SPORTING NOTES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4639, 13 May 1938, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

TROTTING AT CLAUDELANDS. PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW. (By Glentruin.) The Waikato Trotting Club received a splendid response from owners for its meeting to be held at Claudelands to-morrow. While the fields in the tighter-class races are of ample size, the number accepted for in the novice and improver classes are such as would indicate that the :-.port of trotting is definitely increasing in popularity in the province. The win-and-place system of betting will be used and the first race is timed to start at 11.30 a.m.

The largest field of the day is gathered together in the Introductory Handicap, which is for unhoppled trotters, run at lh miles. There are 18 on the limit mark aione and as this means that two divisions will be necessary, luck is likely to play a prominent part. Dick Redmond, Flash Bye, Leeleeta and Masterman are all likely improvers, while Heather Glow has been placed on the course before. Canadian, on Taranaki form, will probably be favourite, but Corona Bell, Native Princess and Lady Bunker will have support. The likely favourites should include Canadian, Heather Glow, Native Princess.

In the Eureka Handicap of 11 miles, 3.5 class, all the competitors are on the limit and divisions will again be necessary. Axminster has disappointed more than once, but will carry support to-morrow, and Frank Rolfe is always a possibility over short courses. Jewel Crest has been showing great promise at Epsom, and is bred to go fast. This gelding is by Jewel Pointer from Bingen Crest and is expected to develop into something really good later. John's Last is racing more solidly now and must be considered, and of the others Scottish Bard, Wall Street, and Winhisway will have supporters. A likely trio may be John's Last, Jewel Crest, Axminster.

The Autumn Handicap, of 2 miles, the principal event on the day's programme, has drawn a fine field of ten, and a splendid contest should result. Guid Hairst, Kewpie's Crest and Twenty Grand figure on the limit, and the latter, which comes from the South with the right credentials, should hold the other pair safe. Argolis and Gay Sister, off 12 yards, are both in form, and Our War should improve on his good third at Auckland. Crocus, 48yds, will be bracketed with Musketeer, and the bracket will be heavily supported. Winaway has a later engagement and Proletarian may find the task beyond him in spite of the fact that he won well at his last start. Best backed may be CrocusMusketeer bracket, Twenty Grand, Our War.

There are some useful performers in the Tamahere Handicap, of li miles, and, of the quintette on the limit, the form horse is Petite Jewel. Bismuth is working well and Our Summer showed a return to form at New Plymouth. Transwell seems to have come right and both' Young Pointer and Handicapper will be backed. Of the back-markers, the two-year-old Sandusky appeals most. The possibilities should include Petite Jewel, Sandusky, Transwell. The Members' Handicap, of 2 miles, is for unhoppled trotters only. Canadian, if started, will again be supported and Grand Triumph should go well oft 0 12 yards. Within is a very promising young trotter, and he promises to start favourite. Bingen Sun and Reception are both capable of a surprise, but Moko Girl, off 156 yards, has the job well in front of her. Form points to Within, Canadian, Grand Triumph. Fifteen figure on the limit in the Rukuhia Handicap of class, while Roma Girl is alone on 48yds. As most of these horses have a prior engagement in the Eureka Handicap, form shown in that event is likely to have a considerable bear ing on the position here. Howeve % three which should be in the firing line at the finish are, Ratepayer, Axminster, John's Last.

A very smart field of sprinters stand their ground in the Kaipaki Handicap of 1J miles, 2.51 class. Of those on the limit, investors will probably prefer Twenty Grand, Our Peggy and Hearsay, but Valdor (which should be due any time now> and Our War, on 12yds, are near enough to cause the front lot a heap of bother. Winaway goes well over this distance, while Crocus, 36yds, and Star Pronto, 48yds, are both brilliant pacers and must always command respect. Investors may prefer Our Peggy, Crocus-Musketeer bracket, Our War.

The meeting will conclude with the Visitors' Handicap, of one mile, in saddle, and as these events are always popular, great interest is likely to be taken in this race, while the betting pool is likely to be the best of the day. Off the front are Bold Venture from the stable of J. T. Paul, Kaitawa, King Country and Nerihana, and both Kaitawa and

Nerihana go well with the weight on top. Bismuth on 12yds is very speedy, and Cherrill has won a saddle event on the course. Hori Bingen is also a good mile saddle horse, but he will require to be at his best to keep in front of . the back-marker, Tryment, which seems to specialise in this type of race. There is ample room here for a surprise, but three with good prospects should be Tryment, Bismuth, Kaitawa. Racing Fixtures. May 14—Wanganui J.C. May 14.—Ashburton County R.C. May 14—Southland R.C. May 14, 16—Marlborough R.C. May 21—Manawatu R.C. May 21, 23—Waikato R.C.