TROTTING NOTES

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 108, 3 November 1926, Page 5

TROTTING NOTES

(By "Vedette.")

TROTTING FIXTURES.

9, 11, 12— N.Z. Metropolitan T C November 19, 20—Nelson T.C. November 20, 24—Otabuhu T.C. November 26, 27—Forbury Park T C December 4—Walkato T.C. December 8, 11—Welllnnton T.C. December 16, 18—New Brighton T 0. December 27—AshHurton i.e. December 27—Gore T.C. December 27, 28—South Wairarapa T.C December 27, 28—WeBtporfc T.C. December 28, 30, 31—Auckland T.C. December 30—Wlnton T.C

Next Tuesday will see many arguments definitely settled, for on that day the New Zealand Trotting Cup is to be decided. Just at this period there are rumours concerning this horse and that, and it does seem certain that a small field will go to the post. This, should not spoil the race by any means, and all that is hoped for is a fair dispatch and a fairly run race. Anyway there are fourteen acceptors, one more than in the galloping Cup. A Southern critic who has had the opportunity o£ -watching the Cup horse 3 race and work sums up the position as follows:—Native Chief is one of the sound horses in the race. He was not on his best behaviour at Greymouth in the Free-lor-All, and caused his usual trouble at the start; but when A. Hendriksen did get him on the journey Native Chief went over the course with his frictionless gait and paced solidly. If the four-year-old would only begin right he would have a

royal chance of winning the New Zealand Cup. He has plenty of speed and also possesses great stamina. The "distance will not trouble him. Talaro's form at Greymouth was not impressive, and his chance looks remote. Queen's Own will require to improve; but it is reported that she is amiss, so she is a doubtful starter. Black Admiral is sound and reliable, and he may show up well. Dolly Dillon has never worked better. The Addington-ti-ained mare has not done much fast work, but her owner-trainer has put in a lot of time with his pacer, who may race a good deal better than many expect. Prince Pointer, who is trained at New Brighton, looks in the pink of condition, but he has a suspicious knee and docs not race at his best on a left-handed course. It is more than probable that a

few fast work-outs will find him wanting at the end. Ahuriri, who won last year, will be one of the hardest to beat on the day. He is a sound horse, who has so far stood up to his work well, and with a year's advantage regarding age he will be one of the favourites. J. Bryce considers .Ahuriri will be hard to beat. Jack Potts cannot possess any chance, as he has not done any solid work owing to his injury. The Anierican stallion is a rare good pacer when he is all [ right, but he will be a long way below his best form on Cup day. Acron is one of the most 'problematical horses in the Cup. He can do the distance, has brilliancy, and is looking well; but he is a doubtful proposition. If he will begin right, and if he is in the humour, he will take a lot of beating. Man'-o'-War cannot have much chance unless the track is soft. Waitaki Girl, one of the best performers in the second half of last season, is another who is under a cloud and her chance^does not.lock good. _ 'Onyx;was Vtotal wreck at August, but since that time she has come on a good deal, and she may race well on Cup day. Onyx can get the distance with ease, but she has not been racing well in her recent efforts. Sheik, who already has a Cup to his credit, was quite in the discard in. the early stages of the training, but the Aus-tralian-bred pacer, by reason of his condition and soundness, mustj possess a chance. It seems certain he will'get some of the prize-money. Great Bingen was thought to be hopelessly out of the contest when the handicaps appeared, but since that time the brilliant and sound pacer has won two races, and good judges proclaim him as possessing a chance second to none. Great Bingen looked in great form when racing at the Greymouth Trotting * Club's Meeting, and he will not lack condition en Cup day. If he should succeed there will be a wonderful scene, as he is set a greut task. Judged on his latest form it is quite certain he will beat more than beat him in the big race. Those who did not survive the acceptances for the Cup yesterday were Pedro Pronto, Nelson Derby, and Great Hope. Young Blake has been trotting in good style in his recent work in Christchurch, and he is being selected as an early winner. The death is recorded of the successful pacing stallion, Admiral Wood, by Wildwood Jun., from D.1.C., who was bred by Mr. A. E. Ives, of Papanui, and owned by Mr. A. G. Hunter; of Northwood Park, Seymour, Victoria. Admiral.Wood was taken to the Melbourne Show early in the month, where he was awarded the ribbon as champion stallion. While in his box at the Showgrounds he took ill, and was placed under the care of a veterinary surgeon, and recovered sufficiently to be taken home to Northwood Park. He continued to do well for a short period, but had a relapse, and despite everything possible being done he failed to' rally. Admiral Wood was one of the greatest pacers seen in the Dominion, and is credited with holding the two-mile world's record of 4min 23 2-ssec on a grass track. He was purchased by Mr. Hunter a few years ago, and at the stud he has proved an undoubted success. His progeny includes Miralwood, Direct Wood, Larimba, Fleet Admiral, Countess Whips, The Admiral, Florrie Wood, Honest Admiral, Katie Wood, Alto Wood, Speedy Wood, and Harry Wood, who have raced with success, while his young stock is held is very high esteem by breeders in Amtralia. The imported trotter Peterwah, who won the Alexandra Handicap at the Auckland Meeting, has bad several light sea- | sons at the stud, and the oldest of his stock are now two years old. A couple of these youngsters will find their way to the Auckland province in the near future. The local enthusiast, Mr. F. J. Docherty, has purchased a filly from Ami Dillon from her breeder, Mr. R. C. Fisken, who ' is also sending a gelding from Mahinga to the Epsom trainer, H. Kinnimont. It is understood that the youngsters have been shipped to Auckland from Gisborne. The two Great Northern Derby candidates, Great Peter and Peter Grattan, had their first outing in public at the Auckland Meeting, and both came in for a good deal of admiration, though neither was prominent in the running. Great Peter, who is a brother to Great Bingen, is a good-mannered colt, and he performed in a style that suggests 30ml- things for him later on. Bridget Galindo is a solid trotter, and may win in the slow class at any time now. Her two starts at the recent meeting yielded two thirds and her form should be worth noting. T. Richards's recent Australian importations, Longford and Tiger Salve, did not show up in their engagements at the Auckland Spring Meeting. Tiger Salve was noticed trotting in good styla at r-.no stage on the second day, while Longford is a very nice little horse, who may do a lot. better when lie becomes more acclimatised. "The season has only commenced in Auckland, and each of the £1000 handicaps have been won by visitors. I am afraid (says "Orion" in the Auckland "Star") this is only the forerunner of what will obtain throughout the year, as the local horses, with even a remote chance of picking up a four-figure stake, can be counted on the fingers of one hand;" ______________