TROTTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 17

TROTTING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. November 24—Wellington Trotting Club. November 29, December X—Forbury Park Trotting Club. December B—Waikato Trotting • Club. December 15. 17—New Brighton Trotting Club. E'ebruary 23, 27—Otahuliu Trotting Club. December 27, 29. 31—Auckland Trotting Club OTAHUIIU CLUB'S MEETING. NOTES ON THE FORM. BY riCADOII. Like other clubs have done this season, the Otahuliu Trotting Club experienced a decrease in the totalisator business at its recent meeting, tho investments being oyer £27,000 below those for the corresponding fixture last year. Everything was favourable for a successful meeting, and, though it would not bo a great success on the financial side, it was a very enjoyable gathering, Tho racing was excellent ahd fast times were a feature. Several attractive performances wsrc registered and among the best wero those of Nativo Prince and Gold Jacket.

Tho class of horses seen out in the slowclass trotters events was weak and it is unlikely that sny of them will improve to any extent. The three-year-old Great Way seems tho moat likely to improve and may eventually develop into a decent horse. He spoilt a good chance in his only start by making more than ono mistake and may require timo to become solid. Nativo Prince registered two atlracHve performances in winning tho two leading events on tho opening day and was again expected to do well on the final day. However, he failed to show tho sams brilliancy and was twice unplaced. Failure to begin correctly cost him any chance ho possessed in the Fergusson Handicap and a bad break effectually settled his prospects in the Spring Handicap. Native Princo would have had to make very fast time to have won either of those races, because he was conceding starts to horses who went fast. An improving young pacer was seen to advantage in tho Epsom Handicap. This was Warplane, who was' always well placed and finished on gamely to win narrowly. Warplane was well supported on the strength of a decent trial and he justified tho backing by registering some seconds better than handicapped to do. Thero is every likelihood of this four-year-old developing into a very useful pacer.

The running of Taipare ; in the Franklin Handicap was in striking contrast to his effort on tho opening day, when he was a long way behind tho placed horses. The grey pacer gave nothing a chance on the final day and simply romped ill. His connections were called upon to explain the improvement in his form and this they were able to do to the satisfaction of the stewards. Taipare has gradually been working his way into good company and will be racing in better class in future. There is no doubt that he is an improved pacer. After his poor showing on the opening day there were not many who fancied Dillon Huon in the Fergusson Handicap and his victory was a surprise. Rushing to the front at the start, he gave nothing a chance and won brilliantly in fast time. Dillon Huon is a difficult horse to follow because he mixes a good effort with a number of bad ones and lias often failed liis admirers badly. On his da# ho is capable of showing good form. i Despite the fact that a third was his best in two starts. The Abbey confirmed his Addington form by registering the good time of 4m 28 4-5s to secure his minor placing in the Franklin Handicap. Had Tho Abbey been a runner in tho FergUßson Handicap and registered that time he would have troubled the winner, so that he may therefore be better placed in future in the tighter class. Tho chestnut is a fine stayer and should win an important handicap during the season. There was solid support for Evelyn Locunda. in the Papatoetoe Handicap and she won in n style that suggests she is going to achieve more success in the near future. She wns always well placed and came away in the final stages to score with something in hand. Evelyn Locanda is owned by Mr. E. H. Cucksey and everybody "was pleased to see that owner have a win, as he lias not' been altogether lucky with his horses.

Either Firelight is not as good as his form at Addington made out or he was not seen at his best here. Excuses were made for his defeats on tho opening day because he did not begin well, but he had every chance in the Papatoetoo Handicap and could only finish a fair third. His time for the two miles was nearly 30 seconds slower than he recorded at Addington. Firelight' may be good, but he will need to do better than he did here to be clasaed as such.

There aro few more solid trotters gracing than Ngalira and his solidity was an important factor in liis two victories at tho meeting. He never put a foot wrong in either rnce and also stayed on in great style. On the second day ho recorded tho 'fastest performance of his career and will in future be 011 a fairly tight mark.

Tho two defeats of Raima were costly to his admirers, but ho should recompense them later on. In his first outing ho broke early and was never in the picture, but ho went solidly 011 the second day and only failed in tho last furlong. As he reduced his handicap by several s6conds, he was rather unlucky not to get a better reward than third. His turn should come at tho summer carnival.

It is a long time since Goldman won a race and his victory in the Royal Oak Handicap was therefore not out of turn. On tho first day he was u good second in tho Alanukau Handicap, and, considering that effort, he was at a good price when he won. Goldman commenced the meeting on a 2ni 17s handicap and wound up by winning in 2m 12s.

Although lie failed to win. Gold Jacket paced two fine races for a second and a third. On tho second day 110 registered the best performance of his career in recording 4m 24 2-os and that effort stamps him as a class pacer. Gold Jacket will probably liavo his next outing in the Auckland Trotting Cup and he will only have to retain his present form to require a lot of beating in that event.

Those who supported Great Peter in tlio Pnpiitootoe Handicap were rather puzzled at uie tactics adopted by his driver, who is :tn accomplished reinsman. An inquiry was held regarding the handling of tlio horse, and, while not entirely satisfied, the judicial committee decided to tako no action. What explanation was tendered was not made known. The incident will no doubt causo (Treat Peter to remain in the boom and it will In; interesting to eeo how' ho is hacked at his next -appearance.

STAKE WINNERS. The prize-money paid by the Otahuhu Trotting CLub* in connection with its recent spring meeting amounted to £G9CO, which was distributed as follows Mrs. I. E. Sweetnpple, £1175; J. 11. Corrigan,, £050; G. A. Williams, £595; 11. "A. McMillau, £455; Mrs. Nicholls, £300; McKendrick Bros., £335; U. Medley, £'3ls; li. J. Ptirkes, £uOU; C. Norquist, £205; T. Shaw, £215; 11. J. Millan, £210; E. Cuck'sey, £210; Uockerty and Morgan, £210; P. Watson, £210; 11. Grant, £200; 11. Newton, £135; H. Gordon, £120; J. T. Connell. £100; J. Murphy. £100; Halton and McSweeney, £00; Mrs. Mulloy, £80; N. McNair, £80; K. Peacock, £00; G. Mitchell, £00; W. McDonald, £00; F. J. Kayner, £52 10s; T. P. (irimmoijd, £52 10s; •T. 11. Lloyd, £4O; W. T. Turner, £4O; M. J. M.oodabe, £35; Donald Taylor. £3O; 11. J. Long; £3O. THE WELLINGTON MEETING. DILLON HUON SCRATCHED. [UV TELEGRAPH.—I'HESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. Dillon Huon has been scratched for all engagements at the A\ elhngtou TiotUl S Club's meeting. '