HIS THIRD SUCCESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 65, 14 September 1943, Page 8

HIS THIRD SUCCESS

MR. MCKENZIE'S RECORD

Although it had been anticipated that the totalisator turnover at the Wellington Trotting Club's Meeting at Trentham on Saturday would top the £60,000 mark, it fell short by a matter of £1500, but in view of the indifferent run experienced by favourites, only one winning, the amount was very satisfactory. Good Innings.—By winning three races, Mr. J. R. McKenzie, of Christchurch, took the lion's share of the prize-money at Trentham, his aggregate being £725. The success of Scottish Emperor in the Wellington Stakes gave Mr. McKenzie his third win in the classic, Refund and Gallant Chief having scored for him in 1927 and 1939 respectively. As trainer G. B. Noble was in the sulky in all three instances on Saturday, the day was also a highly successful one for him. Noble drove his charges particularly well, and many patrons expected him to complete the day by driving Scottish Air to victory in the Wellington Handicap, but the U. Scott mare 'failed. She was a trifle slow to move, and although she worked to the front she weakened in the run home.

Fine Three-year-olds.—Of the five classic runners in the Wellington Stakes, Native Scott was the least attractive from the point of view . of looks. This representative of V. Alborn's stable looked rough in comparison with his fellows as a result of the U. Scott gelding having a heavy winter coat. Further, he was a trifle smaller. He showed a promising turn of speed, even if he failed to see out the full journey. Paul Collette was the showiest, and this Jack Potts colt should grow into a very handsome type. Acropolis looked the best from the point of view of racing condition, but the Dillon Hall gelding met his match on the day, Scottish Emperor outstaying him. An Improving Sort. —Plunder Bar was very full of life and fire when paraded for the Wellington Stakes, and declined to come into line at the barrier. Once on the journey he produced brilliant speed. He looks a type that will improve with racing. Costly.—Sports Guide came to the local meeting with a record of. brilliant speed which he has marred by inability to handle the turns. The roomy Trentham track was expected to be to his liking, but in addition to boring out in the straight at both his starts, he failed to respond generously when under pressure. His reputation will be somewhat smirched as a result of his displays here. /

A Mudlark. —Progeny of Man o War are usually able to handle heavy going, and in this respect Black; Label found conditions to his liking. However, had Sports Guide kept a straight course Black Label would probably have had to be content with second money. Improved. —Even though he ran a fair race for third in the Wilford Memorial, Follow Me showed much more vigour in his finishing run in the sprint. In the latter instance he met with a check when Sports Guide veered outwards, but given a touch of the whip the Quite Sure gelding responded, to simply smother the opposition over the last 100 yards.

Fared Badly.—Back in his owner's care'at; Petone, Gold Flight got all the worst of things at the barrier rise in the big event, .being sent back to bring up ;the rear, a positon he held right into the straight. He was not the last to finish, there being-two behind him,' but it was a disappointing performance after his successful outing at Addington.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Scotty."—H. £1 13s 6d; 8., £1 11s 6d and £1 6s. ' "Doubtful."—r;, £32s and £1 15s; A. £6. "Joy."—The actual dividends were £59 17s and £11 13s 6d.