SOUTHERN TROTTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21225, 4 July 1932, Page 7

SOUTHERN TROTTING.

GUYZIAH'S IMPROVEMENT.

PLANS FOR TRAVIS AXWORTHY. TO RACE AT AUGUST MEETING. r \ [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. The Methven Trotting Club's meeting, to bo held at Ashbiirtori next Saturday, did not draw the- nominations expected, and the reason is hard to account 'for. Certainly the stakes are not' very large, but as the programme caters mostly for maiden performers, and moderate-class horses, it was though:, that owners would grasp the opportunity. The President's Handicap, two miles, limit 4.42, carries a stake of £l3O. but only'l2 entries were made, while only 13 nominations' were made for the Tradesmen'a Handicap' Trot, twd miles, limit 5.6. There are in work many horses that would be suited by these classes, arid lack of advertising may be the principal reason why they have pot been entered. D. Withers is taking every opportunity to give Todd Lonzia all the racing' experienc6 he possibly can, and the big trotter can do with a lot of it. ' He is engaged in the principal race, at the Methven meeting, and racing among the pacers will be a new experience for him. In another 'l2 monthu Todd Lonzia may be one of the best trotters in New Zealand, for he is a. big, well-grown colt, and should bo well served by time. Guy:siah, who, after being interfered with at Ashburton, finished third to Cloudy Range and Doll Dance in fast time, and won very easily at Oamaru to-dtly, will be given another outing at tho Methven meeting. He is owned by Mr. J. Moore, and L. A. Maiden has mode a lot of improvement in the gelding, who at one time looked like turning out a 'hopeless proposition. He is by Real Guy, and, like most of that horse's progeny, is a well-grown, hardy customer.

Wild Guy. has now won two races in succession against much stronger. Opposition than he is set to meet at the Methven meeting, and it does' not seem that his winning sequence is ended. In this gelding Mr. D. Rodgers, of Rangiora, has a gelding that might yet be seen in high-class company. He is by Guy Parrish from a Wildwood Junior mare, bo has breeding to recommend him. The Southland-owned Gold Tinge, who came with a big reputation and has already cost investors a lot of money, is still at Addington under the care of J. Fraser, jun. This mare looks well, and may' yet justify the high opinions held of her in Southern -trotting circles..., . R. W. Franks is putting in a lot of time with Travis Axworthy, ■ who' will be Been out at the August meeting at Addington: The brilliant American pacer is not altor gether sound, and a hoof has been causing Franks some trouble. If tho foot stands the strain, Travis Axworthy may be raced later at tho Cup meeting in November; Otherwise he will be definitely retired to the stud. Both as ,a racchorso and as a sire Travis Axworthy has been an outstanding success, and a season at tho stud will find him well patronised. Of tho team of horses brought from England a couple of year 3 ago, Stanley T., tho unhoppled trotter,- is the'only one to prove better- than. average, and -the majority must .have proved expensive. Major Lind won a couple of races, when his party sup 4 ported him - royally,-, but Holly Bank and others have proved anything but genuine. The last-named ife down to compete umong the moderates at:the Methven fixture, and this class may suit him. _' Direction. • the good-looking' Nelson Derby colt in W, J. Tomkinson'-s -stable, ha 3 speed, above ' the average, but although generally a well-mannered horse, ho appears to have become erratic at the start of his races. Until he mends his ways ho is not likely very successful. However, Tomkinson is willing to persevere, with h.inv and he is not,,in the habit of wasting time on doubtful propositions. Early bookings for the coming stud senson include Elzear to - Guy Parrish and Happy Rosa to Nelson Derby. T wo well" bred' and very speedy trotters should leave somethin? useful. Encouraged by, the success that has attended the early training of Taxpayer, win•ner of the New Zealand Sapling: Stakes, Mr. J. R. McKenzio has again placed' in work several yearlings, and one by Great Bingen from Slapfast, showed a great turn of speed, wheti, taken to Addingt6n the other day. Geared 'up, this filly went a quarter in 345. and later without _ the hopples registered 35s for the same: journey. Tho juvenile is a pocket edition of a racehorse, but is solidly built and looks a game one. Her dam. Slapfast. held a yearling record of 2.22 i before being brought to New Zealand, but so. bad was her form that it was thought the wrong' filly had been sent. She could hardly trot a mile in three minutes, but she looks like making up for her failure as a racehorse by proving - a good producer. She also left Prince .Roydon, who was considered the best of Mr. McKenzie's two-year-oldn_ until he met with an accident. Mr. McKenzie contemplates a trip to the East, and very little may be done with his yearlings until' his return. ...