TROTTING NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22524, 15 September 1936, Page 7

TROTTING NOTES

CONSISTENT HOMES RECORD OF NERVIE'S LAST RECENT FORM ANALYSED BY ABAYDOS Three firsts, ■ three seconds and two thirds in eight starts since being imported to New Zealand prove the consistency of Nervie's Last, whose form at middle distances has been good. Mrs. A. Pitman, Melbourne, who bred Nervie's Last, passed through Auckland recently on return from a trip to the United States and was pleased at the success of the pacer, especially his grass track free-legged record of 3.18. The breaking tendency of King's Guide in two of his last three races has caused his admirers concern, but ho is a rare stayer and is in splendid condition.

Gold Dredge ran much below her best form at the August meeting. Evidently she is not at homo in heavy ground. Her five good two-mile efforts lust season were on firm tracks, and when conditions improve, Gold Dredge should show to better advantage. Free-legged Pacer

Star Pronto has raced more solidly of late and it was only through bad luck that he missed a place at his last start. He won three races in short order and in his only start at two miles, beat all except the more seasoned King's Play, who holds an unbeaten record at the distance.

Although she finished only third in her last start, Winaway ran creditably and prospects of another useful season are bright. Winaway gave indications of staying ability last May and, with a little improvement, she may win at two miles.

Rockella's two races in August were much below the form that gained him the Evans Challenge Cup on the West Coast circuit last season. Rockella is in a difficult class at two miles, but he should have prospects in middle distance races. Prospects ol Quid Hairst G. Paton is getting Guid Hairst into fine shape and when he next races the pacer should give a good account of himself. On Saturday last he gave a splendid display on the cinders, going a mile and a-half at a 2.18 rate, the last mile in 2.15 and the half in 1.6 4-5. It was one of the best trials on the cinders' for a long time. r Lucky Love continues to work with a deal of dash, and, as he is racing more' solidly this season; an early win for him may be expected. The consistency of Kewpie's Bond was rewarded last month at Epsom, and she should make further improvement "• ' •

1 Tollgate's two failures at Wellington spoiled a good record. His four previous starts had secured him two firsts, a second and third. However, 1 at Hutt Park he was asked to concede starts to some very .smart improvers. Chance for Ironside

, For a horse who had not been up long, Ironside's effort. at the % Auckland meeting was very - creditable, and he should show much: improvement at his next appearance. Ironside, like the majority of Wrack horses, is a good stayer.

No horse at Epsom is doing better in his tmining than Charteris Bay. Since taking up the role of a freelegged pacer, he has improved considerably, and in his present condition should race prominently when next produced. Sir Frank was not equal to winning the Grey Lynn Handicap, but he is a good type of young horse by Frank Worthy. Like several others by this sire, he should improve with age. After the decisive manner in which Great Jewel accounted for Tollgate in June, it was not surprising to find him in public favour for the Grey Lynn Handicap, but he was not placed. He looked short of work, and may not be long in making amends. Except for his two races in February, when he won at his < second start, Royal Jewel has not struck a firm track, and his displays under soft conditions have not been good. Until he has been found wanting with tracks to suit him, ho should not be condemned.

In spite of his dofeat in the Orakei Handicap, Munga Tangi will not loso any friends, as his form in the winter showed him to bo an improver with good prospects. Prior to the August meeting, most of his work was of a strong unhoppled nature, and he may have been short of a run.

£4OOO FOR MALA H. E. RUSSELL REJECTS OFFER , . „ , , .1 THINKS COLT IS WORTH MORE (Received ■ September 14, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sopt. 14 The Sun states that a genuine offer of £4OOO for Mala has been rejected. H. E. Russell, his owner-trainer, thinks Mala is worth more. The hurdler, Dango, broke a shoulder while schooling at Randwick to-day, and he was destroyed.

Mala is the first foal, by Lackham, of Lucretia, by Lucullus, from Signal March by Bezonian from Pilgrim s March, by Pilgrim's Progress. The fourth dam of Signal March is also the fourth dam of Phar Lap. Both Lucretia and Mala wore bred by Mr. 0. 1. Keeble, Palinerston North, and the colt was purchased privately by H. E. Pussell, who has raced other members of the family with success. , ' Two seconds, to Wagner and Laughing Lass respectively,, last December paved the way to Mala's first success,' at Awapuni, later in the month, and in January at Trentham, he won the Wellington Stakes easily. In his second race in Australia, the colt was made favourite for the first division of tho Rosebery August Handicap, but he was surprisingly beaten by Dermid. His second to Gold Rod in the Chelmsford Stakes last Saturday undoubtedly is his best effort to date. Two wins and four seconds have netted £648 in stakes.

CHANGE OF GAIT TWO TROTTERS 'IN HOPPLES j Two Epsom-trained trotters who raced unsuccessfully at the Auckland meeting last month, Princess Onyx and Pirate's Last, are now being tried as pacer?. Prior to ; the last meeting Princess Onyx was given a few runs in the hopples and she shaped fairly we) h She is now handling the new style en J couragingly. Her dam, Onyx, was a high-class pacer, and took a 3.13 record. Pirate's Last also has taken kindly to the hopples and' he gives the impression that he has had previous experience.