TROTTING NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21280, 6 September 1932, Page 7

TROTTING NOTES

USEFUL HANDICAP HORSES DIRECT MORNING AS STAYER BRENTLIGHT AT TE AWAMUTU BY ABAYDOS , . Little Guy and Direct Morning, who filled the dividend places in tho Massey Memorial Handicap at Epsom last mouth, are likely to race over two miles at Claudelands next month. When trained by J. Bullock at Hawera Little Guy won over all distances, and one of his most striking performances was at Hastings in, a two-miles race. Since then he has failed to show staying power, although P. J. Smith may induce him to go further in his present excellent condition. At present it lookß as if he would bo belter suited in the mile and a-quarter event. Although in New Zealand Direct Morning has never been looked upon as anything but a sprinter, he won a good two-miles handicap in Australia before being imported to Auckland by H. llendriksen. His few successes in this province have been gained in sprint races, but since being raced freelegged by W. E. Cockbill ho has shown something of his former stamina. In the Goldfields Handicap at Thames last May lie attempted to win tho two-miles event from end to end and faded out of tho money only iu the last hundred yards.

A newcomer to the district, who should make his presence felt over any distance, is Brentliyut, who forms one of E. N. lvennerley's very useful team at Te Awamutu. Brentlipht, who is in his seventh year, is by tbo Fair Chimes horse Matchlight from a Breut Locanda mare, and as a four-year-old won the New Brighton Eclipso Stakes in 3.30 from a 3.33 mark on a dead track. During the last two seasons he has raced consistently, if somewhat unluckily, for J. J. Kennerley, and, like his stable mate Kelp, has a fine record of minor placings. Kelp having broken the spell at New Brighter last Saturday, Brentlight may do likewise whon stepped out in the North, Form of Kewpie's Triumph After his inglorious display in the August Handicap, in which he finished last, but one. Kewpie's .Triumph has lost tsome of: his sup porters, but his form was all wrong, as lie should prove when he races next. His showing was certainly disappointing, but it must bo remembered that he was allowed to drift back in the early stages, when the pace was slow. When the speed was turned on for the last mile ho was conceding Carnui. Peter Pirato and Princo Pedro fully CO yards, which inado his chance bopclefia. as the winner, Prince Pedro, ran the last milo in a shade worse than 2.12. In spite of the fact that in tho South Island Real Girl raced particularly well over all distances and took a fast placed record for two miles, she again failed to display stamina at Epsom last month. In the August Handicap she lost ground by tangling at the start, but, owing tQ the slow pace set. was soon in a handy position, only to fado away at tho end. Well placed at the home turn in tho eprint race. Real Girl had no chance with Little Guy, and, weakening in tho final pinch, was headed out of second money by Direct Morning. Peter Pirate's forward running at Epsom last month upset the theory that he cannot produce his best unless the track is soft and heavy. Although he only ran his handicap in the August Handicap, ho gave a very creditable display, and, if he had been left with a little in reserve at the finish, ho might easily have been first instead of second. E. N. Kennerley appears to havo got Peter Pirate into great order, and when he strikes a class with _ shorter limits he should again bo in the picture. Prince Pedro's Prospects

Prince Pedro has now won three -useful handicaps at two miles, and from his present mark, 4.34, he 6hould havo_ reujspnable prospects of adding another to his list in the near future. R. A. McMillan drove him judiciously and confidently in the August Handicap, and, timing his final effort with rare judgment, he got him homo by a narrow margin. Prince Pedro has developed stamina to a remarkable degree in the last few months, and his recent effort indicates that he has not yet finished winning. He should be .hard to beat in either the two miles or ten-furlongs races at Claudelands. If there had been a second day's racing at Epsom last month it would havo taken something pretty good to defeat Canuri over two miles. F. J. Smith had him nearly up to concert pitch, but he was just Bhort of a race, *itd in a keenly-fought finish had tobe content with third money. Right back to his Christmas form, ho would be almost certain to beat those who.headed him off. and, as ho will meet them on better terms next time, his chances are exceptionally good. While she ran her usual honest race last month. Anon was not quite good, enough to secure a place, but in finishing close to the third horse, to whom she was conceding 36 yards, her effort was satisfactory. It is evident that she has not yet struck her best form since coming to Auckland, but she has raced in a manner which suggests that her turn is not far away. The race should improve her, and when next slio sports Bilk her prospects will not he overlooked. First Flight's Preparation Although First Flight's winter displays were not in keeping with her brilliant form in the autumn, too much importance cannot be attached to her failures, as she was a bi.t short of work owing to G. T. Mitchell's abeenco at Hastings with Eleawah. Mr. Wilfred Johnstone stated recently that she was again in work with a view tp spring engagements, and in all probability Mitchell, who has her under his charge at Cambridge, will produce her at Claudelands. First Flight is now ir. her sixth year and should bo a better mare this soason. The Te R«pa-trained Our Peter promises to be a serious contender for two-miles events this season, tnd, with a litt.lo improvement on his autumn form, he should have excellent prospects. Last season ho was successful at one milo and one mile nii;l a-quarter, while he ran a very creditable third to Prince Pedro nnd Explosion ir> the Thames Cup. recording 4.36, the fastest time of the placed horses. Our Peter is bred on useful staying lines, and his dam. ima Grattan, is closely related to tho fine trotting mare Olive Nelson. Although he has been off tho scene for some time, it is quite likely that Hal Cliinics will be given another chanco to distinguish himself over a journey this season, Last spring he ran a. very sound race into third place in tho' Mark Memorial Handicap at Claudelands, when he was on 72 yards, and Ihe winner, Kewpie's Guy. was on 24 yards. His last placed performance was in the Labour Day Handicap at Epsom, when lie finished third, and, owing to the disqualification of Ngingongingo, ho was placed second.

TROTTING TEAM FOR PAEROA . w. CLIFTON'S HORSES LEAVE The members of W. Clifton's trotting team. Explosion, Dad's llopo and tho two-year-old, Nelson Bingen—Logan Queen fill.v. were transferred to Paeroa during the weekend by A. Allen. Explosion was doing splendidly in' his work to within thrco days of the Auckland meeting last month, but bled freely, and as a result went right oft colour, and raced much below form. Dad s Hopes ran his usual holiest race and was in tho picture all tho way in the Mnssev Memorial Handicap to finish right up alomiside the third horse. Real Girl. Both Explosion and Dad s Hope have been consistently good workers on the du'L and cinder tracks at Alexandra Park dining tho last two. seasons, but they have not always reproduced their trials when racing ou tho grass, although both won ;i race last season and gained some placcinoncy At Paeroa. Clifton will bo able to train them on the grass, and it is quite likely that the change will provo beneficial. The Nelson Bingen fill.v i* a. very promising youngster and is bred on excellent lines, her dam, Logan Queen being a spuedv mare, who took u record of 2.13 6e\enil years ago. Allen did not lako Jus .PeterMoho' trotter to .Paeroa. no ho failed to make tho progress expecied. NAME COMMEMORATED FORTUNE'S WHEEL FOAL The three-year-old chestnut filly by Pn]ai'.el from Phar Lap's full-sister, Fortune s Wheel, has been named On] ioutp, comineuioi'ating the -champion's last great, triumph. She is being trained by F. Gilchrist at. Ellershe and is making good progress. Mr. J. h. Webb, of the owner. Fortune's- Wheel, who was bred the year beforo Phar Lap. was leased to Mrs. J. Campbell, of Ricciirton. and put into training again after foaling and rearing the filly who is to raoo Caliente. tSho had ensplayed nuivlrcd ability to gallop ae a two-year-old, although unsuccessful in three starts, but she' met with an accident,; and was sent to tho stud. Her return to the race track was not destined to bo profitable, aud aftor six starts last season, finishing tlufd in one of them, sho was again turned out, and has gone back, to tho stud. There was some reason in trying i ortune s Wheel again as a galloper, for she was Phar Lap's sister and of tho same colour. There have been instances in which mares have been successful on the race track after being at the stud. Pno case was that of Celerity, who was by Seaton Delaval. Celerity threw Shrimp to Phoobiis Apollo in 1905 when she was four-years-oldT and, put into trainiug again, she won a number of laces in New Zealand, and afterwards, when sold to Mr. E. A. Connolly, of Victoria, won tho Oakloigb Plate at Caulfield in 1910.