EPSOM JOTTINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 972, 15 May 1930, Page 15

EPSOM JOTTINGS

QUIET DAYS ON THE TRACK GOLD JACKET A PICTURE With the track at Epsom in splendid order and the weather conditions perfect, trainers are still content to jog along quietly. This is accounted for by the fact that the Auckland fixture is still several weeks off. The local champion. Gold Jacket, although just taken in hand, is hitting out again with his customary brilliance in unhoppled essays. This policy of talcing thing’s easy may prove the undoing of several candidates who will be required for the June activities. The “sun won’t always shine,” and past experience has shown that usually during the mid-winter month the tracks have been anything but conducive to speeding up efforts. There is an old adage, applicable to the trotting business also, “make hay while the sun shines,” and trainers might find it beneficial to put this into operation. Nelson Tasker is bearing a lusty appearance and revels in the easy work allotted him by Bill Nightingale. Yesterday he dashed over half a mile in resolute style and promises to be O.K. for short races next month. Evelyn Locanda has never looked better and the Brent Locanda mare should strip very fit at the winter meeting. Since joining Nightingale’s stable she has built up considerably and will be strong and hearty to tackle any heat, even should the footing be soft when the great day arrives. Direct Morning, ever a gay deceiver, is bowling along with, his old-time speed. Bill Cockbill has him in nice shape and in a four-furlong dash the other morning the son of Direct Wilkes save a pleasing display, while he also registered a solid clip. * * * U McMahon is keeping Torpedo Huon up to the mark and the ex-Aus-tralian pacer has nothing to complain about on the score of condition. At Present his tasks are accomplished unhoppled. in company with his brilliant stable-mate. Gold Jacket, who has come in again full of pep. Torpedo Huon is stepping along in encouraging style. A nice compact filly is Noreen. the two-year-old by Worthy Bond , ~*Norah Creina, owned by S. Hedley, and being educated by Jim 0 Kane. The young lady is well-mannered and has a pleasing style of pacing, while in recent essays she has shown herself endowed with a fine proportion of speed. The filly claims an engagement in the next Great Northern Derby, and all going well in the interval will have her trial run at Whangarei, prior to the classic contest. George Webb is one of the patient and persevering kind and he is putting in a lot of time with the disappointing D’Artagnan. The blazefaced pacer, who showed some promise for W. Warren three seasons back, has enjoyed a lengthy holiday, a nd it is hoped the son of Brent Locanda—Wildfiower v ill profit by the vacation. Three years ago D'Artagnan "on a 12-furlong beat at Ashhurst. registering 3.27 2-5 from a 3.41 mark. a feat he never repeated. Mountain Dell is stepping out briskly again at Alexandra Park. The daughter of Blue Alountain King is not carrj’ing any surplus condition and Trainer Mitchell will experience no difficulty in having her ready for the June races. If she can be landed at the post fit and

well, Mountain Dell will add interest to some of the contests. W. Clifton has The Abbey in great heart lor the approaching carnival and the son of Gold Bell is revelling in the moderate tasks set for him. The Abbey has of late given over his wayward habits at the barrier, and this has gained the sturdy pacer many more friends. The Royal Oak trainer also has Explosion plodding along, and as the big sturdy chestnut appears to appreciate the Epsom way round he may race well next month.