NEW TROTTING RECORDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 27 January 1939, Page 9

NEW TROTTING RECORDS

STAGE SET AT RICHMOND

NELSON FIXTURE OPENS TOMORROW PROSPECTS OF GREAT MEETING . (By C. E. Craig) Speed, and yet more speed, has been the watchword in the trotting arena siiice Pola Negri, the fine little* pony pacer established a mile record of 2.10 3-5 at Richmond a year ago. In many parts of New Zealand new records have been made, and as far as the present season is concerned it has been one of record making. The honours, of course, go to the Australian bred horses Lawn Derby and Van Derby, and as far as the latter is concerned he is young at the business and there is no saying just how fast the Auckland-trained pacer will go. When the freelegged, bootless Lawn Derby performed what was formerly considered an impossible feat, to break two minutes for a mile, the sporting public of the Dominion forgot that it took an overseas horse to do the great task, and in going 1.59 11-5 he was heralded far and wide as the greatest speedster of all time in the Southern Hemisphere. To prove it was no fluke, Lawn Derby at New Brighton essayed to lower the grass track record of Happy Voyage 2.4 1-5, and the New Zealand record of Nervie’s Last, 2.4. and succeeded in returning new figures of 2.3. This was not allowed to stand long, as at Epsom on 31st January, Lawn Derby and Van Derby clocked the old year out in 2.1 1-5. And on 11th February, on the same track, Van Derby will attempt tc further reduce the grass mile record With conditions on a par with those which prevailed last month, the relative of Lawn Derby may make fresh trotting history for New Zealand. HAROLD LOGAN SUPREME Other records have been hoisted, but while many have improved at twe miles, none have reached the 4.12 2-5 standard of the super-pacer Harold Logan. Renown’s Best made new figures for female pacers of 4.17 2-5. and King’s Play equalled the gelding record of 4.16. .'lenuku, a fine four-year-old, shattered the Epsom mile and a half level ot 3.15 1-5 when he ran 3.13 2-5. In the far South another Australian, Logan Derby recorded a mile in 2.8 2-5, and Lucky Jack created a Timaru record of 2.6 2-5. SMART rACERS AT NELSON Whether any new records will be offered at Richmond this year remains tc be seen, but there is no shortage of really smart pacers to wind the watch tighter than usual The track is ready for fast times, the horses are well forward and in some events the class engaged will scamper to some tune. Speed is. the essence of spectacular racing and exciting contests, and the stage is set for the opening to-morrow of a meeting that cannot fail to justify the optimism of the promoters in anticipating a record meeting. The main factor of public interest is that with few exceptions the horses carded to-morrow have been racing solidly for the last few months, which is an indication that there will be no lack of form. Skill in handling the reins will also leave its mark, but the credentials of the reinsmen taking part is of such high calibre that the public will have no fears regarding the handling of their selections. Well conditioned and physically fit horses will keep spectators surrounded with a very lively interest, while the judgment of the respective reinsmen will add flavour to the scene. FORM AS A GUIDE The form of many horses has been high class, and as they are improvers some are likely to measure to a higher level. In the Cup and Riwaka Sprint are horses which have taken fast mile rates at longer distances, and Passport and Activity have shown 2.12 speed, while Gentleman Joe has run ten furlongs at a 2.13 rate, and twelve furlongs at 2.14; and Loyal Avis the former journey at a 2.13 clip. Gentleman Joe is versatile, having won at Greymouth and Auckland as a trotter, and Geraldine and Auckland as a pacer. Aqua Bond, who is likely to develop rare speed under Richmond conditions, has won in Southland and been placed at Timaru. Envious was a dual winner at Greymouth, where Passport and Stylish Boy were good winners. Charlie Chan, at his first success registered the very smart time of 3.23 off 3.43. and he has also won at Hutt Park while Happi has won on several courses. Logan Palm has saluted the judge down the Coast £nd gained places in good fields at Epsom, and Roadster’s successes were credited at Hawera and Wairarapa Hidden Charm won on the East Coast, Silk Cord won several heats in the North Island, while Shadow Son w'on as a two-year-old at Timaru. and this year scored at New Brighton. Many in the improving pacers’ section have had recent success. Silk King showing the opposition how to do the job in the Birchfield Handicap at Westport; while Balaclava was winner of the Soldiers’ Handicap at Reefton. where Janet Gaynor won the Burbury and Broadway events. John Worthy, with only two starts, has a second and dead-heat with Silk Attire to his credit, and Radiant Prince. Tristan and Juliana were in the money along the Gold— Coast. Cavatina, a daughter by Arion Axworfhy from the wonderful mare Dilworth; , won at Westport after being placed at Wellington. TROTTERS IN GOOD FORM Form of trotters is usually consistently good at Nelson, and the fine performance of King F’V. v; last year with three firsts and a second in four starts is still fresh in the public mind After many attempts. Count Parrish last year at Wanganui, following the Nelson meeting, captured a stake, and the win was a well merited reward to J. Pugh for his perseverance. Native Leaf was placed last season at Palmerston North and Nelson, and has rcpeatdcly displayed speed above the average. Sylvan is n good mare and at the Auckland winter meeting beat Pirate’s Last, the best trotter in his class last season. The speed of Welcome Guy is already widely known, while the fact that W Heginbotham has charge of Unworthy is of sufficient interest to suggest prospects. The West Coast deeds of Clive Casey. Worthy Merit and Bon Haven is of more than pa ng mterest. At Westport. Clive Casey (limit* won the Stocktor. Handicap from Bon Haven (0(J yards) Worthy Merit (limit) unplaced Bon Haven (72 yards) won the two

miles Roche Memorial from Clive C-’Vg (36 yards) Worthy Merit (limit) unplaced The scene was changed the second day. Worthy Merit (limit) winning the Pain Handicap, with Bon Haven (84 yards) well back third, and Clive Casey (48 yards) fourth Back to 36 yards Worthy Merit won the two miles Scanlan Handicap. Bon Haven (108 yards) being third 18 lengths away, and Clive Casey (48 yards) fourth. At Reefton, Worthy Merit (72 yards) was second in the President’s and third in the Stewards’ Handicap. Clive Casey (48) and Bon Haven (84) being unplaced each time. At Greymouth with tighter limits. Worthy Merit (limit) was third in the Summer Handicap and second in the County Handicap, with Sylvan (60 yards) third in the latter race. As Clive Casey, Worthy Merit and Bon Haven will play a very important part in the trotting events, (heir form, like a crossword puzzle, is interesting and worthy of a close study, if it works out correctly, all should get a share of the Three novice pacers, Falaise. Misdeal and Rough Deal, will attract attention and without any form their breeding is a useful asset Misdeal is by Jack PottsFanny Logan, and Rough Deal by the same fine sire from an Author Dillon marc. Falaise is bv Wrack from Rev, and it will be surprising if the trio does not show promising form.