TROTTING.

NZ Truth, Issue 464, 9 May 1914, Page 8

TROTTING.

FQRBURY JOTTINGS. (By ."Wallalo.") , The second day.'s trota at Forbury Park were not held under the best of conditions. Although no rain fell during tho afternoon, tho courso was a puddle after . the ' previous night's heavy downpour, but perhaps the going did not affect results, Generally speaking, I am Inclined to that view, for even had the course been dry, the results would have boon much tho samo as they were last Saturday. Several well-known performers succeeded m finishing first, and, m othor instances, tried animals were closo up. In one or two races, the issue was never m doubt after a quarter of a mile had been traversed. To be a successful trotting owner, and to "get away" with a fair dividend now and again, a man requlros a sound toppleco and a rider or driver who knows what to do, and to do it at the right moment;, for trotting races may be easily won* when judgment is used. The public, taken as a whole (that is to say those of tho public who get to know how many aro trying), are keen judges. They work it out m hard figures and keep the dividends down. Taken all round, it may be said that tho percentage of non-triers was insignificant In last week's notes I stated that Rostrevor and Caretta would do better later on, and both justified my opinion, as also did Schoolgirl. 'Tho latter Is probably one of tho be3t m the land to-day when she is well enough. Tho Reglna Bell affair was unfortunate. Many of. tho public who only invest a few shillings have an udmlratlon for a good horse, and Reglna Bell is one of those that the public will always admlro. That sho Is amongst the best of her class goes without saying, and it is to hoped that her owner, though he has expcrloncod hard Knocks at Forbury. will como again. ' In the Second Amatour Handicap, Doris Wllks got well away, and the "proeoqslon" was not particularly in-

teresting. Miss Peggy, m second place, being "comfortably" away, with Woodbine, causing something of -- surprise, running into third place. Perhaps Woodbine is only beginning to know that he should be dlose up. At the finish of the Domain HandiI cap, Rostrevor came fast, and easily ran home a winner, with Splaw Maid next, the latter easing after Rosi trevor put m his run. .What a "good I thing" Rostrevor proved m the mud; he will win several times yet before he "shoots his bolt." I Caretta had no difficulty m winning Ue Otago Handicap, after lying; m a handy position till she got her legs. Her rider shook her up, and, as the field started out on the last lap, Caretta made a run forward. She soon caused consternation amongst those a, trifle ahead of her,, and, though Knapdale game' with a strong and welltimed run m the last hundred yards, Caretta won, and proved that the jeports that now and then come from Henly axe not by any means exaggerated- She has been a. first-class investment for her owner, and for those who have consistently followed her it has been a case of "picking up dollars." A good many of the "knowing ones" backed ' Adonis for the Winter Oaks Handicap, but there was only one m it from the start, and that was Schoolgirl. When she was asked to put on the pace she responded, and, though Dr. Chutney made an effort to overhaul her, the mare won easily. The Peninsula Handicap was really a gift to Prince Gift. Although he was chased home by Security and Truganini, the result was never m doubt. Many persons thought Rostrevor could win the double, but another two muddy miles proved a bit too heavy a task for him. Royal Rothschild, on his previous run, should have been closer, but he never had a chance at the finish. Prince Poole was nicely handled m the Park Handicap, and he justified the confidence of his circle of supporters. One or two of the starters m this race did not seem to have been trained' to trot hard. Hamapuka was one of those well backed m the Farewell Handicap, but though he got away on this occasion, that is, he left the mark without any mishap of any kind, and had a good passage, he did not got amongst the loading division, notwithstanding that he appeared to be trying very hard to get there, and Kinetic did not show up m trie early stages, though he finished third.