TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25069, 10 November 1942, Page 6

TROTTING NOTES

By Sentinel

Chatmos, the winner of the Empire Handicap, is 12 years old. The Sandydale gelding Gold Shiek went a good race in the Riccarton Stakes, and suffered a narrow defeat in the last stride after making most of the pace. The race for the New Zealand Cup was run at a clipping pace. The first quarter was run in 32sec, the half-mile in Imin3sec, mile 2min 4 3-ssec, one mile and aquarter in 2min 35 2-ssec. one mile and a-half in 3mln 8 2-ssec, and the full journey in 4min 13 4-ssec, a winning race record for New Zealand, and 1 l-ssec faster than Josedale Grattan’s record last year.

Scottish Air pulled hard in the Victoria Handicap to the home turn, and might have done better If allowed to run along. Travelling and racing in recent weeks probably ups:t her.

Horsepower ran a great race in the Empire Handicap , considering the short time he had been in commission. He had, however, been used as a cavalry horse prior to going into training. After his easy win at Oamaru over two miles, Countless was hailed as a coming champion. He went out a strong favourite for the Intermediate Sprint Championship. He was in close pursuit of Sabu and Ronald Logan up to the home turn, but they had too much speed for him over the final furlong. When Burt Scott tame out for the Empire Handicap he had. lost all condition, and had evidently been experiencing very bad time. It was most remarkable that he shaped so well in the race, and that he went to the post when looking so completely out of racing condition It is said that Josedale Grattan struck one or two damp spots on the track in the Trotting Cup, and the fact did not help his chance. Private watches ma-i him go a mile and a-ha!f in 3min Ssec, and he had the hard task to gather and hold the speed and concede 36 yards to Gold Bar, who was travelling at the same rate.

Gold Bar wont his first quarter in the Trotting Cup from a flat foot start in 52 3-ssec, and the first half-mile in linin 2sec. This pace was far too hot for several in the field, and their chances looked hopeless at a very early stage of the journey. The first mile and a-liaif in Smin 8 l-ssec is the fastest ever recorded for that stage of a two-mile race. A callous mouth, which allows Royal Worthy to break into an uncontrollable gallop spoils one of the best trotters ever seen in the country. He broke at the start of the Dominion Handicap, and two or three times during the race, and in each break went to a gallop which his pilot could not stop.

At Addington during the Trotting Cup day some light harness enthusiasts expressed surprise at the Forbury Park Trotting Club deciding to clash with the firs* day of the New Zealand Cup meeting. New Zealand Cup day is second lo none as a popular sporting fixture, and the strength of the opposition at Riccarton can be gathered from the fact that the New Zealand Cup, New Zealand Derby, Stewards’ Handicap, and Welcome Stakes will be on the one card, in addition to four other well-endowed events. The Trotting Cup winner Haughty is a plain mare in appearance and well-tufted fetlocks add to a plebeian appearance. She was turned out in rare racing shape and pulled up after an unusual! hard-run race without the slightest signs of distress. Anything could, 'however, be considered lucky to beat Gold Bar, who, with an uninterrupted preparation, would probably have been a winner. He put up a remarkable race considering that he was five days in his box and required veterinary attention. RICCARTON NOTES (Special) CHRISTCHURCH. Nov. 9. The rider of Battledress in the New Zealand Cup may be A. E. Ellis, who was originally engaged to ride Kindergarten. This report strengthens the doubt about Kindergarten going to the post. A number of young horses went to the five-furlong barrier this morning for education. and some of them were allowed to run along at a fast pace for a few furlongs. Mybel, ridden by her trainer, A. Stove, went well in some jumping, first, over the pony hurdles and later over two of the bigger obstacles.

Imperium, whose owner lives in the North Island, has had a change of quarters. and is now being trained at New Plymouth by H. Dulieu. Erambie, who went lame recently, has left F. D. Jones’s stable. She was raced on lease, and she has been returned to her owner, Mr K. Austin, at the Inglewood Stud. It is probable that her racing career has ended. Lunaria, who had been in useful form for seme time, had the misfortune to run a nail into a foot last week. This has cheeked his preparation, but it is hoped he may be fit for a race on the second day of the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting. There may be a few Riccarton horses at the Southland Racing Club’s meeting next week. Lord Advocate, Military Maid, Royal Rae, and Winning Agnes have been nominated.

Although Eulogist is working well, ha is not a certain starter in the New Zealand Cup. An alternative engagement may be made by nominating him for the Riccarton Handicap.