NOTES ON THE RACING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 13

NOTES ON THE RACING

(Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 23. The New Brighton Trotting Club had a good meeting to-day. Fields were, large and there was some very keen racing. , Carl, who was favourite, went off badly in the Improvers' Handicap. Travis Pringle was soon in front, and gradually drew away, winning very easily. Esther, Nelson Guy, Renegade, Header, and Renovo were prominent most of the way. Esther outstaying Header in the run home. Flotsam finished well to be fourth from the back mark. The imported mare Air Flow began slowly, but afterwards trotted a good race, and may win soon. Nelson Guy spoilt his chance by breaking, but afterwards made up ground again. Rollicking Wave was the early leader in the Belfast Handicap, but broke after two furlongs. Sans Peur then went on from Rongomai, while at, the end of half a mile Chiming Day, Waving Corn, Betty Jinks, and Paragon were also prominent. Doris Derby joined in along the back, while Vanity Fair was handy at the home turn. Sans Peur retired in the straight, and Doris Derby drew out to win by three lengths. Paragon finished strongly, beating Rongomai by a head. Waving Corn was next, then Stella Derby and Vanity Fair. The winner has not always been consistent, but when conditions are favourable she is good. R. Mouritz drove Vanity Fair, his first appearance since he took over the Durbar Lodge team. Rollicking Wave and Cam Dillon collided and lost their drivers about a furlong from home. J. N. Clarke, driver of Cam Dillon, ricked the muscles of his right leg. Harold Denver led out in the Denton Memorial Handicap, with Young Frank and Pronto Bingen next, while at the end of half a mile Eureka Boy and Fernbrook Lass were also prominent. With half the journev gone Queen Author, Bingen Palm, and Bracken were the others handy. Eureka Boy moved up fast along the back. He took charge five furlongs from home, Queen Author heading him two furlongs further on, Bracken and Pronto Bingen following them round the home turn, where Taxpayer was handy, with Rey Spec moving up fast, after being a long way back, having started slowly. Once in the straight Rey Spec put in a good run to beat Taxpayer by two lengths. Bracken was four lengths away, with Queen Author, Pronto Bingen, Craganour, Fernbrook Lass, and Bmgen Palm next. The winner's performance was very impressive. Bingen Palm should be better later on. Grace M'Elwyn, Vagabond King, and Great Minto were the early leaders m the Stewards' Handicap, while Lone Derby, Black Jester, and Nobleman were handy after half a mile. Blondie moved up to fourth along the back. Grace M'Elwyn, Vagabond King, and Blondie, almost in line, led Nobleman to the straight. Blondie broke 50 yards from the post, and Nobleman beat Grace M'Elwyn by a length. Great Minto stayed on to get third, with Gay Sister, finishing well, fourth, Directum heading the others. Lone Derby faded out halt a mile from home. Midshipmaid went off badly and was pulled up. The winner finished too well for his rivals, but the three-year-old filly Grace M'Elwyn is a good youngster, who will improve. Avernus. began best in the Eclipse Handicap, but fee lost his place afte? half a

mile, Tempest *nd Warplane taking charge. Two furlongs further on Gold Country joined Tempest in the lead, with Avernus, Silver de Oro, and Great Logan next. There was no change to the straight, where Great Logan went on to win by a length from Gold Country, who beat Tempest by a neck, with Silver de Oro a head away. Great Logan has made a wonderful return to form, this being hig third recent success over a mile and a-quarter. Tempest was left in front too early to give him his best chance. There was an exciting finish in the Autumn Handicap. Gyrate led out from Sandy N, who took charge with Kotinga along the back. •• They were together in front at the end of a mile, Gyrate and Enigma being next. Enigma was in third place half a mile from home, and she took charge a furlong further on, Gyrate, Kotinga, and Sandy.N following her to the straight, with Amonos closing up. Gyrate challenged a furlong from the post. He looked as if he would win, but Enigmaresponded when called on in the last couple of strides, winning by a_neck. Amonos was two lengths away, with Sandy N next. The winner trotted a solid race all the way, while Gyrate also went well.. Real Boy and Hakatere broke early. _ The Flying Handicap aroused a great deal of interest,, as the field included a number of improving horses. Wise Guy and Aristotle made the pace from Real Burton, Recess, and Chechahco. At the end of six furlongs was handy, after a slow start, but he broke at the home turn. Wise Guy was beaten when the straight was reached. In a good finish Aristotle hung on to win by half a length from Recess, who beat Real Burton,on the post. Chechahco was fourth; then Gamble, Admiral Wrack, Wise Guy, and Racketeer. The winner, who is trained at New Brighton, is an improved horse. Iraq made an exhibition of >a smart field of saddle horses in the Final Handicap. Lena Thorpe led out, while after :*. furlong Whippet was next, then Yankeeland, War Officer, and Iraq. -Going alone the back Iraq moved up fast. He took the lead three furlongs from home, and cleared out from the opposition, to win pulling iup by three lengths. Great Thought came on with a great finishing run to beat War Officer for second, with Blandford heading astrung-Out field. The well-backed Yankeeland collapsed a, long way from home, while Whippet failed in the straight. The winner's performance was impressive, and he will win in good company later on.