SADDLE AND SULKY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2026, 12 August 1920, Page 17 (Supplement)

SADDLE AND SULKY.

SPORT AT ADDINGTON. AUTHOR DILLON AT HIS BEST. (By Templar.) The ever-growing popularity of light harness racing found marked evidence at Addington yesterday. Though the weather conditions were reminiscent of winter rattier than early spring, the attendance reached record proportions, and it must have been pleasing to the executive to see so many prominent racing enthusiasts in evidence. The track had dried up considerably since Monday and towards the close "of proceedings afforded fair going. Along the back, however, it was holding and when the King George Handicap was run it must; have been quite 6see to the mile slow. This had little effect on the racing, which was of a particularly high standard all, through. Speculation easily eclipsed any former records, the huge sum of £59,469 being expeditiously handled by Mr Macflougall'a staff, as against £50,939 on the corresponding day last year. In, every detail the "management was of the' usual high standard always associated i

with meetings at Addington." Parkfield at Laet. Backers were quite astray in their Selections for the Improvers' Handicap, which attracted a useful field of 14 etraight-out trotters. Effie Bingen and Succory, the favourites, spoilt their chances by early mistakes, and with half the journey gone Lady Linwood looked all over a winner. Failing to sustain her effort over the last three furlongs she was passed by Parkfield and Miss Patty, the former winning with a good deal in reserve. Miss Patty raced right up to her first day's form, but Delville Wood and Captain Wood faded out after having every chance. The winner was driven a well-judged race by F. Holmes.

There were 18 starters for the Dash Handicap, with only 2sec between them. Several of the best-fancied candidates, including Retreat, the favourite, failed to go off, while Xavier anticipated his bell. The latter was soon out in front and looked a certain winner till he was called off at the end of a circuit. Then Nancy Stair took up the running, with Captain Stanley in hot pursuit. Staying on the better Captain Stanley won by a length, with something in reserve. Of the others, Frank Tracey. Rorke's Drift and Asturio gave the best showings. It transpires" that Xavier was only a length over the line when he started, and from the manner he was going when called off, it seems almost certain that he should have won.

Author Dillon the Brilliant. A particularly select field of eight went out to dispute possession of the King George Handicap, amongst them being five prospective New Zealand Trotting Cup candidates. Author Dillon carried the extreme confidence of backers and quite justified his support. Starting in groat style he soon cut out Agathos, and with a mile gone, was only a few lengths behind the leading division, which consisted of Erin's Queen, Sherwood, Emilius and Whispering Willie, who were racing almost abreast. Three furlongs from home Jarden took his champion'to tlio front, and from this out the result was never in doubt. Eniilius finished much better than usual and had the winner doing his best at the finish, while Albert Cling and Whispering Willie both raced very well. Though the time was slow it was a great performance on the part of Author Dillon, who is evidently rijrht back to his best form. Judging by their displays, Erin's Queen and Auatlios are both short of work, while Rangitata Lass does not appear capable of handling the heavy going. Royal Step was backed for the Belgium Handicap as if the issue was a foregone conclusion. And so it proved to be, for after laying in a handy position over the first mile, Jones drove his charge to the front, and the issue was soon beyond doubt. Over the last furlong Legacy came along with a well-sustaiued effort and had the favourite doing his best as the post was reached. Royal Step is one of the most improved pacers seen out at the meeting, and should not be long in joining the select circles. Legacy went a good race, as did The Whip, but Schnapps and refer Mac would not do anything right from the start. A well-fancied candidate in All Bell lost so much ground at the start as to make his task a hopeless one.

Downfall of tne Favourites. A late commission saw Mara oust Silver Shoe in favouritism for tlie Lincoln Handicap, this pair monopolising the betting. Backers of the former were apparently on a good wicket when half the distance had been covered, as at that stage she was pacing along freely in front well clear of her field. It was not till within a furlong of the post that danger threatened from Goldstream. Staying on better than the favourite, the South Canterbury representative had her measure at the distance, and won in nice stylo by three lengths. This marked F. E. Jones's second successive win, and his supporters pot a double-figure dividend. Prince Burlington ran another of his consistent races in getting third money, while Van Director showed improved form. The Oakhampton stable luck was again out in the Avon Handicap, for, though Paul Huon was entrusted with Its confidence, he went a patchy race. Theseus ran past Bon Patch before a mile had been covered, and, trotting in rare style, never left the issue in doubt. Now that he has settled down, the Eothsehilil gelding will always be hard to dispose of, even in the best of company. He lias improved out of all knowledge, both in regard to stamina and tractability. Quite the outstanding effort of the race was Eeta Peter's final run. Half a mile from home her task looked hopeless, but, staying ou in her usual determined style, she defeated all but the winner. Hoineleigh Dick showed nice action and a rare turn of speed. When more accustomed to the local tracks, the Australian-bred trotter can

hardly fail to make good. King Capitalist put up a good race, and may bo expected to show to greater advantage on Friday. A Keen Finish, Master Hal and Kewpie opened up such a big gap in the early stages of the Canterbury Handicap as to make the chances of the others look remote. When half the distance had been covered, both leaders commenced to tiro, enabling Silver Nut and Sympathy to close on them. Half a mile from home, Silver Nut put in a great run, and, staying on particularly well, got the verdict by a length from Sympathy. The latter and Asturio lost ground in the early stages, only for which both may have beaten the winner. Captain Stanley refused to go off, wlyle Kewpie shaped like a non-stayer. Trix Pointer's downfall in the Speedway Handicap was a severe blow to the many who thought her practically unbeatable. "When she raced to the front, two furlongs from home, it looked "All Lombard Street to a China orange'' on her prevailing. When challenged by Moneymaker, 50 yards from the post, she failed to respond, suffering defeat by half a length. It is quite certain, from the way she finished, that the little pacer is short of work, but the race will do her a lot of good. Moneymaker's achievement was a remarkable one. He did not commence any too well, and then was badly interfered with by Strategy breaking aeross him. It was a well-deserved success, and marked the first scored by the Oakhampton stable at the meeting. NOTES. Master Strowan was amiss after his race in the Grand National Steeplechaso, and, in company with Gang Awa', returned home last evening.

For anticipating his bell on Xavier in the Dash Handicap at Aldington yesterday, A. Bryce was fined £5. Later in the afternoon he repeated the offence on Bush Boy, in the Lincoln Handicap, for which he was fined £lO, and warned that another such happening would, lead to his license being suspended. E. McDermott was also fined £5 for starting too soon on Joyful in the Dash Handicap. Handicaps for the concluding day's events at the Grand National meeting will be declared to-morrow morning, and acceptances must be in by noon. Mr D. Mangin has given a whip for the rider of the winner of the Grand National Hurdle Race, and the trophy will be presented to-night at the Grand National Carnival being held at King Edward Barracks.