UNHOPPLED TROTTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20744, 11 December 1930, Page 13

UNHOPPLED TROTTERS

TWO INTERESTING EVENTS.

CLASS WELL REPRESENTED. ROWE CUP PRELIMINARY. The two races for straight-out trotters on the first day of the coming Auckland Meeting have drawn sound fields, and in the principal event, which will act as a preliminary for the Rowe Trotting Cup, on the final day, the class engaged ib of a high calibre. The vast difference in the limits, from 4.38 for the top-notchora to 4.50 for the improvers, left little scope for the intermediate section, with the result that a number wishing to compete either had to give away time to bo in the 4 big event, or concede long starts in the slower clasg race. The majority of the runners in the Selby Handicap are off the limit, 4.50, and a likely trio will be Royal Triumph, Blue and Gold and Wah. _ The last-named is a good sort when going .right but at times he is not dependable. Blue and Gold is reliable and being a good stayer is sure to command attention. Royal Triumph has on more than one occasion at Epsom demonstrated his rare ability and his prospects of adding further to his laurels at Christmas are decidedly good. Gold Realm is a possibility, but I'arrish Belle's form cannot give her nrtich hope of success. Gold Star will want a race but Tumahine. 4.48, should putup a useful effort. Kolmar, 4.4 G. is nicely placed, and on a soft track will be troublesome, while Anseline, 4.45." reads as well as any of the back division. Linnett the Great. 4.4'.}, in a long way back, but she is a fine trotter who is capable of bridging the gap. Four likely ones are Royal Triumph, Blue and Gold, Wah and Anseline. Association Handicap. The field in the Association Handicap, two miles, is largo and tricky, and include» some of the best trotters in the Dominion. Off the limit, 4.38, are half a dozen, who on recent handicaps are giving away time to bej among the high-grade ones, and two from the south, Stanley T and Surprise Jour»>ey. look like making things interesting. However, the former cannot afford to lose 'ground at the start with such good ones behind him, Etta Cole, if she races up to lier track form, will have the best chance oJ! the others.

Akenehi and Ukulele Lady, from 4.37, have reasonable prospects and the former rauy make the better showing. Of the quartetta on 4.35. Peter McKinney reada beat, and ha will take a lot of beating. He made praat improvement last season, and may bci eveu better this year. Maxegin is a fipeedy trotter, but is inclined to spoil chances by bad breaks. Tiger Salve and Ngatiru two years ago registered their best essays of 4.35 3-5 and 4.35 4-5, respectively. They have done nothing of note in the interval and off their present mark their prospect* are not encouraging. A fine pair, Raima and Tonic, are o:i 4.34. and both will have something serious to say at the finish. Raima should benefit by his Addington outings, while Tonic's victory ia the Sockburn Handicap in 4.33 1-5 v>-as a splendid effect.

Kempton and Writer. C. S. Donald has two mors representatives, Kempton and Writer, who are assessed oa 4.32. Both thes« trottera have previously won at Alexandra Park and were prominent at Addington last month. Writer has developed into a high-class trotter, and woa the Dominion Trot off 4.35. running his handicap. Kempton, conceding his stablemate. 24 yards, was a close second. In thai Middleton Trot on the last day Writer, from 4.33, waß beaten a head by Engage ment, after registering 4.31 3-5 for his effort. The Donald bracket will undoubtedly be io strong- demand for the Ijig trotting events. John Mauritius, 4.31-, iB held safe by some of those in front, of him. : The fancied division will come from Donald's elect. Raima. Peter McKinney, Akenehi, Surprise Journey and Etta Cole. v '

TEST FOR DERBY HORSES.

MIDDLE-DISTANCE EVENTS.

DECEMBER HANDICAP FIELD.

The list of entries in the two middle-dis-tance events for the improving section on the first day of the coming Auckland meeting bears a decidedly classy appearance and the presence of the Great Northern Derby .candidates, Rawhitiroa, who is in the December Handicap, and Arethusa and Red Shadow, who are fn the Akarana Handicap, will lend additional colour to theee races. Opposed to the crack three-year-olds ar# several well-performed aspirants and th# older brigade will keep the juveniles right up to 'their best efforts.

The field in tha December Handicap, on« mile and a-half, is small, but the material is good. The majority of the competitors are off the limit, 8.29, and included in this lot is the trotter Surprise Journey, who will make the pacerß hurry to get the money. ' He has gone 2LQ4 at Addington and will beat more than *otll beat him. First Flight showed impressive form at Epsom last month, and as she ...was susceptible to further improvement sho should be in rare trim for the approaching fixture. While the opposi*lion is sturdy. First Flight is going to b« the hardest to beat. Rawhitiroa has put up some attractive essays this season and his second to Arethusa in the Derby \va» good enough to give him a rosy chance hero. Little Guy's Form. Little Guy ha 3 not struck form sine* coming Nor£h;'but he showed great promise in tha autumn, and may be well in the picture. Baron Bingen, Some Dillon and Scandal have no recent form to recommend thom, but Some Dillon is capable pf creating a surprise. Benefice, on 3.25, will prove the most dangerous of (.he remainder. She put a smart performance last month and will be. much improved when next seen out. Great Ballin and Warspite, tho backmarkers, will find their task difficult and First Flight, Benefice, Little Guy and Surprise Journey will probably Uo in most demand. " .... Numerically, the field in the Akarana Handicap, 10 furlongs, is stronger than that in the longer event. On the limit, 2.53, is Dan Direct and given a solid track the loan should have a royal chance/of winning his first race in New Zealand. All Red reads better in a two-miles race S4 and Surprise Journey will probably tacklo tho longer events. Baron Bingen and Little Guy may be seen out earlier and their display will throw further light on their chances in this race, while Pavlova is oil tho up-grade and is worthy of respect.

Arethusa and Red Shadow, Benefice, 2.52, stands out among the quartette on this line and if reserved for the mile and a-quarter she should be seen to advantage. , '"v. On the 2.51 mark are the Derby favourites Arethusa and Red Shadow. Last year's New Zealand Derby winner Purser is assessed on the same line and if lie is back to form and leaves correctly his prospects will bo bright. Tho meetijig between Arethusa and Red Shadow will invest this event with additional interest in view of the classic on the middle day. lied Shadow's Dunedin successes stamp hint as a high-class youngster, while A Gle h nro a sßie fitnwTin 3.60 ftnd if this should be his mission there wouia be no doii.it about what would be actual favourite. Ilia trailer Kempton. 2.4'j. can run a merry ten iuriongs. while Sir Guy, has to >ns. Li;! %,miH solid pcrlormanccs over this distanc". Speculation will take a wide range, with a 'strong leaning toward :D«i Direct* Benefice. Arethusa and Reo Shadow. AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB. J acceptances to : morro4 Acceptances for tho first day of :th« Auckland Trotting Club's Summer Meetm* close at 5 p.m. to-morrow.