TROTTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19176, 16 November 1925, Page 8

TROTTING.

THE ALDINGTON MEETING.

FORM REVIEWED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] CHRISTCHT7KCH, Saturday. There was gome great racing during tho three days of the Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting. Tho New Zealand Trotting Cup provided a fine race for a mile and a-half, after which there was a dramatic change. Delavan Quest, who had made all tho pace, collapsed suddenly, while at the same time Ahuriri put in a brilliant run, which landed him with a lead of several lengths three furlongs from home where he was followed by Acron, who had landed up with the front lot starting in the last lap as a result of a great burst of speed. As they left the back stretch the last time Great Bingen and Great Hope were just behind the leading pair, with Logan Chief next, and it seemed certain that 'the race would be confined to these five. Then Great Bingen made his effort. He paced round the turn, in great style, and being in second place as they neared tho straight his supporters were hopeful that ho would at least mako a race for first place, but their hopes were short lived. Ahuriri was pacing along freeling in front, with J. Boyce driving him most confidently. Great Bingen stuck tc his task gamely to the end, but ho really looked as if he would catch Ahuriri, who ran home an easy winner by about three lengths, while three lengths behind Great Bingen came the latter's stable companion Acron, followed by Ahariri's mate Great Hope, followed by Logan Chief and Dolly Dillon. Thus all the money in the big race went to three owners, whose horses hailed from two stables, those of J. Bryce and D. Withers. Ahuriri, who looked a picture, paged the race of his life. He was a brilliant youngster, who won tho Sapling Stakes aa a two-year-old, but the following season he became affected by an unusual trouble which treatened his life. With careful attention ho made a good recovery and has amply rewarded his connections. At one stage of his career he wa3 troublesome at tho start of his races, but Eryce appears to have cured him of this bad habit, and in the Cup he never looked like doing anything wrong. , r , , The Free-for-All was a fino race, full of interest all the way. Acron paced in his most brilliant style, and he was in front practically all the way, while he was chased homo by his stable mate Great Bingen, who also gavo a high-class exhibition of speed and gaineness. Acron won this race last year, so his claim to the highest rank over a mile is firmly established. It was a great raco for Mr. J. E. McKenzie, who was entitled to feel proud of his two brilliant performers. Great Hope disappointed by fading out a long way from home The Australian crack Machine Brick went a good race and ho is going to make matters interesting in big events while he remains here. Logan Chief paced below his best form, while Realm was not in a racing mood. Great Bingen was tho hero of the meeting, after being second in the New Zealand Cup and second in the Free-For-All, he won the Christchnrch Handicap like a champion. He finished very resolutely in nil his races, and he is the best horse in sight at present. Great Hope paced a great race in the New Zealand Cup, but he failed badly in tho Free-For-All and apparently tho first day's race settled him. Nelson Dprby. who won two races, has improved greatly since lie went into Toinkinnon's stable, and he now stays two miles very solidly. Queen's Own has long been known as a fast pacer, but until this week she has never shown her truo form on a Canterbury track. Hooper now has her going well. She won twico and ran her best race when she finished third on Friday. Further successes will come her way soon. Escapade won the Sockburn Handicap on Thursday very easily and she must bo classed as tho best young trotter ever soon heio. Just how good he will bo is hard to say. . . Napland's performance in winning tho Dominion 'Handicap, the chief unhoppled event of the week, was very attractive: but ho was assisted to his easy victory by a mix-up t.hrej furlongs from home, which settled the chances of several horses who were in tho bunch behind him at that Acron ran in great style at the meeting. He showed up well all through the New Zealand Cup, while his performance in tho Free-Vor-All was high class. Native Chief won the Trotting Cup in very decisive fashion. He paced brilliiyttly and covered tho mile and a-hnlf in 2m '23 4-ss. without being in the least distressed. When properly matured ho will mako a high-class performer. Tho Australian pacer Mill ton Derby won his raco on Thursday like a high-class horse. He is not sound, but he only has to keep right to win again in the best company. Machine Brick, who came hero from Australia recently, can be rparke-d off as a horse who is certain to play a leading part in biff races later in the seasem. Tho American horse Jack Potts was seen to advantage when ho won a mile, and ft-quartor raco at Addington this week and he can be marked off for a big two mile stake shortly. , ■ Delavan Quest is brilliant over a mile and a-quarter, but a two mile journey is too far for him in tho company ho has ran against.