AT THE TROTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10925, 14 November 1913, Page 1

AT THE TROTS.

ALBERT H. WINS. BEST SHOWING TO DATE, SOME FAST TIMES. Though yesterday was an off day, there was a largo crowd present to. witness the continuation of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's spring meeting. The weather was fine but cool, and in other respects tho conditions were very favourable, there being an absence of wind. Speculation was brisk, the totalisator investments being £36,303 10s, compared with £25,37"2 on the corresponding clay last yoar. MURICATA CAUGHT. The fields were scarcely so large as on the first day, but the racing was of a more interesting description, and some high-class performances were registered. The principal event, the Courtehay Handicap, attracted fifteen *tiirters, making up a very strong field, and they provided a contest . which wont a long way towards compensating for the failure of the New Zealand Trotting Cup. It probably a surprise to many to- find Muricata, a fino type of tho true gaited trotter, holding her own from the start with her pacing rivals. She gradually shook off tho attentions of those who started with her, but three furlongs from home she had to meet challenges from Red Mac, and Albert H, who eventually fought out the finish. They were both going very strongly at the "entrance to the straight, but Albert H had a slight extra effort in reserve and he evoutully won b.v a neck. Last year Albert H won the New Zealand Trotting Cup and later in the meeting he registered a very smart performance over a mile. He was then given a spell, after which he competed several times without ever showing a vestige of form. A HIGH CLASS DISPLAY. ■Yesterday's ■ effort,. in fact, was his first good display for a year. It was a high-class performance and entitles him to rank as one of the best horses over two miles ever seen on the Addington track. It showed clearly that he would have played a prominent part in tho Trotting Cup, with a good start, but it is doubtful if he could have won that race, in which he was conceding * two seconds to Ravenschild, as the conditions yesterday were more -favourable for fast time

than when the Cup was run on Tuesday. Albert His by the successful ~ sire~Edcßsch"ild, his clam,' Jessie M 7 being bv Emmerson, a brother to Eoston and Albert Chevalier, by Berlin from the imported mare QueeiiEmnia. Red 'Mac, who iiuislicd second to Albert H, ran the best race of his career. Less than a year ago he was just a useful horse, with no credentials as a Eta-ver, and capable of little if anything better than five minutes for two miles. Since then he has been a very consistent and; improving performer," and with. 4.36 1-5 registered against him for yesterday's effort he has worked his .way into the fastest class. /DENVER HUON FALLS.

St Swithhi, after a long sequence „■, of. moderate efforts, ran a fine race, being prominent all the way. King Cole was responsible for a fine performance, going round a big field and finishing up the journey in time about equal to his best record. Considering all the conditions, he has never given a better exhibition. Ilie Australian crack, Denver Huon, had an unfortunate experience. At the end of a mile and a quarter he was in a good position, just in front of King Cole, when, he stumbled as a result of , a slight collision with Dr Chutney. His driver, .M. Edwards, was thrown out of the sulky and was dragged some distance before he fell clear. It looked like a nasty accident, but Edwards escaped with nothing more than a .nasty shaking, and ■was able to drive again later in the day. Denver Huon continued with- • out a pilot, giving a perfect exhibition of pacing, and he went on for an extra circuit.before he was stopped. GIANELLA DRAWS OUT. The Metropolitan Handicap excited a lot of interest. It was for horses that could do 3.30 or better for a mile and a half, being the fastest class race over that distance ever run for money jn the dominion, though a similar event was decided for trophies on the occasion of the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand some months ago. The race was very keenly contested, and it was only at the finish that Gianella drew away and gained a well-earned victory. She has been a very consistent but unlucky performer for some tirno, having been placed seven times last season without a win. The November Handicap was responsible for one of the finest twomile saddle performances ever seen in the dominion. St Kevin, a four-year-old brother to Dan Patch, showed a lot of pace, and he seemed to have something in reserve even when Submarine caught him six furlongs from home. The task of holding his place proved too much for him, however, Submarine gaining a very popular victory. The winner is a fine square trotter, requiring no artificial aids in his races. Ho has been responsible for many fine performances, but none to equal that of yesterday. WIN SOON WINS. The Lyttelton Handicap provided another great race, the pace being very solid all the way. Cameos, a half-sister to Wildwood Junior, was the popular fancy, and she showed up well for a mile and a half, but then found the opposition too strong for her. "Win Soon, the winner, ran a particularly good race, and the next time she figures at Addington it will be in the most select company. Her sire. King Child, who is now in Southland, is by Rothschild—Lady Grey, and the success of Win Soon should direct strong attention to him. The two events confined to unhoppled trotters were more than usually interesting. The Whiteleigh Handicap was one of the most even betting races ever seen on the course, and the contest was in keeping. Mokau, the winner, is a very solid customer, and lip had to reduce his time 3lightly to hold his place at the finish. Ho is "by Proudchi'd, by Rothschild— Pride of Lincoln, the dam of several animals well known for their .success st the stud, among theiu being Thelma, the most successful trotting brood mare in the dominion. ONE FOR BETEL NUT. A high-class field of trotters gave a 'jrcod exhibition in the Soeli-

hum Handicap, lr.it Betel Nut stayed on too well for his opponents, finally owing his victory to the fact that Kelso broko a few strides from the winning-post. Betel Nut, who is a half-brother to King Cole, is bv the imported horse Peraltn. from Kola Nut, by Rothschild—Kola, by Harold Child from a thoroughbred' mare. The Australian mare Lady Edna broke up badly after going half a mile, losing a lot of ground, but she finished in great style, and is evidently capable of holding her own in the best company. A CLINKING MILE. The ' Railway Handicap proved one of the ' fastest mile races Keen for a long time. Country Belle, after being near the front for five furlongs, lost her placo suddenly, and appeared to be beaten, but she came again under pressure and struggled home in front of a very tired field. Counirv Belle, who is a. three-quarter sister to Curfew Bell, is by Wildmoor, bv Wildwood—Alice Azmoor. from Bonnie Bell, by Lincoln Yet. from an Arab mare. Franzie and Stop It. both improved their records considerably. The day's snort was concluded with the Royal 'Handicap, in which Little Arthur showed a lot of early pace and staved on well right to the end. Tins was easilv his best, public effort, though he has been a very consistentperformer for some time. The winner is by Ngnpara, another of Rothschild's sons,"his dam. Citation, being bv Wildwood—Spot, by Dexter.