THAMES TROTS.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19374, 3 April 1935, Page 3

THAMES TROTS.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. First Day's Prospects. FIELDS REVIEWED. NEW SYSTEM OF BETTING. The annual meeting of the Thames Trotting Club will open at the Parawai racecourse to-morrow and conclude on Saturday. Fair fields are engaged for the first day's events, and the division of the Parawai Handicap into two races makes a full day's programme. The track is in good order and the use of the Dingwall patent starting barrier—the first occasion in the North Island—should ensure that the fields are dispatched on even terms. The racing, therefore, should lack nothing in interest on that score. The system of totalisator betting approved by the club is that first introduced by the Forbury Park Trotting Club, which has proved very popular with Dunedin trotting enthusiasts, namely, a 75-25 per cent, machine for first and second horses, and a place machine. For less than five starters the former machine will return only one dividend, while the place machine will return two dividends only when the starters are less than eight but not less than five.

The Fi«ld» Reviewed.

The programme, with times of starting, and review of prospects, is as follows:

12 NOON—

TOTARA HANDICAP, 11m., 3.36.

Min Bells, Star Pronto, Tryment, limit; Peter Junior, 12yds. bhd.; Bonnie Direct, Silver Watch, 24.

In a similar class at Auckland Silver Watch won easily in 3.25 from Rare Key and Min Bells, all off the limit, the latter's time being 3.261-5. The unplaced horses included Tryment, Peter Junior (fourth), and Bonnie Direct. Min Bells made the pace and just failed to see the distance out. Silver Watch won convincingly and will be strongly fancied here. Star Pronto, won at H miles, and ran second to Winaway at H miles in 3.29 3-5 (3.40 class) and will have to improve to be in the picture. Form points to: SILVER WATCH, PETER JUNIOR, MIN BELLS.

12.40 p.m.— PURIRI HANDICAP, Um. r 3.5

First Division. —Charteris Bay, Gloster, Ranfurly Lass, Worthy Boy, Derby Fame, Muriel Bond, Superfine, limit; Olax, 36yds. bhd. Derby Fame's second to Star Pronto at Auckland in this class says a lot for his prospects in this event. Charteris Bay and Muriel Bond did not stay on, though the former is likely to benefit from the race. Olax, the backmarker, will not be overlooked by investors. The best backed are likely to be: DERBY FAME, OLAX, MURIEL BOND.

1.20 p.m.— PARAWAI HANDICAP, lim., 3.49

Corona Bell, Happy Thought, Loyola, Nelson's Glory, Peggy Bond, Scotch Reel, Sophy Bingen, Waskasu, Worthy Nor, limit; Young Rodney, 36yds. bhd.; Mute, 120. Racing experience will weigh with investors in their summing-up of this field. Mute's second to Te Kahu in 3.32 at Auckland would ensure him strong support if started here, despite his 120yds. behind. Young Rodney has a great chance off 36yds. if he trots correctly, and th» best of the others appear to be Sophy Bingen and Waskasu, both of whom have shown fair form. In the absence of Mute, it looks like: YOUNG RODNEY, SOPHY BINGEN, WASKASU. 2.5 p.m.*—

THAMES TROTTING CUP, 2m., 4.34

Jackie Thorpe, Manco, Nelson dc Oro, limit; Francis Lincoln, Nimbus, Prince Pedro, 12yds. bhd.; Pukemiro, 24.

Of the limit horses in the Cup, Manco and Jackie Thorpe should command most attention. Manco's third to Bingen Chief in the Fergusson Handicap at Auckland was not very impressive. Nimbus, Francis Lincoln and Jackie Thorpe were the place-getters in the sprint event there, and the first-named is likely to be the elect of backers in this field. Pukemiro was second to Bingen Chief off 24yds. and must be given a good chance, as he finishes on well. Prince Pedro will need to improve on recent running to be in the money. On form, the trio that appeal are:

NIMBUS, PUKEMIRO, FRANCIS LINCOLN.

2.50 p.m.—' PURIRI HANDICAP, IJm. F '3.5

Second Division.—Cherrill, Kewpie's Crest, Roma Girl, Tinokaha, Dark Shadow, Red Frontier, limit; Star Pronto, 48yds. bhd. If Tinokaha paces soundly in this event his chance will be excellent, but he is inclined to leave his feet under, pressure. Kewpie's Crest is

a likely sort among the other frontmarkers. However, Star Pronto, off 48yds., looks to have the race at his mercy,.as his pace should enablo him to make up the handicap early. The best supported trio will probably be:

STAR PRONTO, TINOKAHA, KEWPIE'S CREST

3.20 p.m.— PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP, IJm., 3.42

Happy Thought, limit; Manna's Son, 24yds. bhd.; Gala Day, Mute, 36.

Mute reads the best of this ..small field, and Gala Day and Manna's Son should make it interesting. The public will plump for

MUTE

4.5 p.m. — KEREPEEHI HANDICAP, 11m., 334. Bonnie Direct, Gold Dredge, Silver Watch, Min Bells, limit; Mazda, i2yds. bhd.; King's Warrior, Luininate, 24.

If started again, Silver Watch will command respect. Gold Dredge will be prominent off the limit, but Mazda, King's Warrior • and Luminate, the back-markers, will keep him busy. Three that appeal most, in the event of Silver Watch's absence, are:

KING'S WARRIOR, GOLD DREDGE, LUMINATE.

5 p.m.—

KOPU HANDICAP, Urn., 2.47.

Bingen Chief, Francis Lincoln, Homeward, Jackie Thorpe, Lady Coronado, Nelson de Oro, Pukemiro, War Paint, limit; Prince Pedro, 12yds. bhd.; Kewpie's Guy, Nimbus, 24.

The limit horses in this event will prove a tough proposition for investors. Bingen Chief has the pace if he begins correctly, and there is not much "to choose between the others, with a preference on form for Francis Lincoln. Lady Coronado is a likely sort if fit. There may be a withdrawal or two, and in that case Prince Pedro will not lack support.. Kewpie's Guy at her best would keep the front-markers moving, and so would Nimbus, if started again. A likely trio, in the absence of Nimbus, are: BINGEN CHIEF, FRANCIS LINCOLN. KEWPIE'S GUY.