TROTTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 14, 17 January 1941, Page 12

TROTTING

A QUICK RETURN

CYNIC'S SPLENDID FORM

(By "Ariki Toa.")

Cynic has not taken long to repay some of her purchase money since joining C. Moran's. stable at Hamilton, for in her only three starts since going north she has registered two firsts and s a second. An idea of her ability can be gained from the fact that she conceded starts up to 60yds when she scored in the Hautapu Handicap at Cambridge on Saturday, a feat that is rarely accomplished in maiden events anywhere in the Dominion. Cynic is a six-year-old mare by the Wrack horse Ciro from Gatwick, the dam of Ironside and who traces back to the thoroughbred horse Seaton Delaval. Overdue Success. Ropata registered his first success for just on two years when he annexed the Summer Handicap at Cambridge on Saturday, but the victory was well deserved if only for the reason that he has secured many minor placings in the interim without having any the luck of the running in several of his engagements. He has not been • overraced, and he leaves the impression that he will continue to improve on his past record. He is now trained by J. J. and E. N. Kennerley at Otahuhu. Bright Future. The easy manner in which Aurie's Star won the Salisbury Handicap at Timaru on Saturday was most impressive, for it is only on rare occasions that an intermediate handicap is won by such a decisive margin as twelve lengths. This mare, who was registering her second victory on end, has always possessed a brilliant burst of speed, but up till recently had jeopardised her chances by breaking at the start. However, her trainer's patience and also her racing experience has eradicated this fault, and she can now be relied upon to pace correctly all the way. Costly Break. Bomber was backed down to a short price in the Claremont Handicap at Timaru, and when he turned for home in the lead his supporters were on good terms with themselves, but it was short-lived, as the Quite Sure colt immediately went to a break and lost all chance. He is a splendid-manner trotter who should benefit considerably from racing experience. Statuette Good. Statuette is probably one of the best pacers in the Dominion in her class, and she should prove a splendid proposition to follow in the remainder of her engagements this season. On Saturday she was the only three-year-old to make anything like a showing against. Special Force, and the margin of defeat, three-quarters of a length, was no disgrace. She is a splendid beginner, and she displays real courage at the business end of her races. War Affects Sales. The war seems to have seriously affected racing in the United States. At a recent sale eleven yearling trotters from the famous Hanover Shoe Farm averaged only 1100 dollars. Eton, one of the best three-year trotters in the States, realised 2650 dollars—a bargain-counter price. He was bought over a year ago by an Australian, Mr. W. A. Hogan, but. as transport could not be arranged, he had the colt raced in America, with pleasing results. Etor. has a race record of 2min 2sec, and that he was sold for less than £60U is an indication that all is not well with the sport in the United States. Son of Noted Horseman. The victory of J. McLennan, jun., in the-mile saddle race at the Timaru Meeting on Saturday brings back memories of his father, who some 20 years ago was in the first flight nf New Zealand's trotting horsemen, states the "Press." At the New Zealand Metropolitan Spring Meeting in 1920 J. McLennan drove six winners, a record equalled at the same meeting by F. G. Holmes, the pair winning half the programme between them. McLennan was equally at home in saddle or sulky, with pacer or trotter, and he holds the distinction of having won more than one mile saddle race witn a trotter against the pacers. At the Forbury Park Meeting in 1935 he rode Admiral Bingen to win the Pacific Handicap, a mile saddle race, in 2min 13 4-ssec, and among his other most notable wins are the Dunedin Cup with ( Tatsy Dillon, the Free-for-AU with Albert Cling, and the Dominion Trot- ] ting Handicap with Erne Bingen and Elzear. At one meeting at Addington \ he won four races with Cello Sydney ] Wilkei. f :