NOTES ON THE TROTTING

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1934, Page 12

NOTES ON THE TROTTING

CHANCELLOR UNLUCKY SMOOGER’S RUNAWAY VICTORY. BLONDIE WINS OPENING EVENT.

The public showed that it expected F. 3. Smith to have a good day when it commenced by sending Jester out favourite from the first race, He lost many lengths through tangling at the start but Smith made up his ground gradually* Ho was second into the straight but could make no Impression on Blondie. Donald always had the winner well placed, and taking command just before the straight was reached went on to Win decisively. Tecla and Tasman Flight had every chance, and so did Guy Zoloek, who was a good second favourite. Wanaaka failed to move off and took no part in the race. Blondie paid a good double-figure dividend.

Rustle Well Driven. F. J. Smith was seen at his best in the Matapu Handicap when he landed Rustle home a winner from Guy o Mine. Rustle does not stay and Smith had to nurse him very carefully. He joined issue at the distance and won well. Guy o’ Mine attempted to win all the way and only just failed. Welcome Guy had every chance. Wahnooka was slow to move and was well back in the early stages- He started a good run just before entering the straight but broke up.

Splendid Finish. The Stratford Handicap provided a splendid finish, the bracketed horses Anita Fame and Worthy Chief just nosing Guymond out of a dividend. Anita Fame began smartly and showed the way for half a mile but was then headed, first by Belinda King and then by Guymond. She never left the rails until the straight was entered, when she put in her claim on the outer and just won. Worthy Chief was also patiently driven and finished very solidly but could , not quite reach his stable mate. Guymond showed a fine turn of speed and only just failed over the last 50 yards. Belinda King was in the picture nearly .all the way, but Oro’s Pride was disappointing. He soon ran up into good position but faded out at the business end.

Smoogeris Runaway Win. The back marker Smooger had a runaway win in the Cup. He moved up Into & handy position in tha first round and then went fast soon after the commencement of the second round. Once he reached the front half a mile from home the race was over. He never afterwards looked like being caught. Chancellor was rather unlucky. He was running along well with a mile to go but then became pocketed and Smith had to pull him back to nearly last at the five furlongs and then had to come round the field. In the meantime Smooger had gained a big break that the three-year-old had no chance of bridging* Gumdigger lost a good position early but was finishing on in third place at the end. Bell o’ Mine and Gunmetal had every chance. Free Logan showed a good turn of speed for about a mile and ahalf. Another for F. J. Smith.

Donum was always handily placed in the Eltham Handicap and F. J. Smith reserved his run until the last furlongs,, when he came with a fine run on the outer and scored. Linella Was not handled to the best advantage and finished solidly to take second. Highland Derby lost ground at the start but there was no pace on early and he was soon able to run up into a good position. He led into the Straight but could not quite see the distance out. Hard Words was always in the picture to finish a good fourth, but Le Chenault was outclassed.

Hot Favourite Beaten. Kuini was installed favourite in the Manaia Handicap and she appeared unlucky to be beaten. She was going very well in front with a round to go when her sulky bumped badly on the crossing going out of the straight and she broke, losing six or seven, lengths. She displayed great speed going down the back but the effort took too much out of her and she was only plodding at the finish. Wahnooka gave a perfect exhibition of pacing and never put a foot wrong. This pair completely outclassed the others over the final half mile. Blondie’s Double.

C. 8. Donald produced his Jack Potts three-year-Old Blondie again in the Ndrmanby Handicap and completed the double. He had moved up into fourth place half a mile from home, and displaying a great burst of speed was in front at the straight entrance. Nothing looked like getting to him over the last furlong, and he won with something in hand. Great Fast gave a promising display but she was much used in the early stages. Jester moved up quickly but then drifted. He was finishing on in third place. Wrackless displayed pace but the Others were never really dangerous. Automatic’s Good Finish.

Confidently driven, Automatic gave C. S. Donald his third win for the day in the President’s Handicap. He lay fourth until about three furlongs from home, when he made his move. He joined issue with the leader Linella half way down the straight and went on to win easily. Linella took charge five furlongs from home and looked a winner at the turn, but her finish was weak. Nelson Chum was a poor third after being prominent all the way.