AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 82, 16 October 1928, Page 11

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB

NOTES AND PROSPECTS (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, This Day. The track was in fair order for the first day's racing of the Auckland Trotting Club's Spring Meeting yesterday. There was a capital attendance for a postponed meeting, and. although the racing was not too interesting, most of the finishes were very close. The fields were of good average 'size, but the Spring Handicap was a falsely-run race, as was the Stewards* Handicap, and too much notice must not be taken of the form shown in these races. Etta Cole, who won the Waitemata Handicap, was solidly backed. She is a very fine young trotter by Peterwah, and has been doing good training work,, which caused her solid support. She lost slightly at the start, but quickly got into her gait, and went solidly all the way. She will show more improvement this season. Lonesomo, who was driven by B. Jarden, went out well and trotted solidly all tho way. She was1 for some time in H. Frost's stable,.and is by Nelson Biugen from My Mistake. She has not been long in work, and just failed in the concluding stages. . Bright Light, by Petereta from Eosechild, and owned in Taranaki, was well supported, and went a fine race, and it looks as though the race should do her good, as she was obviously not ready. I , The consistent Gold Sovereign stayed on better than any in the Waitemata Handicap, and beat all but the winner. She was driven by the veteran T. Eoe, who has had a long experience with trotters and pacers. J. Brycc drove a fine raco on Free Advice when he just beat Laplander in the Improvers' Handicap. He got a good position with a round to go, and made his effort at the right time. Free Advice is staying on better with age, and the Blue Mountain King mare looks like reaching top class. Laplander wont a much better race in the Improvers' Handicap than he did at Methven. After a slow beginning he gradually got to the leaders, and fought out a fine finish to be just^ beaten. Kohara was a much improved horse to when he raced at Addington in August, and ho had a race run to suit him in the Spring Handicap. Although boing badly placed early, the last five furlongs was fast, and Kohara showed his stamina in a decided fashion. Last year's Cup winner is now in good form for tho Cup, and another race should put him at his best. He is on lease to Mr. J. E. Corrigan, whose son drove him. Loch Moigh finished on well in the Spring Handicap after leading the field all the way, but tho raco was not a true run one, and- had the first mile boon done faster he may not have got second money. The Palmerston North pacer, however, is very well. The final half-mile sprint in the Spring Handicap found out Jackie Audubon, Talent, and Western King, who stopped badly, but Dalmeny, who was solidly backed, was beaten at a milo and a half. Wrackler, coupled with Wrackeen, was easily the favourite choice for the Derby, with Hinkler next best supported. Wrackler just beat Rolfc Audnbon at the end, the Ashburton representative being hard put. to it to shake off

the Auckland representative. Wraekle'r looks a good deal lighter than.when he last raced, but he has done a lot of work, and fought out the final furlong with groat determination, as he had some difficulty in 1 getting a clear run iv the straight. M. Holmes drove a careful race on the winner. Bolfe Audubon looks as though he will show improvement when next raced. His driver stated before the race that Eolfe Audubon was short of work but was expected to go a good race. As the speed was solid all th* way he had no time for a respite. Trustworthy did not look at her best but the Auckland filly went a gostf honest race all the way. She is a qualitylooking filly and a fine advertisement for her sire, Worthy Eond. Hinkler proved that his track form was reliable, as throughout the Derby he was always handy and was just beaten for third place. The race will improve him. ■ • The heavy track suited Pageant in the Stewards' Handicap, and the slow speed of the first half of the journey was also in his favour. He won by a narrow margin, pageant paced one of his best races, but it was not a true run race. Harvest Child's showing was hard to follow in the Stewards' Handicap. He was well away and had everything in his favour, but going out of the straight the last time three horses, passed him and he never seemed able to muster up any speed in the concluding stages. -Fight Ever had everything in his favour m the Stewards' Haadicap, but is the final sprint home Fight Ever quitetailed to show any dash and could finish only m third place. The' Spring Handicap saw Jackie Audubon finish third, and the race evidently sharpened him up, as in the mile event he showed plenty of dash and came home fast. He looked as though he might mix his gait in the last fifty yards, but Kennevley kept him together long enough to win. All Bell has been racing a great many seasons now, but the Gold Bell gelding is still possessed of a good deal of speed, and is so well mannered and a^good beginner that he always has a chance in sprint events. Maxegin was a solid favourite for the Mountain Trot, but-the Wellington trotter would not settle down to trot m the first half-mile, and was soon out of the race. Tiger Salve was brought to the Dominion some time ago by T. Eichards, but he raced very indifferently for some time, although having speed in hii races. In the Mountain Trot he went very steadily all the way, and is a good stayer. He is just a. useful sort, however, with solidity as his chief asset. Great Change, after a good beginning and showing plenty of speed, broke half a mile from home when he looked likely to trouble the ultimate winner. He caught his gait well and came on to get second place. Young Blake did not seem to be quite at his best, as although trotting with, plenty of dash, he stopped badly in' the concluding stages. The going possibly did not suit the brilliant trotter. Taipare, who won the mile and a quarter, paid a false price, aa on his showing in the Stewards' Handicap he should have been better backed. He is a fino pacer by Our Thorpe, and is trained and owned in Auckland. Nelson Tasker, who finished second in the mile and a quarter, is by Nelson. Bingen from Sal Tasker. He has a fine turn of speed, but a non-stayer^ and his performance over the short course was full of merit. ... ■ • Luvan was the medium of heavybacking in the mile and a quarter, and but for a bad happening may have won the race. She was going very fast over the last quarter, and got third.