SPECTACULAR TROTTING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 110, 9 April 1934, Page 10

SPECTACULAR TROTTING.

CROWD ADMIRES HAROLD LOGAN. TOTALISATOR INCREASE OF £I9OO. The presence of Harold Logan, the holder of the world's two-mile record at the Blanawatu Trotting fixture at Awapuni on Saturday, attracted a large number of patrons from afield and it was a very enthusiastio assemblage which watched the champion in action over a mile wherein ho was aided by Nelson's Chum and Tcnodos. Carried along at a fast clip over the first half mile by Nelson's Chum to register 1.4 2-5 after leaving the first two furlongs behind in 32 4-sseo and three in 49seo, he completed the full journey in 2.11. Unfortunately, Tenedos failed to go away from the three furlongs post and Harold Logan had nothing to bring him home and thereby extend him. However, the smoothness of his action and the effortless ease with which the champion ran up to the pacemaker across the top furnished the onlookers with an excellent insight into the capabilities of the victor over the Australian champion, Walla Walla, in the second match race at Harold Logan was driven by L. 0. Thomas who, while not his regular driver, had the pleasure of driving him on the occasion when ho registered his world's record over two miles at Addington in August last. Harold Logan, will now go home to meet Walla Walla, at Ashburton with a match race at Hutt Park to follow. While the exhibition by Harold Logan was the undoubted attraction, patrons were treated to an interesting day's sport which was productive of some splendid contests. In every respect tho fixture could well be considered a complete success for tho attendance outnumbered the figures _ of several preceding years, while the totalisator returns marked an increase of £1942 o\er the aggregate of £4393 10s handled at Ashhurst last year. Further, the meeting was conducted in an excellent manner and, until the exhibition by Harold Logan and Company delayed the proceedings, the closing schedule of the totalisator was faithfully observed. A word of praise is due to Mr D. Stevens, who filled the role of starter in the absenco of tho regular starter, Mr R. E. Hatch, who was engaged at Greymouth, for the deputy official came through the day with flying colours. Tho principal honours went to the Drustis gelding Paul Drusus who, with the Hornby mentor, A. Bryco, in the sulky, won the Manawatu Trotting Cup and then made a later appearance to add the final event, the President's Handicap. Another southern mentor, C. Donald, also registered a brace of successes, but they were gained when driving other than his own stable representatives and, with L. F. Birkott, of Hope, annexing a win with Tasman Flight, the driving honours went to the South Island. The present champion reinsman, F. J. Smith, of Takanini, piloted only the one winner, Lislea —the shortest priced dividend payer of the day. Although the visitors dominated the position, locally owned horses won two events, W. A. Price scoring with Blue Blood and G. B. Murfitt with Aerial Boy. Backers of the former' secured the best dividend of the dav. The broadcast of tho positions of the runners during tho progress of tho races was greatly appreciated by the majority of the patrons, many of whom were not sufficiently familiar with the colours to recognise the position held by their candidate without assistance. Mr C. E. Craig ("Abaydos"), of Auckland, was announcer and, with loud speakers along tho main stand all wore able to follow the contests with ease. Following are tho description of tho events decided after the first edition of the "Standard" went to press on Saturday: — BIG RACE TO PAUL DRUSUS. SOUTHERNER'S GOOD EFFORT. Although the first to get away, Smoke Screen, the favourite for the Manawatu Trotting Cup, in which all started, lost his position early, and he was never really dangerous thereafter, tho finish being fought out by the two southern trainers, J. Bryco and C. Donald, for the former to have a comfortable win with Paul Drusus. Teri Kingi backed into the rails at the signal to go, and was out of the race very early. Otherwise, the field .went off evenly, Smoko Screen taking tho load, only to givo way to Ladv Author us they turned into the back, with Paul Drusus, Hard Words and Highland Derby handy. Passing through tho straight on the final lap, Highland Derby was with Lady Author, but going along the back, Paul Drusus commenced a run which carried him to tho front half a mile from home. Hard Words worked into third position crossing the top and then deposed Lady Author at the straight entrance. However, he could not reach Paul Drusus, who drew away to win by three lengths from Hard Words, with Bell o' Mine, who weakened at the end of a fast finishing effort, three-quarters of a length back. Nelson's Chum was fourth with the favourite next. JEAN PARRISH SCORES. PUBLIC SELECTION ASTRAY. The public proved to bo astray in tho Longburn Handicap when they preferred Guy Zolock and Super Tax to Jean Parrish, for the latter early took charge to spreadeagle her field. Gold Spinner, Diltest, Orleigh Mills, Shore Leave and Gamble were withdrawn. Tracey Locanda went up into tho air as the flag dropped, while Super Tax stood on the mark, completely sacrificing his chance. Jean Parrish wont to the front from Bara Gold and Florrie Real, and was ten lengths clear going down tho back. Liability ran up into third place approaching the turn, but dropped back again, Great Fast, Guy Zolock and Bara Gold being on terms behind Florrie Real, with the pacemaker still eight lengths ahead. In the run home the leader held her position to win by six lengths from Florrie Real, with a similar gap to Bara Gold, who touched off Great Fast in the last few strides. First Judge was next. NEARLY CAUGHT. ARAPAI FINISHES FAST. Ohinemutu was a false favourito for the McDonald Handicap for, emerging from the maiden ranks, he was required to give away five seconds and he failed to offer any serious opposition. Red Huia was the early 'leader from Bell Heather, but the latter failed to trot smoothly and dropped back, the order through the straight at the end of the first lap being Red Huia, Native Game and Tasman Flight, with Blue Blood next, the last-named immediately breaking. Tasman Flight took charge going away from home and he opened up a big interval from Red Huia, who was displaying a tendency to break. Arapai set out after the leader with half a mile to go, but Tasman Flight came into the straight with a commanding advantage. However, the ungainly son of Wrack was slowing up and Arapai finished well to get to within a long neck of the Nelson representative, with a gap of six lengths to Red Huia, with Earl Bingen and Blue Blood next. Under pressure tho winner broke just short of the post and galloped past, but after an inquiry the stewards allowed the placing to stand. A GOOD PERFORMER. LISLEA SCORES AGAIN. Lislea, winner of three races at the Wanganui meeting, was solected as the favourite for the Dash Handicap, being entrusted with almost half the total investments. Taking charge half a mile from home he was never in danger of defeat. Storm Queen broke up at the start to badly interfere with Peter's Fault, the letter's prospects being marred as a result. Arthur Chimes wont into the lead with Lislea throe lengths back and ahead of Oro'e Pride, with an interval of two lengths to Bolinda King. Half a mile from home the favourits ran past Arthur

Chimes, and although Bolinda King closed up apnroaching the straight F. J. Smith did not require to uso tho whip on Lislea, who drew away on the post to win by a length and a halt. Five lengths back came Oro’s Pride, with Arthur Chimes next. A SPLENDID FINISH. FOUR HORSES~FIGHT IT OUT. Oro’s Pride was the sole defection from the President’s Handicap, for which Guymond was a firm favourito from Smoke Screen and Paul Drusus. The trio, together with Highland Derby, figured in the finish'—the best of tho day—but it was Paul Drusus, an earlier winner, who again prevailed. For the second occasion Teri Kingi rofused to leave the mark with the others. Smoko Screen and Guymond went to the front from Highland Derby, with Paul Drusus next. The last-named ran forward into third place at tho five furlongs post and was handily placed at the straight entrance, where Highland Derby and Guymond were still in charge. However, Paul Drusus ran up to them inside the distance, while Smoke Screen came with a late run and in a spectacular finish Paul Drusus won by a length from Smoke Screen, who was a nock in advance of Guymond, with Highland Derby a similar distance back.