TROTS AT ASHHURST

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 74, 28 March 1931, Page 23

TROTS AT ASHHURST

THE MEETING IN REVIEW

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post")

PALMERSTON N., This Day

Despite the hard times and the doubtful outcome that had attended the fixture as the result of its having been so adjacent to the galloping meeting at Awapuni, the >lanawatu Trotting Club has every reason to congratulate itself on the success of sts annual fixture at Ashhurst. In the majority of events the finishes were particularly close, and patrons, many of whom Bee comparatively .little trotting in the year, became quite enthusiastic over the racing, particularly as the favourite won on four occasions. Naturally, the club suffered a drop in the turnover, which ;was, however, quite anticipated. It was unfortunate that the opening event—the Ladies' Bracelet—should have been productive of a substantial dividend, when Tui Corouado, who had but 32 halitickets invested upon her prospects, beat, the favourite, Teri Kingi—the latter having 342 tickets—by half a length. Its effect was apparent in the succeeding rac<>, when the total investments retreated tiy a matter of 140 tickets, although it w:as a field of like strength numerically. The Hawera owner, Mr. J. R. Corrjgan, ]ias always proved to be a strong suppoi.'ter of the Manawatu Meeting, and two years ago lie won the principal event with Itichorcf. Twelve months ago he scored with Little Guy and Queen Elizabeth in the Longburn.and President's Handicaps, but he went on to still better things on Wednesday, when he registered first plat-ings with Worthy Queen, Ben Birjgon, and i'inora, and a second with Gijlden Oaks. In every instance the owner's son, Mr. A. J. Corrigan, held the'reins. Ben Bingen was responsible for a surprisingly sood performance in winning the_ Longburn Handicap. The one straigiht-out trotter in the field, he was out in. front till within two furlongs from home, v when lie went up into the air. His chaviees at that stage had to all appearances disappeared, but his driver got to work, and, finding an opening, drove him through to gain a well-merited victory. Rangihau, an Ashhurst-owned avid trainipd candidate, proved capable of 'capturinjf the principal, honours when ho held off two desperate challenges from Native Hero and Manco in the Manawntu Trotting Plate. It was a spectacular contest the whole journey, but the big (/isappointanent of the race was Lomar, who, after being prominent in the early stages of the running, faded out of the picture when pressure was applied. The one mishap during the itey occurred :n (he Longburn Handicap as-, (.he result •af Mount Logan's breaking when the iield was bunched. Liability riut a foot through the wheel of Mouiat Logan's sulky and was brought to earth, with the result that Luminatc. who was in behind, went over him. Mr. J. A. Mitchell, of Longburn, had Phyllis Axworthy in the race, and she duly scored nicely from Native Berry. The other runners were well beaten, and it is problematical whether the result would have been different had there not beetn the mix-up. Windshield, the favourite, was not goiug like a winner at any stagr^ being the big disappointment of the Corrigan team. The public wound up the day successfully by installing Jewel"s Elect a strong favourite for the Stewards' Handicap, and the judgment proved to be sound, although the issue was in doubt till the last few strides. The driver of the favourite appeared to make a dab on two occasions only to desist immediately, while liv twice had himself in a pocket and hail to tome out to avoid trouble. Al'lcr being required to run wide in the straight he cot up just in time to «core a narrow win. His backers thus had pome excitement for thett money. ;