TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 297, 14 September 1927, Page 16

TROTTING

FIXTURES. September 17—Wellington T.C. Spring. September 24—Ashburton County R.C. Spring (two events). September 29, 30—Geraldine R.C. (four events). October 6—Kurow J.C. (two events) October B—Methven8 —Methven T.C. October B—Oamaru J.C. (two events). October 24—Oamaru T.C, NOMINATIONS. September 11—Oamaru J.C. September 14—Kurow J.C. September 22—Methven T.C. ACCEPTANCES. September 19—Ashburton County R.C. September 26—Geraldine R.C. September 28—Oamaru J C. z September 28—Kurow J.C. (By “Overcheck.”) At the present moment Talaro, Jack Potts and Audacious seem to bo the most favoured candidates lor the NewZealand Trotting Cup, but it is much too early yet to attempt anything in tho shape of a forecast. Acron is said to have improved in his manners since joining J. bryce’s establishment, and if ho cau bo lauded at the post in good order he will be a hard horse to beat. His appearance at Hutt Park will enable us to determine what improvement, if any, Bryce has effected, and if ho goes kindly ho is sure to come into demand for tho big race in November. According to a southern writer Bryce is very sanguine of success in tho New Zealand Cup Trial on Saturday. Machine Gun is said to have freshened

Machine bun is sain to nave, iresueneu up nicely since his unsuccessful efforts at Addington. Ho is just doing enough work to keep him in shape for spring functions Lady Barrister is doing her work to the satisfaction of her trainer, and as she goes well in saddle she is expected to give a good account of herself hero cm Saturday. St. Maiira is regarded as one of the fittest mares at Addington, and in even better order than when she won there last month. Peter Bingen displayed a rare burs* of spec 1 in a spin over a short journey at Addington recently. From all accounts several trainers consider their charges are going to win the mile and a quarter event at the local meeting, and die race should prove of tho brightest ana most interesting that has ever been decided at the Hutt Park. Those that miss seeing it will regret it. Count Dee is bearing a much-improved appearance since ho raced at Addington last month. If tho track is heavy on Saturday his chance of appropriating the stake will bo considerably improved. A trotting club has been formed at Brisbane by prominent sportsmen. As is now generally known, Mr. H. W*. Akers has cancelled Waitaki Girl s engagement in tho New Zealand Cup, because he considers that the handicapper has dealt harshly with his fine mare. In an open letter to “Tho Sun he sets out his reasons for taking this action, which is primarily duo to the treatment accorded Talaro and Jack Potts It will be remembered that at Auckland iu December Talaro registered 4.23 3-5 when he ran fourth in the President’s Handicap, whereas lie is ou 4.m in tho New Zealand Cup. Jack Potts won tho Midsummer Handicap very comfortably in 4.23 4-5, and is new on 4.24. Although she has a placed performance of 4.22, Waitaki Girl’s best winning performance is 4.25, and Mr- Akers considers his mare, should be on this mark in the Cup, instead of on 4.23, from which mark she failed three times m August, though at the top of hei form. Waitaki Girl won only £6OO last season, and yet sho is ono of the very best horses that we have. Some time ago the writer, in reviewing the season s stat istics, drew attention to the * ac t that little had been won by some of the sir)-test horses, and its certainly behoves the authorities to see. if some way cannot be devised of ensuring that the best animals are afforded every reason-

I able opportunity of winning a sum suffii cient to induce their owners to keep them in commission. In the absence of free-for-all races, the short limit handicap appears to offer the best solution of the problem. Notwithstanding that his name has been placed on the schooling list, Percy Rogers is keeping Wallroon in solid work, no doubt in tho hope that he will not have to wait long before securing the cancellation of tho disability imi posed on his charge. Good things are expected of Jean Darling this season. A. Cox has taken Nellie Hugo iu baud again, and sho is to bo prepared tor summer racing Gold Jacket was allowed to drop out of his Wellington engagements as his trainer did not consider him sufficiently forward. Bonniewah has been ono ot tho regulars at Alexandra Park and is expected to make tho trip to Wellington. . The chances arc, however, that she will be a bit backward in condition, firstly, on account of the bad weather experienced up north of late, and, secondly, on account of the. injury she sustained to her tongue fairly recently. Kean John has joined J. T. Paul's team. The pacing marc Maud Logan is said to bo doing splendidly for R. B. Berry, and properly placed should have no difficulty iu paying her way this season. Mr. A. G. Wilson, one of the most successful trainers of straight-out trotters in New Zealand a few years ago, has offered to present a set of racing harness to the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association, to be awarded to the trainer securing most successes with unhopplcd trotters during the present season. . Mr. J. R. McKenzie has also offered to provide a trophy for competition. A number of horses engaged at the Wellington meeting were among tho workers at Addington on Saturday. Peter Bingen strode along freely over a mile and a quarter. Kyana was also given strong work over the same distance. Vestas, who is said to lie looking well, was not asked to do his best while covering a mile and a half. Stunt Artist was allowed to drop out of his engagement in the Bollard Memorial as lie went sore after a try-out at Addington last week. Stan Wilkes was given a run. over a mile in saddle. He showed a nice turn of speed over the first portion of tho journey, But was tiring at the finish. Practically the same horses aro engaged in the Petono Handicap as in the President’s Handicap, and tho following is a brief resume of their performances during tho last 12 months:— Hardy Grattan secured only three placed performances last season, each being registered at Hutt Park. In December lio ran third to Louisiana and Great Earl, while at the FebruaryMarch meeting ho was second tho first day to Miss Leda and similarly placed to Black Palm tho second day. His best time for a mile and a half was 3m ; n. 36 3-5, and 4.55 4-5 for two miles. . lie is at present on tho big side, and it is probable that ho will not bo able to equal these figures this week. Little Johnnie secured a second and a first at Ashburton in April, going 3.40 3-5 for a mile and a half and 4.49 for two miles. His only other placed performances were seconds at Greymouth in October and January, when lie separated Peter Eyre and Katute iu one race and Sarsaparilla and Wee Olga in the other. lie.is an aged horse and little, if any. improvement can be looked for from him. Nelson McKinnov wnn nf Timnrii in

ixcison iucix-inney won at lunaru in October, and was second and first at Forbury Park the following month. After half a dozen fruitless attempts lie ran third to Great Bell and Edzear at Forbury in January. This season ho ■registered a third to Cannonball and Lady Fan on tho last day of tho Metropolitan meeting, when on tho same mark as tho latter, and in receipt of 48 yards from the former. Katuto won once out of twelve attempts, in addition to which she was second three times and onco third. Iler best time at two miles was 4.45 1-5, when sho ran second to Great Bell at forbury in May. At Addington in June she separated Nighborn and Tamerlane when conceding the latter 12 zards. Backed confidently on the same track in August last sho failed to gain a place, but this was not her true form. Lady Fan had 18 outings last season, securing one first, one second, and two thirds. this year she has started three times, on the last occasion running second to Cannonball. Her best time last year lor two miles was 4.45 2-5, which she registered when she ran second to Frisco Beau in March. In view of her ago tho writer does not expect her to show anything belter than this. Native Star registered three wine and a second out of five starts last season and is evidently a useful sort. Sho commenced by winning at a mile and a half at Manawatu in March, going 3.43 3-5, I Going on to Wanganui in April she won over two miles in 4.5 G 2-5, but improved upon this by winning at Hawera a few days later in 4.51. Her next and last outing last season was at Cambridge in May, where on a somewhat dead track she ran second to Kolmar and breaking 4.48. This year Native Star raced three times unsuccessfully at Addington. Another winning effort cannot bo far off. Count Deo raced only twice last season, winning at the Canterbury Park meeting in Juno in heavy going. He was produced at Addington last month on tho third day of the meeting and ran fourth. If the going is heavy on Saturday he should be a hard horse to beat. Wild Lad has not raced for a long time. Some Jilzz appears to have lost all form. He won at the Ashburton meeting in September and was third at Otahuliu in November, since when he has faced the starter 24 times without calming anything towards his upkeep. Cannonball is good. Ho commenced last season with a win at Inangahua in October and was later third to Trimmer and Wairuu over eight furlongs and a half at Greymouth. At Addington in June he defeated Nounnahal and Elusive, while on the same track in August last he won twice at a mile and a half, his best time being 3.30 3-5. And the best has not been seen of him yet. Nounnahal raced consistently, though sho only won onco This was at Oamaru iu May Sho registered 3.28 3-5 for a mile and a 'half, at Addington last month, while her best time at two miles was 4.47 4-5, at Ashburton in June Sho is a voting and improving mare.