HUTT PARK TROTS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 114, 8 February 1937, Page 16

HUTT PARK TROTS

King’s Warrior and Bonny Azure

EXCITING DEAD-HEAT

Sprint Event to Navy Blue

(By

OVERCHECK.)

The Wellington Trotting Club experienced fine weather for the concluding day of its meeting at Hutt Park on SiltuillllJ, but a stiff northerly, which raised a great deal ot dust, spoilt what wobld otherwise have been an ideal day. The race for the Dominion Handicap provided a stirring contest, at the finish of which the judge was unable to separate Bonny Azure and King’s Warrior. The former is not much more than a pony in stature, but she is endowed with both speed and stamina, and fought like a tiger when King’s- Warrior challenged her over the concluding furlong. The attendance was one of if not the largest that has been seen on the course, and betting was spirited throughout, the machine handling £28,810. This made £42,916/10/- for the meeting, an increase of £23,952/10/- over last year’s figures. It was gratifying to see the club enjoying a turn of fortune’s wheel, which should encourage it to continue to cater for the best, class pacers. Having given close attention to the provision of additional stand accommodation, there is one direction in which it is now suggested the club might well turn its attention, and that is in the amelioration of the. dus-t nuisance on fine but windy days. This end could largely be achieved by tar-sealing the large area in front of the new totalisator house and (he area at the back of the grandstands This would add greatly to the comfort of patrons. The club officials had everything run ning smoothly, and are to be congratulated on the success of the fixture. The track was in great order and fast times were the order of the day. In the case of the winner of the Woburn Trial Handicap, he went nearly 20 seconds better than he was handicapped to do. Won All the Way. Tommy Boy made a one-horse race of the Kaitoke Handicap Trot. Tan John failed to go away and Winnie Parrish was also slow in striking her correct gait. Tommy Boy went away smartly, but broke on the eastern bend. He did not lose much ground and from then on trotted a solid race. Down the back the first time, Tommy Boy had a substantial lend from Swordsman, Winnie Parrish, Great Sonoma, Captain Bolt, and Walter Wrack. Swordsman broke, allowing Winnie Parrish to run-into second place. With a round to go, the order was Tommy Boy, Winnie Parrish, Swordsman (breaking). Captain Bolt, Walter Wrack, and Great Sonoma. Tan John was a- furlong away. With four furlongs to go, Tommy Boyhad a break of 48 yards on the field. Winnie Parrish began to drop back rounding the western bend, Captain Bolt, Swordsman nnd Walter Wrack, running past her. Though tiring. Tommy Boyhung on to win by about two lengths from Captain Bolt and Swordsman. Walter Wrack was close up fourth. The winner went 3.31, quite good time having regard to ihe fact that the horses had to contend with a strong head wind down the back stretch. Ace High’s First Win. The favourite. Mauri McKinney, failed to stay on in the Woburn Handicap, in which Ace High won well after having a good passage throughout. On this occasion Ace High got away smartly- and was in charge from Santa Fe and Wynan when the field had settled down. Mauri McKinney ran up ns they turned down the back nnd was racing alongside Ace High at the end of a round, the order

(hen being Ace High, Mauri McKinney, Santa Fe, Golden Moness. Wynan, Spey Royal, Starwyn, Lady Slipper, Sewana, Stepson, aud Desperado hopelessly placed. There was practically no alteration in positions down the back, but racing round the western bend Maun McKinney began to drift back. Ace High was first to turn for home from Starwyn and Santa Fe, with Wynan well placed. Edwards had to keep Ace High right up to his work to win by a length from Starwyn, who had a very narrow margin over Santa Fe. Wynan was a good fourth. The next horse, Golden Moness, was some lengths further back. Celebrity Just Gets Up.

■ Superior Rank was withdrawn from the February Handicap, the stable relying on the 'other leg of the bracket— Celebrity—who won in a spirited finish after appearing to be in a hopeless position three furlongs from home. I- rank Beet failed to S« away and getting mixed up in his gear look no part in the race. Vinco was the first to show out, but Vanity Fair soon ran to the front from Diversion. Vinco, Allworthy. Celebrity and Precious Metal, With a round gone Diversion was showing the way to VanityFair, Allworthy, Vinco and Precious Metal, Diversion tried to slip the field racing round the eastern bend, hut the use made of her in the middle stages of the contest left her without anything in reserve at the business end. As they raced down the hack Glorietta was sent up quickly and led round the western bend from a 'closely running field. in which the colours of Sports Review were prominent. It was a great, race from the top of the straight, and just when Sports Review was being acclaimed the winner Celebrity swept down on him with n rush and got up to win by under a length. Glorietta weakened over the last 100 yards, hut hung on long enough to secure third money. Native Cole was fourth, followed by Diversion and Precious .Metal. Judge Awards Dead-heat. Noth withstanding his failure on Thursday, King’s Warrior xvas installed win favourite for the Dominion Handicap, and the better showing thus suggested was duly given. Many people, including the writer, thought that King’s Warrior had just won, but the judge is the onlyone who can make an accurate decision in such a close finish. One factor which led me to suppose that King’s Warrior had won was that Smith gave up driving him right on tlie post, apparently being convinced that he had the race safely in his keeping. A good dispatch was affected. Bonny- Azure taking the lead from King’s Warrior, with Gamble alongside the latter, and these three were nt the head of the field practically throughout. Racing round the western bend the first time Grand Mogul dropped back, and his two showings definitely suggest that he has lost form following his- accident at Forbury. Passing the stand the first time the order was Bonny Azure, Gamble outside King’s Warrior. Bingen Palm. Rollo. Graham Direct, Glenrossie. Red Shadow, Grand Mogul and Roi I'Or. At the end of the next round the order was the same, with the exception that Rollo end Bingen Palm had reversed places. Racing down the back Bonny Azure. Gamble nnd King’s Warrior were still at the head of affairs. Graham Direct then moved up smartly and was in fourth position three furlongs from home. In a great race down the straight Bonny Azure hung on tenaciously and the judge awarded a dead-heat between her and King’s Warrior. Two lengths further back Graham Direct just s-baded Gamble for third money. None of the others were ever going like winners. Swordsman Improves.

The runners in the Koro Koro Handicap gave a much more even display than in the opening event, but this is iiot aii unusual occurrence in distance races for unhoppled trotters. Emulating the example of her stablemate in the Kaitoke Handicap, Dollar Maid set out to win all the way, but she ultimately went to a break which completely settled her chance. The early leaders were Dollar Maid, Native Tree and Great Sonoma, but at the stand the order was Dollar Maid, Swordsman, Native Tree, Tan John, Captain Bolt, Walter Wrack, Great Sonoma and Winnie Parrish. Racing down the back Swordsman broke but did not lose his position. With six furlongs to go Dollar Maid still had charge, followed by Swordsman, Tan John. Walter Wrack, Captain Bolt, aud Native Tree. The leader went up in the air on the eastern bend, aud seriously prejudiced her chance. Three furlongs from home Dollar Maid again broke, and thus ended her chance, Swordsman running to file front, closely -followed by Tan John, Walter Wrack, Captain Bolt, and Native Tree. In a good race over the last furlong Swordsman secured the verdict by half a length from Captain Bolt, with Walter Wrack right up third. Native Tree was a good fourth, with Tan John fifth. Both Swordsman nnd Walter Wrack finished on a break, but the plaeings of the judge were not interfered with, as neither gained an advantage therefrom. De la Paix Takes Suburban.

Mauri McKinney was made favourite on the win machine for the Suburban Handicap, but lie drifted in the early running, and the best he could do xvas to run third. Rhine Gold and De la Paix were first to show out from Santa Fe, Kia Kaba, nnd Mauri McKinney. Passing the stand the first time Kia Kaha was just showing out from Santa Fe, Wynan, Worthy Audubon, De la Paix, Rhine Gold, Queenie Direct. Manti McKinney, Spey Royal, and Lady Slipper. Santa Fe tool; charge down the back, followed by Kia Kaba, Wynan, XVorthy Audubon, and De la Paix. This was the order into the straight, but once in line for some De la Paix came through nicely to win by two lengths from Wynan. Mauri McKinney finished too strongly for the others to secure third money. The next to finish were Kia Kahn, Santa Fe and 'Worthy Audubon. Bracket First and Second.

An interesting feature of the Eastbourne Handicap was that those xvho supported the bracket (Dark Hazard and Fine Art) on the place machine received a slightly greater return than those who backed it straight out. This, of course, xvas due to the fact that the bracket earned 66 2-3 of the pool. Linklight and Big Nelson were the quickest away, and they led in the early stages from True Reflection nnd Savoldi. Black Marble moved up into fourth position racing down the back. With six furlongs covered the order xvas Linklight. Big Nelson, True Reflection, Black Marble, Waving Corn, Shrewdie, Savoldi, Dark Hazard Trevor de Oro, Fine Art, Epilogue and Post Haste. The same order was maintained down the back, but rounding the western bend the field bunched up, and Dark Hazard and Fine Art were handily placed as the field swung into tlie straight. Halfway down the running Dark Hazard came through, followed closely by Fine Art. and the pair went on to a comfortable victory. Trevor de Oro finished strongly from well back to’secure third money. Shrewdie was fourth. Black Marble's showing was rather disappointing seeing that be defeated Dark Hazard the first day. A Great Race.

The day’s racing was brought to a close with the Au Revoir Handicap, xvhich provided a great finish between Navy Blue. Kibo. Renown’s Best and Frisco Lady. Ma Wai-o spoilt his chance by galloping off the mark. Bolinda King was first out. and was indulged with the lead for the greater part of the journey, but once the pace was clapped on he was soon done with. With a round gone, the order was Belinda King, Renown's Best, Plntus, Navy Blue, Kibo, Valdor, Frisco Lady. Rayon d'Or. Ma Waro, anil AViuawav. Three furlongs from home the speed was increased, and Renown’s Best niloted the field to the straight, closely followed by Navy Blue and Kjbo. with Frisco Lady shoxving up on the outer. It wns a great, race down the straight, and there wns little to choose between NavyBlue. Kibo. Renown's Best and Frisco Lady nt the finish, the judge placing them in that order. Plutus and Valdor were the next to finish. Results in Detail KAITOKE HANDICAP TROT (harness), of £130: second horse £2O. third £10; unhoppled trotters only: 3.43 class. One mile and a half. 4/5 G. JfcDomild’s b. g. TOMMY HOY, by Real Guv—Chaucet. 6yrs.. scr. (L. F. Berkett) 1

7/6 Mrs. E. Berryman's b. g. CAPTAIN BOLT, aged. 60yds. behind (C. S. Donald) 2 1/1 W. Hosking’s br. h. SWORDSMAN, 4yrs., 36yds. behind .. (F. J. Smith) 3 Also started: 3/3 Tan John 36yds. behind (XV. Heginbothom); 6/7 Great Sonoma. .'Uiycls. behind (C. JI- Morrison) ; 5/4 Walter Wrack 48yds. behind (W. It. Butt); 2/2 Winnie Parrish, 48yds. behind (B. J. Mackie) Two lengths: a length Waller AV rack was fourth. Times, 3.31, 3.26 3-5, 3.29. (Winner trained by L. F. Berkett, Hope.)

WOBURN TRIAL HANDICAP (harness), ot £130; second horse £2O, third £10; 3.43 class. One mile aud a half. 3/3 Jlurphv and Edwards’s ch. g. ACE HIGH bv Jack Potts— Nessie, 3yrs„ (JI. B. Edwards) 1 4/4 G .). Barton’s I>. h. STARWYN. 4vrs„ scr (•!■ Fraser) 2 2/2 Durbar Lodge Ltd., b. f. SANTA FE. 3yrs„ scr (L. Frost) 3 Also started: 7/7 Lady Sliptier. ser. (E. A. Berry): 1/1 Mauri McKinney, scr. (G. McKendry) : 8/9 Golden Moress, scr. (E. G. Eden): 6/6 Spey Royal, scr. (.1. Pringle); 11/S Havana. scr. (li. O. Thomas): 5/5 Wynan, scr. (M. Holmes); 10/10 Stepson, sir ID. Watts); 11/11 Desperado scr. (P. li. Diallev). A length; a head. Wynan was fourth. Times. 3.23 4-5. 3.24 1-5, 3.24 2-5. (Winner trained by JI. B. Edwards, Christchurch.)

FEBRUARY HANDICAP (harness), ot £175; second £3O. third £2O; 3.34 class. One mile nnd a half. 5/5 XV. E. Sticking’s eb. m. CELEBRITY. by Jack Cotts —Delco, 4yrs., 12yds. behind’ (R. Donald) 1 8/10 JI. Scoon’s b. g. SPORTS REVIEW. 6yrs.. scr (Owner) 2 7/7 Miss E. Hind’s br. in. GLORIETTA, 6yrs.. 12yds behind (.1. Fraser, juu.) 3 Also started: 10/11 Baron Grand, ser. (A. Garnett); 9/9 Precious Metal, scr. (JI. C. McTigue) : .3/3 Vanity Fair. scr. (JI. Holmes); 4/4 Frank Best, scr. (F. J. Smith): 6/6 Vinco, scr. (L. Frost); 11/8 Allworthy, scr. (L. O. Thomas): 1/1 Diversion scr. (G. McKendry); 12/12 Groat Chum. 12yds. behind (S. JI. August); 2/2 Frisco Bov, 24yds. behind (JI. B. Edwards); 13/13 Native Cole, 24yds. behind (R. J. Byrne). Half a length: (he same. Native Cole was fourth. Times, 3.21 1-5, 3.22 2-5, (Winner trained by C. S. Donald, Christchurch).

DOMINION HANDICAP (harness), of £500: second horse CSI), third £4O; 4.27 class. Two miles. 1/2 Mrs. B. C. Lincoln’s blk. g. KING’S WARRIOR, by Blue Nlounlain King .—Forward Lady, 6yrs., ser. (F. J. Smith) t 2/1 S. G. Hedley’s eh. ml BONNY AZURE, by Bine Mountain King— Bonnie Bingen, iiyrs., scr. (L. O. Thomas) f 3/3 J. Westerman's b. g. GRAHAM DIRECT, syrs., 12yds. behind (F. G. Holmes) 3 tOead heat for first. Also started: 2/2 Glenrossie. 24yds. behind (J. Pringle), bracketed witli Bonny Azure; 7/8 Bingen Palm. 12yds. behind (J R. Simpson); 4/4 Gamble. 12yds. behind (M. B. Edwards); 5/6 Grand Mogul, 24yds. behind (J. Fraser, jun.) ; 6/5 Rollo.’24yds. behind (L. A. Maidens); 7/7 Red Shadow, 60yds. behind (.1. Bryce, jun.) ; 9/9 Hoi I’Or, Blvds, behind (F. Holmes). Dead-heat; three lengths. Gamble was fourth. Times. 4.22. 4.22 2-5. (King's Warrior trained by F. J. Smith, Takanini, and Bonny Azure trained by L. O. Thomas, Lower Hutt.) KORO KORO HANDICAP TROT (harness), of £150: second horse £25, third £l5: unhoppled trotters only; 4.59 class. Two miles. 1/2 XV Hosklngs br. h. S-WORDSMAN, liv Peter Volo—Lydia Lee, 4yrs., 48yds. behind (F. J. Smith) 1 3/4 Mrs. E. Berryman's b. g. CAPTAIN. BOLT. aged. 84yds. behind (C. S. Donald) 2 4/1 Mrs. K. C. Oldfield’s br. g. WALTER. WRACK, aged, 60yds. behind (XV. R. Butt) 3 Also started: 2/3 Dollar Mnid. scr. (L. F. Berkett) ; 5/6 Native Tree. 24yds. behind (J. A. Gerrard); 7/5 Tan John 4Syds. behind (XV. Heginibotham); 8/8 Great Sonoma. 48yds. behind (C. M. Morrison): 6/7 Winnie Parrish. 60vds. behind (B. J. Mackie). Halt a length; the same. Native Tree was fourth. Times. 4.99. 4.36 1-5. 4.38 3-5. (Winner trained by F. J. Smith, Takanini.) SUBURBAN HANDICAP (harness), of £130; second horse £2O. third £10; 3.5 class. One mile and a quarter. 4/5 C. S. Donald’s br. m. DELHPAIX, by Jack Potts —I.eila Denver. syrs., scr (Owner) 1 3/3 O. Evans’s b. g. XVYNAN. 3yrs.. ser. (JI. Holmes) 2 1/2 XX’atson and Smalley’s b. g. MAURI McKIN’NEY 4yrs„ scr. (G. McKendry) 3 Also started: 8/8 Spey Royal, scr. (J. Pringle): 9/9 Lady Slipper, scr. (K._ A. Berry) ; 5/4 Kia Kalia, scr. (E. N. Kennerley): 7/7 Rhine Gold. scr. (G. King); 2/1 Santa Fe. scr. (L. Frost); 10/19 Queenie Direct, scr. (S. M. August) ; 6/6 XVorthy Andubon.. scr. (L. O. Thomas). Two lengths: four lengths. Kin Kaba was fourth. Times, 2.49 4-5, 2.50 2-5. 2.51 (XVinner trained by Owner. Christchurch.) EASTBOURNE HANDICAP (harness), of £150; second horse £25. third £l5; 3.39 class. One mile and a half. 1/1 M. C. McTighe’s h. g. DARK HAZARD. bv Great Bingen—Wild Nita, 12vds. behind (Owner) 1 1/1 J. Grant’s ch. g. FINE ART. 4yrs„ 24vds. behind, bracketed with Dark Hazard (G. McKendry) 2 9/7 L. O. Thomas's ch. h. TREX’OR DE ORO, svrs., 24yds. behind (Owner) 3 Also started: 10/10 True Reflection, scr. (M. J. McTeigue); 3/4 Shrewdie, scr. (R. I). Kennerley) ; 7/9 Linklight, scr. (XL Alborn) ; 5/6 Big Nelson, scr. (D. Withers); 4/3 Savoldi, ser. (R. Donnld): 6/5 Post Haste, scr (E. A. Berry), and XVaving Corn. 24yds. behind (S. Frew), bracketed; 2/2 Black Marble, 12yds. behind (J. Bryce, jun.); 8/8 Epilogue, 24vds. behind (L. F. Berkett). A length: two lengths. Shrewdie was fourth. Times. 3.24. 3.23 2-5, 3.24. (XX’inner 4rained by Owner, Methven.) AU REVOIR HANDICAP (harness), of £225; second horse £lO. third £2O; 3.28 class. One mile and a half. 2/1 P. Dugan’s blk. m. NAVY BLUE, by Man o' XVar —Logan Pointer m., 4 yrs.. 12yds. behind (S. A: Edwards) 1 4/4 J Walsh's br. m. KIBO. aged. 12 yds. behind (G. McKendry) 2 1/2 F. Fine’s blk. m. RENOXVN'S BEST, 4yrs.. scr (JI. Holmes) 3 Also started : 9/10 Belinda King, scr. (A. Garnett); 5/6 Ma XVaro. ser. (D. XVatts); 10/9 Rayon d’Or scr. (L. O. Thomas); 6/5 Plut’Vs 12yds. behind (C. S. Donald); 8/8 XVinaway, 24yds. behind (E. N. Kennerley); 7/7 Valiior. 24yds. behind (R. B. Berry) ; 3/3 Frisco Lady, 48yds. behind (M. B. Edwards). A head: length. Frisco Lady was fourth. Times. 3.19 3-5, 3.19 4-5, 3.21. (Winner trained by S. A. Edwards, Christchurch.)