TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 301, 20 September 1928, Page 19

TROTTING

FIXTURES. September 22—Ashburton County R.C. (two events). September 27, 28—Geraldine R.C. (four events). ACCEI* TANCE S. September 24—Geraldine K.C. September 26—Kurow J.C. NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“Overcheck.")

Travis Axworthy looked a picture at Wellington on Saturday, and he ran a couple of splendid, races. It is, of course, easy to be wise after the event, but had he not been asked to take the lead so early in the Wellington Handicap, it is possible that Athlone would not have been able to outstay him in the run home. As Travis Axworthy did not improve upon Ills handicap time on account of the course being on the slow side, it will be surprising if he does not earn further distinction before the season has progressed much further. Athlone also ran well in each start, and the manner In which he finished down the straight in the Wellington Handicap of two miles was very impressive. During the running of the race lie _ was kept within reasonable striking distance of the leaders, and the patient manner in which he was driven enabled him to finish in top gear over the last furlong, and secure a well-earned victory. He is a six-year-old gelding by Harold Dillon from Violet Lyons, and it will probably be found that races beyond 12 furlongs will suit him best. Medusa was not disgraced by her showing in the Borough Handicap, for she was up with Travis Axworthy at the end of nine furlongs. She is not a very powerfully built filly, and the heavy going, plus the considerable amount of weight that she had behind her in her sulky, no doubt contributed to her defeat. Running down the back stretch the second time round she unwound a nice turn of speed, and it seems certain that she will be returned an early winner. Sailor Boy has filled out considerably during the past few months. His performances at the Hutt Park were not at all attractive, but the racing he had should prove beneficial. It can, I think, be safely said that the greatest disappointment of the meeting was Mercury, for in each of bis two races he failed to do anything to justify the high opinion that is held in many quarters as to his ability. At the last Wellington meeting he also raced disappointingly. When he won at Carterton last December he showed plenty of dash and his form was much better than he has shown ot late. The heavy going may have proved his Waterloo, but his supporters are getting tired of him. Linkman has speed, but he needs practice in starting. As he was fairly close up fourth in the Novice Handicap it seemed certain that, with a decent beginning, he would have extended Rollo, even if lie bad not beaten him, on Saturday. When he was second at New Brighton to Sunfish the race was of 12 furlongs, whereas on Saturday the journey was two furlongs shorter, which did not allow him sufficient time in which to get up. He will pay his way all right, and those who stick to him should have no difficulty In balancing the ledger. Drift Wave commenced with rare dash on Saturday, and to the lead which she established in the early stages she owed her position at the finish. It will be remembered that Linkman, Rollo and she were mentioned in my review of the prospects of the various contestants, and to the writer's mind she was paying a false price when she was allowed to go out giving a return of approximately a (bird of a century for a win. Had the track been dry, it is possible she would not have been overtaken. El Direct displayed a nice turn of speed in the run home in the Novice Handicap, and he should soon be doing better. The failure of Nelson Boy to win the Petone Handicap was disconcerting to backers. It is understood that a damaged sulky wheel was a contributing factor to his downfall. Louisiana was not driven in a very masterly manner in the Petone Handicap, but was handled much better in her second outing, when she proved to be the winner. In the former race she was unsteady in the early stages, but after a mile had been cove'red she was kept at it until she bail run into the lead at tlie top of the straight. She is a proved stayer and once she assumed command the race appeared to be in her keeping, but she did not finish as well as expected, no doubt on account of the fact that too much had been asked of her between the eight and eleven furlong posts. Merry Bingen lias plenty of speed, but soon gets short of brentli. Driven in behind he might do better. Young Carbine paid a nice two-ligure dividend when he won the Petone Handi-

cap, and he finished very gamely. He uas started only once last season. He is in nice order just now and should race well in his early engagements. . Mate-o’-Minc raced prominently in the Bollard Memorial Handicap, but neither lie nor any of the other runners ever looked like defeating Pageant and Jolly Chimes. The latter acted as pacemaker throughout, but could not withstand Pageants challenge in the run down the straight. Kennerley, who drove the latter, never covered any tin necessary ground, and the success of Mr. Armstrong’s horse was in no small measure due to the masterly manner in which he was driven. Orphan was unlucky during the running of the big two-mile race on Saturday. tor the greater part of the journey lie was tucked in on the rails, while round the back the Inst time he had to be practically pulled up to prevent a collision with Double Event. And it was just at that stage or the race when a clear passage was essential to success. He is looking very wen and is worth following. Rebel was last home in the Bollard Memorial of two miles, but went a fine race when he won the mile saddle event. I his horse is in very robust health just now, and is a particularly good one in saddle. Padlock is not a great horse to look at, but he can go some all the same. His supporters were very confident of success on Saturday, and their optimism proved to be of the right brand, for lie won nicely, and will now be in stronger demand for the New Zealand Cup. Daphne Oro raced disappointingly on Saturday, for she broke before the field had gone more than a furlong. She looked a mere pony against her older opponents, who, of course, represent the best company, so there is no need, to get downcast as a result of her failure here. Talent looks remarkably well these days, but finds a 2.45 or better class just a wee bit too strong for him. It was a treat to watch the vim Great Bingen displayed in the run home in the New Zealand Cup Trial, and if nothing untoward occurs he will carry plenty of support in the New Zealand Cup. Jack Potts finished on very well in fourth place in the New Zealand Cup Trial, and he should strip a very fit horse when the Cup meeting comes along. Auditress made a bold showing in the Stewards’ Handicap, but could not quite see the journey out. She was in the lead for over six furlongs. F. E. Jones was up on Double Event in the mile saddle race, but this horse did not run as well in that race as he had done in the principal two-mile race. In the latter he was close up to the leaders at the end of four furlongs, although conceding 48 yards, but in the saddle event he was well back throughout the race. Loch Moigh ran a good race in the Stewards’ Handicap, and* he seems certain to again do well this year. Great Delight ran well enough in the Wellington Handicap to suggest that he will soon be a winner when he does not have a strong contingent of southern horses to meet. Grand Light is a nice looking three-year-old, and he was well in the picture during the running of the Wellington Handicap. He is a colt by Matchlight from Our Aggie, and appears destined to reach our best company later on. Real Light was reserved for the two-mile race on Saturday, but was not quite good enough o-n the day. He is, however, a very good sort, and C. S. Donald will have no difficulty in placing him to advantage. Sunfish, too, declined his engagement in the mile and a half event. He was considered by many to be unbeatable in the Wellington Handicap, but was not equal to the occasion. lie raced well, however, and as he is in nice order he should soon be again in the money, notwithstanding the fact that he is now on a much tighter mark. The performances of Vesuvius were somewhat disappointing, for in neither the big handicap nor the mile saddle was he ever going like a winner. Granite City fought a great fight in the Stewards’ Handicap, for he was just behind Auditress over the first six furlongs, and then hung on well in the straight and defeated all but Rebel. Granite City appeared to be a bit lame, and when the tracks are hard his trainer may have difficulty, in keeping him in training.