NOTES ON THE RACING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 130, 4 June 1931, Page 7

NOTES ON THE RACING

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") CHRISTCHURCH. 3rd June. Glorious -weather favoured the Canterbury Park Trotting Club for the first day of the Winter Meeting. The track was in great order and times were exceptionally fast. Nothing to'approach them-has been seen here previously in June. Three fresh horses qualified for the New Zealand Cup. They were Dillon Logan, Meteor, and St. George, who filled the places in the Pioneer Handicap, class 4.35, their respective times being 4min 23sec, 4min 24 2-ssec, and 4min 24sec. Todd Lonzia broke the record for a three-year-old trotter by doing 3min 2G 2-ssec for the mile and a half, thn previous best being White Satiu. 3min 27 3-ssoc. Welcome Guy, the 'favourite for the Progressive Handicap, settled his chance by failing :to go off right, but when he nettled down he trotted a good race. Wah also broke up at the start and was not seen again. Mat Voyage led for a mile, but Todd Lonzia, after trailfng him

'to that point, drew out to win easily. The winner, who is only three years old, gave a great showing all the way. His time. 3min 26 2-ssec, was a record iora three-year-old trotter, beating the 3min 27 3-ssec of White Satin. He shapes like being a champion, and in the meantime he is the best of his age to race at Addmgton. The Harewood Handicap was a very interesting race. Priceless led the bunch for half the.going, and then was joined by .Ayrmont Chimes, who took the lead in the back stretch. He was first into the straight, but Our George, who had been well placed all the way, wore him down and Avon by a neck. The victory of this English horse was very popular. Vesuvius was responsible for a very attractive performance in winning the King George Handicap. He shot out bril-, liantly.and taking the lead at .the end of a furlong, he was never again headed. Apart from showing great pace, he stayed the journey in fine style. The veteran, Logan Chief, was not in the picture early, but came with an unexpected rattle over the last two furlongs to get second, lho two-mile form of Vesuvius is of special interest from the fact that he was operated on some time ago for throat trouble. The Elevation Handicap provided an exciting finish. Stand By took the lead early, but Nelson's Boy raced past him half a mile from home, having an advantage of several lengths at the entrance to the straight, where Nelson Ata, All Peters, Stand By, and White Satin were prominent, with Quickfire coming with a great run. Nelson's Boy tired and Quickfire beat him by half a length, with Nelson Ata and White Satin close up. Quickfire went badly in the early stages, but put in a sensational run over-the final part of the journey. Dillon Logan registered a great performance in winning the Pioneer Handicap. Starting from the back, he was rushed to the front three furlongs from home, and after that the race always looked good for him. He won his first race at Westport on Boxing Day, and now he has reached Cup class, as in his latest effort he went 4min 23.sec from a 4min 35scc mark. It is hard to say how good he is. Kollo paced a sound race to wiu the Advance Handicap. In the past ho has been beaten on several occasions through a tendency to mix his gaitl On this occasion luck was on his side. Satin King broke at the Btart, losing so much ground that it seemed useless to chase the tield. Hooper kept the Southland-bred gelding going, however, and he finished in second place. It was a remarkably fine performance. The last two furlongs of the Telegraph Handicap were left to Sodium and Roicole, who were out several lengths clear of the field. The pair came home together, with both drivers sitting still and Sodium, got home by a neck. The favourite, Maurice Dillon, was three lengths away, pacing a good race, without looking to have a chance of/catching the pair in front. It was one of the fastest mile races seen on the course, and certainly there has been nothing, to. equal it in midwinter. The first and second', horses,,, handicapped at j 2min 16sec, weilt 2min 9 l-ssec and 2mins 9 2-ssec respectively. ■ ~ . The Final Handicap saw Great Triumph and Our Bird begin very fast, and soon opened out a gap, but the early pace settled .them after going five furlong's.; Wild Voyage then took charge, but' Meteor! wore her down and just won. The winnerj is a solid customer, who had run a good) race over two miles earlier in the day. He* will do well later.in the best two-mile comJ pauy.