TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23365, 3 December 1937, Page 14

TROTTING NOTES

By Sentinel

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT “Wager.” Dunedin.—Peterwah (win). 4min 23 4-ssec; Sea Gift (place'. 4min 21 2-ssec; Huon Voyage (place). 4min 22 3-ssec. Gore Trotting Meeting Nominations for the Gore Trotting Club’s meeting are due on Monday next. December 6. at 5 p.m. Win and Place The win-and-place system will be in operation at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting. New Brighton The mile circuit and the long stretches at New Brighton supply Indianapolis with a better chance to gather and hold speed than is possible on any other trotting track in New Zealand. Aide de Camp Among the fittest horses at Addington is Aide do Camp, who seems to be getting better and better with racing. He is rarely sent a serious trial against the watch, but his work is sufficient to convince track-watchers that lie will more than hold his own, not only on Saturday, but also in more important races which will be held during the holiday season. ' At Addington on Tues-

day, he strode over a mile and a-quar-ter in 2min 51sec, after taking 2min 19sec to complete the first mile. Racketeer At New Brighton on Tuesday morning G. McKendry gave Racketeer barrier practice, and then rode him a mile in 2min 30sec. The big grey pacer looks a better horse for his trip and racing at Dunedin, and he will be ridden in his New Brighton engagement by G. McKendry. Starwyn The American colt Starwyn is looking particularly well, and had no difficulty in pacing two miles in 4min 45sec at Addington on Tuesday, He went the first half-mile in Infin Msec, the mile in 2min, 25sec, the mile and a-half in 3min 25sec. and the full distance in 4min 45sec. He is due to race again at approaching meetings, and sh°uld prove a profitable member of Mr G. J. Barton’s establishment. Racketeer In the 1934-35 season Racketeer, then a five-year-old, won six races, and, although the total stake money amounted to only £4BB he created such a good impression that several Canterbury owners made substantial offers and another Southland sportsman tried to do business at £7OO. Eventually, Racketeer found his way into G. S. Smith’s stable at Addington, but only for a short period, and he was later in the hands of other trainers. He failed to reproduce his well-known speed, and after going into R. Motz’s stable, he was operated on and apparently he has come right. In his latest win he fairly outclassed a field that included some very smart Racketeer went 2min 8 3-ssec. Great Bingen holds the race record at Forbury Park at 2min 7 3-ssec, and Rocks Ahead won under saddle in 2min 9 2-ssec. Indianapolis went against time in 2min 3 3-ssec. Racketeer was got by Wrack from Bonnie Thorpe, by Lord Althorpe from a thoroughbred mare. Lord Althorpe was a grey horse, got by Almont from Lady Thorpe, by Young Irvington, a son of Irvington and Black Bess, a mare by Telegram from a thoroughbred mare. Telegram was got by St. George, a good sire and brother to Chester, who won the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup in 1877. The Champion Handicap It appears strange that the table set out for pacers under the handicapping system makes no provision for horses at a mile and a-half in the lighter classes. Line 28 is based on 2min 13sec, 2min 47sec, 3min 23sec and 4min 34sec, for a mile, mile and a-quarter, mile and a-half and two miles respectively, but when reassessed below those marks the mile and a-half handicap is omitted. For this reason (says “Abydos”), presumably there is an absence of mile and a-half events for the pest class pacers. The distance is one that makes a strong appeal to owners and trainers, and the Auckland Club is to be commended on Us enterprise in framing the 1937 Champion Handicap on a 3mln 17sec basis. As it can be taken that 4mm 25sec horses are assessed on 3min 17sec for the shorter distance, Cup horses will be the features in the Champion Handicap, which will attract a large field. Lawn Derby’s 3min 13sec record may be the basis of his assessment, although he has not been given a mark at the distance; and Roi lOr and Indianapolis will be the backmarkers, with the mile record-holder probably the furthest back. King’s Play is one point over the limit, but if started would make the race very interesting.