WAIKATO TROTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 131, 30 November 1939, Page 17

WAIKATO TROTS

EQUIPOISE WELL PLACED

(By "Ariki Toa.'?)

A feature of the acceptance list for the Waikato Trotting Club's Springs Meeting on Saturday was the fact that there was only one withdrawal from the two principal events, this being Loyal Direct, who struck herself while competing at the Waikato Show. Air though there are three brackets in the'Waikato Handicap the Held is large enough for three place dividends. The combinations are Equipoise and Great Chum, Francisco and Jpsedale Grattan, and Tangatu and Bold Venture. In view of his encouraging display at the Auckland Spring Meeting Equipoise appeals as the mainstay of S. M. August's bracket. In spite of an interrupted preparation, owing to recurring lameness, he was responsible for a high-class performance to finish fourth in the Insulation Handicap, registering 4min 22 3-ssec off a 4.38 mark. He was on 60yds, and those who beat him, Mongolian, Josedale Gratton, and Shrewdie, were all on 12yds. On this occasion Equipoise meets Josedale Grattan on 84yds better terms, which should enable him to beat the American horse.

P. J. Smith's combination, Francisco and Josedale Grattan, are both in fine form at present. Francisco won at Epsom in August, and at her next appearance was desperately unlucky to be beaten. After losing fully 50yds at the start and running her final half-mile in Imin lsec "she was still equal to securing third money in 3min, 18 3-ssec. She has previously proved her ability over two miles, winning on a heavy track at Reef ton last season. -f' ' Josedale Grattan has made a rapid rise when It is considered that he was a maiden last June. He has made three appearances over two miles for a win and two seconds. When defeated at Epsom by Mongolian he registered 4min 26 l-ssec, improving to 4min 23 3-ssec off 4.40 when finishing second to Great Don in the Empire Handicap at Addington. Oh the final day of the latter carnival he -won the Australasian" Handicap in 4min 32 2-ssec, but the race was little more than a half-mile sprint. G. T. Mitchell has two useful candidates in Tangatu and Bold Venture, and the former's prospects would be enhanced on a soft track. Bold Venture was twice second at two miles last season,, subsequently registering 4min 30sec to finish'third to Peter Smith and Loyal Direct at Auckland. Uenuku, winner of the Hawera Trotting Cup and the Adams Memorial, has a difficult task from 84yds. In spite of his 3min 13 2-ssec for a mile and a half, his best time dyer two miles j.s 4min 28sec. However, the run is sure to bring him on in his preparation for the Auckland Trotting Cup. •• ■■ ■■•.-. • - r , v .•■•.•■ ••■• The race is full of possibilities, but the brightest prospects may be held by Equipoise and the coupled Josedale Grattan and Francisco. .

I ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "F.P.J."— P., £1 17s 6d; S., £1 9s 6d; : S.W., £3 19s 6d; S., £3 3s and £1 165.6 d; G., £2 14s. "J.H.F."—C.B., £34 4s and £7 6s 6d.