DUNEDIN TROTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17835, 1 May 1926, Page 7

DUNEDIN TROTS.

NATIVE CHIEF’S BRILLIANCY. (Special to the “Star.”) DUNEDIN, April 30. The Forbury Park Club’s winter meeting was favoured with good weather. Although rain fell during the evening and early morning, It kept off from ten o’clock and had the effect of laying the dust, while the only harm to the track was in making it somewhat on the dead side. There was a great attendance, the concluding stages of the Exhibition being a drawing card for visitors. The meeting was well managed, with the starting showing a great improvement, and due punctuality was observed. The racing was very interesting, while the final finishes caused a good deal of excitement.

The American stallion Guy Parrish was favourite for the Bayfield Handicap, and after a good race just won by a length. The winner has been at the stud and was making his first appearance this season. The soft track improved his chances as Guy Parrish is none too sound. He trotted throughout without any mistake, and staved out the journey in good style. Fairlight did not get too good a passage in the concluding stages, otherwise he might have won. He began slowly and had all the worst of the early stages. Some Jazz went patchily. He showed a lot of speed over the last half-mile. Hawksberry’s Pride, who is a four-year-old sister to Carbinea, showed a lot of speed, but did not keep steadily to her work. The race should improve her. Nelson Boy and Nourmahal did not begin right. Jack Bingen did not keep steady, but showed speed. Alpha Wilkes did not stay after being well away In front early. As expected there was a large field and spirited betting for the Domain Handicap. Ivor, on his Ashburton showing, was made favourite. He made a quick beginning and was with the front brigade at the end of five furlongs, but broke up and was never afterwards dangerous. Jolly Pet was with the front crowd with a round to go, and although well on the outside of the track paced a solid race. In the concluding stages Jolly Pet outstayed the rest of the field and won handsomely. The winner is owned in the Cromwell district, but is trained at Gore. He is a brilliant pacex* by Coldstream Bells from Jolly Girl, and has plenty of stamina. His Pal surprised many by his good performance, beating all but the winner. The New Brighton trainers were third and fourth with Jolly Roger and Avenger, both of whom finished fast. Stockade Junr. had every chance as he was well out in the front in the early stages, but failed to go on. Locanda Child finished fast and when clear of the field paced brilliantly. Tennessee’s Child was never dangerous. Nihilist Junr. was well backed, but was never in the picture, in fact he paced most disappointingly. All the honours of the race were with the winner, who won from the back mark. Robert Bell threw a shoe previous to the start and was too late to get back in time to start. The money on the totalisator was not returned.

Bismurate won’the mile saddle event from end to end. The winner came to the Dominion with W. J. Tomkinson’s team when that trainer came here. Bismurate showed plenty of speed, but was a non-stayer, and this is the first occasion on which he has raced up to expectations. The Australian pacer has speed, but lack of stamina made him somewhat useless here. The Oamaru trainer has persevered with Bismurate and has been rewarded. Edwin Marwin was always handy, and he finished up well in second place. The Noi'th Island-trained Daphne Wildwood was favourite, and she got third, but at no stage looked likely to heat those who finished in front of her. Macaranda threatened danger, but did not sustain his effort. Van Director did not stay. Maiwhariti was well placed at the end of six furlongs, hut the final quarter found him wanting. Bing Boy and Lady Embrace did not leave the mark. The two mile harness race for trotters saw Real the Great made favourite, but she failed to strike her gait at. the start and was never dangerous. Tim Wood was always in a good position, and in the concluding stage, despjte a break, he won comfortably. The winner was bred and is owned by W. T. Lowe, who drove him. IJe is by Woodchild, a fine trotter in his day, who sired a few good trotters. Tim Wood did not race well at Ashburton, but he showed improved form in this effort. Happy Rosa had every chance. She began right and kept, to her gait but would not show her speed, in fact her action was very laboured throughout. Randolph trotted well all the way, except, in the concluding stages, when he did not. race on as whs expected. Nourmahal failed to stay, and Darkest seemed to he outclassed. Elusive went very bsdly, and Some Jazz did not trot up to expectations. Queen Ida threatened danger at the end of a mile but she failed to sustain her effort. Engagement, who was solidly backed, finished fourth, but was never a likely winner, ■Kohara was favourite for the Prince of Wales Handicap, but when the real racing commenced Native Chlaf went out to the front and won easily. Native Chief was fractious at the post and when despatch was given played up and did not go. When he finally started Fashion Queen, who had broken up. further stopped him. Native Chief had to

be pulled up to get clear, and chased the field till a round to go, when he put on speed, cutting down the opposition as though they were second class. Native Chief led into the straight by two lengths and won with ease. It was a brilliant performance on the part of the winner, and it confirmed his reputation as the best of the three-year-olds. Should Native Chief mend his ways at the barrier further successes will come his way over two miles, as he is a brilliant two miler. Kohara went a good race, but had no chance with the winner In the concluding stages. Dillon Wilkes went much better on the large track than anticipated. Becky Logan went a fair race and got fourth, but most spectators gave Escort the benefit of beating the mare. Harold Burwood did not go well over the concluding stages. Harbour Light paced badly, as the turns seemed to stop him, and he was pulled up. Talent looked light and did not finish with any_ determination. Queen’s Own did not seem to be at her best, and had little dash at the end. Fashion Queen would not start, and she has become one of the worst of pacers in this direction. The St Clair Handicap saw Proud Ata at his best. He was always in the front division, and in the concluding stages stayed out the distance commendably. The winner has come back in a surprising manner. He went off for some time, but has been showing fine form in training of late, and It is rather surprising in view of his recent track work that he paid such a good dividend. He is owned, trained and by Mr J. Deyell, who has been associated with the sport for a .number of years. Bonny Spec gave further evidence of her reliability by finishing well in second place. The locally owned and trained Money Spider went a rare good race. He did not quite see out the final stages. Peterwah was a hot favourite and he trotted solidly all the way without showing much speed, finally finishing fourth. Merry Bingen did not stay, nor did Little Logan, while Mangoutu broke up badly when going well.

Bing Boy won the Renown Handicap in decisive style. He was always in a good position, and in the concluding stages had to be hard driven by R. Berry. The South Canterbury-owned pacer came out of the ordeal in great style, as he finished solidly, standing pressure over the last half-mile. Four Bells raced generously and was just beaten. Firelight was a long way back in the early stages, but put in a fine run in the concluding stages. After the first three there were no horses close up, but William the Great came on well at the end. Kotuku Jack was a great disappointment, as he was in a handy position, but failed to respond when pressure was put on. Fatin Princess went badly, and Golden Dawn and Moor Chimes would not leave the mark. Pearl Coronado was never dangerous and paced most indifferently. Peter Bingen was a solid favourite for the mile harness and won easily. Kennerley’s horse began well and was quickly close to the leaders, and in the concluding stages came away with plenty of speed. The winner is a brother to Great Bingen, but 1:3 leased by Kennerley, for whom he has raced well over short courses. Ivy Audubon put up a solid performance by racing into second place, and Mr Quirk’s mare is showing some consistency since going into Henderson’s stables. Wharepiana was again solidly backed, bht failed to do better than get third place. Tommy Direct went a fair race, and so did Talent. J. Dwyer, who trainod Tommy Direct, went out to drive the horse, but the stipendiary steward (Mr A. J. Mabee) ordered him back. The committee decided that Dwyer was incapable of driving and J. Walsh drove the horse.