TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22365, 12 September 1934, Page 13

TROTTING NOTES

By SENTINEt. Encounter won so well at Wellington that ,future success seems to be a matter of ordinary luck : in racing. The present system of handicapping resolves itself into the question , Do we chase him .or do we .not.” If that is riot so, why do horses start at a-four to one chance in a “handicap”? According to reports. Gay Sister never left-the result in doubt,-in . her race at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting. That is a fact Well worthy of note under the present system of handicapping. It is anticipated that the Wellington Trotting Club will make a profit over its recent meeting. This is a fact well worthy of note. Wellington is totally dependent on outside patronage for fields that draw public patronage. \ Stakes make' fields/ and: other clubs should note the fact. ; ■ According to reports, War' Buoy simply played with the 1 field be met at Wellington. He. had'about 10 seconds the best of the so-called handicapping system, and wa* really lucky to. get. anything to chase or wait behind him. How: do they account for anything m a handicap starting at about a four to one on chance i

Two horses that should not be forgotten are Morello and Gamble. They can go fast, and will not require much in their favour in the future. Never judge a horse on its worst form. . A report of the Wellington Trotting Club's meeting states that War Buoy just played with his five opponents in the Bollard. Memorial Handicap at Wellington. He’made a skip at the start but struck bis gait quickly, and led all the way. Eey Spec challenged him in the straight, but War Buoy was never extended to beat him. This marked War Buoy’s _ eighth win, and his imbeatcp record "is still intact. He was bred at Methven, and is owned by Mrs E. K. He is by Man o’ War from Little Kewpie, and .is trained by M. B. Edwards. His easy victory at Wellington made it obvious that he,is still capable of continuing his winning performances.

The fact that Triangle was slow to begin and that Sonoma King and Welcome Guy made a break at the start assisted Flotsam to lead all the way in the Nai Nai Handicap at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting.- Flotsam broke when he had . covered-a furlong, but (says “Argus”) The mistakes of other candidates enabled him to strike his gait in time to retain the lead; and from there on he trotted and. finished as well as any of-his opponents., Flotsam won two races in July: at The Greymoutb -Trotting Club’s meeting, where; be shaped as •if future successes were within : his • compass. He began bis career as a pacer, but did not shape well over a distance. Since being changed over to The - trotting gait he-has developed speed and stamina. He is owned by -Mr G. M. Ollivier, -who is the - vice-president of- the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. Flotsam is by Wrack from Berenice, and; is trained at Russley-by M. Holmes. He was penalised 4Syd's in the Wilford Handicap, in-which, he finished fourth after making a break early in the •race;

.There are few, horses, according to a noted English veterinarian, which 'have not materially’.suffered in.their legs and feet before the end of, a. strenuous rac-. ing campaign, and that there .is nothing so refreshing To the .ailing: limbs and To their feet as the: damp qooliiess of pas : ture .grass; nothing, so . calculated to remove: every enlargement, and.' sprain as the moderate exercise that .the animal voluntarily takes while,, its underpinning ■is exposed to the cooling process' of .evaporation, .which is taking, place from The. herbage it tieads. The experience of ages has shown.that it is superior to.all tne embrocations and, bandages, of the skilful veterinarian. It is The renovaLing process of nature, where the science of man fails, , The - Melbourne trainer W. M’Kay, wlio brought Auburn Lad to New Zealand last season, has >l2 ■- horse's in training, 'eight being by Globe Derby and Two by Da) la" iDerby,/fa/son of Globe Derby. On liis : visit M'Kay expressed the opinion that Globe Derby horses were the ideal racehorses,- good-mannered, game, .and reli--1 able. , Pew of his breed have been- trained in New Zealand, : although J., J. Kennerley'had a inore than useful performer :in -Vendome. M’Kay’s association with two of Globe Derby’s: sous in Walla Walla and Auburn Lad would, not cause him to alter his opinion of the famous sire. • , ■ --.'/ - •/■ ■>'■-

The adoption, of the new system ot handicapping- by the two. leading clubs of New South Wales has; given the handicappere the opportunity -of making trotting a leading sport, for it is now at the discretion of These gentlemen as to what handicap a -horse will receive (says The Australian Trotting Record). Under the new system a winner of a mile. and a-half races will not receive more.than 36yds penalty, irrespective of time recorded, and in two miles not more than 48yds. ■ Now," if The handicappers of both clubs Take advantage of the power given' them, and not penalise a horse more than 12yds up to a mile and a-hal£ and 24yds for two miles, trotting in New South Wales should go ahead by leaps and bounds, and the horses which the public want to see in action will have opportunities of earning money instead of being a drug to'their owners, as largely they are at present. Gipsy -Pronto, Walla Walla, and others were attractions ■which swelled the attendances, and if their ■ assessed marks are reasonable- it is certain that These champions will again be seen in action. , ■