TROTTING ITEMS

Southland Times, Issue 23512, 19 May 1938, Page 10

TROTTING ITEMS

FLASH GUY LIKELY TO IMPROVE GINGER JACK’S RECORD HALF MILE The New Zealand Sapling Stakes, the leading event of tire season for twoyear—olds, will be run at Ashburton on June 6, when the All-Aged Stakes will also be decided. Not In Same Class'. First Water, the dam of Rocks Ahead, has produced others in Oasis, Aqua Bond, and Nell Grattan, and although all have won races none has shown anything like the form of the Happy Voyage mare. Rocks Ahead is by a colonial-bred sire whereas the others are by imported horses. ; Solid Support There was solid support for Flash Guy on Saturday and although, the Adioo Guy gelding finished close up he had little chance of overhauling the leaders. In a big field he lost ground at the start but it was an encouraging performance. He appears to have settled down with the experience he has had. Still Alive Although he is now in his twentysecond year, -the imported horse Lee Norris is still alive. He is quartered in a paddock adjoining the Southland Racing Club’s property and looks particularly well in spite of his years. Fast Half Mile Private' watch-holders timed Ginger Jack to run the last half-mile in the James Memorial Handicap on Saturday in 60 2-ssec. This is one of, if not the fastest half-miles ever clocked in a race at, Forbury Park, and gives an idea of ‘ the excellent condition of the track. Improved Form When Blue Logan won the second day of the Forbury Park meeting his form was a decided improvement on that of the first day, when he was always well back. His success on Saturday was by far his most important win to date and the Logan Sun gelding is capable of winning in better company. A good many of Logan Sun’s stock have raced in Southland but very few of them have won races and so far Blue Logan has been the most successful. .1 Bred to Be Good Earlier in her career Gracie Fields promised to go a long way as a square trotter, but her success on Saturday was her first for some time, although she has not raced a great deal. By Native King (Nelson Bingen-Norris) from Reta Peter, winner of two New Zealand Cups and one of the finest trotters raced in New Gracie Fields is bred the way of champions. Sound Breeding ' ■ Ra, who won his first race at Invercargill on Saturday, ranks as a halfbrother by Sungod to Kippagh, a useful winner at the square gait. Their dam Lady Wild was by Wildmoor (a Wildwood horse) from Lady Rothschild, by Rothschild from Balmy Breeze, by Redwind from Clara M, by Contractor. Lady Wild was bred by Mr John

Looney, of South Hillend, a wellknown trotting follower of some years ago. Promising Showing In finishing second to Ra in the Invercargill Harness Trot on Saturday, Royal Chief put up a promising showing as this was his first race. Owned and trained by P. P. McKay at Wyndham he is a five-year-old gelding by Erin’s King from Secret Link, by Lord Derby (Rothschild-Norice) from Ruth Dillon, the dam of Sunny Dillon and Egremont. Ruth Dillon was by Harold Dillon from 8.8., by Blackwood Abdallah. Several well-known performers in Southland trace to this maternal line. Taxation on Forbury Park Meeting The following taxation will be paid on last week’s meeting at Forbury Park:—

The Calendar The calendar for the balance of the season shows that very few meetings will take place. The Nelson Trotting Club has a meeting on May 21 and 23, and Canterbury Park one on May 28. The Auckland Trotting Club has a meeting of June 6 and 8 and the Ashburton meeting for June 9 concludes the season. The only other opportunities for light-harness horses will be at the race meetings including races for them.

Totalizator tax £1,729 13 2 Dividend tax 1,891 10 0 Stakes tax 35 0 0 Amusement tax 89 2 0 £3,745 5 2