turn of speed, but did not keep steadily to her gait She seemed to interfere with Some Jazz entering the straight for home. Some Jazz trotted well, showing a lot of speed, but she faded out at the end. Miss Leda finished up fast. Fancy Pronto was a hot favourite, but at no stage looked like winning, giving a very indifferent display. Black Palm . would not' settle down to solid work, and Hillgrove 'gave a very poor showing. Cardinal Logan was made favourite for the chief two-mile harness event, and he began smartly, led throughout, and won by about two lengths. The winner is by Logan Pointer from Lady Superior, and has gradually worked himself into -good company. He is a particularly free-gaited pacer, and goes without any gear excepting hopples. In his early racing he gave indications of being a non-stayer, but he has im- * proved in stamina. He is held under lease bv A Hendrickseti, who drove him with great judgment. Becky Logan had to be content with second place, and she is somewhat unlucky in meeting pacers'who improve a little more than she does, and thus get the big part of the stake. She paced a fine race all the way. Doctor Dillon finished fast and just beat Judge Hancock for third place. Judge Hancock went a fine race, making no mistakes throughout the journey. Talent evidently found the pace too solid. Native Chief began badly, but he picked up his ground quickly. The effort took a lot of the Bteam out of the three-year-old, and he was beaten a quarter of a mile from home. Fashion Queen began right, but she had no chance over the concluding stages. The race was a really fine one, the field bunching before half the distance was covered. Firpo was a hot favourite for the mile saddle event, and he won deciiively. Making a quick beginning, he went to

the front with Cora Tacks and led the 'field throughout. Rons tried to catch the leaders, but failed, and Firpo won easily. The winner is a big gelding bv Hal Zolock, and is trained at Lower Hutt, but was ridden by S M. August, who has prev’ouslv been associated with the winder Rons has been an tinlnckv rrmre as she has not on to a bad mark wF-hont winning a "ood stake Shine Soon went a soh’d race, and had n bn' -1 rassane ; n tire enrlv stages His Pal performed most indifferently ft was a verv poor contest for such a bi" field, as a number in the race nevei looked to have any chanct from the rommencement.

The club was well rewarded for its enlernrise in catering for the pood trotters and placing a Jmin. 42sec. class on it? programme. There was a f , 04' 1

of nine, and it evoked some spirited speculation Peterwah was made favourite, with Master Audo and Betty Moko next best backed. The contest was a really fine one, although at one stage it looked as though it would be a one-horse affair. The finish was quite a close one, the winner, Betty Moko, and John Mauritius crossing the line with only heads between them. Bonny Spec is owned in South Canterbury and trained by R. Townley, who has been very succesful with trotters. She is a plain-looking mare by Bon Patch, but a rare good stayer, and has a fair turn of speed. She began well in the race, but at the end of half a mile broke up and lost a good deal of ground. Gradually making up her lost ground, she finished fast, and just gained the victory. Betty Moko trotted a fine race throughout. The Auck-land-owned mare is only 4 years old, and she lias shown that she is a highgrade trotter. Betty Moko is not yet at the top of her powers, and should make further improvement. John Mauritius greatly improved on his form at New Brighton as he trotted a brilliant

race. He broke in the first half-mile and lest "groeud, but once he settled down at the end he trotted brilliantly. Peterwah, who-was a good favourite, showed more speed than anything in the race, but a couple of bad breaks settled his chance. Had he kept steady he could not have lost. Master Audo led the field till well in the straight, when he was hard pushed and went to a brake Rose Bingen did not go steadv. and Mangautu broke up at the start. Young Blake did not seem to be able to go with the front division, nor did Wild Lad, who gave a very poor showing The race provided a good deal of excitement, and there was plenty of enthusiasm at the finish. Yoicks was favourite for the Bel-’ mont Handicap, but he did not begin right, and at no stage looked to have a chance. Zolock Palm also misbehaved at the start, but he got into his gait quickly, and over the.last half mile put up a fine run, and won decisively. Zolock Palm is a bad horse at the barrier, but he is a rare good stayer, and lias plenty of speed. His success was most popular. Van Rich paced a sound race throughout, but had no chance with the winner Mabon’s Day stayed out the journey well, and had he got a good run at the end might have been troublesome. Bold Bill is achieving some notoriety as a bad beginner, and unless this promising pacer mends his ways in this direction, be will be expensive to his backers. Ladv Ballin went well for a mile and a half, and then was finished. Peter Elect at no stage threatened danger. Denver Wood is not at present racing up to his best form.

On All Bell’s showing in the Armstrong Handicap earlier in the day, he was a firm favourite in the five-horse race in the concluding event, and there was also good support for the trotter Peterwah. In the finish, however, neither had any chance with Talent, although All Bell ran a good race, while Peterwah lost stake money through breaking at the top of the straight when racing hftndv to Talent and '.MI Bell. Fashion Queen lost all her chances at the start, and Golden Devon also did not begin as well as expected.

DETAILS OF THE RACING IMPROVERS HANDICAP (harness), of 125 sovs.; 3.50 class. Ono mile and a half. G Mr. T, Twomev’s b. g Steel Wire, bv Havoc—Wild Cry, mare, aged, 12yds (Owner) 1 1 Mr T Newman’s ch. m. All Four. fivrs.. limit (L. Birkett) ’’ 8 Vnserq ■'r^rr e nrie Brothers’ ch. m. Tui Wildwood, 3yds., limit (E. Maidmnr) 3 (Winnet trained by owner, Lower Hutt.) Also starter): 4 First Imperial, limit; 2 Wee Gus, limit; 5 Silvie Logan, limit; fl Rar Gold. limit; 10 Pointerwood, limit; 7 Noble Dillon, 48yds.. behind; 3 Little Hum. COyds. behind. Won by half a length, four lengths between second and third. Silvie Logan was feu”" and Lit"’' .H.i ,ip . nevi. Timet. if Jn’.. ' . ~'W.

BEACH HANDICAP (harness), of 150 sovs.; 3.38 class. One mile and a half. 2 Mr. T. Royal’s oh. g. Shine Soon, by Harold Rothschild—Win Soon, syrs., 36yds. behind (M. B. Edwards) 1 18 Messrs. D. and A. Anderson's b. g. Direct Tod, Gyrs., limit (J. Longelly) 2 3 Mrs. E. L. Poundsford’s br. g. Ariki, 3yrs., limit ... (W. Bryce) 3 (Winner trained by M. B. Edwards, Belfast.) Also started: 12 Hope Dillon, limit; 4 Denver Wood, limit: 15 Mary Brown, limit; 19 Limsdale, limit; 16 Beatty, limit; 17 Airman, limit; 14 Dillon’s Pride, limit; 8 His Pal, 12yds. behind; 10 Van Rich, 12yds. behind; 11 Golden Bubbles, 24yds. behind; 13 Lottie Advance, 24yds. behind; 6 Bold Bill, 24yds. behind; 1 Zolock Palm, 36yds. behind; 7 St. Fillan, 48yds. behind: 5 Pearl Coronado, 60yds. behind; 9 Henry Logan, 60yds. behind. Won by three-quarters of a length, five lengths between second and third. Dillon’s Pride was fourth, and Bis Pal close up. Time, 3min. 32sec., 3min. 35 2-ssec., 3min. 37sec.

KAITOKE HANDICAP (harness), of 125 sovs Trotters; 3.52 class. One mile and a half. 4 Mr. E. Maidrnent’s blk. g. Hardy Grattan, by Harry Wilkes— Gratan Chiiiies, syrs„ limit (Owner) 1 5 Mr. T. B. Louisson’s b. m Molly Audubon, Gyrs., 60yds. behind (L. Burkett) 2 9 Mr. R. Vautier’s blk. g. Some Jazz aged, 192yds. behind (W. Hughes) 3 (Winner trained by owner, Petone.) Also started: 8 Hillgrove, 7 Miss Leda, limit; 2 Black Palm, 24yds. behind; 1 Fancy Pronto. 43vds. behind; 3 Wakefield,' 60yds behind; 6. Sarsaparilla, 72vd.4. behind. Won by eight lergths, ten lengths between seepnd and Miss Leda was another length away, and Black Palm was next. Time. 3min. 48sec., 3min. 48 2-ssec., 3 min. 45 2-ssec. ARMSTRONG HANDICAP (harness), of of 500 sovs.; 4.36 class. Two miles. 1 Mr. A. Hendrickson’s b. g. Cardinal Logan, by 'Logan Pointer—Lady Superior, 6yrs., limit (Owner) 1 3 Mr. E. J. Gathorne’s b. m. Becky Logan, aged, 12yds. behind (F. - Holmes, jun.) 2 7 Mr. J. G. McGregor's br. g. Doctor Dillon, 6yrs., 36yds. behind / (A W. Broughton) 3 (Winner trained by owner. Halswell.) Also started: 5 Talent, 12yds. behind; 8 Dick Dillon, 4 Native Chief, 2 Judge Hancock, 9 Fashion Queen, 24yds. behind; 6 All Bell, 36yds. behind. Won by two lengths, four lengths between second and third. Judge Hancock just got beaten for third money, with Talent and All Bell next. Timea.3inin. 3750 c., 3min. 38sec.. 3min. 37 3-ssec.

MEMBERS’ HANDICAP (saddle) of .£175 sovs.; 2.24 class. One Mile. 1 Messrs. Nesbit and Heathcoto’s blk. g. Firpo, by Hal Zolock— Proceed, 5 years., 12 yds. behind S. M. August 1 8 Mr. E. O’Neill’s b. m. Rona, 4 years, 24yds. behind (A. W. Broughton) 2 10 Mr. T. Rogal’s ch. g. Shine Soon, 5 years, GOyds. behind (M. B. Edwards) 3 (Winner trained bv B. 11. Nesbit, Lower Hutt.) Also started.—l2 Kiwitea, 16 Pillage, 8 Cora Tacks, limit: 2 His Pa 1,14 Limsdale 13 Abundance. 12yds. behind; 5 Direct Tod, 4 Why Worry. 6 Mahon’s Day, 24yds. behind; 7 Biddy Logan, 3 Winter Audubon, 36yds behind, 11 Pearl Coronado. 15 Rita Rye, 60yds. behind. Won by two lengths, 6 lengths between second end third. Cora Tacks wns fourth, and Pearl Coroado was next. Times 2 min. Iflsecs., 2min. 18secs„ 2min. 17secs.

WELLINGTON HIGH-CLASS TROT (harness), of 100 sovs.; unhoppled trotters only 4.42 class. Two miles. 9 Mr. A. Smith’s b. m. Bonny Spec, by Bon Patch--Mambrino King, mare. aged. 12yds. behind (R Townley) 1 3 Mr. T. Brady’s b. m Betty Mok'o, 4yrs.. 48yds. behind (F Shaw) 2 4 Mr. H. Archer's b. g. John Mauritius. aged, 12yds. behind (E. J Smith) 3 (Winner trained by R. Townley, 'Winchester.) Also started: 6 Young Blake, limit; .5 'Wild Lad, limit: 8 Manbontu 12yds. behind i 8 Mask Ando. 24yds benind; 1 A

Peterwah, 48yds. behind; 7 Rose ->ingen. 72vds. behind. . , Won by a head, a neck between and third. Peterwah was three lengths away, with Master Ando next. 1 lines, 4min. 44 4-ssec., 4min 42 3-ssec., 4min 45 L-ssec.

BELMONT HANDICAP (harness), of 150 sovs.; 4.52 class. Two miles. 3 Messrs. J. E. and H. L. August’s eh. g. Zolock Palm, by Hal Zolock —Mrytle Palm, aged 36yds. behind <S. N August) 1 9 Mr. R. Vautier’s b. g- Van „ syrs., 24yds. behind (W. Hughes) 2 11 Messrs. Haase and Marshall s cli. g. Mahon’s Day, 6yrs.» 24yds. behind (J- Pu « h > 3 (Winner trained by J- E. August, Lower Hutt.)

Also started: 5 Lady Ballin, Limit; - Peter Elect, limit: 8 Sparkling Chimes, limit; 12 Airman, limit; 10 Golden Morn, limit; 7 Denver Wood, 12yds. behind; I Yoiclcs, 12yds. behind; 6 Kibinngi, 24 yds. behind; 2 Bold Bill. 36yds. behind. Won by two lengths, the. same distance between second and third ling Chimes was close up, follow'eil Denver Wood and Peter Elect. Tinies,

4min. 47sec., 4 min. 48 2-Efr’ec., 4mln. 40 3-ssec.

RECOVERY HANDICAP (harness), of 225 sovs.; 2.52 class. One milfc and * a quarter. 3 Mr. W. F. Magson’s blk. g. Talent, by Colin—Betty Martin, aged, 36 yds. behind (L. Frost) 1 1 Mr. G. Paton’s blk. g. All Bell, aged, 60yds. behind (Owner) 2 4 Mr. Valborn’s ch. g. Golden Devon, aged, 48yds. behind (Owner) 8 (Winner trained by H. Frost, Christchurch.) Also started: 2 Peterwah, 12yds. behind ; 5 Fashion Queen, 3Gyds. behind. Won by two lengths, four lengths be-tw-een second and third. Peterwah was fourth. Times, 2min; 52sec., 2min. 49 2-sseo., 2min. 53sec.

TROTTING AT HUTT PARK