TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 23

TROTTING NOTES

By Sentinel

Slapfast Filly A fine-looking filly by Silk Thread from Slapfast is being handled by W H, Andrews in the north. Slapfast has a yearling record of 2min 22jsec, and was imported by Mr J. R. McKenzie in 1926 ■

A Good Impression The Jack Potts —Marama Rose filly purchased in Christchurch by Mr J. Gee created a favourable impression when she appeared on the Epsom track. Marama Rose was got by Matchlight—Dandy Rose, by Wildwood Junior—Rosy D_. by Rothschild Our Princess

One of the most stylish young pacers seen at Epsom for some time is the three-year-old Our Princess, by Rey de Oro —Bingen Crest. She is owned by Mr E. C. Webberley. who races Jewel Crest, a half-brother by Jewel Pointer. Like many of the Rey de Oro tribe, Our Princess has a good turn of early speed. Bingen Crest was got by Worthy Bingen from Edna, the dam of Worthy Crest, who produced Hillcrest. The Auckland District Trotting clubs are keen on increasing stakes as occasion warrants (says "Abaydos"), as is demonstrated by the fact that for 17 days of racing in the province this season. £29,900 was distributed. an increase of £6160 over last season’s figures. Following are the proportions taken by the different centres, last season's figures being given in parentheses:—Takanini, £7OOO (£6200): Epsom, £6330 (£3580); Wai kato, £5770 (£6465); visitors, £5600 (£4260); Mangere, £5200 (£3325). The foregoing summary discloses that the Waikato section, which headed the list last term, has been superseded by Takanini and Epsom', the latter, with Mangere representatives, showing substantial improvement. Visitors also collected a good surplus over the preceding year. A Veteran

Although 14 years old, Gold Circle, who scored his Epsom success last week, had not done much racing. Ten seasons ago he displayed a lot of speed on the training tracks, but was very erratic in his barrier habits. After a minor placing the following season, he was not persevered with. A few months ago Gold Circle was taken over by Messrs J. S. and J. R. Herring, and recently he was sent to A. W. Broughton at Mangere. Two days after entering his new quarters, Gold Circle got away and returned to Auckland, but was taken back and settled to his surroundings. Gold Circle was bred by Mr T. McQuoid, and is by Gold Bell from Lady Natalie. Two others from the same dam. Heather Girl, by Nonumstar, and Carl Mack, by A 1 Mack, were useful runners. A Great Trio

With Harold Logan and Roi I’Or in retirement and Indianapolis apparently past his best, the sun has set for the three greatest pacers New Zealand has produced, and in some quarters (says the Timaru Herald) there seems to be an idea that we shall never look on their like again. There is nothing to justify this pessimistic view. With a three-year-old like Horsepower, a four-year-old like Parisienne. and five-year-olds such as Lucky Jack, Pot Luck Ginger Jack, and Blair Athol In sight, the outlook was never brighter. U Scott has only to become solid to be rated in the top class, and up to a middle distance Supertax is a champion. Willow Wave has performed brilliantly this season, and with horses like King’s Warrior, King’s Play, Nervie’s Last, and others to support the stars there is no cause for lamentation. The times registered in the intermediate classes by horses like Donor are sufficient indication that good ones are coming along, and if the sport does not thrive it will be because of lack of vision in framing programmes. The Gear Cose

Christchurch reports state that In the U. Scott case, recently referred back to the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club by the board of the New Zealand Trotting Association, the club has decided to adhere to its previous decision, which was to allow the judge’s placings, in the third heat of the third qualifying race at the Inter-Dominion Championships, to stand. This event was won by U. Scott from Pot Luck and Supertax, and the winner was given a hostile reception upon returning to the birdcage. U. Scott was favourite for his heats in the first tvyo qualifying races, and was beaten in those races. He went away slowly on each occasion, showing great speed when once on the journey, but tiring badly On the .third day his owner. Mr J. R. McKenzie, made an application to race him with different harness from that used in his previous starts. U Scott paraded in changed harness, in that he wore’ winkers instead of his usual open bridle, and he scored handsomely after bein'* in front for most of the two-mile journey. His win was followed by a protest from the owner of the second horse. Pot Luck, but after a protracted hearing the protest was dismissed, Mr H. Stafford, the owner of the second horse, made an appeai to the New Zealand Trotting Association against the club’s decision and when the case was heard recently in committee by the board of that body it was decided to refer it back to the club, which has now adhered to its previous decision The next hearing will probably bo taken at the meeting of the board of the New Zealand Trotting Conference to be held in Wellington next month Rule 282. on which Mr Stafford based his appeai. is as follows:—” Subject to the provisions set out later in this rule in regard to the use of hopples should a horse race with or without shoes, overcheck. and/or other gear in a race at a meeting such horse in any subsequent race at such meeting shall race with the same kind of gear unless the express consent of the stewards to any change of gear is first obtained Any permission so given for such horse to race with or without hopples or to make a change of any gear on a horse shall bo publicly announced on the course before the race in which the horse may be competing, and not later than five minutes before the opening of the totalisator for such race.”