AUCKLAND TROTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 118, 14 February 1944, Page 7

AUCKLAND TROTS

Double Peter Takes Big Handicap

Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, February 13. For the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting yesterday the weather was fine early but wet in the afternoon and the track was holding. The attendance was large and the totalizator handled £86,041, compared with £81,993 last year. Alter the Otahuhu Handicap the judicial committee dismissed a protest lodged against the winner. Double Peter, for alleged interference with the second horse, Hillcrest, near .the finish. „ The Canterbury trainer, R. L. , Berry, added to ills tine record of classic successes when he drove Bohemian to victory in the Great Northern .trotting Slakes aud Acropolis won the Great Northern Trotting Derby. In addition, Berry won the Mouut Albert Handicap with 'Surprise Potts, who was making his reappearance after being' about three years oil' the scene. The finish of the Two-year-old Stakes proved a great struggle between Bohemian, a sturdy colt by Lucky Jack from Parisienne, and Joyce Direct, a piebald filly by Dan Direct from Dorothy Did, who was got bv the thoroughbred galloper Warplane from the Australian-bred Bliolour dam of Ueuuku. Both youngsters 'revealed rare courage iu a hard finish, which might have proved even keener had not Indian Star, by Indianapolis from a Gold Beil mare, not Jett his feet iu the final stage. Indian Star was fighting on with the other two when he broke and ran about, and the hard-driven Bohemian just shaded Jovce Direct in the last few strides. Josie Dell. bj\ Josedale Grattan from Dei Potts, was third nearly three lengths baek, with "Indian Star close up fourth, and Golden Imp, a sister to Gold Bar aud one of the most fancied candidates, ruined a good chance by jumping „ crossing aud breaking up badly, inure was a lot of merit lu the performance of Bohemian, as he drew the second row, and was also checked by several tangling in front of him at the start. The Lucky Jack colt came home splendidly and wab given a good reception, as w as <. r, Direct, whose effort iu the hands of C. G. Lee was a splendid one. Had she won there is no doubt that t||e piebald filly, who was turned out in excellent order by heT owner-trainer, R. Lowe, would have received a remarkable ovation. Though it was generally expected that the holding course would favour Acropolis and Bay Machine better than Imperial Lady. Imperial Lady was elected favourite for the Derby, and A. Holmes tried to win the classic alt the way. As Imperial Ladv led past the mile in 2.2 a sue was elosidy followed by Bay Machine and Acropolis, and with the speed turned on along the baek the rest of the field was soon out of the contest. Once in line for ho>“ e > Bay Machine and Acropolis challenged the leader and a groat tight ensued, but Bay Machine, on heading Imperial Lady, broke, and Acropolis, finishing solidly. won decisively from Imperial Lady, with Bay Machine three lengths back. Had he not left his feet, F. J. Smith’s charge, Bay Machine, would have made the finish more exciting. The winner’s time, 3.29 l-o. was good in the conditions. The fourth horse Cyone -Maid, was well baek. taking 3.41 to complete the journey. . Duriug an interval in the racing at Epsom on Saturday, Mr. Norman Wade, vicepresident of the Auckland Trotting Club, made a presentation to two veteran trainers and drivers. Freeman Holmes and James . Bryce, in recognition of t“e ir Icngtliv and loyal service to the sport. Mr. Wade paid a warm tribute to the guests, referring to their numerous fine achievements and tlie fact that they were still playing a great, part. It was at the suggestion of Freeman Holmes that the Auckland club, in creating its commodious grandstand, provided additional accommodation for the public by adding tlie long rows of concrete steps.' It was also on tlie recommendation of James Bryce that the club changed from the clock to the barrier system of starting. •

Details Of The Racing

<By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND. February 13. Trial Handicap, of £250; trotters; 5.7 class. Two miles.—B/8 Peter Abbey, scr. (A. Holmes), 1; 6/7 Otawn Lass, scr. (Lee), 2; 1/1 Our Worthy, scr. (W. Brain), 3. Scratched : Black Monarch, Peter Sterling. Three lengths; ono length. Times: 4.54 4-o, 4.54 4-5, 4.55 1-5. Mount Albert Handicap, of £3aO; 4..>4 class. Two miles.—l/1 Surprise Potts, 1yds. behind (R. Berry), 1; 2/2 Lady Moncss, 12yds. behind (F. Herring), 2; 2/2 Sir Victor, 12yds. behind (C. Goodall), 3. Scratched: Certify. Half a head; a length. Times: 4.42, 4.42 1-5, 4.42 3-5. Lady Moness and Sir Victor were bracketed. Seventh Great Northern Trotting Stakes, of £5OO. For two-year-ojds. One mile.— 1/3 Bohemian (Berry, 1; 6/5 Joyce Direct (Lee), 2: 3/2 Jessie Dell (L. Mahaey), o. Scratched: Machinist. Neck; two lengths and a half. Times: 2.27 2-5. 2.27 3-5, 2.29 1-5. Josie Dell and Bexley’s Pride were bracketed. Otahuhu Handicap, of £1000; 3.24 class One mile and a half.—9/8 Double Peter, -4 yds. behind (N. McKenzie). 1: 7/6 Hillcrest, 12yds. behind (D. McKendry), 2; 8/9 Davey Day. 36yds. behind (N. Paul), 3; 1/2 Gold Flight, 24yds. behind (J. Pringle), 4. Scratched: Cyone Giri. Half a length: three-quarters of a length and a neck. Times:-3.19 3-5, 3.20 4-5, 3.19 1-5, 3.20 2-5. February Handicap, of £450; trotters; 3.37 class. One mile and a half.—l/l Home Guard, 48yds. behind (F. J. Smith), 1; 2/2 Roble, 36yds. behind (A. MeGregor), 2; 5/5 Dick Redmond, 60yds. behind (A. Brown). 3. Scratched: Nelson’s Glory. Half a head ; six lengths. Times: 3.31, 3.32 1-5, 3.35.

Great Northern Trotting Derby, of £6OO. For three-year-olds.—One mile and a half. —2/3 Acropolis (Berry). 1: 1/1 Imperial Lady (A. Holmes), 2; 3/2 Bay Machine (F. J. Smith). 3. Ono length and a half; three. Times: 3.29 3-5, 3.30. 3.32 2-5. Railway Handicap, of £450 ; 4.4 S class. Two miles.—4/4 Too True. 24yds. behind (R. A. McMillan). 1: 2/1 Rockfol, scr. C. Smith). 2: 1/2 Volo Senwood, 46yds. behind (F. J. Smith). 3. Scratched: Katoomba, Stuart Lee. Neck; 10 lengths. Times: 4:46, 4.46 1-5, 4.51 2-5.

Papnkura Handicap., of £550 ; 2.53 class. One mile and a quarter.—4/4 Dianne, 12 yds. behind (Prinslc), 1; S/S Alcazar, scr. (W. Cockbill). 2; 5/6 Air Speed, scr. (Berry). 3- Scratched: Native Man. Übakim. Head; neck. Times: 2.54 2-5, 2.55 3-5, 2.55 4-5.

Orakei Handicap (non-totalizator). , of £2OO ; 3.43 class. One mile and a half.— First division : Atlilono Direct, scr. (Goodall), 1: Medical Student, scr. (Sim), 2; Bill Ova (L. McMahon). 3. Ten lengths; one and a half. Times: 3.33, 3.36 3-5, 3.37 1-5. Second division: 'Manonee. scr. (M. Stewart). 1: Red Horizon, scr. (Goodall). 2; Press Gang. 48yds behind (A. McKenzie), 3. Scratched. Swordsplay. Three-quarters of a length; one and a half. Times: 3.37 2-5, 3.37 4-5, 3.34 2-5.