SPORTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 145, 16 December 1942, Page 6

SPORTING

SPLENDID RESPONSE

WELLINGTON TROT FIELDS

(By "Binocular.")

The response irom owners on acceptance night for the Wellington Trotting Meeting at Trentham on Saturday was almost phenomenal. Only one stable, that of H.. Stafford, of Leeston, dropped out, it being decided not to bring Tokalon, a winner at Greymouth in October. There were two other defections, Kaipaki Boy and Orme, but the former still claims an engagement in the Novice Handicap, and Orme dropped out in favour of another from the same stable. Work Entailed.—With the approach of the holiday period there was a dis-. tinct prospect that transportation for southern trainers attending the Wellington Meeting might be difficult, and the secretary. Mr. W. Pere, had a busy time completing arrangements to ensure the making of the trip. The response, under the circumstances, must be very pleasing to that officer. Cup Candidate.—Although the Royal Handicap, the principal event at the i Wellington Trotting Meeting on Saturday, will be confined to six horses; the class is excellent. One interesting runner is Bayard, who despite lacking the: winning form of some of the others will have friends as a result of his third to Haughty and Loyal Rey in the New Zealand Cup at Addington last month. On that occasion he was off the 12yds mark, whereas he and Dusky Sound are the backmarkers on this occasion. Plans Changed.—Although both Our Peggy and Pacing Power were originally accepted for the Auckland Trotting Meeting on Saturday, the fact that they survived the final payment for the Wellington fixture points to the pair doing their racing at Trentham. Both figure in the Electric Handicap, but whereas Our Peggy is on the back mark, Pacing Power is off the front. Divided Field. —Originally, the stewards of the Manawatu Racing Club made provision for a seven-race programme on the first day at Awapuni Consequently, they are now able to stage the Gillies Hack Handicap as two distinct races, and they will be third and seventh in the order. Similar action will not be possible on Boxing Day. an eight-race card having already been arranged. Meantime there are 53 horses for the Apprentices' Handicap and 51 in the Highden Hack Handicap. * Narrow Win. —Early in his career the Foxlight gelding Tavern Light showed ; a lot of promise in private, but it took him some little time to make good, his winning turn coming in! the Manuao Maiden Plate No. 2 at Otaki on Saturday. He did not have anything to spare, but he covered a good deal of extra ground on the turn. ! Finished Well.—An improved show- > ing was given, by Gynerio in the Manuao Maiden No. 2 at Otaki, and, better placed on the turn, he might I have been in the money. Last season ! the Gynerium gelding ran second at his first start, but Saturday's was his first glimpse of form this term. He got smothered up in the first furlong after starting from No. 1 position, but ! was flying af the finish in fourth place i Fatedv~-In his limited racing to date jTea Coat has met with a series of mis!haps, and the trot was continued at Otaki when, with his trainer in the saddle, which necessitated putting up I7ilb overweight, the saddle broke during the Mrace.- The Pink Coat gelding must be proving rather expensive. Brilliant.—The Vermeer gelding Solver showed a lot of early speed in his race at'Otaki, but failed to go on with it. He had run a creditable third behind two smart sorts at Rangitikei, but the extra furlong at Otaki told its tale. ■ .