WELLINGTON TROTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 43, 19 August 1944, Page 10

WELLINGTON TROTS

(By "Ariki Toa.")

THE SPRING PROGRAMME

The appearance of the programme for the ■ Wellington Trotting Club's Spring' Meeting,- to be held at Trentnam on- September 9, will stimulate light-harness interest at this end of the island, and a wide and varied range of events has been framed. In all. £3000 has been allocated in stakes. The main attraction will be the Wellington Stakes, of £600, U miles, which is the first classic of "the season. Included among the entries are' all the leading two-year-olds of last term. The betterclass handicap performers are catered for by the Sir Thomas Wilford Memorial, £600. 3.23 class, 1£ miles, and the Wellington Handicap, £400, 2.48 rate,. 1 mile and 3 furlongs. Other events are:—Nai Nai Handicap (trotters), £250, 3.49 class, 1J miles; Sharpe Handicap, £250, 3.5 rate. 1 mile and 3 furlongs; Taitai Handicap (trotters), £250, 5.7 class, 2 miles; Belmont Handicap, £250, 3.43 class, 1J miles; and Railway Handicap, £400, 4.49 class, 2 miles. Entries close ~, on Monday, August 28, at 5; p.m. Likely Novice. —Among the novice trotters who appeared at the Auckland Meeting last Saturday was Fighting Friend, a six-year-old gelding by Ringtrue from Great Eyre, who has already produced two first-class performers in Golden Eagle and Great Admiral. Fight'ing,Friend competed in the non-totalisa'tor event and Was always in', the 'thick of the fray, finally finishing a length, and.a half behind the winner, Firewater, who made the form look even better ■by coming out and winning again later in 'the afternoon. The racing experience should prove most beneficial to Fighting Friend/and he is likely to have plenty of supporters when nsxt produced.

Will Do Better. —Desert Lad was expected to prove .'difficult to beat in the novice event at' Epsom, and the son of Wrack was responsible for a sterling effort. When the tapes were released he went to a break and lost much valuable ground, but once back to his gait he revealed a fine burst' of. speed to overhaul the leaders and finally finish up in second place. This pacer is certain to improve on this effort before the season is much further advanced.

Improved With Age.-—Modest Maid fiade it-.tjVp on end when she accountd foir the better-class trotting race at Epsom last Saturday, and there was a style and grace about' the effortless manner in whi.cn she easily silenced the opposition, suggestive of even better things to come. This mare has always possessed speed above,the average, but in the past has often jeopardised a winning chance by breaking for no apparent reason. ' However, age appears to have eradicated this fault, and there is no reason why this wellbred daughter of Wrack and ■ Belle Axworthy should not reach the tightest classes. ■'

Win .Was Overdue. —It has taken Sonny Jewel a long time to win a race, but .the Jewel Pointer gelding "broke the ice" when he won the first division of the Introductory Handicap at the Auckland Meeting. He was in front all the way and at the finish had two lengths to spare. Later in the day the gelding paraded in the United Handicap, and proved the earlier form reliable by acting as run-ner-up to Lady Moness. Sonny Jewel carries the colours .of Mr. J. August, president of the Wellington Trotting Club. ,: Useful Team.— Since returning from service overseas C. Smith has' been building up the nucleus of a useful team, and there appears to be plenty of talent among the pacers he is preparing at Epsom. In this latter category is Sir Archie, who showed plenty of speed to finish just outside a place in the novice event at the Auckland Meeting. He is still capable of improvement.