FAST PACERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22928, 5 January 1938, Page 9

FAST PACERS

OUTSTANDING EFFORTS PERFORMANCES ON LAST DAY RECORD OF LAWN DERBY LUCKY JACK CONSISTENT fiY ABAYDOS With the handsome totalisator turnover of £125,670 for three days, representing an increase of £36,516 on last year's figures, the Auckland Trotting Club's Summer Meeting was a pronounced success, made in great measure by the presence of high-class pacers. The track was very fast and time improvements were numerous and substantial. *

Lawn Derby was the star performer on the lasifc day. His great display of free-legged pacing that brought success in the President's Handicap in 4.17 3-5 was one of the outstanding performances of the meeting. The enthusiastic reception accorded Lawn Derby and his trainer-driver W. J. O'Shea has rarely been equalled at Epsom and the splendid effort of the Robert Derby horse will long be remembered. Lucky Jack, the New Zealand Cup winner, did not win a race, but his form was good, for he registered two seconds and a third. His best effort was when narrowly shaded by Lawn Derby, and, had he not bored a little under pressure, it is possible he would have divided the prize with the Australian. Lucky Jack is undoubtedly high-class, and, being only a five-year-old. he should attain greater heights. ' Deeds o! Willow Wave What might have happened had Willow Wave gone away correctly on the last day can only be conjectured, but, in view of his form in the Cup and Champion Handicap and the handy position he occupied at the end of the President's Handicap, after losing a great deal of ground at the start, suggested that he would have taken a deal of beating. Willow Wave has now shown himself one of the best pacers in the Dominion. Crocus scored her second success when she narrowly beat Nawton Parrisb in the Bledisloe Handicap, and, as on the first day, she demonstrated wonderful speed in going 3.17 2-5. The Great Bingen mare was in-much better form than when she failed at Awapuni and Claudelands, and at her best is likely to achieve further distinction in, the tighter classes,, particularly at sprint or middle distances.

Nawton Parrish ran two sterling races, but found the opposition more difficult than at Hamilton and Thames. However, he did n£>t lose any admirers and when he appears at Hutt Park next month will have a fine chance to make amends. He appears to be one of the best of Great Parrish's progeny, and, apart from his rare 6peed, is improving as a stayer. > ; ,

Tan John Consistent No more consistent trotter, than Tan John has been seen for some time and during the two years he has been racing the Waverley-trained horse has seldom failed to gain a place. Last season he registered two firsts and three seconds at two miles and his times showed little variation from 4.42 to 4.43. In finishing third in .the Rowe Memorial Handicap Tan John ran 4.39 3-5, which time he repeated to win the Association' Handicap. / Parrish' Belle showed a pleasing 'return to form by winning the Rowe Handicap, in 434 3-5, and, while, she improved t0'4.34 1-5 on the last day,'she could not concede the extra 36 yards to Tan John. Parrish Belle's racing is a tribute to the patience of her trainer, C. 6. Lee, who held to the opinion that her lapse of form was only temporary. While the tracks remain firm she will have further prospects. With Waingake going 4.40 off 4.57 in the Tamaki Handicap, Elissa was set a stupendous task from 84 Yards, but, in spite of one bad lapse, she made a gallant effort. Her time, 4.34 2-5, off 4.50, was a shade faster , than Parrish Belle's winning recoqjl, Which demonstates the wonderful imnroyement effected by G. T. Mitchell. Elisfca is a half-sister, by Worthy., Bond, to Cherrill. A Courageous Mare W. Clifton and his game mare Gold Dredge would have been very unlucky not to secure a stake. She was narrowly beaten on the first day by Rongomai at level marks, and was unfortunate that the intricacies of the handicapping system compelled her to accept a second "defeat from Rongomai on the Same terms. Gold Dredge had her turn firt the Premier Handicap, in which Rongomai was unable to concede her 24 yards. It is a peculiar system of handicapping that does not offer more protection to a defeated horse than was shown' in Gold Dredge's second start. The linhoppled pacer Nervie's Last Was set very difficult tasks in'his-two races, but he gained place-money with excellent racing, and his 3.15 1-5, a course record, gave further demonstration of his remarkable speed. The Pedro Pronto gelding was purchased in Australia by Mr. E. G. Bridgens on the recommendation of W. J. O'Shea, and is one, of the finest free-legged pacers to race in New Zealand. Cavan Chief, Who scored his second success when F. J. Smith drove him homo in the New Year Handicap, is a young pacer of whom more will be heard. He was an unknown quantify until he registered his'two seconds at Palmerston North, but, benefited with the experience, he showed splendid improvement >in 'getting to a 3:24 record at his fifth start. •, , '

' W! J. Eynon is building up a fine reputation. with horses considered of little account.' Last season he was successful - with Waskasu, while this term he scored with Grand! Triumph, who had over a long period been unsuccessful and passed through a number of hands. Eynon's latest coup was with Nerihana, who, although looked on as a non-stayer, won the Park Handicap in the hands of the veteran F; Holmes by a comfortable margin in 3.26 off 3.43. Nerihana is a prospect at Cambridge. '

MATCH RACE AT CAMBRIDGE ' TROPHY FOR THE WINNER Local members of the Cambridge Trotting Club have donated a thirty guinea of cutlery for the. winner of the exhibition match raca on Saturday between Lawn Derby, Neryie's Last and King's Play, and a supporter of the club will present ,a gold mounted whip to the winning driver. The match is arousing keen interest and promises to furnish a fine test of speed , . TROTTING FIXTURES - ■'!' i 1 ■ ' 'V ' % January 5, 6 —Greymouth -Trotting Club. January B—Cambridgeß—Cambridge Trotting Club. January 15—Tiraaru Trotting Club. January 27, 20—Forbury Park Trotting Club. January 20, 31—Nelson Trotting. Club. ' ■ February 3, 6—Wellington Trotting Club. February 13 —Canterbury Park' Trotting Club. February 13, 18-r-Auckland. Trattirtg QJub. B'ebruary. 19—New Brighton- Trotting Club. February 2i3—Kaikoura Trotting Club. February 2<3—Wairarapa Trotting Club. March s—lnvercargill Trotting Club. March s—Wellington Trotting Club.