TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25659, 6 October 1944, Page 3

TROTTING NOTES

By Sentinel

The Tasmanian-bred two-year-old by The Raider—Belle Logan has been named Beau Raider. A record entry of 232 has Been received for the New Zealand Trotting Derby for 1946, The previous best entry was the 158 received for next vear's race. An effort is being made to form an Owners. Breeders, and Trainers’ Association in Southland. One was formed in Dunedin some years ago, but it expired. It is reported that an offer close to four figures was made for Water Ranger after he won at the Methven meeting. Water Ranger was got by Sandydalc— Gentle Ora. Apart altogether from its being a most unsatisfactory contest, the Methven Cup is liable to prove misleading (says 4he Christchurch Press) if the form is accepted at face value for the future. Mr J. R. McKenzie does not use his own sires exclusively at " Roydon Lodge,” for three of his eight yearlings entered for the 1946 Derby were sired by outs:de stallions—Gold Bar. Quite Sure, and Sandydale. At a recent meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Owners and Breeders’ Association, held in Christchurch, the money-earned table of the handicapping system was the subject of a vigorous debate, and some members are reported to have discussed this matter with " illuminating frankness.” The Auckland Owners and Breeders’ Association’s disappointment at the two' main points of the conference was referred to by Mr G. B. Noble, who reminded the meeting of the conference’s ruling that ” the key money-earned tables were not part of the system, but only a guide used by handicappers.” The tragic death of Volo Song, a champion American colt trotter, with a four-year-old record of lmin 573 sec, is reported in the latest issues of the Horseman and Fair World to arrive in this country. Volo Song suffered a broken leg. He was regarded as probably the best trotter in training in the world to-day, and the only one in sight who might have broken Greyhound s record of lmin 55jsec. Another famous horse to die recently was Mr McElwyn, lmin 59sec, who was humanely destroyed after injuring himself. He was 23 years old, and had been one of America’s leading sires for many years. He was also a champion race trotter at two, three, and four years of age.