Racing and Trotting

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18015, 27 November 1926, Page 7

Racing and Trotting

NOTES BY t

ARGUS

RACING FIXTURES. ru November 27, December I—Takapana Jockey Club. November 30. December 1— Feilding Jockey Club. 4—Methven Racing Club, °«cember 10. n, South Canterbury Jockey Club. _ . A/ecember 27—Waipukurau Jockey Club. December 27. 28—Westland Racing Club. •December 27. 28—Taranaki Jockey Club. December 27, 2S—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 27, 2S. 30— Manawatu Racing Club. December 27, 20, .January 1. 3—Auekland Racing Club. December 33, January 1, 4—Greymoutn Jockey Club. January l —Windham Rae.ng Club. January 1. 3—Stratford Racing ClubJanuary J, S—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. January 1. 3—Marton Jockey Club. January 3, 4—Southland Racing Club. NOMINATIONS. December 3—Manawatu Racing Club. December 3—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 6—Taranaki Jockey Club. December G—Waipukurau Jockey Club. December B—Westland Racing club. December 9—Stratford Racing ClubDecembcr 10—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. , V December 3 o—Marton Jockey Club. December 11—Greymoutb. Jockey Gluj. HANDICAPS. November 26-—JWoodville Jockey Club. November 20—South Canterbury Racing Club. December 10— Manawatu Racing Club. December 3 3—Westland Racing Club. December I"—Taranaki Jockey Club. December 3 3—-Waipukurau Jockey Club. December 13—Dunedin Jockey Cluh. December 16—Stratford Racing Club. December 16—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. , December 17—Marton Jockey Club. December 27—Greyroouth Jockey Club. ACCEPTANCES. November 29—Methven Racing Club. December 2—South Canterbury Jockey December 3—Woodville Jockey Club. December 17.—Taranaki Jockey Club. December 3 7—Dunedin Jockey Cluh. December 20—Westland Racing Club. December 20—Waipukurau Jockey Club. December 21— Manawatu Racing Club. December 21—Marton Jockey Club. December 22—Stratford Racing Club. December 22—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. _ . December 2S—Greymoutb Jockey Club. ... TROTTING FIXTURES. ms <-, November 28, 27—Forbury Park Trotting Club. December 4—Methven Racing Club. December 8, 11—Wellington Trotting Club. December 16. 18—New Brighton Trotting Club. _ December 27—Ashburton Trotting Club. December 27—Gore Trotting Club. December 27. 28—Westport Trotting Club. December 27, 28—South Wairarapa Trotting Club. December 28, SO, Sl—Auckland Trotting Club. January 1, B—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. January B—Northland Trotting Club. NOMINATIONS. November 26—Auckland Trotting Club. December 2—Westport Trotting Club. December 3—Gore Trotting Club. December 3—South Wairarapa Trotting Club.' December 6—Ashburton Tiotting Club. December 10—Northland Trotting Club. December 20—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. HANDICAPS. November 29—New Brighton Trotting Club. November 29—Wellington Trotting Club December 3—Auckland Trotting Club. December 9 Gore Trotting Club. December 11—Westport Trotting Club. December 10—South Wairarapa Trotting Club. December 20—Ashburton Trotting Club. December 23—Canterbury -Park Trotting Club. January I—Northland Trotting Cxuh. ACCEPTANCES. November 29—Methven Racing Club. December 3—Wellington Trotting Club. December 10-—Auckland Trotting Club. December 13—New Brighton Trotting Club. December 16—Gore Trotting Club. December 17—Westport Trotting Club. December 20—South "Wairarapa Trotting Club. December 21—Ashburton Trotting Club. December 29—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. January 4—Northland Trotting Club. RACING NOTES. Acceptances for the Methven Racing Club's meeting will close at eight o'clock on Monday night. a * * * Wanganui reports credit Civility with being in good form and she is confidently expected to race well in the Feilding Cup. * * * A good deal of interest is being taken in the weights likely to be allotted the top weight division in the Auckland Cup. It is generally agreed that Rapine, Star Stranger, Count Cavour, Te Monanui and Te Kara will head the list, but opinions differ slightly regarding the view the handicapper will take concerning them. Last Boxing Day Rapine 9.8 beat Count Cavour 8.13, but Count Cavour turned the tables this month in the New Zealand Cup, at a 21b worse handicap. Mr Henrys awarded Rapine. Count Cavour and Star Stranger 9.13 each in the Metropolitan Handicap, but the ease with which Rapine beat Count Cavour in the Canterbury Cup upset that adjustment, and suggested that the Martian gelding was unlucky to be beaten in the New Zealand Cup. Star Stranger failed at the Riccarton carnival but his form need not be regarded seriously, as he had done very little work. Te Monanui is pretty certain to come in below these three, but he is a horse who will have to be reckoned with. Te Kara has only recently come back after • spell. Going back twelve months, however, it should be noted that he finished seoond in The Banker's New Zealand Cup, in which he beat Count Cavour by a head, when conceding 81b to the Riccarton gelding. Altogether, there is plenty of room for speculation regarding the relation of the top weights. The one thing that seems quite certain is that Rapine will head the list.

Count Cavour will soon be moving along again in useful tasks, in preparation for the Auckland trip. He looks bright and well anl though he will be well looked alter by the handicapper, he is likely to race prominently, as he has never been to Ellerslie without showing good form. * * * 4< Glen train’s holiday programme is still in doubt. The Auckland meeting has been freely mentioned, but it is worth keeping in mind that she claims an engagement at the Manawatu meeting in the Palmerston North Stakes, which may prove more attractive than carrying big weights in handicaps at Ellerslie. In the meantime, she has gone north to fulfil her engagement in the Feilding Stakes on Tuesday. She will meet, some spetedy opponents, among those still in being Lysander, Tamatete, The Hawk, Limited, Grand Knight and the two-year-old Royal Ceres. This race should test the imported mare and probably will assist in a decision regarding her future programme. It seems unlikely, however, that she will remain in training much longer. * * * * So far nothing is known concerning the programme to be followed with Sir George Clifford's horses during the Christmas and New Year holidays. For years past he has been a regular patron of the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting, but there appears to be a slight doubt about such a trip being included in this season’s activities. * * * * Money Order has l»cen taken in hand again by T. H. Gillett, after a short spell. It is unlikely that he will be raced during the holidays, but it is to be hoped he is at his best in the autumn. He is a very speedy customer when he is well, and he will make matters interesting in important events later in the season, provided he gets through a preparation. 4* 4* * * Rivalry has resumed work, after a few weeks’ spell. She put on a lot of condition during her short rest, but she looks well and if she stands a preparation she may win another good race before she is retired to the stud. * * * * Margaret Birney, who was a disappointment at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting, has been galloping in good style on the trac kduring the past week and she will be very hard to beat in the Methven Cup. 4= * * Moorland has two engagements at Methven. The Cup journey may prove too far for him, but if he is reserved for the Mount Hutt Handicap he will give a good account of himself, as he is still a smart sprinter. * * * * The prospects of John Bradbury and Solrose being among the competitors will add to the interest in the racing at Methven next Saturday. John Bradbury will be tried out over a mile and a quarter and he will find opponents to furnish a line to his stamina. Solrose is in two races and she will have to be seriously reckoned with in whichever event she contests. * • * • Lysander has been discussed lately as likely to win the Feilding Stakes, but there has been a lot of rain in the district, so he is a doubtful starter, as he is considered.no good in heavy going. * * * * Provided sufficient patronage is forthcoming, a special horse train will be ran from Wellington to Auckland, in time for the big summer meetings. With gallopers and trotters to bo catered for there should be no trouble about filling a train. * * * * Glenross, the top weight in the Feeding Cup, has not had a race this season, but when at his best he is a top class handicap performer. * * * * Sunart is booked for a race at the Woodville meeting and when he has been sharpened up in that way he may be worth following during the holiday fixtures. * * * * An idea that could, with advantage, be copied from Victoria, is the walkup start adopted by the Victoria Racing Club officials, writes “Musket,” in the “Sydney Mail.” Horses that are difficult to handle when asked to stand lined up at the barrier become quite tractable when allowed to walk in line to the machine. Throughout the Vistoria Racing Club's meeting there has not been one bad start, though, of course, some horse or other is bound to be slower than the rest in "finding his legs.” I am quite sure that in New South Wales Manfred would have been left in the race he won on the first day, for he began backing away from the barrier directly it was lowered; but when permitted to approach the tapes on the walk with the rest of the field he got away in line with promptitude. The same thing was noticeable with other horses who dislike having to stand still while the starter effects a fiat-footed despatch, and I am satisthe recent Australian Jockey Club adopted the Victorian method the starts on our courses would be more satisfactory than they are now. At he recent Australian Jockey Club spring meeting Spearfelt was badly left in the Randwick Plate, though the field consisted of only four, and as he was a hot favourite for that race it was a severe blow to backers to see their money thrown away through a faulty start. Having noticed the advantage the walk-up despatch was to I Manfred, I kept a sharp eye on other races, and feel certain that many of the starts would have been spoiled by the unruly horses had they had to stand at the tapes until all were in line. Speaking to one of our prominent trainers on the subject. I said: “I am going to advocate the walk-up in New South Wales after what I have seen here.” His reply was: “You will be doing us all a good turn if you do, for there can be no doubt that it is far find away ahead of the flat-footed start. While it does not give any horse an advantage over the others, it gives those inclined to be fractious the opportunity of getting away* well, owing to their tempers not being aggravated by having to stand at the tapes.” As the Australian Jockey Club is ever ready to adopt any system for the betterment of racing, I trust the ruling body in New South Wales will give this excellent system a trial at Randwick in the near future.

There is little difficulty in getting a bet in Sydney as it is, but Mr P. M. M’Girr wishes the position made even easier for stay-at-home bettors. In the Legislative Council recently Mr M’Girr asked the following questions:—(l)- Seeing that betting is legal on racecourses, will the vice-president of the Executive Council at once take steps to license or register offices to be known as “Starting Price Offices,” for t£e convenience of people who cannot attend racecourses? (2) If not, will he consider extending the totalisator into conventient places in the city in the interests of people who cannot attend racecourses? Racecourse shareholders will not appreciate Mr M’Girr*s suggestions. Most people go to races with the sole object of betting, but if their needs in that direction could be legally satisfied “in town,” the probabilities are that many would save the expense of going i to a meeting.

TROTTING NOTES. Nominations for the Auckland Trotting Club’s summer meeting will close at five o'clock on Monday evening. * ** * It is hard to understand why Sheik . did not race better than he did, at the j spring meeting at Addington. Sheik ! looked particularly well prior to the meeting and in his training work did all that was asked of him in brilliant . style. Yet he failed to show any dash i in his races. It was stated just prior to the Cup that Sheik went a trifle 1 j sore, which may have accounted for ‘ his indifferent display. He is going j along in his work in his best style now and no doubt when next be races he will show improvement. Delavan’s Quest, although not a winI ner at the Cup meeting, raced well over short courses. The Australian pacer looks well and continues to I train on quite satisfactorily. ❖ * 4s * Stormy seems to have thrown off his I soreness and is full of life in his training at present. Stormy should soon win a race in his class., as he is a . good stayer. 4* sjs 4* 4* i Rose Pointer looks well, but she has | not done a great deal of fast work. She will probably be a competitor at the Welligtonn Trotting Club’s meeting next month. * * * # Homer has suffered no ill-effects from her fall at the Cup meeting. She will be racing at Forbury Park this week. sie 4* ajs F. Johnstone is gaiting and educating a Harold Dillon mare, who looks a useful sort. The maiden is already a fair pacer. * 4-* * * Nelson Derby appears to be quite sound again and he is pacing splendidly in his work. It was unfortunate that the Auckland Cup winner was not at his best for the Cup meeting at Addington. as he is a brilliant pacer when well. There are, however, plenty ot .suitable races for him during the nex; two mdnths and if he keeps sound he should race prominently. * sfc 4* 4« Nipper is doing plenty of saddle work in his training and the pacer appears to be very well, though he did not race up to expectations at the Cup meeting. * * 4c »Jc The Australian pacer Margalong is coming on well in his training. He has not yet been thoroughly extended, but he is a fast pacer, who looks as though he could stay two miles. * * * The trotter Nourmahal, who has been turned out for some time, has just been put into work again. She will take some time to get into racing condition. * * * * Routine has done a lot of useful work and the grey pacer is well forward in condition. * * # « Eizcar trots in fine style in her work but she fails to do her best in a race. At present she is trotting quite up to her best form in training. $ « * * The trotter Judge Hancock was so sore at the Cup meeting that after going to the birdcage for one race he was allowed to be withdrawn. The American horse seems to be quite sound again, however, and he is trotting well in training. * 4* He sfc Master Audo is none the worse for, his recent racing; in fact, he should show improvement when next started. He is trotting well in his training work. * * -4* Logan Lad looks somewhat on the light side at present. He is not doing much fast work, but he is a useful pacer over short courses. 4* * 4c 4: The trotter Charles Dixie did not show up well in his training prior to the Cup meeting, but he raced consistently. Charles Dixie is still doing plenty of work in training and the Australian trotter is keeping to his gait much better than formerly. *#*!!! Dusky Pointer is a very attractive pacer in training, with a rapid gait He is doing good work at present. Sis Sje 4c Loganholme bears a well-trained appearance and the pacer is doing all that is being asked of him. He is a useful 'sort when on the top of his form. * 4: * 4c W. J. Morland is now busy with a two-year-old colt by Rey de Oro from Curfew Belle. The youngster shows a good deal of quality, but he is some what on the small side. 4c * * # Bold Bill seems to be on the improve. He raced consistently and well at the Greymouth Trotting Club’s meeting last, month. His owner has not yet decided where he will race the big pacer during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The Toff continues to show good form in his training work. The trotter is not a good beginner in races and finds the last furlong of a two mile race the hardest part of the journey. 4c 4* >3 ;Jc The three-year-old trotter Peter Fashion, who appeared to have trainea off a month ago, has recovered his form and he. is now doing well in his training. Peter Fashion, who is a good advertisement for his sire, First Fashion, is engaged in the New Zealand Trotting Stakes, which will be decided at the Forbury Park Club’s trotting meeting in January. 4c 4: 4c 4c When Mr R. T. Reid issued the handicaps for the opening day of the OtaIhuhu Trotting Club’s meeting, he provided followers of the sport with some food for thought, and so harshly were some horses treated that their owners did not make the acceptance. Many of Mr Redi’s assessments were impossible to follow, says the “Auckland Star,” and on the second day his treatment of Luvan was surprising. Just over four weeks ago Luvan, an Australian-bred mare, who had run second in the Sydney Thousand before being brought across to Auckland, was engaged at the Auckland Trotting Club’s spring meeting. She was engaged in the Improvers’ Handicap, one mile and a half, on the opening dav, and in the Newmarket Handicap, a similar race, both 3.30 limit, on the second day. Mr Paul, the handicapper for the Auckland Club, placed her on 12 yards, or 3.29, each time. On the first day she finished nowhere. But Mr Paul evidently thought he would let her ran again before altering the handicap, and she started off the same mark again the second day. And after getting anything but a good run she finished with a fine burst of speed, and won by a neck from Typist (limit), with Jean Darling (12yds), third. The track was on the slow side and the winners during the day did not run their handicap’-time. One would at least have expected Luvan to be penalised something for winning, but apparently Mr Reid does not conform to ordinary S3*stems. After winning a mile and a half off a 3.29 mark, one would expect Luvan to be on at the very most 2.53 in a mile and a quarter, but instead of penalising her for winning, Mr Reid actually lets her out to 2.55. As it happens Luvan met with an accident when working on the track a fortnight ago and had to he eased in her work and, of course, was not accepted for. It may be taken for grant- ' ed that Mr Paul, when he comes to handicap Luvan for the Auckland meeting, will forget all about her ■ handicap at Otahuhu. and just remember that, in her last start, a month . ago, she won off a 3.29 mark. (

WANGANUI NOTES. (Special to the “Star.”) WANGANUI, November 26. After a few fine days the weather has broken again. If much rain falls in the interval Lysander "will not be: started in the Stakes at Feilding. The colt is very well, but unless the going is firm he will not run on Tuesday. If he starts he will probably be favourite, despite his 101 b penalty. The Thorn is also engaged, but though* he is likely to prove better than ever this season, his prospects of beating Tamatete or Limited over five furlongs do not look bright. Given a nice clear day, Tamatete will prove capable of running the distance nearly as fast as ever, and Limited is also brilliant over short courses, so that Mr W. Duncan will have two good ones to represent him. Star Area looks well after his race at Levin, where he was unlucky. He will be hard to beat in his engageents at Feilding. Great Day has gone on the right way since he raced at Waverley, and from the way he is galloping on the tracks he should not be long in picking up a race. He will be seen out at Feilding next weeje. The Absurd—Finery gelding Attractive has been sold by Mr L. G. Paul to a Waihi sportsman. Attractive displayed a lot of pace on some occasions, but his performances were disappointing. It is probable he will be put to hurdling, at which he might do well. Musket Vein has been put into work again after a spell. She has put on a fair amount of condition, but she should be in good order for the Christmas meetings. Royal Elm has come along well during the last week or two, and this gelding should run prominently in his Feilding engagements. W. H. Dwyer returned to his home at Wanganui on Wednesday after his recent severe operation. He is still very weak, but he is progressing satisfactorily and was on the tracks on Thursday watching his horses work. Halgina has been doing a lot of jumping and from the way he is shaping he should show improvement next time he starts over the battens.

Wallace Young has Break o’ Day in steady work. He expects Crown Coin to enter his stable shortly. Young should do well with this pair. Yesterday morning the weather was fine and the tracks in good order. Deluge ran three furlongs in 37 3-osec and did it easily. He is in great form Civility was given a run over seven furlongs. The first three were taken comfortably, but the pace was on at top over the last half mile, which she left behind in 49 2-ssec, and did it nicely. She will be a starter in the Feilding Cup, and should run out a mile and a quarter all right. Lysander, pulling hard, went six furlongs. He was allowed his head over the last little bit, sprinting very attractively. Paleta and the Limond—Hopeite filly went half a mile in 51 3-ssec, without being extended. Thaw covered three furlongs nicely in 40 2-ssec. He should run well in the two-year-old handicap at Feilding The form shower recently by The Lamb suggests that he is not as brilliant as formerly, but he is more solid. He has been paid up for in the mile event at Feilding, instead of the Flying Handicap. * Lady Cavendish is doing good work at Hawera and it is predicted she will not be long in winning another race or two for Mr G. F. Moore. She will be a runner in the Feilding Stakes. HAWKE’S BAY NOTES. (Special to the “Star.”) 1 NAPIER, November 26. Inner Harbour is having a short holiday at present, but will be taken in hand again shortly. Gurnion shaped well in her initial effort over the hurdles in public, when she ran third at Ashhurst, and she may pay her way at that game, which she certainly did not do on the flat. Trainer F. Davis is likely to take a small team to Ellerslie £6r the summer meeting. Probably Oreum, Magna Charta, Auratum and Gascony, and possibly the Grey Monk two-3 r ear-old filly will make the. trip. Queen’s Choice is still on the. sick list, the attack of influenza which he contracted at Trentham having been more serious than was at first thought. He may not be seen in action again for some time. The newly-imported sire Gainscourt, sent out by Mr H. Hassall, is spoken of as a fine stamp of thoroughbred. He is by Gainsborough (sire of the English crack, Solario) from Vantage. He has plenty of stout staying blood in his pedigree and he should be a decided acquisition to the Dominion's bloodstock. Arataura is again being trained by P. Smith at Hastings. This gelding, though past his best, is getting back into something like his old form and he may not be long in scoring a win. WAIRARAPA NOTES. (Special to the “Star.”) MASTERTON, November 26. Bonecto is not shaping at all well, and ran very disappointingly at Levin! He requires a few more races to lick him into shape. Peggy Ford is striding along nicely in her work and a win should come her way before long. Tempean is reported to be doing very satisfactory work on the track, and sportsmen are looking for a profitable investment in the near future. Kilmezzo showed much better form at Levin than was generally anticipated. He romped home in the maiden,* and made a dead heat of the final race with Jazz Baby after a passage that was not as smooth as it might have been. Indian Sage never showed up in the Levin Cup, though in some quarters he was mush fancied. A gallop or two may do him good. Modern ran well in the early stages ! of her race at Levin, but failed badly at the business end. She cost some of her admirers considerable good coin by her failure to reproduce her track form. Black Mint was another of the disappointments at Levin, his track work suggesting that he had a good winning chance. Apparently the course did not suit him, for at no stage of the race did the Catmint gelding appear to be running as willingly as might have been the case. \ David Garrick is coming along : nicely in his work and W. D. Moroney ’> should soon have him in winning form. Polonaise is also doing well in her i work. * Standard, though still far from his - best form, is shaping in a manner ] which suggests that Mr Kemhall will -1 soon collect stake money through the J Absurd gelding’s efforts.

RACE RESULTS. FORBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB. PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP (in harness), of 700 sovs. Class 4min 33secTwo miles. 1— Peter Bingen, scr (Kennerley) . 3 s—Downcast, 24yds 2 4 Trenand, scr 3 10 Harold Burwood scr. 9 Menember scr, 7 Bing Boy 12yds, 3 Dalnahine 12yds. 6 Napland 12yds, 8 Event 4Syds, 11 Dolly Dillon 48yds and 3 Logau Lou 108 yd» also started. Peter Bingen and Trenand took up the running, and were in front over the first mile, when Downcast ran into second place. Peter Bingen, who was never headed, stayed on well and won by throe lengths from Downcast, who beat Trenand by six lengths, with Menember next. Time—4min 55 2-ssec. GAYER SHAM HANDICAP (in harness), of 225 sovs. Class 4min 43sec. Two miles. 2 Macaranda, 24yds (Walsh) .... 1 4 Colehill, 12yds . . 2 3 ——Homer, scr 3 6 Some Wilkes 12yds and 3 Iloon Hay 12yds also started. Homer and Colehill mado most of the running', until two furlongs from home, when Macaranda went to the front and wo by a short legth, with Homer eight lengths away. Time—smin 0 4~650c. DOMINION HANDICAP (in . harness), of 350 sovs. Unhoppled trotters. Class 4min 44see. Two miles. • I’—Engagement, 36yds (Townley) . 1 5 Ingle Bingen, scr 2 3 Proud Ata, 4 Byds 3 4 Audobell 36yds and 2 Pete Peter 60yds also started. Won by two lengths, a length between second and third. Pete Peter failed to handle the going. Time 4min 59 3-6 sec. After the race the stewards met to consider galloping over a big stretch of ground by the winner, but on hearing the evidence of the stipendiary and patrol stewards, decided not to alter the judge's placings. DASH HANDICAP (in harness), of 300 sovs. Class 2min Ifiseo. One mile. 1— Ivy Audubon, 24yds (Butterfield) 1 2 Lady Embrace, 12yds 2 4 Four Bella, scr 3 l Bismurate 12yds (coupled with the winner), and 3 Bing Boy 24yds also started. Won easily by four lengths. three lengths between second and third. Time -—2 min 26 4-ssec. FORBURY TROTS. PETER BINGEN IN FORM. (Special to the. “Star.”) DUNEDIN. November 26. There was quite a good race and a fine finish for the Roslyn Handicap, in which aJI started. Hawkesbury's Pride led in the early stages, but with around to go Master Peter and Avalanche had charge. The former outstayed Avalanche and won by a narrow margin from Freeman, who broke early but put in a*fSst. last half-mile. The winner is owned locally, and was well ridden by E. C. M’Dermott, who was in no hurry in the first stages. Master Peter is a useful sort who some time ago was none too sound, but appears to be all right at present- Freeman put in a fine last half-mile, and had the race been another furlong would probably have won. Avalanche trotted one of his best races, but was troubled by the distance. Bon Wood, the favourite, showed more speed than anything in the race, but was not carefully ridden. He put in t.hreo breaks, and before being allowed to settle to his work was too quickly hurried into top speed. Elzear, as usual, would not strike a gait at all and is achieving some notoriety in this direction. The Ashburton-owned and trained Coleno Pointer# driven by F. Holmes, was a hot favourite for the Progressive Handicap, and looked like succeeding, as she established a long lead coming into the straight., but she failed to withstand a strong challenge from Day Pointer and was beaten by a narrow margin- Day Pointer did not have any the best of the running in the early stages, but finished well. Ho Is owned in Invercargill and is by Logan Pointer from Dayspring' He was owned for some time in Oamaru and trained by J. M’Lennan. Ho is a good pacer and showed plenty of gameness in fighting out the finish under adverse circumstances. Robert Bell led in the early stages, then fell back, only to finish better than the rest with the exception of the first two horses, but he was a long way bS.ck. Logan Park, Mirella and Scottish Maid failed to go off at the start. Pert. Pointer went a fair race, but Peter Elect paced very badly. In the St Kilda. Handicap General Bingen seemed to revel in the we.t, greasy track, and established a long lead, turning Into the straight with ten lengths advantage. He stopped somewhat at the end. but won with a good margin. Ho is by Nelson Bingen from Theda Bara, and was bred by Mrs M. Duncan. At one time he was thought likely to make a good two-miler, but is now raced over short courses. Rollicking Bells paced solidly all the way. and the Gore-trained pacer is in good form at present. Nipper finished well. but Mountain Chimes, after a good beginning, broke up badly, as did Glen Farg when in second place. Logan Lad did not go away, and Macanda failed over the. concluding stages. Young Tom led throughout in the Spring Handicap and won easily. The winner is a solid, reliable cutomer, who goes on all tracks and under any conditions. He is trained at Invercargill by S. Todd, who drove him. Nelson ney went a fair race from the hack mark and never made a mistake throughout. F*reeman was the only one in the race who threatened the winner, but with a round to go the SouthCan terbury-trained trotter broke badly and lost lots of ground. Once he got going again he trotted so fast that he got third at the end. Nelson Ata. was favourite, but did not begin right, going away at the pacing gait. Avalanche went another solid race, but he cannot see out the distance, and Tim Wood would not trot at all in the going. Real the Great, who looked to be on the big side, failed to commence right, and Duke Bingen laboured throughout on the bad track without making any headway. The winner was one of the outsiders of the field and paid a substantial dividend. Peter Bingen, who was favourite in a good betting race, easily accounted for the President’s Handicap. The ' winner was in the lead practically throughout and stayed the journey better than many anticipated. He looked well on his return after the race, and has evidently done a solid preparation for a two-mile journey. The winner is a brother to Great Bingen, and is gradually working himself into the I most select company. He began fast and paced solidly all the way. Downcast, who looked big and well % began in good Htyle, and he raced up to the favourite before half the distance was covered, but could not head him, and finally was beaten by about three lengths. M’Lennan evidently thoroughly understands Downcast, as ho can obtain better results than any other trainer. Trenand paced soundly throughout, but ho could not quite see out the journey. Menember showed that two miles was not beyond him. Dalnahine, just when expected to show up, stopped quickly. Harold Burwood paced very badly. Bing Boy failed to go off right, and was never in the picture. Napland did not trot solidly, and although he showed speed he failed to keep to his gait.. Event went fast in patches, but was beaten half a mile from home. Dolly Dillon did not begin right, and Logan Lou quite failed to show her best form on the track.

Macaranda accounted for tho Caversham Handicap from a field of five, there being three scratchings. Judged on his recent efforts, when he has raced consistently but unsuccessfully, it is hard to understand why the Wai-matc-traJned pacer did not receive more support. Although the winner did not race too kindly, showing a decided inclination to bore in at ali the corners, he had plenty of speed and stamina in reserve. Colehill went a fine race, as ho had none the best of tho running in the early stages, being outside of two sulkies for more than a round. The little pacer finished gamely. Homer was favourite, and a good beginning saw the Southland-owned but Canterburytrained pacer in a capital position. She failed badly over the last half-mile. Some Wilkes broke up at the end of a round, and I-loon Hay paced so badly in the first mile that he was not persevered with any further.

There was only a field of five for the Dominion Handicap, and it was a most unsatisfactory race. Ingle Bingen got a big break in the early stages, with Pete Peter tailing off In the roar. The other three kept close together, with Engagement going very unsteadilv. With a round to go Ingle Bingen broke badly and fell hack. Proud Ala going to the front, whilst Audo Bell raced into a pocket. Ingle Bingen settlod down again, and in the race to the post Engagement just heat Ingle Bingen, with Proud Ata third and Audo Bell fourth, the last-named being the only one of the quartette who was trotting. It was a most unsatisfactory race. Had the driver of Audo Bell come round his field at the bottom of the straight he could not have lost, as he was' the only steady goer at the finish. Proud Ata

tired and Ingle Bingen had a. lot of leeway to make up. Peto Peter was pulled xip. lie could not move at all in the going. An inquiry was held into the breaking of Engagement during the ! race, and after hearing the evidence of the patrol and stipendiary stewards it ; was decided to take no action. There were only five starters for the I mile harness, and as Bismuratc and Ivy ' Audubon were coupled, only fcfjr chances wero on the totalisator. As was to be expected the coupled pair were the popular fancy, with Lady Embrace second choice. It was a very poor contest. Pour Bells went awa.v with a commanding lead, whilst Bing Boy refused to go and Blsmurato stopped for some time on the mark. Ivy Audubon went to the front as soon as she was wanted, and won by five lengths from Lady Embrace, with the tiring Four Bella some distaneo away. Blsmurate went fast and nearly caught the leaders, when he broke and was pulled up. For a stake of £3OO this was probably the most unsatisfactory race in tho trotting sport that has taken place for a number of years. The winner paid more than even money which was surprising under tho circumstances. Mr H. Brinkman, the club’s bandicapper, has not sufficiently recovered to be present at the meeting, and the second day handicaps have been made tip by Mr W. Hayes, of Dunedin.