TROTTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20323, 3 February 1928, Page 13

TROTTING.

FIXTURES. February 4. —Cheviot T.C. February 11— N.Z. Metropolitan T.C, February 18, 22. —Otahuhu T.C. February 25.—Kaikoura T.C. March 2.—Marlborough T.C. March 2, 3. —Invercargill T.C. March 3.—Waikato T.C. March 7.—Manawatu T.C. March 8, 10.—Timaru T.C. March 14. —Wyndham T.C. March 15, 17—New Brighton T.C. March 24. —Thames T.C. March 24.—Wellington T.C. March 29, 31—Wanganui T.C. April 7, 11. —N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. April 7, 9. —Hawera T.C. April 14. —Taranaki T.C. April 21. —Te Aroha T.C. April 21. —Ashburton T.C. April 28. —Wellington T.C. May 3, 5. —Forbury Park T.C May s.—Cambridge T.C. May 19. —Oamaru T.C. June 2, 4.—Canterbury Park T.C. June 9. —Ashburton T.C. June 23. 27.—Auckland T.C.

There is still a doubt about D. Withers being sufficiently restored to health to drive Great Bingen in his match with Native Chief.

Latest reports from Christchurch state that Great Bingen has freshened up considerably, and should be able to reproduce his best" form when next seen in public. In winning the Hawke’s Bay Trotting Cup, the Auckland-owned and trained mari. Lady Barrington, accomplished her best performance to date, and in view of the fact that she also scored at South Wairarapa at Christmas time it would seem (says an exchange) that she is a much better mare now than ever previously. The daughter of Gold' Bell —King George mare is owned by Mr J. R. Herring, and trained by F. Herring, and does most of her work on a private track belonging to her owner at Morningside. As she won the cun on Saturday in 4min 46sec, she is still nicely placed to add further successes.

Direct Wave was unlucky in having to accept second money at Nelson after improving 19sec on her handicap time. Fortunately for her owner (says ” Mascot she was also engaged in the President’s Handicap later in the day, which she won. Last year Direct Wave was given extensive racing experience £y M. B. Edwards, adn it is hoped that she will train on to good advantage in order that she will prove a profitable investment for her popular owner. She was bred by Messrs Stevenson and M'Math.

Taumatakura, the big three-year-old halfbrother to Kohara, had to go 3min 31 l-ssec to win the 3min 52sec class over a mile and a-half at Nelson. Taumatakura is by Matchlight, and is a tenant of J. Bryce’s stable.

Shadowland is doing plenty of work, and this honest and reliable pacer may win a race before the end of the season. He seems best suited by a two-mile journey. L. Cavalier, who rode Kate Thorpe to victory to pay a sensational dividend at Forbury, has decided to take up training as a profession, and has already taken over stables at Addington. Cavalier is at present working a useful sort of gelding by Logan Pointer —Marvinette. The Ntlson Bingen gelding Neerson, who won the Nelson Trotting Cup, is a halfbrother to Glenelg, and a brother to Bingenette and Ingle Bingen. They are the produce of the imported mare Neeratte, who was brought out in 1912 by Mr J. Conway. The late Mr T. Wilkins, who was fatally injured whilst returning from the Tapanui races, was one time a well-known amateur rider in light harness circles. He rode and trained several winners, and also took a seat in the saddle against the professionals. He was a keen and alert sportsman, but in more recent years he seemed to become more interested in the thoroughbred than in the trotter. There were many complaints regarding the time of starting the races at the recent meeting of the Forbury Park Trotting Club. Since Mr Sidey’s Summer Time Act came into force, some clubs seem to want races finished later than usual. The Forbury Park Club started its meeting last week at 1 o’clock each day, and the last race was timed for 6.15 p.m. _lt was a quarter of an hour after that time before it was actually started. Those who had dividends to collect and other business to attend to could not get away from the course much before 7. As there was a large number of visitors, hotels were crowded, and it meant that dinner was missed or else a partially cold one had to be accepted. The Southland contingent, who are good patrons of the (Forbury Park Club, were not present on the second day in such large numbers as usual. They discovered that to return to their homes necessitated missing the last three races, or nearly half the programme. Club officials should recognise that their patrons have other duties and amusements to attend to, and the late finishing of races causes the whole evening to be wasted.