SOUTHERN TROTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 9

SOUTHERN TROTS

NEW BRIGHTON FIELDS BIG AUTHOR'S CHANCE FREE-FOE-ALL CONTEST BLUE LOGAN FINE STAYER [bv TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday The New Brighton track is in very good order for the meeting on Saturday, and with fine weather it is certain that winners will be called upon to make big improvement on their times.

While most of those engaged in the Improvers' Handicap have had a deal of racing experience, few aro likely to graduate very far from their present class. Lady Ede is perhaps the fastest trott6r engaged, but her form has been erratic. Renegade, back to- his best, would be dangerous. Groat Linnet, who failed at Addington on Saturday, is capable of better things. Anna's Voyage, a recent arrival from Southland, showed sjieed in her latest engagement, and, like Violet Wrack, she has only to keep steady to make things interesting. Mohican won so well in his latest race that ho is likely to bo one of the best supported. Bill Grattan was a winner at For bury Park and Sagamore is not expected to find ,30 yards too much to give away. The favourites may bo Mohican, Sagamore aud Great Linnet. Track Will Suit King Potts

Colonel Axworthy has impressed by his tenacity under pressure and from the limit of the Belfast Handicap, he should be prominent. King Potts did not have the best of the running at Addington and the big grass track at New Brighton should suit him. Gentleman Joe will also bo a favourite, for he has proved himself with and without hopples. The race may rest between King Potts, Gentleman Joe and Colonel Axworthy. An acceptance of seven horses for the Denton Memorial Handicap was a poor response. A proved race inare in Bonny Azure is not unduly handicapped on 48 yards and, at her best, she should wyi. Big Author is the pick of tho handicap and tho track will suit him. Rongomai is solid and Isabel Derby a stayer, while Southern Smile and Aide de Camp are overdue. The public's choice may be Big Author, Bonny Azure and Isabel Derby. Included in the Stewards' Handicap are several horses making a move toward the best company. Windsor Lass recorded 2.41 2-5 for a mile and a-quarter at Addington on Saturday. Another in Southern Chief had bad luck in his latest engagement. He is a 'pacer of class. Twenty Grand has recent good form and Great Jewel is better than he has shown. The best supported may be Windsor Lass, Southern Chief and Twenty Grand. Good Glass in Autumn Handicap

The trotters in the Autumn Handicap represent very good class and the short limit of 48 yards should ensurq an excellent race. Pilot Peter, a Dominion Handicap winner, would find little difficulty in winning if he elected to trot solidly, but he appears to go best from the limit. Franz Derby is good under any conditions and Blue Logan is a genuine little racehorse. In what may prove one of tho best races of the day, the popular fancies may be Blue Logan, Franz Derby and Royal Romance.

In the Eclipse Handicap, tho most favoured may be Bing Crosby. Lightning Lady and Red Ranger, and in the Free-for-All the choice may be between Lucky Jack. Ironside and Nervie's Last. The Final Handicap, a mile saddle race, includes some very brilliant sprinters, and most in demand may bo Repeal, Token and Cavan Chief.

TE AROHA STABLES MAZIR MAY NOT RACE AGAIN GOLDEN SHEILA WELL LBY TELEGRAr'H —OWN' CORRESPONDENT] TE AROHA. Thursday A. E. Cox is training a commanding gelding by Acre from a Marble Arch mare. He is of powerful conformation and moves with freedom. Avnho, who w.as lame when racing at Rotorua, has since done her track work in a solid manner. She is expected to run prominently at the Te Arolia meeting. Since joining M. L. Lipsey's stable a month ago. Long Span "lias shown improvement. He will probably contest the Champion Hack Handicap on the second day of the Te Arolrt meeting. Mazir strained a ligament of his near foreleg and he has been taken out of commission. He will be given an extended spell and it is not certain that he will raco again. One of the improved horses on the local tracks is Mr. It. M. Taylor's Hessketoon, whose condition is now very solid. His stable companion, a three-year-old filly by King Lu from Miss Albyn, is showing aptitudo in her work. Brazen Bold, by Brazen—Ridicule, is hitting out in fine style and as soon as ho settles down in public ho will pay his way. Pirate King is being trained by his owner, Mr. J. Hogan, at Manawaru. Ho has been moving short in his liminaries, but when warmed up ho hits out freely. Good track trials are being executed by Golden Sheila. Whether she will raco in the Herries Memorial Cup will depend upon how she performs at the Waikato meeting. Mr. P. A. Swney's two-year-olds Foxmond and Foxtoon are nicely forward and are likely to run prominently. TIJRF JOTTINGS TRACK AND STABLE GOSSIP Student Prince has returned to work at Hawera.

Queen Lu was stratched for the Frankton Hurdles at 12 o'clock noon un Wednesday.

Vcldette has been badly left in her two starts to date. The services of a strong light-weight rider are boing sought for her Wangantii engagement.

The two-year-old filly hy Posterity from Burnish, owned by Mr. J. Lowe. Wanganui, has joined 0. Cox's Hawem stable The Beau Pore —Duck's Egg filly lias been broken-in.

The Ellerslie trainers \V. J. McLean with Jonathan, Odtaa, Barrister and La Vie, and J. M. Buchanan with Royal Appellant, Beeswing, Bright, Idea and Hopalong, left for To Rapa yesterday.

Irish Lancer got his first winner when Spear Thrust won at Wingatui. Spear. Thrust is one of the biggest horses in training and as he is only a three-year-old may grow over the 17 hands, which ho now shows.

Combat, who won on the second day at Wingatui, lias been regularly driven in a long-shnfter sulky in order to endeavour to euro a tendency to take charge of a rider. It has proved fairly effective, but Combat is still not altogether a boy's horse.