TROTTING

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 219, 12 June 1930, Page 16

TROTTING

NOTES AND COMMENTS N.Z. SAPLING STAKES It is pleasing to be able to record that the special meeting which the Forbury Park Trotting Club conducted in aid of the unemployment relief fund was a decided success. Judging by the number of favourites that won the meeting must also have been of material benefit to many others more fortunately placed. Steadiness Prevails.

Ndlie Hugo won the first race each dav going steadily in both races, and this assisted her very materially. On Saturday Hydro broke up half a mile from home when close up, while Molly Nelson also left her feet at. the turn for home In the end Nellie Hugo won comfortably by three lengths. She would probably have won m any case, but Hydro would certainly have troubled her had he gone steadily throughout. George Rey Impresses.

Bv winning the Domain Handicap on Thursday, and the Railway Handicap on Saturday, George Rey.registered n couple of impressive performances. In the former race F. G. Holmes had him nicely placed throughout, and he simply made a one-horse race of it over the concluding stages. On Saturday he was driven a very similar race, allowing, others to make the pace after going a short distance, and being again taken to the front before the straight was reached the last time. He then came on to win well bv five lengths, registering 3.13 from a 317 mark,, the distance being eleven furlongs. George Rey, ns his name implies, is a'three-year-old gelding by Key de Oro from n Logan Pointer mare, and, it is evident that be is a good bit above the average. . . , , , Ambleside, as anticipated, was made favourite for the Rafiway Handicap nt Forbury on Saturday, but spoilt his chance by going to a break when racing in a good position in the last circuit. Aquilin Destroyed. During the running of the Railway Handicap at Forbury on Saturday, Aquilin fell, and, fracturing his jaw, was subsequently destroyed. Aquilin was a three-year-old by Author Dillon from a mare by Cathedral Chimes, and was regarded very highly by bis connections, who are reported to have refused an offer of 600 guineas for the youngster. Erin’s Fortune Again. When the field was dispatched in the Awarua Handicap at Forbury on Thursday Erin’s Fortuno was slow in striking her gait, and it is estimated that she must have lost three seconds. She was not bustled in the early stages of the race, but with about half a mile to go she raced up to Logan Hanlon, who was acting as pace-maker, and in the run home had no difficulty in winning by four lengths.' On the second day, however, she did not race so well, third position being the best she -could secure. This race was run at a smart clip, the first mile taking 2.18 1-5, as against 2.22 1-5 the first day. Pro Rata Disappoints. Pro Rata did not show up at all well at Forbury. He was never in the picture the first day, while on Saturday he settled his prospects by failing to begin. Double to Regal Voyage. D. Withers was twice seen to advantage behind Regal Voyage at Forbury, the five-year-old daughter of Happy Voyage proving much too good for those she met in the Renown mid Southland Handicaps. In the latter she went 3.25 from a 3.29 mark, and the manner in which she won clearly indicated that she could have reduced that time had it been necessary to have done so. Surprising. Just why Logan Hanlon was allowed to go out fifth favourite in the FareHandicap on Saturday it is difficult to understand. He led almost throughout in the big race the first day, and the distance of the Farewell Handicap was much more to his liking. At a Very Short Price. Ambition was backed down to a very short price in the Peninsula Handicap, and she certainly looked a good bet on the form displayed by her opponents on the first day. Gerolight, however, took it into his head to trot steadily throughout, and in the end he defeated the favourite by a couple of lengths. Although he finished third the first day, Gemlight was some 50 lengths away from Ambition, and things therefore looked rosy for the latter on Saturday. The result just shows how uncertain the game is, particularly with unhoppled trotters. Lydia Costly. Lydia let her admirers down badly at Forbury, where the best she could do was to run a very indifferent third to Regal Voyage and Robert Guy on Saturday. She was made favourite the first day, but Regal Voyage carried more money than her on Saturday notwithstanding that she came in on 36 yards worse terms. Lydia, of course, is only a three-year-old filly so that too much notice should not be taken of her defeats. She is sure to improve.

Teramoa had no difficulty in winning the mile saddle race at Forbury on Saturday, in which John Noble also went well. Harold Lee got a bad start, and never afterwards threatened danger. Taking a lino through John Noble, Harold Lee would have been a hard horse to beat if he had gone away correctly. But if’s don’t count in racing. Luck Turns.

Country King confirmed his. Addington form by winning the Woodside Handicap on Thursday. W. J. Tomkinson’s luck has been out rather badly this, season, and it is pleasing to see that it is on the turn again. Country King is a five-year-old gelding by John Dillon from Country Queen, and it will come. as no surprise to find him developing into a very good horse in the hands of such a capable trainer as W.J.T. has proved himself to be. C. S. Donald placed another three winning drives to his credit at Forbury, he being successful behind Nellie Hugo (twice) and Morning Sun. F. G. Holmes also drove three winners, viz., George Rey (twice) and Muriel de Oro. Willie Derby' is reported to be pacing more confidently. He has been nominated for Ashburton, and may be a difficult horse to beat if he goes to the post. . Breeding and Speed. A southern writer states: “Travis Axworthy came into his own as a two-miler of no mean order by tramping 4.24 4-5 to win the King George Handicap, after fairly trouncing the sprinters on the opening day. He has brought to the notice of breeders the result of the Axworthy—Peter the Great cross, the greatness of which is exemplified in Spencer, who is a son of Lee Tide (2.5), a son of Lee Axworthy (t.sBi), champion stallion, and a son of Guy Axworthy. His dam is a daughter of Peter the Great. It may be mentioned in passing that Mr. McElwyn is also out of a daughter of Peter the Great, but his sire is a “closer up” Axworthy, he being a son of Guy Axworthy himself.” Auckland Meeting. Owners and trainers are reminded that acceptances for the first day of the Auckland Trotting Club’s winter meetfug close with the secretary, Durham Street East, Auckland, at 5 p.m. on Friday next, 13th instant. N.Z. Sapling Stakes. After payment of final forfeits some nineteen youngsters remain in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes to be decided at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday, and the race promises to be full of interest. Last year eight horses contested the event, which was won by John Jinks in 3.28 1-5. At the moment Red Shadow (Travis Axworthy—Our Aggie) is the ruling far•unto to this yeer’a (*o*.