AUCKLAND TROTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23227, 22 December 1938, Page 9

AUCKLAND TROTS

THREE EVEN CONTESTS GRANDSTAND HANDICAP EQUIPOISE AND CONNENORA CLOSE RIVALS IN ST. HELIERS BY ABAYDOS Events for intermediate and improving pacers at the Epsom summer mooting, with their well-balanced fields, should provide keen contests. The Grandstand Handicap, limit 3.28, will bo ono of the most interesting races. Equipoise, off the limit, no doubt will be in most demand of the local group, but lie will meet strenuous rivalry from the visitors, Connenora, Harlequin and Icevus. Equipoise has won three times this season, including tho Goldfields Cup at Thames. An inclination to dwell at the start will make his contract more difficult. Lone Derby, who lias good time to his credit, will bo making his first Auckland appearance. Royal Jewel is a better pacer than lie is given credit for being and his efforts last season wore well up to tho required standard of this class. Chili Bean and Kewpie's Crest havo prospects, while Red Frontier is handily placed. Argolis is showing signs of returning form and will bo bracketed with Equipoise. Connenora has records of 2.41 1-5 and 3.15 2-5. Two seasons ago she left the maiden class at Hawcra and last season she developed rare speed in keepiuu with her fine breeding. CIVIC IN GOOD FORM FINE PERFORMANCES OF ICEVUS Civic gave a taste of his quality when ho won the Insulation Handicap in October, going 2.48 3-5 on a holding track, his time being only two seconds slower than that of Navy Bluo in winning, the Remuera Handicap. Civic will be all the better for that race and ifi to bo respected. Musketeer is on the upgrade and Winaway is in a position from where she will have an excellent chance if at her best. Her 3.16 at Hutt Park in February was a first-class effort. Sir Frank has been fourth in four of his last fivb starts and at Hamilton he was beaten by the Cup horses Our War, Kewpie's King, Navy Blue and Bexley Girl, which makes his form good in this section. Vanora, whoso rise in the autumn and winter was meteoric, is working iu something like his best style. Ringtrue has not had much racing, but at his second attempt at Claudelands he showed improvement. Eighteen Carat derived a deal of benefit from tho two raOes at Hamilton and his subsequent track form has been good. Sandusky was not seen at his best at that meeting. Evidently he was feeling tho strain of a solid campaign. He has freshened and is not without prospects. Harlequin is owned by J. Young, who trains the Tasmanian-bred Icevus, and they are a speedy pair. Icevus has developed solidness and has won three races recently in good times, having records of 2.8 4-5 and 3.15 2-5. Most support may come for Equipoise, Connenora, Civic and Icevus. ST. HELIERS HANDICAP VAN DERBY AND UENUKU When Van Derby beat Uenuku in the Puru Handicap at Thames the former was in receipt of 12 yards, but in the St. Heliers Handicap, Jimit 2.55, Uenuku receives 12 yards. Van Derby is undoubtedly the speediest horse in tho class, but is not reliable in his gait, while Uenuku has developed a habit of tangling at the start. They will find the southern candidate Precious Metal a keen rival, and if the other two make, mistakes it may well prove their undoing. Truo Trust won early in tho season and is training on for M. Stewart.. He is a reliable beginner and smart at the journey. Trymont is useful and a little improvement on Thames form would give Transwell, a good winner last season, splendid prospects. Lucky Love is working in his best style and his honesty will be in his favour, while Young Pointer is a smart horse. Silver Watch has not raced for some time. Whitstone will Set a lively pace, but there is a doubt about his stamina, and Alpine Prince may require a race. Royal Grattan is in winning form and will be one of tho real dangers, while Bold Venturo should run a merry mile and a-quarter. Bismuth must bo respected off tho limit and Forest Jewel is a reliable mare. Gold Circle has made' the grade by sound and consistent performances and ho goes out very quickly. Some to find favour will include Vau Derby, Uenuku, Precipus Metal and Forest Jewel. MANY FORM HORSES AKARANA VERY OPEN RACE Two horses on tho limit of the Akarana Handicap, 3.34, havo mado good attempts to succeed- in tho 3.38 class from 30 yards behind. These are Bedford and Adversity, who.should appreciate tho change. Bedford in six starts paid four place dividends, being fourth in his other two attempts, and lie will have a fine chance to gain his first clear-cut success. Although disappointing last season on tho West Coast circuit, Adversity has raced more resolutely this term and was in the money at Hutt Park and Claudelands. Derby Lu and Eyre are useful, while Petite Jewel is in fine order and should soon improve on his three thirds. Chaise won so well at Claudelands that ho must bo, given a riiro chance, although ho is meeting Bedford, who was second, and Adversity, third, on 30 yards worse terms, lsabollo Pointer is a mare from whom something better may be expected, and, if right, sho would trouble tho best. Two thirds and two wins in four starts is tho record of Loyal Direct I and she improved, with each race. She is in good condition and knows how. to leave tho barrier. Sentiment has two successes to his credit and is likely seriously to test the best of tho Auckland team, while Intrigue has run somo sound races. Gold Circle is on a handy mark to maintain his consistent form and Handfcappor and Young Pointer are not without prospects. Tho race is full of possibilities, but tho best supported may be Loyal Direct, Adversity, Bedford and Sentiment.