Square Gaiters for Epsom Trots

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 750, 24 August 1929, Page 15

Square Gaiters for Epsom Trots

SOME LIKELY CANDIDATES AUCKLAND CLUB’S EARLY FIXTURE In connection with the card to be submitted on Saturday, August 31, by the Auckland Trotting Club, in aid of the earthquake sufferers, two items that will attract a great deal of interest are those confined to the square-gaited fraternity, and the field in these two heats will produce exciting contests. A Useful Sort Special Bell (Gold Bell —Special Diamond) is a tough trotter that thrives on very little work and has the happy knack of doing his utmost on race day. He lias a habit of leaving his feet under pressure, but A. Julian knows how to effect a recovery without loss of much ground and although the Gold Bell gelding was only produced once last season he took'out all right. lie should be in the picture for the Karamea Handicap. WiM Do Better Paradigm (Cliilde Audubon —King George mare) is another sturdy sort of square-gaiter that does not suffer from over-racing, and although he did not succeed in collecting a first certificate during the recent season the Claudelands trotter ran some encouraging races. At Cambridge lie appeared to be rather unlucky in being forced into second place, while at Hastings he was liandy in his essays. The mile and a-half trot at the Park will suit his requirements. Difficult to Train Rangitero (Native King—Calmly) had a respectable record in the 1927-28 season of one win and two seconds, for three appearances in public, and it was generally expected he would show sufficient improvement the next year to reach a higher trotting class. Being a difficult horse to train, W. Hughes only got the son of Native King in racing shape at the end of last season and the best he could show was a second at Hastings. He may have improved sufficiently to have a chance at Epsom next week. May Be Solid Again Te Ngutu (Imperial Chief—unknown mare) came into the limelight last season with a meteoric dash, but after returning a dividend on a couple of occasions the Waikato-trained mare developed breaking habits and spoiled

what promised to be a good record. At Claudelands in March Te Ngutu chased Tamahino home and despite a good second performance off 3.50 was pushed out to 3.52 by Uandicapper Paul for the Thames fixture. Of course, it Was. {L sliaxpe ,te take, the -money, bqt the public were on the job and tho mare saw a .short price. In subsequent essays To Ngutu went to pieces, but she may come up refreshed after the recess and show her former dash at Alexandra Park. Showing Promise Te Muka (Lord Roberts : —Lady S.) is one of the novice trotting brigade that should show signs of improvement this season under the supervision of trainer Joe Gee. The half-brother to Gold Jacket is a robust gelding with a good action and' when he develops more speed, which he appears to be accumulating with experience, Te Muka should be a useful sort. He ma£ be out of his element in a 3.45 oiass, blit there will be something to suit Joseph’s charge on the country circuit. Tamahine (Nelson Bingen— Hunakia) is another pure-gaited candidate that hai.s from the successful Longburn establishment, and her deeds last year, which marked her advent into the trotting business, proved that W. Hughes has got something that will earn more money for the Mitchell stable. A “double-header” was Tamahine’s opening salutation, which was achieved at Carterton, and after securing a third place at the Otahuhu summer fixture, Bill had a comfortable drive at Hamilton, where the Ne.son Bingen mare caught a 12-furlong heat. Old Grey Mare Sweet Memory (Sweet Patch — Lilian D.) is getting well on in years, but like the majority of the squaregaited fraternity, she retails cl remarkable amount of speed. The grey mare made a respectable showing when seen out at Cambridge and any improvement on that form would give her a chance of being in the Epsom picture next week. She is trained by owner Conning at Takapuna, and will be well forward for her engagement in which the grey may be driven by S. Roe. Still Cheeky Golden Gate (Gold Bell—San Francisco mare) did not cause his party to lose heart when he was seen in action at Epsom on the concluding day of the June meeting, and the old plodder with Darkle Broughton as director of ceremonies was noticed running well forward for the greater part of the two-mile race which ended ill a keen finish between Sebisca, Dipnoi, Floraline and Appeal. If H. Hedley has the Gold Bell gelding in form next week, and Broughton is behind him, he may give the opposition a surprise. Punch Left Yet Appeal (Ghoai —Plaintiff) went very close to stealing a march on the last occasion he visited Alexandra Park and it was only the last furlong of the

two miles that saw the Te Awamututrained trotter get the stitch. Twelve furlongs should suit the rejuvenated trotter down to the ground and if any of the back markers are to upset calculations in the Karamea Handicap ion Saturday week, Appeal is the one that may do the trick. Horses trained at Te Awamutu will be well forward for the forthcoming fixture. Should Rise to Fame Akenehi (Peter Moko —Agnes Chief) will have a host of admirers if she steps out off the front of the Nelson Handicap at the Park, and the grey mare will give them a real good run for their cash. She is a smart beginner, a fine asset with a trotter, and that she is not lacking in gameness she demonstrated at Cambridge when Sebisca worried her all the way down the straight. The Peter Moko mare is one that promises to reach a high standard in the square-gaited world this season. Wi.l Reach Society Etta Cole (Peterwah —Lady Cole) will make the two-milo t rotters race decidedly interesting next week-end, particular!:/ if the footing is anyway firm. Few young trotters have shown as much promise as F. J. Docherty’s mare, who, however, does not always race with the best of luck. She does not begin as well as some of her opponents, but when it comes to the last half-mile of a journey Etta can unwind a rare burst of speed and is always dangerous till the post is passed. When the tracks are more suitable the -Peterwah mare should soon get among the higher grade trotters. Solid Customer Floraline (Florizel —Salvadash) is a trotter that does best when the sting is well out of the turf, and if present conditions obtain underfoot for August 31, Sid Groat’s charge will be one of the toughest nuts to crack in the advanced trotters’ go. Pie was in rare form last June, when his portion was a first and two thirds, and in fact so close was the finish the last day that many thought tlie Florizel gelding had just got there. He is back at Mangera with Groat, who can be relied upon to have him in good shape for the meeting. Not Done With Yet Tradesman (First Voyage—Kentucky mare) is one of the old school that retains his speed in a remarkable degree. While it is some time since lie has pulled out a first certificate, Ted Sandall’s trotter continues to get a slice of place money, and judging by the solid manner he is working on the tracks at present he has a good chance of breaking the ice this season. He will be a nuisance to those on tho front of the two-mile race next week-end, and will have tho assistance of Sam Roe in the sulky.