AUCKLAND TROTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22505, 24 August 1936, Page 7

AUCKLAND TROTS

SATURDAY'S EYENTS AUGUST HANDICAP FIELD REVIEW OF THE PROSPECTS KY AIiAYDOS With very fine acceptance?), the Auckland Trotting Club should have a successful meeting on Saturday, when the chief events will he the August Handicap and the Massey Memorial Handicap, Seven horses are engaged in the August Handicap, and four, Rockella, King's Play, Ironside and Gold Dredge, have won at two miles. Rockella was twice third to Ironsido and Treasure Bond at Wanganui, his best effort being 4.34 1-5, but in runnfhg third to Rayon d'Or and Treasure Bond in tho Manawatu Trotting Cup lie improved to 4.31 1-5. At the latter meeting he won the Louisson Handicap, on a holding track, in 4.40 2-5. In his next attempt he missed a place, but had gone off. As ho has freshened up, he may go well. Ironside Avon the Wanganui Trotting Handicap in 4.39 1-5 on a dead track, and under improved conditions a week later won tho Liverpool Handicap in 4.31 3-5, equalling the course record of Worthy Light and Smooger. He registered tho same time when third to Bonny Azure and Gold Dredge at Hawera. As he has not been long in from a spell, Ironsido may not bo quite ready to run out a solid two miles. Form of King's Play King's Play has won at his only two starts at two miles, going 4.41 3-5 in the Cambridge Trotting Handicap and improving to 4.36 4-5 in the President's Handicap at Hamilton. Ho won both races very easily, and, although he will now meet more solid opposition, has good prospects. Gold Dredge has a consistent record of two firsts and three seconds in fivo starts and in her last four efforts her time lias been quite good. She won at Epsom in 4.30 3-5, was second at Cambridge in 4.32 2-5, and for similar places at Hawera ran 4.31 1-5 and 4.30. A genuine stayer, Gold Dredge should be dangerous. Nervie's Last, Our McKinney and Star Pronto have perfromed well at middle distances, the first-named having the best record of 3.18. He failed in two races at a longer journey, being second at Cambridge in 4.43 2-5 and third at Hamilton in 4.44. As he subsequently won at a mile and a-half in heavy ground, Nervie's Last may be staying better. For a horse who four times ran out a mile and a-half at a 2.14 to 2.14J rate, and recorded a 2.15 rate for a mile and five furlongs, the displays of Our McKinney at two miles were very disappointing. His June success was gained with a determined final run, which suggests ho may be gaining more stamina. Star Pronto has not raced at two miles, but in all his successes he has been going on very solidly at the end. Ho has a mile and a-half record of 3.19 3-5. Recent form suggests good chances for King's Play, Star Pronto and Gold Dredge. The Sprint Contest Excepting Hohoro and Manoeuvre the acceptors for the Massey Memorial Handicap, li miles, are all good middle distance winners. Ironside has good form and should race prominently. Our McKinney has won at a mile in 2.11 3-5 and li'is milo and a-half form indicates that he will run a solid 10 furlongs. Rockella . has been a fine performer over sprint distances and went 2.46 at Hamilton, so that he should be dangerous off the limit. Nervie's Last, on tho strength of his solid efforts in June, reads well in, and, if reserved, should bo difficult to boat. Present intentions are to start him in the August Handicap, but if he fails in that race he should have his chance in tho sprint. Hohoro has not had a race for some time, but he usually shows dash when fresh, and the track is very holding. Gold Dredge is a smart sprinter and should make matters mteresting. Prior to going South, Lady 1 arne ran some fine races at Epsom, where she recorded 2.45, for the d.staijee, a,,d last season she won twice at lor bury Park Having her first outing for some time," and on 84 yards, Lady Fame rau creditably at Cambridge, and she has good prospects. Manoeuvre did not appear quite tuned up when she last raced, and should be in better shape. She is a good mare in soft ground. 11 event bears an open appearance, and so-ne who may be favoured include Nervie's Last, Rockella and Gold Dredge

WORK AT EPSOM RAIN HAMPERS TRAINING Torrential rain interfered with training operations at Epsom on Saturday. A few trainers braved the elements, using the cinders and sand tracks, which were heavy Chartcris Bay (G. Cole) finished solid work with a burst over the last three furlongs. Chartcris Bay will have his first race free-legged next Saturday. Kewpic's Crest (W. Geo) was allotted two miles unhoppled, but mixed his gait oil several occasions. Like his relative, Kewpie's Triumph, ho is a lazy worker, but lie has never looked better. Mutiga Tangi (L. Laver) was not extended at any stage of two miles. Great Sonoma was let off with an eius.y task. The big trotter has derived some benefit from his two races at Cambridge, where ho ran two seconds. Bingcn Sun trotted soundly for a mile and three-quarters, easing over the next quarter. Ho put some vim into his task in the middle stages. Bingen Sun, who was a trifle pretty when raced at Cambridge, is assuming better shape. J. It. Eorgcssen brought Rita's Triumph from Avondale, but she was not asked a serious question.

Star Pronto was keen to go fast, but was held back to a useful pace. Young Rodney revelled in a useful task. He hap had a lot of good work, as well as some sharp runs. Mountain Sun went solidly over two miles. Although it is nearly 12 months since ho won, Mountain Sun is trotting well again. Baron Grand and Roadster worked a mile and a-half, finishing with a dash homo from tbo quarter post. Baron Grand handled the conditions well. Marina (J. A. Gerrard) sprinted smartly along tho back a couple of times, while working a mule and a-half. Lucky Love (W. Willetts) accomplished a similar task. Stargum (G. Webb) went leisurely over a couple of laps, l tinning tho last few furlongs at a sound clip. King's Knight hit out freely over a milo and a-half. TROTTING FIXTURES August 2!) —Auckland Trotting Club. September f> —New Brighton Trotting' Club. September 12 —Wollitiglm Trotting Club. October 3 —McUivon Trotting Club. October 10—New Brighton Trotting Club. October 17 —Waikato Trotting Club. October 17, 11) —Westport Trotting Club. October 21, 20 —Auckland Trotting Club. October 24, 20—Ureymontli Trotting Club October 20—Manawatu Trotting Club. October 20 —O.imaru Trotting Club. October 31—Wellington Trotting Club. November 10. 12, 13 —Now Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club.