Trotting Notes

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1940, Page 7

Trotting Notes

Out of Form . T „ „ The American stallions U. Scott and Gallant Knight, have not yet recovered their best form, but like many other horses, the tracks have not assisted them in their preparation

Speedy Pacers The fastest two miles of the recent meeting was recorded by Josedale Grattan, who, in running second to Lady Milne in the Heathcote Handicap, recorded 4min 18 l-ssec. This is a fine type of pacer, and has only to be given his opportunities to reach New Zealand Cup class. Lady Milne did 4min 19sec and Dusky Sound 4mm 18 3-ssec. The only race at the meeting in which the winner failed to improve on its assessment was the International Handicap on the opening day when Windsor Lass, from a 2min 45sec mark did 2min 45 l-ssec.

Leading Trainers C. S'. Donald, who headed the list of winning trainers last season, has made a good start for the present year, and with a double victory by Marlene, and one each by Accountant and Captain Bolt, he has four wins to his credit. J. Pringle with Lady Milne (2) and Windsor Lass is second on the list, while R. W. Townley, M. B. Edwards, and R. Townley have two each, and F. J. Smith has a win and a dead-heat.

Successful Horsemen Winning horsemen at Addington were R. Donald and J. B. Bring. e three each, R. W. Townley, J. Bryce junr , R. Townley and IM. Holmes two each’ and F. J. Smith a win and a dead-heat. The following each won a race: J. F. Foley, O. E. Hooper, M. C. McTiguej J. A. Gerrard, G. s>. Smith M. Stewart, L. Frost and P. Gallagher, while W. J. Doyle deadheated in one race.

Retired Indianapolis has been retired, and joins the Mardella Stud at Auckland

A Record Holder Dusky Sound, who has raced so brilliantly at Addington, holds the grass track record at 3mm 12 3-ssec. He ha's now won nine races

Seventeenth Win Pot Luck won his seventeenth race when he flashed past the post to win the King’s Handicap, principal race at Addington on Wednesday, after a stern battle with Lightning Lady, Southern Chief and Donald Dhu. Pot Luck won the Wellington Cup and the J'ubilee Handicap at New Brighton last year, and has collected £8027 in stakes. Trotting Association

During the year ended June 31, the New Zealand Trotting Association made a loss of £l7B 13s. The chief items of expenditure were salaries and audit fees £lOO6 3s 4d, travelling expenses £325 7s 9d, rent £2OO, general expenses £153 9s 4d, and printing and stationery £94 7s lOd. During the year £535 15s was received in license fees, £lB3 10s for registration of horses, £79 16s for registration of colours, and £lO9 2s in fines. The assets over liabilities are set down at £lOBl 7s sd. Messrs J. R. McKenzie, J. M. Samson and H. C. Harley were elected members for the following two years for the South Island, and Mr T. J. Buxton a representative of the North Island. Much-raced Pacers

During the trotting season recently concluded in Western Australia, no fewer than 17 pacers raced on 30 or

more occasions. The hardest worked was Pleasant Surprise, who competed on 37 occasions for one win and three seconds. It is rather remarkable that, although raced so frequently, only a few of them met with a fair measure of success. Casatar started 35 times and registered four firsts, three seconds, and four thirds. Bronette won four races in 34 starts, and Moreica' also won four races from 33 attempts. The veteran Sheik pacer Von Sheik appeared in public 36 times during the season for two wins and two seconds. Sir Raymond, who has often registered a sequence of minor places, had a busy time. He started 35 times, but although he raced consistently and recorded 10 minor pla'cings it was not until May 11 that he opened his wanning account for the season. Another horse who was very consistent was Pleasant Bo r , who ran two firsts, eight seconds, and three thirds. Wee Globe was a failure, for in 31 starts he could only manage a second and a third. A Driver Regraded

An inquiry wa's held into the starting of Horsepower from the wrong mark in the King’s Handicap on the second day of the Metropolitan Club's meeting, and the Judicial Committee found the driver of Horsepower (J Fraser, junr.) guilty of the charge, and decided to derate him to D grade for three months this term to be concurrent with the penalty previously imposed on him for interference with Waipahi in the Belgium Handicap on the same day, when he drove Harold Guy. The committee also found that the starter (Mr A. J. Hastings) was in no way to blame for Horsepower starting from the wrong mark. Horsepower began from the limit instead of from 12yds behind. The penalty imposed upon Fraser means that he can train horses, but cannot ride or drive in a race for three months TROTTING FIXTURES August 31—Auckland T.C. September 7—New Brighton T.C. September 21—Wellington T.C. October s—Methven T.C. October s—Thames T.C. RACING FIXTURES August 24—Pakuranga Hunt. , August 29—Egmont-Wanganui H.C. August 31—Taranaki H.C. August 31 —Otago H.C.