TROTTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 4032, 23 June 1931, Page 51

TROTTING.

FIXTURES. June 27. —Ashburton (two events). July 4.—Camara (two events). July 25.—South Canterbury Hunt (one event). August 8, 12, 14.—N.Z. Metropolitan.

TRACK TALK.

By

Adonis

NO LIMIT TO SPEED.

. As each season runs to its close one is tempted to believe that the limit of speed in trotting has .been readied, but with the improvement in tracks and the greater care exercised in the selection of sires and dams this belief has been consistently shattered, and where once anyone who suggested the possibility of a two-minute gait being hung up in the Dominion would have been regarded as being not quite normal mentally it is not infrequently discussed by enthusiasts. Not so many seasons ago a horse who could step two miles in 4.30 or less was regarded as a real champion, but that time has come to be regarded as very ordinary when track conditions are good, and now a horse has to get down towards 4.20 before he is classed among the best. The most dazzling performance of the season was Harold Logan’s world’s record or 4.13 2-?5 when he finished third at Addington in February from 84 yards in a 4.30 class. In the same race the winner, Regal Voyage, went 4.19 4-5 from the limit, and from 24 yards Lindberg went about 2sec faster to finish second. If the old system of handicapping a horse on his best time was still in vogue how much would the horses named be worth at the present time as racing propositions ? But with so many horses recording phenomenal times those eligible for the New Zealand Cup now constitute a very big field, and the two divisions would, if the conditions of the race were not changed, be of undesirable proportions. In 1928-29 the race was tightened from a 4.28 class to 4,26, and it would seem to be a foregone conclusion that a further tightening will have to be resorted to if the race is to be for the real champions. DEATH OF MABEL TRASK. Tn paying a striking tribute to the popular American racing mare Mabel Trask, whose death was recently reported, an _American writer says:— trotting race mare since Mabel Irask has even been so great a favourite, alike with the public and the critics. Tliis was due to the fact that along with her great racing qualities she was individually so attractive. In colour she was a bright chestnut, with a delicatelypencilled strip in her face. It was frequently. remarked that she showed no likeness whatever to “ the Peter’s,” but was a typical Nutwood. Few race mares were ever more smoothly turned or elegant at all points. In fact, she was almost delicately lovely as an individual, in addition to. which her way of racing was dazzling in the extreme—she possessed a flash and brilliance resembling that of Lou Dillon 1.584, and in tliis combination of attributes no trotting mare of later days has. equalled her. Iler stroke was very rapid, and she had intense speed for a brusli, being able to pull out when Cox elected and “ turn on ” in a positively electric manner, thrilling to witness. Her one deficiency was a tendency to brush her knees. It was due to this that her occasional breaks were made—and, perhaps to her eagerness; for, when given her head, she seemed imbued with the desire to fly forward Like a winged thing.

Mabel Trask is notable as the fastest trotter ever got by Peter the Great. It wufi asked : Could -she have trotted in two minutes if specially prepared for it ?—which she never was. ’Undoubtedly she could have gone considerably faster than her race record of 2.01 J, but 1 have always doubted if she possessed .twominirte capacity. Most of her fast heats were raced just to suit her. Cox usually allowed Mr Geers to set the pace with St. Frisco, using him for a wind-shield, ,e.ri pulling out in the last furlong and whizzing by like n meteor. Though' very game, Mabel was not a mare of ■unusual physical, strength, being slim, rather than robust, in structure, and while she could brush a. quarter in 28L it was problematical if she could have attained “even time,” though I think she could, without question, have trotted in 2.01 or a shade better. SHOEING AND BALANCING. With the evolution of the Standard breed through generation upon generation of selective breeding; with the evolution, also, of modern training methods, improved tracks, and sulkies, etc., etc. we have produced a race of trotters naturally so well gaited and balanced that they race with shoes almost identical witli the plates worn by the galloper—mere rims of steel sufficient only to protect the hoof from undue concussion in its impact with the earth (says the Horse Review). So, also the former “ shoeing problem ” has largely been -eliminated. Horsemen can well recall the time when this problem was tbc outstandone of tlie trainer and more time, thought, experiment, and trouble were focused upon it than any ottier.. Thirty to forty, years ago every turf journal of account gave unlimited space to it and the country was full -of ‘ expert farriers,” many of them much given to loud self-advertising, who announced that by their ministrations miraculous results could be .secured. Some of them did not find it necessary to even

soil their hands by direct manual labour, but shod ’em by mail ”j while some I’ a P el 's conducted departments over which such experts” presided, in which directions tor turning their “lizards” into ■speed marvels were given weekly to anxious inquirers. This continued until the so-called I uturity era ” had dawned, bringing with it the “born trotter,” able a two-year-old to trot faster than ■Goldsmith Maid and Smuggler had at maturity, which of necessity had to be shod simply and lightly and was otherwise unable to “ make the grade.” It was this era also that saw the exit of the many freak training contraptions that had gone along with the freak shoes formerly in vogue. We could (continued the Review) eite a long list of noted trotters, subsequent to Goldsmith Maid, that wore much heavier shoes than a pound. Some of the early colt trotters .also carried excessive weight. Bella Vara 2.082, who in 1888 lowered the world’s record for yearlings, in a race, to 2.38, carried almost 21b, in shoe and toe-weight, upon each front foot. Ten years later than that, even, the amount of weight carried by the “cracks” resembled, in many instances, the old-timers rather than the modern colt. A conspicious instance was no less than Peter the Great himself. Most horsemen familiar with the early history of Peter the. Great are aware that it took a lot of iron to balance him, but few are aware just how much. Peter.won the Kentucky Futurity of 1898, carrying a 12oz shoe and soz toe-weight, of 17oz in all, on each front foot; loz more than Goldsmith Maid had carried^—she wore no toeweights, but carried all her iron in her shoe alone. We could extend these comments to great length by delving into “ ancient history ” and citing the weights carried by performers of the high-wheel days and those of the earlier days of the “ bicycle sulky,” but space forbids. Suffice it to say that shoes such as were then worn by nine out of ten noted performers would to-day seem as “ impossible ” as would such as are worn to-day have seemed to the horsemen of that era. There were then only a few men of vision who realised that until we could produce a race of trotters that went with the very least possible amount of weight, the twominute horse would be only a dream. How correct they -were the course of events attested. In 1903 Lou Dillon made the two-minute trotter a reality, and on that epochal day when she registered “even time ” at Readville, Mass., she wore shoes that weighed precisely 41oz each in front and .3ioz each behind, the four combined making exactly lib, while she wore no toe-weights whatever. IN SADD.J AND SULKY. Acceptances for the two trotting events at the Oainaru Jockey Club’s winter meeting are due to-morrow. Merce Bingen should be improved "by her recent racing, and an early win for her looks a distinct possibility. The Dunedin-owned Captain Wrack was operated on last week, and when he next races it will be as n gelding. Trotting on snow tracks is one of the chief sports in Bavaria. The sulkies are fitted with runners instead of wheels. Satin King’s defeat at Auckland on Saturday was costly to his supporters. He has a very big following down south. Sandown was backed like a certainty at Timaru, but he got badly away and was never seen afterwards. In her most recent efforts Repute has been showing speed and trotting more steadily, but she is still lacking in stamina. The Real Guy trotter Real Boy can step a very smart, gait, but he will have to become more solid before he wins races. No horse has been more unlucky this season than Kelp. At the Ashburton meeting the Wrack gelding went 3.18 2-5, and then could get only third. The conditions of the next New Zealand Cup have not yet been announced, but it is generally regarded as certain that tlie class will be tightened. The record for the New Zealand Sapling Stakes is held by Arethusa at 335 1-5. The winner of this season’s contest, Silver de Oro, took only 3-ssee longer. Nona Bingen is gradually becoming more solid, and she now carries -every indication of winning a race early in the new season.

Two trotting events are included in the Ashburton Racing Club’s programme for its winter meeting, and acceptances are due to-morrow. Tn his present form Pronto Bingen will only need to make a good Beginning to win one of tlie few remaining loose-class races to be run before the season ends. Only fire races have still to be decided before the present season ends—two at Ashburton, two at Oamaru, and one at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting. Jester showed speed at Timaru, but did not carry it veiy far. He may hare been feeling the effects of the fall he had at Ashburton. The three-year-old trotter Todd Lonzia -is to be eent against tlie watch at Addington to-morrow in an attempt to set a mile r-ecor-d for one of his years. Wah has a great turn of speed, but until the Peterwah horse learns how to begin correctly and how to control his gait ho will not he a good one to follow. One of the grandams of .Silver de Oro, the winner of the Sapling Stakes, is a mare by Singlestick 11, a thoroughbred sire imported by the New Zealand Government. The trotter Great Glee is to be given a spell in the paddock. As yet he is a bad lifter in a race, otherwise he would win several races before he found that the handicaps were beyond him. Applications for renewals of trainers and horsemen’s licenses must be lodged with -tlie secretary of tlie New Zealand Trotting Association not later than June 30. Symmetry showed a lot of pace in the early stages of her race at Timaru on Saturday, but began to stop a long way •short of the post. She was not at her best through feeling the effects of a cold.

Now that Sir Voyage has shown how »ood he is' backers are awaiting his next appearance in a trotters’ race. The Australian horse looks certain to win big money. It will be interesting to see whether, with another year on to his age, Gemlight steadies down in his races. If he does he will be a good winner, as he has a fine turn of speed, and can stay fairly well. All Bell has brought off many surprises in sprint events at, Alexandra Park, but the veteran son of Gold Bell is now in his fifteenth year, and giving starts to too many smart young horses. Linkman has been taken in hand again after a lengthy spell. The Matchlight gelding is very big in condition, and it will be some time before he is ready to race. At Timaru on Saturday Lord Antrim gave further proof that he is- a very promising three’year-old, and if he goes on the right way he will do his owners manygood turns next season. George Bey was fancied for his race at Timaru, but his chance was not helped at the start, as he lost ground through not being properly set when the field was sent away. He is very well at present. The trotter Eileen Wood has been put into work again after a spell. She showed improved from J. J. Kennerley during the season, and as she is young as trotters go she will probably not have reached the limit of her speed yet. Master Don finished particularly well in his race at Timaru on Saturday, and he should be worth remembering at the smaller meetings. He is an aged pacer by Harold Dillon from Princess Perfection, and is trained by 0. S. Donald. A pacer who should show great improvement next season is Real Huon, one of O. E. Hooper’s team. He is a four-year-old by Denver Huon from Placid, and he has already shown that he has more than average speed. Worthy King, a winner at Timaru on Saturday, is by Travis Axworthy from a King Cole mare, and he looks capable of beating better fields than the one he led home on this occasion. He is trained at Halswell by A. Davey. King’s Guard, a winner at Auckland on Saturday, is one of the most promising young trotters in the Dominion. He is by Native King from Lady Nan. and since he began hi a racing career at Easter he has won four races.

The Don Pronto pacer Foghorn, who arrived in Auckland from Sydney a few months ago, will not be required to race till the spring meetings roll round, and is merely being exercised on the tracks. He lias impressed those who have seen him. The best has not yet been seen of Guy Bingen, and it will not come as a surprise if he is in tighter classes before another season is over. The Guy Parrish gelding has not been over-raced, and has been given every chance to furnish fully. Flying Prince, who was accepted for atTimaru but did not go to the post, is a four-year-old by Wrack from Queen Cole, and is in the stable of B. Grice. With such breeding Flying Prince should be capable of winning several races before he is beaten by the handicappers. Jewel Pointer paced a fine race to finish second m the big event at the Auckland meeting on Saturday, and gave convincing proof that he has lost-none of his speed. No doubt he will be kept going with the idea-of starting him at the big meeting at Addington in August. ▼ Advance, who recently went into J. M’Lennans stable at Oamaru,. has been showing fairly good form in her races, but the Erns King mare will require to show improvement to beat some of the smart young ones she is now giving etarts to. . . & b

When Snnnv Ttnli j x_ cj ~ T >. — - *****o*»ev» ocvOuu kj f atln . Kln S at Ashburton it was easily the best race he has ever run. The bungod gelding has never appealed as being particularly brilliant, but with a repetition of his Ashburton form he should win one of the better class twomile races. '

There are just as many optimists among owners of pacers and trotters as there are among other sections of the community. This statement is given added strength by the fact that Jack Potts is to be put into training again with the idea of being started in the New Zealand Cup and other big races next season. In Edith Voyage R. Townley has a trotter who gives every promise of stepping her way into the tightest classes next season. In her winning effort at' the Ashburton meeting she showed most impressive form as she gave away very much more than her handicap before she struck her gait. Included in the recent additions to J. J. Kennerley’s team is Grand Light; The Matchlight pacer has at times shown that he is capable of doing brilliant things, but on the other hand when he has looked nicely placed he has paced poorly. It will be interesting to see whether a change of stables results in getting him to do his best in all his races. One of the disappointments of the season has been Black Watch, the halfbrother to John Noble. At the Oamaru Club’s spring meeting he ran second to Rawhitiroa after getting away very badly, and on that form he was expected to show up in his future engagements,'but apparently, he lost form, and has not yet recovered it. Being by Man o’ War he can be expected to improve with age.

The Otautau trainer J. M. Maconnell never has a very big team, but each season he turns out winners, some of tehm at long prices. During the present season he turns out a very useful maiden in Nellie Osborne, a four-year-old by Erin’s King from Stirling Bell, who should add to the win she recorded at the Clifden meeting. Towards the end of the season Maconnell . had Prairie King given to him to train, and has worked a considerable improvement in him.

The champion two-year-old of Germany last year, Hanko 2.191, is an inbred Bingen, being by Native Forbes 2.13 J (European rec.), son of J. Malcolm Forbes 2.8, and out of Helen Bingen, she by Bingen out of Coffee, noted producer, by Moko, and a sister of Eva Bingen 2.7 J. Helen Bingen has proved a notable producer of speed in Germany, as out of four

foals she has had there, three are Hannibal 2.14 J, Hanko, 2, 2.194, and Hefdin, 3, 2.22.

The Matchlight gelding Tini Uria is> a very useful pacer who is likely to be much further back in the handicaps before his racing career is finished. At the Oamaru meeting he was unfortunate in being left at the post, as there was a long delay before the field was sent aw'ay through the fractiousness of Location, and he was one of those who suffered. Tini Uria is engaged at Ashburton on Saturday, and if he goes to the post there will be solid support for him.

By

Observer.

The Riccarton trainers are busy at present with horses in preparation for winter meetings, of which there are several more in immediate prospect. Ashburton will engage attention next Saturday, followed a week later by Oamaru, after which there will be three days’ racing at Trentham and then a day at the South Canterbury Hunt. There will be plenty of Riccarton candidates at each of these meetings, and apart from numbers, the contingent from this quarter is likely to provide a number of winners. Acceptances for Ashburton are not available, but I have no doubt that there will be tome good fields, most of the Riccarton horses who are engaged being probable winners. Amorist, who figures in the hurdle race at Ashburton, has been kept to light tasks lately, and he may not be sufficiently forward to carry his big weight with success, though a couple of sharp gallops this week would assist him to go a mile and a-half, if it is intended to run him. Lancer was allowed to miss the hurdle races at South Canterbury; as with the ground very hard, H. Nurse did not care to school him. -Should rain fall this week, he will be sent over a few hurdles, as a preliminary to a race at Ashburton. Troilug is so well at present that the rise in weight he has received far his South Canterbury win may not keep him out of the money at Ashburton. Sleipner was having first race after a spell when he won at South Canterbury. He has had a rise, in -weight at Ashburton, but it is not prohibitive, while he should be a better horse as a result of his recent effort. Elude will be fancied for the Moreton Hack Handicap at Ashburton, as he ran a creditable race, at South Canterbury. He is a big, powerfully-built horse, who should run out a good mile later on, and he is due at any time for a win. Moorbird, who claims an engagement in the Moreton Hack Handicap at Ashburton, will attract a good deal of attention. She is a four-year-old by The Ace .from the brilliant Moorfowl, and this will ,be her first appearance in public. - She has great speed, but she is troubled with unsoundness. Taragona was in receipt of L5Tb when she beat Punchcstown by a length at Ash-' burton last month, and it will-be interesting to see how they fare on the same course on Saturday, with the margin reduced to 41b. Taragona has improved with his recent racing, and I am-prepared to see the previous result repeated! Aberfeldy has been nominated for the. steeplechase at Ashburton,. but, unless there is some rain lie may not be a starter, as R. W. King has suspended the schooling of the Quin Abbey gelding until the ground becomes soft. Thurina was responsible for an attrac-., tive performance in the Steeplechase at South Canterbury,- giving a , great ex- . hibition of fast jumping until he came, to . grief at the second last fence. He will be hard to head off at Ashburton. Charmcuse, who resumed work recently,after a spell, has been sprinting in her best form, and she should run well in the Maronan Handicap on Saturday. Arikiwai failed to show up .in his race at South Canterbury, and he -will require a few more outings before he strikes form.

Royal Love, with some good hack performances to his credit, will take on open company at Ashburton. He has been set ■a decent task in the Maronan Handicap, but he will be watched with interest, as he is one of the local horses which are being discussed in connection with the Winter Cup.

On Top is in work again, after spelling for six months, and R. B. Berry had hint at Riccarton one day last week. He is booked for a race at Ashburton, but he will not be ready for his best. Rascal figures in the Maronan Handicap, but his appearance may be dependent on a soft track.

Dunraven is to have a race at Ashburton, but I doubt if he will be ready to do much. He is coming on nicely, however, and he may show decent form before long, though he is not likely to get beyond the useful class. • ,

F. D. Jones has received two more of Mr G. F. Moore’s horses. They are. Morena, a six-year-old novice by Bisogne from Senyora, and a yearling colt by' Diacquenod from Phrosa, by Limond from Cowl.

Royal Mint and Storm Raid have been qualified as hunters, and they may appear among the jumpers this Winter. Master Clarence has resumed work, and S. Barr should have him in good order early in the new season. A. M'Mullan has arrived at Riccarton from the West Coast with Haldon, a four-year-old by Thurnham from a Castaehore mare. He shapes like being a useful jumper over country. G. Murray Aynsley has most of' his team in commission again. Spoon looks in great health, and she should be a good performer next season. Sunny Pal, a member of Mrs J. Camp-, bell’s team, has been showing evidence of unsoundness, and his tasks have been of a light character lately. The two-year-old Rose of Orange in D. Campbell’s stable is being got ready for a trip to .Trentham. Judging from her recent sprints she is going to be useful. The ploughed track at Riccarton has been turned over, and it will be out of action until the spring. The Christchurch Hunt Club will not hold the usual race meeting this year. This decision will cause Wide regret, as the fixture,- on the eve of the Grand National, was popular with trainers. There is not a great deal doing on the local trotting tracks at present. All the trotting clubs have completed their meet-

mgs for the season, and there remains only a few races on racing club programmes. A few Canterbury trainers are absent, having taken horses to Auckland, but most of the cracks are in retirement, from which they will emerge in time to be prepared for the August meeting at Addington. In the meantime, many trainers are occupied with the education of younohorses, who will be produced gradually in the spring. The stake for the New Zealand Trotting Derby of 1933 has been reduced to £750. John Jinks, who won the Sapling Stakes two years ago, has not raced since then so well as was expected. He is now in solid work at Addington, and he looks in good order to commence the new season. The trotter Precious Gift, who is trained at Addington, can show a lot of speed in his work. He does not keep to his gait in his races, however, and he breaks for no apparent reason. N. L. Price is not hurrying his young trotter by Travis Axworthy from Sallywood. She is trotting solidly in her 'voidi, and she should be good later on. ... r .*'• A-. Lowe’s high-class trotter Irampfast is in steady work, in preparation tor next season’s racing. ■lhe pacer Concliff left the Dominion recently for Tasmania, where he will do stud duty. He was a bold, free pacer, who could go two miles when at his best, but he was more partial to short courses. He raced well for W. J. Tomkinson when he came to the Dominion, but later he became unsound.

The trotter Welcome Guy, who has been working very well since last he was put into work, was an acceptor for the oteward s Handicap at Ashburton, but he was not started. He went sore after a work-out, just prior to the meeting, and he will require a good spell. He is only a tour-year-old, and he is one of the most promising of the' young trotters in commission.

, • Franks has a useful looking trovter in Maryin Guy, by Real Guy from a Marvin Junior mare. Marvin Junior pad a lot of speed, but he was uncertain in his gait. Most of the progeny of Real Guy go at the trotting gait, and this one shapes like being a good pertormer when he has-had some experience. Maurice Dillon, by Author Dillon from i Laura, the dam .of St. Maura, nut up a race in the Acton Handicap at Ashburton. He was early in a good position, and failed only over the last quarter of a mile. He has improved steadily since he has been at Addington. Ibe trotter Mat A oyage, who is very unsound, put up a couple of good performances recently-, but his infirmity prevents him from being given much work, tie is not likely to be raced again for some time.

i Kenneyley is working a three-year-old nliy by Pedro Pronto from the Australian bred mare, Rare 33e1l Direct, and she is coming on well. She is a solidly built filly, with a good way of .doing her work. Kennerley raced her sire and dam with success. • . Pedro . Pronto was a brilliant pacer over all distances, but unfortunately' he injured himself in the paddock when being prepared for the New Zealand Cup. Subsequently he returned to Australia.

Vesuvius is none the ■worse for his racing at the Canterbury Park meeting, where he won the King George Handicap in brilliant style, registering 4.20 1-3 for two miles. The operation for throat trouble seems to have been quite successful, and he •runs out two- miles like a real stayer. He is not doing much fast work at, present, but he willbe got ready for. the August meeting at Addington.

A two-year-old filly by Early- Harvester fromßeta Peter is being handled. ■ She does not resemble her sire or her dam in colour, being a chestnut, and she goes at the pacing gait, although both her parents were trotters.

Linkman is in excellent order at present. The Matchlight pacer is on the big side, but he seems to be quite sound and likely to stand up to a solid Cup preparation.

The three-year-old Native Cole, by Native King from Nita Cole, is a goodlooking three-year-old pacer, tra.ined by H. Frost at New Brighton. He is coming on the right’ way, and he should be successful in the new season. "

Aleron, who gave promise of being a good pacer, has failed to train on as well as was anticipated. He is at present turned out, but he will be brought in again shortly- and prepared for next season’s racing. Travis Axworthy is in steady work at present. If he trains on he wilt be racing at the August meeting at Addington, after which he will be retired for the stud season.

The pacer Granite City is now being trained by J. J. Kennerley at Addington. He looks in fine order, and he has been a most consistent performer during the season, regularly finishing in a place or very close up in his races without winning. A change of trainers may bring a change of luck. Kelp paced a solid race in the Acton Handicap at Ashburton, with his usual fortune, as he finished third, thus adding to his rapidly growing list of placed performances. He has been turned out for a spell in the paddock. Nelson Ata raced very consistently at the Canterbury Park meeting early this month. He has had a short, spell, and he is again in training at Addington. J. J.- Kennerley has recommissioned Aileen Wood, and the trotter looks well after her spell. She is not likely to be kept racing, however, after-the early part of the' new season.

The trotter Stanley T. looks in fine order and - well forward in condition, though he has not been racing lately. If he has been cured of his vagaries at the barrier and can be relied on to go away smartly, he will win races early next season. He is trotting in good style in his training work.

Grand Light, who has done all his previous racing under the care of J. Bryce, has gone into. J. J. Kennerley’s stable. The Matchlight pacer is none too sound, and-he will keep the Addington trainer busy to prevent a final breakdown. 1 Real Boy, who was well backed in the Longbeach Handicap at Ashburton, went away .in good style and. showed a lot of speed._ He was in a good position at the end of half the journey, where he broke, and Tie would not settle down. Real Boy is a . four-year-old by Real Guy from Renown, the dam of Repute, and in his early races he did not always begin right.

He has improved in this respect, but he still requires some more race experience, as he cannot properly control his gait with the colours up. He should make a high-grade trotter with age. Modern Girl, a four-year-old by Guy' Parrish from Swift, owned in Dunedin, started in the Longbeach Handicap at Ashburton. She is unruly at the barrier, and in this race she failed to go off right. . -Key one of the fancied candidates in the Longbeach Handicap at Ashburton, but the Rey de Oro trotter failed to settle down to her work at the start, and gave a poor display. She has not done a great deal of racing. Quertion an aged gelding by Petereta from lot Huon, and thus a brother to the once brilliant trotter Reta Peter, was backed in the Longbeach Handicap at Ashburton, but he did not show much speed. He will need to make a lot of improvement before he gets w'ithin measurable distance of the deeds of his relative.

Repute put up a couple of good performances over a mile and a-half at the recent Canterbury Park meeting. In the Stewards’ Handicap; of two miles, at Ashburton, she made a very quick beginning, but after being in second place at the end of a mile and a-half, she gradually dropped out. In the meantime she lacks stamina.

Merci Bingen is not a good stayer, in the meantime. She was strongly fancied in the Stewards’ Handicap at Ashburton, but she failed to see out the last two furlongs. Probably she will do better with age, as she is only five years old, while she has a lot of speed and a good way of doing her work. Her dam is by Galindo from Authoress, the dam of Author Dillon.

Great Way did not show his customary dash at the recent Canterbury Park meeting, where he raced in the mile and a-half trotters’ events. He started in the twohnile race at Ashburton and was going well at the finish. Glenliglit trotted much better at Ashburton than he has done for some time past. He went away slowly, but gradually gathered speed, and at »the end of half a mile he was in - a good position. Then he lost his place, but he was going very fast at the end, to finish fourth. A. Cox has the three-year-old trotter, Todd Lonzia, in fine order. In fact, the youngster has been improved considerably by his recent racing. Cox is giving him plenty of useful work, and if arrangements can be completed, the trotter will be sent against time for a mile at Addington one day during the coming week. Provided the conditions are favourable, Todd Lonzia-should trot a fast mile, as the track at Addington has never been in better order than at present.