TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 102, 24 January 1930, Page 16

TROTTING

WELLINGTON CLUB

GOLD CUP TO-MORROW

There seems to be every indication of good weather for the Wellington Trotting Club’s Gold Cup meeting to be held at the Hutt Park to-morrow. The first race is set down to start nt 12.10 p.m., and the club announces its determination to run its programme strictly to time. Splendid fields are engaged, and with the track in perfect order fast times should bo tbe order of the day. Chief interest centres in the contest for the New Zealand Trotting Gold Cup, which has attached to it the valuable stake of <uo sovs. The highest class horses at present in commission in New Zealand are engaged, and (hcre is bound to be an exciting contest. No effort is being spared by the elub to provide for the comfort of its patrons. Additional control lias been arranged for in the public motor paddock, and this should eliminate delays in getting away from tiie grounds after the races. The Railway Department advertise an excellent special service right on to the course and there will be the usual car nnd motor-bus services. Recent transport arrangements have brought the Hutt Park verv Close to the city, and the journey ean now be done comfortably in twenty, minutes by road and a little longer by rail.

further review of form

GOLD CUP AND DESPATCH HANDICAPS (By ‘‘Oyercheck.”)

There now remains only the form of the horses engaged iu the Gold Cup and Dispatch Handicaps at Saturday's meeting to be dealt with. These horses represent the verv best class, and each race promises to orovide an interesting contest. The first horse on the list is Concliff. who is reported to be in capital form. When he first came to New Zealand he 1 created a verv favourable impression, but he has not so far realised expectations. He was off the scene for a long time, and made his first appearance for the current season at Addington in November. Ini this and his two subsequent races he was unplaced, but at Auckland in ’‘S ran second over two miles in. 4.44 and won a mile and a quarter race in -.43 Daphne de Oro does not need any introduction. Last season she commenced well ,by registering 4.20 for two mi es but owing to an accident .had to be spelled. In April last she showed a glimpse of her old form by running third over two miles in 4.20 1-5. Out of eleven starts during the current, season she has won one race and been twice fourth. She registered her win at Addington in September, when she went 425 4-5 which is her best effort so far. She is 'only a five-year-old, and may do better yet.,

■■ King Pointer was only once out of a place last season in six attempts. He won i four races, ills smartest time for two miles bblng registered by him at Addington in March, when he went 4.27. This season he ■ has started ou four occasions., running third in one event. This also was at Addington, where in August he registered 4.20 4-5. He was one of the fancied horses for the New Zealand Cup, but developed an ■ ailment which caused him to be scratched. ■ Logan Chief has bad thirteen outings ■ this, season, and notwithstanding his age has shown that he is still capable of going a good race. At Greymouth in October he was’third over twelve furlongs and a half, run in 3.33 2-5, while at Addington early this month he won over two miles in 4.32. The race however was ruu to suit him, and it is doubtful if ,he would have prevailed had the pace been on all the way..

Dilworth is one of the smartest youngsters that has ever raced iu the Dominion. She had a remarkable run last year, while this season she has only been outside the money on three occasions in nine starts. At Addington, in August she. was twice second and once third, registering 4.20 4-o at two miles, and 2.43 1-5 for ten furlongs. In November she won over both distances,, registering 4.26 for two miles latter losing a lot of ground at the start), and 2.44:2-5 for a mile and a quarter. At Auckland last month she again won over two miles in 4.29 3-5. She was favourite .tor the Auckland Cup. but on that occasion failed to race up to expectations.

Dundas Boy won more races last year than any other horse. So far this year ho has not secured winning brackets, but be has again shown remarkably, cousistent form. In the Kiug George Handicap at. Addington in August he went 4.22 3-5 when he finished third to Padlock and Logan Park, while iu the New Zealand Cup .he was third in the final, going 4.23 3-5. Later at the Cup meeting he registered 4.24 1-5, while at Addington in January he ran third in 4.28 2-5, and was similarly placed over a mile and a quarter in 2.44

Wrackler is another young horse of the highest class. Last season he. won four ’races and was placed in six others. This' year he has already had four wins and a second. At Ashburton In September he won over ten furlongs in 2.49 3-5. At Auckland in October he was twice successful over two miles, his fastest time being 4.32 2-5. Last month he was again racing in Auckland, where he won a mile and a quarter race and was second over two miles in 4.28 4-5. He is a good beginner, and a rare stayer. His races have nearly all been won in the straight,' giving the : impression that.he still has something in hand. He is sure to be one of the prime fancies to-morrow.

Quality won two races last year, and was third in another, Her best performance from a time point of,view being that registered at Addington iu April, when she covered the distance in 4.26 2-5. During the current season she has raced. . nine times and has been second twice. At Addington in August she recorded 4.24 1-5. Staying is her greatest asset. Unfortu-

nately she is not too reliable at the start of her races, and this has prejudiced her chances on more than one occasion.

Prince Pointer is a grand, horse when at his best. Last season he finished fourth In the New Zealand Cup, ana second in the Free-for-All. of a mile and a quarter. In the latter race he went -.3J, going under to Peter Bingen by a head. He contested the Cup again this season, but was not at his best. He has no doubt had his best day.

Padlock commenced the current season in great fashion, winning three races in August, in one of which he roistered the brilliant time of 4.21. At Wellington in November he was second In the New Zealand Cup Trial of a mile and a quarter, going 2.43 4-5. He failed in the Cup, but subsequently won the Free-for-All in 2.42 3-5. He also raced with success at Auckland In December.

Athalone has improved a lot during the past few months, but he may find the company he will meet to-jnorrow rather too hot for him. Bis best performance to date over a mile and a quarter was registered by him at Addington this month, when he won iu 2.44.

The Shrew won two races last season, her best performance at two miles being registered at the Waikato meeting in December. Her best performance over ten furlongs was her third at Auckland in December, when she went 2.46 3-o. This season (she has raced seven times without securing any return.

Impyint lost form last season after being placed twice at a mile and ;v quarter his best time being 2.44. Siuce returning to Berkett’s stable he has raced better, winning over twelve furlougs and a half in October in 3.32, and being m third place the following day over ten furlongs and a half. At. Addington in November he was second in one of the heats for the New Zealand. Cup, going 4 30 1-5,' and was fourth in the final, n length behind Dundas Boy. who from the same mark went 4.23 3-o. Since then ho has raced four, times unsuccessfully. Although advancing in years. Bessie Logan has done much better tins year than she did last, when she was - twice second. At the beginning of the current season she was twice placed at Addington over a mile, her smartest time being 2.9 3-5. At Greymouth in October she won over ten furlougs and a half- in. ; 2.58. Returning to Addington in November, she ran third in a mile harness race, going ”9 1-5. Last month at Auckland she was second at a mile and a quarter,and a mile, registering 2.4 S 4-u and -.10 1-a. Bonny Logan has not won a race for a long time. Last year she was in the money five times, her smartest Performance at a mile and a quartet, being registered at Addington in November, when she went 2.4-. Last August she was second over the same distance at Addington, going 2.41 4-o, in November. on the same cour.sc, site registered 2 9 1-5 in a mile saddle race. " Kingcraft won three races last season, and was second in his only other start. So far this season he has registered only one win ’ This was at. Addington in November when he went 4.25 1-5. He was also fourth in two other Important two-milc. eventsA race over a mile and a quarter will be a new experience for him. SCRATCHINGS \ Terence Dillon was scratched for all engagements at the Wellington meeting at 5 p.m. yesterday. Roi L’Or was similarly withdrawn at 10 a.m. on IVednesdaj.