AUCKLAND TROTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20900, 16 June 1931, Page 7

AUCKLAND TROTS.

SQUARE-GAITED PERFORMERS ETTA COLE'S IMPROVEMENT. WHITE SATIN STRIKING FORM. Allhoughl the field carded for the Stewards' Handicap, tho chief event for straight-out trotters. at Epsom on Saturday, is not largo, the is reasonably good and an interesting contest should result. In the Winter Handicap, for slow-class trotters, (lie field is useful, both in size and calibre.'and the contest promises to be also full of interest. lotta Cole's ttiird to Wimmeru King and Jock Bingen at Chiudelands last month wns cosily her best effort for two bonbons. and her improved display was gratifying to her party. A. J. Julian's patient policy with tile Peterwali mare is bearing fruit, and Etta (,'ole should make a hold showing in her forthcoming engagements at Alexandra Park.

White Satin, the Auckland-owned young trotter, was last season tho crack three-year-old, and, although not over-raced this season, she has made steady progress. I lie Wrack maro mado a reappearance recently at Addington, where she raced prominently without securing a place. The outings would prove beneficial to White Satin, who can bo expected to show further improvement at tho approaching meeting.

Not much has been heard of Gold Sovereign during the last few months, and on his visits to Epsom at the December and February meetings he did not exhibit his usual solid form. In previous seasons Gold Sovereign's essays suggested ho was riot much use in heavy ground, but at the Auckland August fixture he upset, this theory by outstaying a useful field in soft, going and winning decisively with S. M. August in the sulky, Jock Bingen Improves. Jock Bingen has been working so well at Alexandra Park that his prospects of securing some prize-money at the winter meeting look rosy. Last month at Hamilton Jock Bingen put up a sound effort over two miles, being beaten a lioso by Wimmcra King. Tho, Epsom-trained trotter has improved in tho interval, and. as he enn accustom himself to any kind of track. F. J. Smith's charge will add interest to (ho trotting events. Kolmar has made considerable advancement since winning from a 4.4S mark a year ago at tho Auckland meeting. Generally recognised as being at his best with the sting out of (ho ground, Kolmar at tho Christmas carnival proved his ability to trot solidly and fast on good footing. He won (ho first day from 4.46, and repeated the performance tho second day off 4.43. The final day ho ran second off 4.39 to register 4.35. if Kolmar is back t.o his best form this week, he will take a lot of beating. Writer can lay «"laiin to being one of the best trotters in New Zealand and ho has previously displayed his powers before an Auckland public, although ho was not soph to the best advantage when at Epsom last, Christmas. Writer 6howed rare form at \ddington in November, where ho won the Dominion Trot stylishly, and, should he bo at the top of his form again, he will keep his opponents busy. Lovers of a good trotter will be pleased at the fine effected in (lie later part of this season by Native Star.

few years back (ho Feildingott'ned inure made a great riso to fame, but, before reaching llio highest level, she lost her form. After numerous failures, Lier owner returned Native Star to her former successful mentor, 'VV. A. Price, at Palnierston Xorth, and his ratienco was finally rewarded by the mare again striking winning form. Native Star is a fine trotter when right, solidity being ono of her chief assets. A Disappointing Mare.

Blue and Gold lias been most disappointing this season and, after the rare promise 6he displayed last year, her form is difficult to understand. After winning a double at Wanganui Inst season, L. O. Thomas brought the mure to Auckland for the winter meeting, where she won on the opening day in bold etyle, and on the second day dead-heated with Nelson Girl for first place. Returning to Epsom for the Christinas carnival Blue and Gold failed each day to produce any creditable form. In spite of a lengthy absence from the race track, Moknnna has made his presence felt 6ince his rcturr to activity a couple of months back After missing badly at New Plymouth through breaking, Mojtnnna visited Hamilton, Ashhurst and Hastings, securing second money at each place. lie then completed the run of consistency by winning the last time out at Hawke's Bay. If Mokanmt, was solid on his feet, he would win good races. King's Guard, the wcll-bicd three-year-old in \V. Hughes' stable, gained many friends at the places he visited during the autumn. Ho opened lii 3 account at Hawera on Easter Saturday, by winning over a mile and-a-fialf from a useful field, but missed a place the second day. Produced at Ashhurst last month, King's Guard won at two miles, and a. week later recorded another victory in a twelve-furlong race. Tlio Longburn trotter is a sturdy customer, bred on thorough srjuare-gailed lines, being by Native King from Lady Nan. Ho has a fine, future before him. The Pukekohe-owned and trained Zanzibar, who has seldom, if ever, run a bad race, will form one of the dangerous division in the improvers' events at the Auckland meeting. Until last month, when lie scored his initial success at Claudelonds, this trotler never looked in racing condition, and. under the circumstances, he performed surprisingly well. When produced in fine order Zanzibar proved himself a real trotter, and lie may have made further progress in the interval. Great Glee Useful.

Great Glee is a big-striding trotter, who is a good deal better than his appearance indicates. He is in capable hands, being under the guidance of A. E. Bussell, who also has Tamerlane. The latter trotter and trainer Bufsell are well known in the Auckland province, while in Wellington and Canterbury Tamerlane has won many fine handicaps. Great Glee may never reach the Tamerlane stage, but he is a useful Bort, and in his races is never beaten until the winning post is passed. Although Sir Voyage has been but the proverbial five minutes in the country, his name is already a household one with followers of trotting. The Australian importation has atarted twice in the land of his adoption and won each time, and i n Saturday at Ashburton lie trotted two miles in 4.33 2-5. Apart from his performances Sir Voyage has been in the limelight through (he varied opinions of handicappers. Mr. C. E. Goosman put the Australian trotter on 4.50, which was fair reasoning on his overseas marks, while Mr F C. Thomas assessed him at 4.44. After winning at Hamilton, Mr. G. Paul had two attempts, putting iiim on 4.40 at Auckland and 4.45 nt Ashburton, from which mark he won. Me is now back to 4 42, but (hat will not keep Sir Voyage from gettipg more money The Epsom trainer. F. J. Smith, lias two useful candidates for the medium-class square gailed events in Carl Mack and Mr Penalty. Carl Mack won three races on end. and .hen broke up bndlv in his next two outings. This is accounted for by (he fact that the A 1 Mack trotter goes sore on hard tracks, but he should find suitable fooling this week-end. Mr Penally, the ex-pacing Canadian, has started only once since coming to Auckland, when he won nicelv. Mr. Penalty, who has a fine style of trotting, will be seen in action on the second day of the meeting.