TROTTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 6

TROTTING.

NOTES FROM CANTERBURY. NEW ZEALAND CUP HORSES. GOOD WORK IN TRAINING. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The Cup candidate Nelson Derby appears fo have thrown off all his lameness and he is bowling along in his light training tasks in great style. The Auckland Cup winner has built up considerably during the winter. His usual track companion is Napland. and this fine trotter is fast coming to hand again after his speljp The pair work well out in the centre of the track and all they have been asked to do is well within their powers. The pacer Pedro Pronto is so far standing up to his Cup preparation in good style. It will be remembered that some time prior to last year's cup the Australian pacer injured himself playing in the paddock, and he has been laid aside since that time. AVhen seen a few months ago I'rdro Pronto was looking very much in the rough, but his owner-trainer, J. J. Kennerley, seemed pleased with him, and was of opinion that the little fellow had auite recovered from his accident. Kennerley stated recently that he has not asked Pedro Pronto to do any solid work in training to date, nnd it remains tn be seen if he will stand what is necessary to bring him to the cup in his best shape. When in his best form Pedro Pronto is a good two-miler. a brilliant beginner and a particularly handy horse to control in a race. Great Bingen Well Forward. D. Withers has a big team in work at present and its strength is demonstrated by the fact that it includes two prominent candidates for tho New Zealand Plotting Cup, both of whom are in active preparation for the big race in November. Great Binsen is well forward, as he showed by his brilliant performance at Addington this month. Acron is still very backward, but his traiuer hopes to have him in good fettle in time for tho cup contest. Prince Pointer has been on the easy list since he raced at Addington, where his form was a trifle disappointing. He will soon be moving along again, however, in preparation for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Escapade trotted a couple of miles during the week in good style. The trotter did not race well at tho August meeting and it was pleasing to see her trot so well in training. Richore is now a regular attendant at the Addington track. He is not being sent along fast at present, but in view of the classic events he will probably go faster in training in a short time. Waltaki Girl's Prospects. Waitaki Girl registered some brilliant performances last season, and in the autumn she was the champion of the local tracks. At her best she is capable of holding her own in any company and over any distance, but she is now on a mark from which winning is difficult, while there is always U slight uncertainty about her behaviour at tho barrier, which is a serious handicap in cup company. Onyx was not at her best when racing at Addington thi3 month, but J. Messervy should effect a lot of improvement' in. her during the next few weeks. It is probable, however, that this brilliant and popular performer has seen her be.3t day, and her early re'tirement from the race track may be ex j pected. F. G. Holmes is working a good-looking filly by Logan Pointer from School Girl. Already the young pacer has attracted a good deal of attention by the manner in which she gets through her tasks.

E. C. McDermott is now training the Southland pacer Homer. The maro has a fine turn of speed, but she has done her best work in saddle. Her new mentor is working her in harness, but it may take him some little time to get her to her best 3peed, as she aeems very fractious. Mcdermott is very patient, however. He has got Away guiet in harness and he seemed a more difficult proposition. Homer is well forward in condition. Reverie (by Peter Moko from Dreamland, the dam of Napland) ia now being sent along a good deal faster in his work than formerly. The trotter shows an improvement in speed. Sale of La Fayette., Mr. J. L. Webb has sold the pacing stallion La Fayette, by Brent Locanda from Mavvinette, to an Australian sportsman, and he will be shipped to Pertli next week. La Fayette won £IOOO in stakes for his last owner. P. Riddle has recommissioned Young Blake, Delavan's Quest and Peter McKinney, who look in the best of health after a short rect. C. Donald has Dreamalion in his team at Addington, having leased the grey pacer from his owner. The four-year-old brother to Lady Joan (by Logan Pointer from Belette) is again being worked by his owner, W. J. Morjand. He is a well-grown gelding of considerable promise. After being broken in last season he was spelled and he will be got ready for racing.

Don Wild has resumed training again at Aldington. His foreleg has been lightly blistered,' but A. Fleming does not consider the last injury serious. He is of the opinion that the free-leggecl pacer went sore owing to having slightly injured himself while playing in the paddock. Don Wild has done a lot of slow jogging and, whilst he is a long way below his best form, he may race well over a short course, always provided his last setback does not prove to be serious. Don Wild requires a lot of work, and this fact is against him when he is anything but sound.

The Timaiu Trotting Club.has included a 2.46 mile and a quarter race oil the' programme for the spring meeting on .Octqber SO. This should prove an attraction to owners of horses with engagements in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, as it will provide a good race at a period in their preparation when it' should be very valuable. H. B. Hubbard, who is well known as a trainer of trotters and pacers, is at present in a private hospital. His many sporting friends will' wish him a speedy recovery. THE NORTHLAND CLUB. [BT TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.'] WHANGAREI. Saturday. A decision to adhere to March' 19 as the date for its next annual meeting was reached at a meeting of the executive of the Northland Trotting Club' last evening A proposal had been submitted to alter the date to January 8. and to put on a "free for all" race. As'the response from horseowners was not encouraging it was decided to drop the "free for all" event and to adhere to the original date.