TROTTING TRIALS

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1946, Page 6

TROTTING TRIALS

Going Heavy HORSES FOR AUCKLAND CLUB’S WINTER MEETING. (Special to “Argus”) AUCKLAND, May 16. The .final trials of horses engaged on the second day of the Auckland Trotting Club’s winter meeting took place on the outside of the course proper. The most attractive performers were Highland Fling, Maioha, Heliopolis, Bay Machine, Bonny Axworth, Sura Wave, Herald, Shadow Son, Toushay, Margaret Hall, Misty-

dale and Acropolis. The trials provided a real test for horses capable of handling soft ground, as the going was heavy. Rain fell at intervals, making conditions more unpleasant. It was noticeable that horses who raced prominently on the yielding turf last Saturday were again conspicuous. Highland Fling (D. McKendry), who worked before the track cut out, was responsible for the best figures when he covered a mile and a-half in 3.38, the first mile taking 2.28. Highland Fling does not appear to have taken I any harm from his hard race last Saturday. He put dash into his work, coming home the last quarter in 34 seconds. Margaret Hall (W. Butt) was always going better than Red Settei (S. Wright). In their two miles task, which occupied 5.10, Margaret Hall' ran the last half mile comfortablyj in 1.12 3-5. Acropolis (Wright) was' doing better than Stimulant (Butt) at the end of two miles in 5.15. The last half mile was run in 1.12, Acropolis splinting the last quarter in o 5 seconds'. The trotter, Mistydale (S. Todd), was seen to advantage when she led Chinook (R. A. Hamilton) and Fancy Goods (G. Johnston) over a mile and a-half in 3.55. Mistydale, who handled the heavy going better than her pacing companions', trotted the last half mile comfortably in 1.15. Maioha (R. A. McMillan) covered two miles in 5.3, the last mile and a-half in 3.43, and the last mile in 1.12. He was one of the last to work, and the ground was badly cut up. Heliopolis (Mackie) assisted by Ihi Ihi (K. F. Morrison) and Pardon Me (A. Bryce) over the last mile and a-half in 4.3, completed two miles in 5.19. Heliopolis, who was well behind the two trotters when they jumped away from the mile and a-half, covered that section in 4.59, coming home the last half mile nicely in 1.12 2-5. Shadow Son (W. C. McCullough) and Herald (L. Rees) ran a mile and a-half in 4.3, the last half mile in 1.13. Toushay (L. Berkett), who followed several lengths behind them, returned 4.1. He finished well to record 1.12 for the last half mile.

' Benghazi (W. Butt) and Bel Esprit (H. Griffin) finished clear of Aerial Scott (J. B. Pringle) at the conclusion of a mile and a-half in 4.12. Benghazi was going very easily and Bel Esprit, who ran the last quarter in 37 3-5, showed improvement. Bay Machine (J. W. McKendrick) finished a little better than Too True (McMillan) at the end of a mile and a-half in 3.52, the first mile taking 2.40.

In spite of two breaks during a mile and a-half task, Auto Chief (B. Dyer) beat Balalaika (McMillan) in 3.57, running the last half mile in 1.14.

Sura Wave" (V. Mackie) finished particularly well to overhaul Bonny Axworth (A. O. Hill) on the post at the conclusion of a mile and a-half in 4.0. Sura Wave, who is on the upgrade, ran the last half mile in 1.11 3-5. Albert Tracey (L. Mahoney), who accompanied them, broke badly in the run home.

Axworthy Star (R. Stevens) led Keen Blade (D. McKendry) throughout a mile and a-half task in 4.0, trotting the last half mil?, with somethingin reserve, in 1.15 4-5. Keen Blade broke badly on two occasions.