TROTTING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 7

TROTTING NOTES.

HORSES AT OTAHUHU.

CANDIDATES FOR AUCKLAND.

S. M. AUGUST'S USEFUL TEAM.

With 1 lie approach of the Auckland trotting meeting, the tracks at Otahuhu are assuming a busier appearance and trainers are sending their charges along in earnest on the grass.

Although he keeps his large team in useful work on his private track at Mangcro, S. M. August uses the Otahuhu track for speeding-up tasks. At present the recent addition to his string, Rolfe Audubon,, is attracting most attention and the unreliable pacer is accomplishing good work, both in saddle and in harness. August, is hopeful that he will reproduce his track efforts on race day in which case he would take all sort 3of beating in his class. However, the public is well acquainted with the glamour of Rolfe Audubon's track work while at Epsom, and' will prefer to await developments before restoring him to favour, Rey de Quest, who proved the bread-and-butter horse of the stable at the Christmas meeting, in spite of the fact that he cost oniy XT), continues to hit out pleasingly in his work and his prospects of earning further prize-money are bright. Tho brother to Benefice is not by any means a stylish pacer, but he has quite a good turn of speed. Tho Australian-bred pair Derby Vale and Valloden are working in their usual solid stylo and only require to race up to track form to be dangerous in their respective classes. Although they have succeeded in winning only one race each since coming to New Zealand, they promise to do better in the near future. Valloden should be admirably suited by tile classes in the principal events for straight-out trotter 3 and Derby Vale may tackle the saddle races. Progress of Myrtlene. The novices Derby Fame and Dolly Thorpe ran creditable races at the W<iikato December meeting and as both are making satisfactory headway, they should find the slow-class' events at Epsom helpful in fitting them for similar races on the country circuit. Derby Fume is speedy and promises to develop into a classy horse with age and experience. while Dolly Thorpe is furnishing into a solid pacer. G. Robertson is keeping Myrtlene up to the collar, but she does not yet appear to have struck her correct form. At tho end of last season she won two handicaps in very solid fashion, giving promise of further improvement, but this season her displays have been disappointing. Once she strikes form. Mynlene will have to be seriously reckoned with. Nebraska continues to work patchily and his form i 3 difficult to understand. On occasions he gives exhibitions good enough to win a maiden trot with something to spare, but the next time he does not go within many seconds of his previous effort. Robertson has been very patient with Nebraska and he entertains hopes that he wul ultimately make good. A. McSweeney has an addition to his team. Wee Machine, formerly trained by G. T. Mitchell. Wee Machine, who is a son of Auto Machine, has so far failed to race up to expiations, but he is rather a stylish pacer, and may yet make amends. Lady Yvonne's Solidness. Lady Yvonne continues to show good form under McSweeney's care and her performances at Epsom were consistent. She appears to have developed solidness with age and as she possesses stamina as well as speed, she may later in the season be seen to advantage over two-miles courses, while sho should still be useful in her clabs in shorter events. . D. S. Hangar has not set M-jster Hum any exacting tasks since his Epsom failures last, month, and in consequence the smart pacer is bearing a brirr'nt appearance. In his latest races "tie clearly demonstrated that he is not a genuine stayer, but as a sprinter lie is still a possibility if suitably placed. When thoroughly tuned up. Master Huie may be capable of a sound effort over a mile and a-half, but that will be far enough for him. The ex-Canterbury pacer Jester, who joined E. S. Groat's stable \ipfore Christmas, has been shaping up fritter during the last couple of weeks and is making satisfactory progress. He has had the benefit of a little racing experience and this may stand to him when he is asked to sport silk presently. No. maiden trotter at Otahuhu l.or many a year has shown such promise as Manna- s Son. tho two-year-old straight-out trotter in. Groat's charge. He has a perfect action, is docile and level-headed ancj is bred on excellent lines, being by the Axworthy horse Worthy Bond from Manna, a grand-daughter 0 f p«tpr the Great. When first, educated, the colt was put to pacing, but Groat so<»u discovered that trotting was his long suit. Manna's Son will race at the later country fixtures. " pulling horses." ALLEGED OFFER TO JOCKEY. EVIDENCE AT AN INQUIRY. BRISBANE. Jan. 2fi. Sensational evidence was given to-day ai. the adjourned inquiry into the running of Blackbeard in the First Novice Handicap at Ascot on Saturday, and allegations were made with regard to the tying-up of fields in Brisbane and ;i jocko.y being approached to "atop" horses. No finality was reached and the inquiry was further adjourned. The partie3 concerned were A. G. Anderson, owner and trainer of Blackbeard, and A. Cuton, a jockey apprenticed to Anderson.

Giving evidence, Anderson said tile boy did not ride to instructions, and the horse was badly injured during the running of the race. Blackboard was very sore yesterday morning, and tha injuries would have stopped Phur Lap. His horses might run m and out, but he did not try to lie up fields. Anderson added: "It was put on the boy who was riding two horses for mo to pull my horses up. One was in the Stradbroke Handicap and one was in a Flying Handicap. The horses were Hourly and Lady Bine. Tho boy was offered considerably more than I gave him. but he did not pull them up. and I have trusted him ever since.'' Air. Gleeson (one of the stewards) : Who was the man ?

Anderson: The boy can tell you. I will not go any further. Shean is tho boy referred to Anderson said he did not consider Caton a good rider, as he was slow in thinking, but he did not think Caton would do anything dishonest. Asked by a steward whether he thought Caton would "pull a horse up on him." Anderson said: "I do not think so. but I will agree ho rode a wretched race, and there was every room for an inquiry." F. Shean. who does most of the riding for Anderson's stable, said he found Blackboard a hard horse to ride, as he was heavy-headed and sluggish. In reply to questions. Shean stated he saw the race, but did not see any interference.

Mr. Gleeson: Anderson made a statement that it was put up to you to "pull" a horse up in a race? Shean: Yes, but [ would not like to sav by whom. Mr. Gleeson: You are here giving ovi. deuce, and if you refuse to give that evidence von can lie dejilt with. Not that I am threatening you. but this sort of thing wants cleaning up. Shean: I did not come hero for nnvtliing like that. L came to give evidence, about this liorso

Mr. Ctirlev (steward) : It cropped up in evidence. We would not have asked the question only the press would say wo did not follow up information. Will you give us the information privately?

Shean: Yes. Anderson: I would have done that. Anderson stated he could not afford to put much on horses then© days. He whs under a big expense, and from January 1 to January 25 it had cost, him £1 in in nominations, acceptances, and riding fees. Anderson said he sent, the horse out trying, and 4 he backed 'it. but. the boy did not ride to instructions. Caton said be did his best, hut the horse did not, go well from the half-mile to the winning post. The parties were asked to retire, hut Shean was examined privately for about 20 minutes, after which the chairman of the. stewards said th»y bad none into the caste, but as some of the bookmakers' books had not come to hand the inquiry would bo iidiourned.