METROPOLITAN TROTS

Grey River Argus, 13 August 1937, Page 7

METROPOLITAN TROTS

Fields for Second Day The Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting will conclude to-day, and large fields are again engaged. The win and place totalisator will operate. The fields, prospects, and starting times are as follows: — 11.30: MIDWINTER HANDICAP, unhoppled trotters, 3.34 class. One mile and a-half. Header, Kippagh, Mabel Chimes Parrish Chimes, Reward, Sister Mary scr., Lady Sonoma, Little Reta 12, Franz Derby, Lament, Mataunga 24, Polly Pan 36. Golden Eagle 60, Waikato Prince, Great Admiral 84. Lady Sonoma Frank Derby Polly Pan 12.10: LIGHTNING HANDICAP, 2.49 class, one mile and a-quarter. Ciro, Full Hand, Golden Cross, Golden Direst, Sky Wink, Social Pest scr.. Aide de Camp, Eighteen Carat. Gailliard, Renown’s Best, Tangatu, William Tell 12, Logan’s Pride 24. Aide de Camp Renown’s Best Eighteen Carat

12.50: NATIONAL HANDICAP, 4.28 class, two miles.—Gallant Knight, Grace McElwyn, Lewellyn’s Pride, Lucky Jack, Pot Luck, Smooger scr., Rocks Ahead 12, Bingen Palm, Gamble Glenrossie, New Derby, Reporter, Tempest 24, Cloudy Range, Eyicus, Graham Direct, King’s Warrior, Rey Spec, Rollo, Willow Wave 36, Blue Mountain, De Soto 48. Reporter Pot Luck King’s Warrior 1.35: FEDERAL HANDICAP, 2.46 class. One mile and a-quarter; Double Great, Frisco Lady, King’s Play, ’ Southern Smile, Worthy King, ; Wrackler scr., Gunfire 12, King’s • Warrior, Nervie’s Last, Queen Au- ’ thor 24. King’s Play Nervie’s Last Frisco Lady , 2.15: ADDINGTON’ HANDICAP, unhoppled trotters; 3.29 class. One mile and a-half.—Bittersweet, Fifa, Flotsam, Garner, Golden Eagle, Franz Derby Lough Guy, Norman Fox, Polly Pan, Raclaim scr., Amonos 12, Great Admiral 24. Waikato Prince 24, Discord King’s Guard, Wahnooka 36. 2.55: Golden Eagle Bittersweet Raclaim ISLINGTON HANDICAP, 4.36 class. Two miles.—Blair Athol, Mystery Yet, Play On, Renown’s Best scr., Eighteen Carat 12, Casanova, U. Scott 24. U. Scott Blair Athol 3.35: HEATHCOTE HANDICAP, 4.32 ’ class, two miles.—Double Great, Eivo, : Happy Knight, Iraq, i\ervie’s Last, ( Parisienne, Southern Smile, Stirling ‘ Lady scr, Guy Junior 12, Isobel J Derby, Raydus, Sea Gift (T) 24, King’s Play 48. Sea Gift Parisienne Nervie’s Last 4.15: f FAREWELL HANDICAP, 2.43 class, one miles and a-quarter,—Bin-gen Palm, Evicus, Glenrossie, New g Derby, Rey Spec, Rocks Ahead, Wil- ‘ low Wave scr., Blue Mountain, De a Soto, Supertax, Worthy Light 12, v Cloudy Range, Grand Mogul, Report- j er 24. v Rocks Ahead Glenrossie E Supertax g - Racing Notes “

Origin of Steeplechase: In early days in England, hunting men raced across country, the steeple of the church in an adjoining village, the outstanding landmark, being their objective. It was a chase for the steeple. Engaged at Riccarton: Irish Fiddle, who created a good impression when she won a novice plate at Washdyke, is expected to add to her reputation during the present week. Fate of Favourites: It is 10 years since a favourite won the Grand National Huruies, and it was 10 years prior to that that the No. 1 selection succeeded. On the law of averages a favourite is due this year. Backers have been more fortunate in the Steeplechase, having picked the winner seven times in 20 years. Two Winter Cup favourites have scored in the last 20 years, the last being Fast Passage in 1932. Other winners during period have ranked as follows on the machine:—Nos. 25, 22, 17, 16, 15, 12, 9 (twice). Likely to do Better: That smart sprinter Orate has resumed work at Te Awamutu and will be seen out during spring meetings. He has had a lengthy spell, from which he should have derived considerable benefit. The best performance registered by Orate last season was his victory in the Railway Handicap at Avondale, when he accounted for several well-performed gallopers. As he is only a four-year-old Orate is likely to reveal further improvement tnis season. In Good Condition: Nothing of a serious nature has been asked of Royal Appellant during the last couple of weeks, but he is in great heart to begin racing in the new season. Although steadily rising in the handicaps as the result of his improved form, there will be plenty of races to suit the son of Appellant during the next few months, as Royal Appellant is omy in his sixth year he should go a long way yet be fore he comes to the end of his career.

Will Soon be Ready: The stablemates Stretto and Privy Seal have done a lot of strong pace work during the last month or two and are steadily hardening in condition. This pair should come on quickly with a few fast gallops, and K. S. Bagby will have them well forward by the time the spring meetings arrive. If Stretto gets back to the form she displayed as a two-year-old she will be a decided acquisition to the sprint class in the Auckland province. Brown Oak Returns:

Brown Oak, by Lackham —Bon Marche, a membei' of the team that H. E. Russell took to Syaney, returned home by the Wanganella last Wednesday, Also on board were the imported Tetratema stallion Theio and three yearlings purchasea in Australia on behalf of Mr. J. Jamieson, of Wairarapa.

Back From a Spell: Two of the most recent additions to the active brigade at Ellerslie are Te Hai and Jack Tar, wno have just returned from a spell. Both horses are in the right order to commence work, and summed up on their previous form they should be capable of paying their way during the current season.

Partial to Soft Going: As the result of regular schooling over hurdles Prince Colossus is becoming more profficient in his jumping and he may eventually make good over the battens. He has improved a good deal since he raced at the Great Northern meeting, and as he is usually at his best when the ground is soft no excuses can be made for him if he fails to earn some money within the next few months.

Should Make Good: For some time past Top Star has been doing all his work on the sand track, and, judged by the way he is getting through his tasks, he will soon be ready to race. It is some weeks since Top Star has been schooled over the steeplechase fences at Ellerslie but his displays on former occasions indicate that he is likely to develop into a payable proposition as a jumper. He will probably make his reappearance!

at the Pakuranga meeting next Sa’ urday week.

Respectful: Respectful is undergoing a course of scholing at Te Rapa in preparation for spring racing and has been showing aptitude for the jumping game. All going well in the interim he will be produced over hurdles at the Pakuranga Hunt, when he will be ridden by R. Cotter. Likely Novice:

A likely-looking novice at Te Rapa is Hunting Blood, a threequarter brother to Sporting Blood, by Hunting Song from Moti, and if appearances count for anything he should pay his way in the 1937-38 season. He was on the tracks last week and worked freely on the grass. He is a nice mover and possesses an abundance of quality. Answer to Correspondent:

“Argument”—The official placings in the last Great Northern Derby were: 3 Essex 1; 1 Trench Fight 2; 7 Quadroon 3. The judge’s decision met with a hostile demonstration, many being under the impression that Martara (placed fifth) who finished wide on the outside of the course had won. Record of Cottingham:

Cottingham, the winner of the 193" Grand National Hurdles, is a nine-year-old son of Polazel from the Greyspear-Sweet Smile mare, Sweet Beauty, a half-sister to Polydora (also by Polazel, and dam also of the sprinter, Rebel Star. Bred and owned by Mr G. Hall (Hororata), Cottingham is trained by H. Nurse, al Riccarton. He did not commence racing until a late five-year-old, when he won the Hadlow Hack and Hunters Hurdles at Washdkye, first time out. He has now won seven races in 21 starts for over £lOOO in stakes. When raced on the flat, one of his best wins was the D.J.C. Stewards Handicap (one mile) from Plato. Trotting Notes Recovered from Lameness: Although his unsound leg is still far from clean looking, Coherto has made a good recovery from the lameness which came against him a short time ago, and he is standing up to his work well. However, he has yet to do any fast work, and it is then that his weak points may be apparent. Back in the Paddock:

An attempt was recently made to get the speedy Girvan back to racing order, but after making good progress in the early stages of his work he showed signs of his old lameness, and it was thought advisable again to relegate him to the paddock, thus avoiding the possibility of a complete breakdown.

Useful Sort: Reporter has won over £2OOO in stakes in the last twelve months. Parisienne: Parisienne shows speed, stamina, and gameness in a high degree, and is the makings of one of the best mares bred in this country.