TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 843, 11 December 1929, Page 12

TROTTING

By ABAYDOS EPSOM ACTIVITIES THE ABBEY AND FREE ADVICE SHAPE WELL YESTERDAY’S TASKS Some interesting work was witnessed ear.y yesterday morning at Alexander Park, and impressive displays were given by the Auckland Cup candidates, The Abbey and Free Advice. With tlio approach of the Auckland ; Trotting Club s summer carnival local candidates are being pushed along more energetically this week. Several of the “early bird” fraternity are dodging the "touts” and at the same time reaping the benefit of working in the cool of the morning. The track was in excellent order, having been harrowed after recent showers, and provided fast footing. In fact, the whole of the club’s grounds are looking at their best, and relleot credit on the work of caretaker Alex. • Ronald. An Early Riser As usual, J. Shaw, who believes that early rising is a great asset, was first to gear up. Native Prince, Carmel and Warplane were associated in a bout over 12 furlongs and after com-

passing a mile at a useful working clip, the trio ran home the next half in good style. Native Prince, in lazy mood, finished just behind his associates. A. J. Julian, another trainer who appreciates the exhilarating air of the early hours, sent Explosion over two miles at a solid bat. The son of Nelson Bingen was not on a timemaking mission, but the manner in which he did his work suggested that he has made a good recovery from his recent ailment. He paced in bold resolute style and. if required w'ouid have registered good time. Rose Bingen, looking a picture, was given a steady trotting task over the Rowe Cup distance and the mare accomplished her task pleasingly. Since her popular win at the Otahuhu meeting last month the Nelson Bingen mare has gone along the right way and should be in rare form to tackle the big trot at Christmas. The Abbey, with W. Clifton behind him, hopped off smartly at the two-mile disc and on reaching the 12-furlong peg in 1.10 was preceded by Dad’s Hope. The latter scooted along to the mile well c.ear of the cup candidate who registered the same time for the next half. Six furlongs from home All Bell found Dads Hope and the pair carried The Abbey to the mile and a-half in 3.30. Then the latter 'opened out and two furlongs from home passed his companions to finish by himself, the last half occupying 1.5. It was a fine work-out for Clifton’s charge. Belle Ax worthy, pacing with relish and freedom, ran a mile and a-half at a useful gait. There was no attempt at time-making, but the evenness with which Travis Axworthy’s fine daughter swung over the journey proved that Julian has her in excellent trim for engagements ahead. This mare promises to reach high society when she learns to control her undoubted speed. Pavlova and Rolfe Audubon rein together over a couple of halves, both pacing freely. Rolfe was pulling hard, but did his work in a manner that suggests he is returning to form. lavlova, who has recently been on the sick list, and had a large number ot bots removed, paced attractively and wiU later on be seen at her best. R. Saunders was present with Lord Haldane, and the gelding, who is now labelled among the square-gaited divislon, . trotted faultlessly over several circuits. Me lias not been up long enough to be asked any serious questions, but he appears to be taking kindly to the unhoppled task. Stoney and Warspite were partners m a two-mile essay. The latter had an advantage of 18 yards at the start, and held liis lead for a mile when the ‘white” horse moved up. At the end of 1- furlongs he was quite handy to Warspite, and with a final dash from the three-furlong peg, finished on terms with his stable mate. The pair worked at a little better than a 2.30 gait throughout. Locanda, who has never looked better, was given a couple of mfies unhoppled by W. Nightingale, the mare became unbalanced a couple of times, but when moving correctlv paced in free style. The daughter of Lrent Locanda is in good health and leady to tackle more serious tasks in preparation for Christmas racing. Free Advice, with A. J. Julian in the sulky, was sent away from the two-mile disc. She was allowed to run along to the half-mile post at a steady clip, and then the Blue Mountain King mare was asked for something better over the next 12 furlongs. This part “ the journey was traversed in 3.20, and the little pacer pulled up none the worse for the effort. Free Advice will be driven in the Auckland Cup by A. Julisn, who won the event in 1916 with Admiral Wood. After breakfast A. Bryce hopped Great Delight over 10 furlongs. In sections the Kee Dillon gelding was going very smartly, but in patches he showed an inclination to leave his feet, although Bryce succeeded in keeping him together. The chestnut did not finish with his wonted dash and is obviously not yet back to his best form. An attractive piece of work went down to the credit of Kewpie’s Guv, who had as a companion the more experienced and useful mare Concertina. The bout was over 12 furlongs, and while Concertina held the advantage at the end. the effort of J. Gees handsome filly was decidedly pleasing. The daughter of Blue Mountain King and Kewpie, while not probably up to Derby form, should not be long m notching a win in the novice neats on the country circuit. Several trotters were seen" in action but none were asked to produce their best form. Anseline moved with her old-time vim over several circuits, and Tradesman, Wimmera King and Linnett the Great trotted neatlv. Parrish Belle, the three-year-old in C. G. Lee s stable, gave a prpmising displav over several circuits and is the best square-gaited mare seen out for some V, n l e - A half-brother to Waikaha, bv Peter Moko, in G. Phipps's charge, also attracted attention.