TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 67, 13 December 1926, Page 15

TROTTING

WELLINGTON MEETING CONCLUDES GREAT BINGEN’S CHAMPION STAKES HANDICAP WON BY HOLLY BOY The summer meeting of the Wellington Trotting Club was concluded at Hutt Park on Saturday, in fine, but windy, weather. There was a very large attendance of the public, clearly indicating that the light harness sport has obtained a strong hold e on the Wellington public, and they witnessed some good racing. Particular interest was taken in the appearance of six champion pacers in the short limit stakes. It was a very fine contest, and was won in stylish fashion by Mr. J. R. McKenzie’s champion Great Bingen from Onyx and Prince Pointer. After the race the winner was paraded on the track in front of the lawn, and t|ie driver, D. Withers, was presented by the club president, Mr. R. A. Armstrong, with the gold-mounted whip, the gift Of Mr. J. J. O’Brien. Probably no better field has been got together in Australia or New Zealand, and the short limit was admitted by all trotting experts to be an advance on the usual free-for-all. The progressive policy of the club in thus attracting to its meeting the best class of horse in commission. is being rewarded by increasing patronage from the public. The .principal handicap saw a popular local win for Holly Boy, who, although now trained in Christchurch, lias his chief interests in Wellington. He won from Tom Thumb, who thus had to put up with two second placings, upon which an improvement would, no doubt, have been effected with a professional reinsman. There was an accident in the fifth race, the Poneke Handicap, when, running round the bend out of the straight the last time, Zolock Palm collided with Jolly Roger and Van Rich, the last-named falling, and Black Cloud coming down over him. G. Ca<Jdy, driver of Van Rich, received a severe shaking, while N. Kearns, driver of Black Cloud, escaped with minor bruises. It looked as if both horses had excellent chances ruined, while Jolly Roger’s sulky wheel was buckled and the tire punctured.. For the remainder of the race, about five furlongs, he dragged a wheel which would not turn, so as he got a very creditable third placing it will be seen that a stirring finish would have resulted had the accident been averted.

The totalisator handled £23,644 during the day, making a total of £37,978 10s. for the meeting, the figures for tiie first day being £14,334 10s., not' £26,812 10s., as previously published. There, is no previous summer meeting for the purposes of comparison. A fact worthy of note was the considerable improvement in form and machine support for some of the runners as compared with the opening day. PARK TRIAL HANDICAP. Cornelian was a red-hot favourite for tlie Trial Handicap, but after going unpleasingly most of the way the best she could do was a moderate third. Jessie Huon, off the front, made all the pace, but was outstayed in the finish by tlie local filly Tui Wildwood. Audubon Mac went off all right, but after having a chance half-way through dropped out. Bara Gold made a show--ing to the home turn, but was then beaten into a poor fourth, just in front of Trespass Great Earl paced well, but as "the winner went 3.37 from a handicap of 3.48, his chance of conceding her 132yds. was hopeless. PETONE HANDICAP. Great Elect was a hot favourite for the slow class unhoppled trotters from Trampcrisp and Tamerlane. There was considerably more support for Nelson Wood than on the first day, and he made no race of it, leading by a good margin from end to end. Great Elect looked like getting second until the last round when Brian > Bingen came along and beat him comfortably. Trampcrisp did not go away too well, but after getting up to third position half way through dropped out again. Tamerlane lost his chances at the start, and Harry Grattan broke early. Rebecca broke when in second place half a mi'e from home. MEMBERS HANDICAP. The mile 'saddle event saw Edith Locanda a good favourite from Bingen Lad with Whakuku well backed. The favourite did not begin too smartly, but once in her stride she went onto win easily. Whakuku began very well but failed to race up to expectations and was beaten for second by the Australian Kyana, who was also stopping at the end. Bingen Lad skipped a little off the work but really had every chance had lie been good enough. DECEMBER HANDICAP. Holly Boy, Tom Thumb, and Taurekareka were substantial favourites for the principal handicap. Brentloc, Tom Thumb, and Holly Boy joined company very early in the race, and set a pace which beat everything else. In the finish Tonpkinson completely overshadowed the amateur reinsman on Tom Thumb, and landed Holly Boy a winner by a small margin. Holly Boy has made wonderful improvement in his new quarters, and it is no reflection on his performance to state that Tom Thumb should have won. Brentloc stayed out the two miles well, and can be marked off to do better very soon. Taurekareka made good efforts to get within striking distance of tlie leaders until half a mile from home, where Countryman was going great guns, only to break up. Red Oak was prominent early, but broke badly, and Bing Boy did not go away. PONEKE HANDICAP. Meb, Zolock Palm, and Van Rich were good favourites for the secondclass pacers’ handicap. It was a great race till ■ five furlongs from borne, where Van Rich and Black Cloud came down, and Jolly Roger damaged his

sulky. But for this, the finish would, no doubt, have been a great one. Meb was always prominent, and eventually won comfortably. Jingal, who finished second, has an awkward style of going, but is a strong gelding, who finished solidly. D’Artagan did not stay, and Zolock Palm, when he brought about the collision, appeared to be shirking his task. CHAMPION STAKE. ‘ The Great Bingen-Acron bracket was a hot favourite lor the short limit race. Acron did not go off well, while Prince Pointer lost his advantage of 12yds. on Great Bingen, and actually conceded the champion a start. Onyx went to the lead and stayed there from the nunch, and on the last round Prince Pointer had run up .' to second place. Great' Bingen, however, was pacing Very solidly, and when asked for his effort in the straight won decisively from Onyx, who is coining back to form. Prince Pointer was close up, and' one would have liked to see him get away, on. his handicap instead of losing it. Tlie greater effort he had to make -in running told its tale at the finish,' and but for it would have made Great Bingen extend himself to the utmost.Ldgait ' Chief ran a fair race, but Waitaki Girl lias lost her form. Acron showed brilliant speed in patches. The, winner received an ovation’ from the crowd. .PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP. Master Audo was a solid favourite for the principal trotters’ race, and before going half a mile was in front. Trottirg steadily all the way, he won easily. At various stages Charles..! Dixie, Buudaberg, and Red Oak all looked likely to catch and beat him, but they lost their chances through going to a break. Red Oak in particular lost a lot of ground in this way, Pete Peter trotted a very solid race into fourth place. Le Todd failed to go away. FINAL HANDICAP. Granite City was a hot favourite for the concluding event, which saw Taurekareka and Acron making their second appearance for the afternoon. Granite City got away well, but be- I fore going far fell very lame, and al- I though he held his position for a good I portion of the journey, he could not run on and pulled up very lame, having run last. Logan Holm then wade the running from Granite City, but . Taurekareka gradually closed on them and beat Logan Holm by a narrow I margin. Peter Bingen came well into third place close up. Acron was never I dangerous.

DETAILS OF THE RACING HUTT PARK TRIAL HANDICAP (harness), of 125 sovs.; 3.50 class. One mile and a half. 8 Mr. E. Maidment’s ch. m. Tui Wildwood, by Wildwood Junior —Pakotui, 4yrs., 24yds. behind (Owner) 1 6 Mr. R. Townley’s b. m. Jessie Huon, 4yrs., scr (Owner) 2 ■1 Mr. W. Johnstone’s ch. ni. Cornelian, 3yrs., 24yds. behind (R. E. Mills) 3 (Winner trained by owner, Petone.) Also started: 4 Audubon Mac, scr. (W-.- Willetts) ; 7 Joe Logan, scr. (C. Donald) ; 5 Trespass, scr. (H. Frost) ; 10 Bara Gold, scr. (W. Taylor); 11 Zella, scr. (R. C. Alexander) ; 2 Grey Logan, 24yds. behind (S. Agar) ; 9 Kanieri, 60yds. behind (D. Nyhan, jnr.) ; 3 Great Earl, 156yds. behind (W. Warren). Won by a length, ten lengths between second and third. Bara Gold was fourth, and 'Trespass headed the bunch. Tinies, 3min. 37sec., 3min. 40 sec., 3min. 42 l-ssec. PETONE HANDICAP TROT (harness), of 150 sovs.; 5.10 class. Two miles. 5 Messrs. • Phillips and Smith’s br. g. Nelson Wood, by Nelson Bingen—Bonny wood, aged, 12 yds. behind ...... (R. W. Franks) 1 7 Mr. J. D. Piper’s b. g. Brian Bingen, aged, 72yds. behind (C. Oliver) 2 1 Messrs. P. F. and C. J. Ryan’s ch. g. Great Elect, aged, 48 yds. behind ~.(M. B. Edwards) 3 (Winner trained by J. H. Smith, Christchurch.) Also started: 2 Trampcrisp, scr. (D. I Withers) ; 9 Rebecca; scr. (J. Pugh) ; I 10 Miss Leda, 48yds. behind (A. H. Craig) ; 3 Tamerlane, 60yds. behind I (A. E. Russell) ;• 6 Wakefield; 84yds. I behind (D. Nyhan) ; 8 Grey Wood, 96 yds. behind (S. Agar) ; 4 Hardy Grattan, 120yds. behind (E.. Maidnient). I Won by six lengths, four lengths I between second and third. Miss Leda, Trampcrisp, and Rebecca were next. Times, smin. 4sec., -smin. 1 l-ssec., smiu. 4sec. ' I MEMBERS’ HANDICAP (saddle), of 150 sovs.; 2.24 class. One mile. 1 Mr. E. R. Husband’s br. m. Edith ' Locanda, by Brent Locanda— Edith A., 6yrs._- 12yds. behind I (M. B. Edwards) 1 10 Mr. J. J. Kennerley’s b. g. Kyana, aged, scr. (E. Kennerley) 2 3 Mrs. M. O’Brien’s ch. g. Whaku- . ku, syrs., 36yds. behind (J. McLennan) 3 (Winner trained by M. B. Edwards, Christchurch.) Also started: 4 All Fours, scr; (N. I Kearns) ; 12 Azelzion, scr. (G. Caddy) ; 8 Miss Dorothy, scr. (H. Frost) ; 7 Our Patch, 12yds; behind (V. Clutter- I buck): 6 Abundance, 12yds. behind I (B. Jarden) ; 5 Cora Tacks, 24j'ds. be- I hind (T. Nyhan); 11 Uramic; 24yds. I behind (W. Willetts) ; 2 Bingen Lad, I 48yds. behind (E. C. McDermott) ; 0 Rona, 48 yds. behind (J. Bryce, jun.). Won by three lengths, a similar distance between second and third. Bingen Lad was fourth, followed by Our Patch, All Fonts; and! Miss, Dorothy.-■ Times, 2min. 19 3-ss.ee,, 2min. 21 l-ssec., 2 I min. 19 3-ssec. '

DECEMBER HANDICAP (harness), of 500 so\;s.; 4.36 class. Two miles. 1 Messrs. R. A. Armstrong .-and A. ,L. Johnson’s blk- h. Holly -Boy, by Hal Boy—Holly Maid,, gged, 24yds.-. behind . - .. ... (W. J. Tomkinson) 1 2 Mr. J. R. Frizzell’s ' b. g.'Tom Thumb, 6vrs., -21yds.. behind ■ (J. W. Frizzell) 2 8 Messrs. Hannan and Henderson’s ch. g. Brcntloc, svrs., 12 yds. behind. ; .Rh -McLennan) 3 (Winner trained by W. J. Tomkinson, Christchurch.) Also started: 6 Red Oak, scr., (N. Price); 5 Young Blake; ,12yds. behind' (P. Riddle) ; 9 Menember, 36yds. behind (R.. Townley)'; 3 Taurekareka. 48 yds. behind (J. --Bryce) ;-.■: 10 Billg Boy, 48yds. behind (M. B. Edwards) ; 7 Billy Sea, 60yds.' behind . (W. Hughes) ; 4 Countryman,. .72yds. behind (W.. Warren). Won by half a; length,-twelve lengths between second arid third: Menember was fourth, followed by Red Oak and Countryman. Times, 4min. 38sec., 4 min. 38 2-ssec., 4min. 43 4-ssec.

PONEKE HANDICAP (harness), of 150 sovs.; 4.50 class. - Two miles. 2 Mr. S. J. Thomas’s b. m. Meb, by The King’s General—Pastime, 4yrs., 24vds. behind (D. Withers) 1 6 Mr. E. O’Neill’s br. g. Jingal, syrs., scr.... (W. J. Tomkinson) 2 7 Mr. D.- Burke’s ch. g. Jolly Roger, 6yrs., scr (J. D. Smith) 3 (Winner trained bv owner, Christ-' .-"’• church.) Also started: 8 Lady Ballin (R. L. Kearns) ; 4 D’Artagnan, scr. (W. Warren) ; 9 High Sea. scr. (W. Oliver) : 10 Master Cute, 36vds. behind (W. Willetts) ; 3 Zolock Palm 48vds. behind (S. August) ; 1 Van Rich, 48yds. behind (G. Caddy) ; 5 Black Cloud, 60 yds. behind (N.' Kearns).

Won by four lengths, three lengths between second and third. Master Cute was fourth, followed by Zoloch Palm, and D’Artagnan,. Times, 4min. 47 3-ssec., 4min. 51 4-ssec., 4min.'s2 4-ssec. Van Rich fell and brought down. Black Cloud. CHAMPIONS’ SHORT LIMIT STAKE (3sec...limit, harness), of 350 sovs. One niilgand a half. . 1 Mr. J. RJ McKenzie’s'hr. h. Great Bingep, by.. NelsOn Bingen—Ber- , Ufa Belle aged, 36vds. behind " ’ • . ’ - ’ . [D. Withers) 1 3 Mr L. G. King’s' b. m. Oliyx, aged, 12yds. behind ... (J.- Messervey, jnr.) 2 2 Messrs. Jack'Mid Stewart’s' blk. b. Prince? Pointer, aged,’ 24yds? : behind ........?,....(R. E. Mills) 3 5 Mr. G. S. Simpson’s b. g. 'Logan Chief; aged, 12yds. behind ' (J. J- Keniierley) 4 1 Mr. H, W. Aker’s b. m. Waitaki Giri; aged,- 12y'ds. behind . ' (J.- Bryce) 5 1 Mr. J. R. McKenzie’s b. li. Acron, aged, 24yds. behind (W. J. Tomkinson) 6 (Winner trained by D. Withers, - Christchurch ) Won by ‘ half a length,; three-quar-ters of a length between second and third, ' with the others some lengths away. ; Tinies,"3fnin._ 19 3-ssec., Smiii. 21 4-ssec., 3min. 21sec. ’ Acron was coupled with the winnef.' PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP TROT (harness), of 300 sovs.; 4.40 class.Two miles. 5 '" ‘ . 1 Mr. E;"E. Cuiieen’s br. g. Master Ando, by Great Audubon — Rosalie, aged, Blvds, behind (E. C. McDermott) 1 4 Air. J. Siebel’s gr. g. Charles Dixie, aged, 12yds. - behind ' ' (C-. Donald) 2’ 5 Mr. H. R. Turnbull’s br. g. Bundaberg,- age’d, set.' ■ (J. Bryce, jnr.) 3 (Winner trained by E. C. McDermott, Christchurch.) Also started: 8 Le Todd, 12yds. behind (J... Keunerley) ;'.6. Pete Peter, 24yds. behind (W. J. Tomkinson), 36 yds. behind ;’.2 Bonny Spec, 24yds. behind (R. Townley) ; 3 Red Oak, 36 yds. behind (N. L. Price) ; • 7 Young Black, 48yds.- behind (P. Riddle). Won by three lengths two lengths between second and third. Pete Peter was fourth, followed by Red Oak and Bonny Spec. Times, 4mitt. 43 2-ssec., 4min. 45 4-ssec., 4miu. 47 ;2-ssec. FINAL HANDICAP (harness), of 200 sovs.; 2.51 class.. One mile and a quarter. 3 Mr R. Mv Morten’s br. g. Taurekareka,. by Cathedral -Chimes— Mountain Rose,. 6yrs.,-.6oyds. behind (J. Bryce, jnr.) 1 ,

1 Mr. J. McLean's b. g. Logan Hohn, syrs., scr (Owner) 2 2 Mr. G. S. Simpson’s br. li. .Peter Bingen, 6yrs., 84yds. behind (J. J. Kennerley) 3 (Winner trained by J. Bryce, Christy church.), ' Also started: 1 Granite City, scr. (Ji Messervey, jnr.) ; 5 Acron, 108yds. behind (D. Withers). ■--Won by .hall a length, three-quar-ters of a length between second and third. Acron was fourth. Times, 2 min. 48 3-ssec., 2min. 53sec., 2min. 47 3-ssec.