METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12085, 14 August 1917, Page 6

METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB

AUGUST MEETING. The first meeting of the new season will commence to-morrow at Addington. In provious years the premier trotting club has always had throe, days for its August meeting, but in the general reduction of racing days the fixture has been cut down by one day, so that there will be racing at Addington to-morrow and on Friday. Trainers usually experience a good deal of difficulty, owing to the wet weather during the winter months, in getting their horses in racing condition, but the past week has been particularly-suitable for fast work, and has enabled the horses to be sent along in their finishing work-out*. Tho track lias been in capital order lately, and, although heavy rain fell early this week, the strong south-west wind that has set in will soon make tho track in good order again, provided no more rain falls. The new stewards' stand, which was almost completely burned down last November, has been rebuilt, and will be in use this week, although a good many details will bo uncompleted. It was to be expected, with the reduced number of racing days, that there would be a very large entry for all tho events, in fact, this feature will have to receive the serious attention of officials, and it seems evident that restrictions wi.ll have, to be made to reduce the fields competing in all classes. There is a lino lot of trotters in tho Improvers' Handicap, of two miles, in saddle, including several visitors from other parts, in addition to a number of young horses who are likely to improve as the season advances. The North Island may provide the favourite with Springbok, but the West Coast-owned mare,. Fairy Whispers, is one of tho solid order, and another North Islander, (Jrattan Chimes, is certain to be well supported. The ex-Southlander, Gemma, who is now trained in Canterbury, will also be considered in the race, especially by those who saw her racing at For bury Park. The Trial Handicap, of a mile and a half, in harness, has attracted an acceptance of twenty-nine, and provided the track is in good order, it is certain to be a. fast-run race, as it is in these clrissc.s that the greatest improvement is invariably shown. Tho four-year-old Australian-bred Chid, who won the Auckland Chili's Derby last season, is in the field. The North ls-lnnd-owned Mahinga has some fast performances to her credit, and ha-s come through a capital preparation. Two good performers from the West Coast, Peonv and Red Prince, also claim engagements. Nancy Stair and Silver Quick, with recent winning records, can bo looked upon to improve on previous efforts, but in'such a large field a lot will depend on getting a good passage throughout the race. Those who expect to" have any chance of success will have to go a good deal faster than their handicapped time, if all the conditions are favourable. There are thirteen still in tho chief event of the day, the August Handicap, of two miles, iu harness, and it seems as though the winner will come from some of those near the limit. Admiral Wood, who has come through a fine preparation, is looking bright and well, and although set a- severe task to concede up to 13sec, he can be relied upon to put up a. good race, if framing form has anything to commend it. B. Jarden has the greatlv improved Agathos and the speedr John Dillon, and this bracket has early been sorted out as likely to get amongst tho prize money. Adelaide Direct has put up some more than creditable performances over two miles, and tho Aus-tralian-bred mare is in good form jilsJ now. Oinako is very well, and if on his best behaviour is such a good stayer that he always possesses a, chance. Brvco has Cora Dillon and Childsdaie, and the elect of this strong stable will receive substantial support. St Kevin, although he usually fads over the last two furlongs of a tthdly run two miles, is such a brilliant* horse that he must be given a chance, and it must be remembered he is a rear older, which may bring him the necessary stamina to fight out the finish' in a hard run race. J. ersunder has not been going well, but Stanley's Child, theOamant representative was in great form the last time «\\c 'raced at' Addington over short courses. General Link \s an improving horse, but it must be remembered that he is now in a class where he will have to go fast all the way. Tamarisk, like Si "Kevin. ha,s frequently failed over the. final stages. He is. however, still a young horso. and ago may enable him to stay on better. He has como through a fmo' preparation, although nn injury to In's c-yo last week may prevent him from being seen quite at his best. The race, however, promises to provide a keen contest. There is a good lot of saddle horses in the Queen Mary Handicap, and this event will provide those who favour saddle races a chance, to see a tough' struggle. Peports concerning the trials of those still in the race suggest that it will be particularly fast. Erleon has been working well and has greatly improved, whilst the unbeaten AVaiteranui is certain to receive a lot of support. There are several in the field who will be making their initial efforts under saddle. The two-mile harness races for trotters provided some great contests last season, and the Stewards' Handicap contains such a high grade lot of trotfoi\s that, the race should excite a lot. of interest. Tho back markers will have to improve a good deal on their previous best efforts to have any chance wiib some of those on the limit. The trotting races are fast growing in popularity, and this event promises to provide a particularly keen contest, but those who have closely followed tho training anticipate the finish from tho front division. The mile and a quarter and both the mile races have some particularly fast horses engaged, and the last three races on the. programmo will keep the interest well sustained, especially tho mile and a quarter event, which' should result in » great struggle over this now favourite distance. The first race will be started at 11.45 a.m. The following is the programme for tho first day's racing:— IMPROVERS' HANDICAP (in eaddlo), of ].)O sovfl; second horse .'iO govs and third horso 15 sovs from the stake. For imhoppled trotters. Clas? 5.2. Two miles. Commander rielle scr. Craibwood . Huoc Treasure Seeker 3aeo Grnttan Chimes UseeTruganini • foec J{ ec j Bell . 12sec Kirfkiriroa • 3 sec Aibertoria . 12seo Havannrv • Fairy Whispers l.'tsec Arruamcnter . B*ec Winiata . 13sec Gemma • gaoc Springbok . 15aec Win All • Sscc Marvolo . 15ecc Bow Beli3 . lOsec Arcadian . lbsec Duboac • 10 sec l'ftddyLynd . 15seo TRIAL HANDICAP (in harness), of 200 sovs; second horse 40 sovs and third horso 20 povs from the stake. Class 3.39. Ono mile and a half. Harold Jun. • scr Bridgowood . Cscc Dillon Maid . 3sec Bank .Note . fisec Lady Uothsoon 3aco Gladeye . 7sec Agnes Chief . 3?ec Darkness . 7sec Peony • 3seo Papeete . ?Hec Erin's Queen . * J s fiC Clen Mavis . 7aou Chid , . ss«o Erleen . . 7aeo The Linnet . ssec Energy . 7aec Red Prince - *> sec Quinccy Belle . 7sec Mahin°"a • Usee Leo Bell . 7sec Watchman . 6scc Gipsy King . 7soc Albert Wallace 6sec General Wy.fio 7sec Kancy Stair . Csec/Maud I'racey . 7sec Silver Quick . 6sec Miss Havoc . 7seo Kinpr Lear . 6soc AUGUST HANDICAP (in harness);, of 350 fovs; second horse 70 sovs and third borne 35 sovs from the stake. Class 4.38. Two miles. Admiral Wood scr. St K«vin . llseo Agjathoa • Childsdale Usee Adelaide Direct 7sec John Dillon . Usee Oinako . • 8b«; Persuader . llsoc Cora Dillon , lOaec Stanley's Child Usee Princess General Link . 12* ec Sherwood . Ilßec Tamarisk . 13s9C

QUEEN MARY HANDICAP (in saddle), of 350 sovs; second horse SO 'sovs and third horso 15 sovs from tho stake. Class 4.57. Two mileß. Bellfiowor . scr. Branston . l 6sec Pax . • ss*c Ts'eigb • • 16s « 0 Chaos * Usee Galindo Belle . 17eec Itorko's Drift . llsoc Waiteranui - l 7 sec Cholston • 14se<: Groat Britain . 18see Albert Wallace Usee Trooper Dillon ltfceo Femleagh. . Usee Erleen . 18seo Z»ra . Usee Stormy Way . I9sec Inwood . Hsec Schnapps . Itteeo Wood Drift . 15aeo Dainty Dillon J9sec Goldstream 15seo Planet Child . 19sec Energy . 16sec Mopey . . 19sec Sympathy . lßseo STEWARDS' HANDICAP (in harness), of 170 sovs; second horeo 35 sova and third horse I 7 sovs from the stake. For unhoppled trotters. Class 4.54. Two miles. Red Child . scr. Lady "WilWhispering Willie «cr. mington . »9e« Hardy Wilke* . lsco Auckland Girl . 9seo Ciive . • 4sec Tmganini . lOseo lied Heather . 4sec tfol . . Useo Paul Huon . 4sec Nerval King . llseo Galician . ssec Billy Parole . 13sec Michael Galindo ssec Lady Patricia . Hsec Annio K. . 7sec Syne . . 14sec Commander Belle 7sec Gay Wilkes . Msec Olive L. . Vsec Bon Ami . Msec Imperial Crown Bseo Theseus . 14seo INTERNATIONAL HANDICAP (in harness), of 200 sovs; second horse 40 sovs and third horse 20 fov3 from the stake. Class 2.50. One mile and a quarter. Admiral Wood . scr Fr&ndocia . 6sec Adelaide Direct Qaeo Eccentric . sseo Tommy C. . !2sec G-lends lough . ssec St Kevin . 3aeo Cora Dillon . sseo Evelyn - 4sec Antonio - ose'o Childsdale . 4seo Ariadne . »sec Princess Sher- Little Kauri . Ksoc Jewel Chimes . Gsoc St Ursula . Usee SPEEDWAY HANDICAP (in harness), of 150 eovs; second horse 30 sovs and third horse ],"> sovs from the stake. Class 2.21. One mile. Nancy Patch . scr. Huia Grey . 3*ec The Whip . Iseo Woodvere . 4sec Lord Dillon . Iseo 'J'rix Pointer . isec Annie Dillon . 3*cc Kotbamc , -lsec Sir Fulham . 3sec Harold Devon . 4sec Prince Poole . 3scc Jluon Patch . 4sec LirdcUa . risec Blackford . tsoc Geld Cfeii' . 3sec St Michael . 4sec ■ELECTRIC HANDICAP (in saddle), of 150 sova; second horse 30 sovs and third horse ].i sovs from tho stake. Cla-Bs 2.21. One mile. Mintson • scr - Lady Tedrlington Bsec Dunspey • 4sec Promotion . Bsec Law Chimes . 4sec Icicle . . Bsec Mountain Rose 6sec 0.1.C. . . B?ec lrva- . . fcsec Willi© Lincoln Ssec Disappear . fisec Gold Crest . Daeo Jack Ashore . Vseo Huia Gray . 9seo Bright . . Vsec Sceptro . . { Jseo Lodestar . Vsec Winston M. . iiscc Lord Dillon . Vseo Woodvere . lOsec Huon Drift . '/sec Seychelles . lOeeo Lady Tempest . Ssoc Huon Patch . lOssc McConnachio . Ssec Celtic . , 10s »c