RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18375, 30 January 1928, Page 2

RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

RACING FIXTURES. February I—Tapanui Racing: Club. February 1, 2—Pahiatua Racing: Club. Febmary 2. 4—Gisborne Racing Club. Feb tiary 2, 4—Egmont Racine Club. February 4—Matamata Racine Club. February 9, 11—Taranaki Jockey Club. February 9. 21 —Poverty Bay Turf Club. February 9. 11 —Dunedin Jockey Club. February 18—Canterbury Jockey Club. February 23, 25—Nelson Jockey Club. February 29, March I—Dannevirke Racing: Club. • „ . March l, 3—Marlborough Racing Club. NOMINATIONS. February B—Canterbury Jockey Club. February 10—Dannevirke Racing Club. February 17—Marlborough Racing Club. HANDICAPS. February 3—Taranaki Jockey Club. February 6—Poverty Bay Turf Club. February 13—Canterbury Jockey Club. February 14—Dannevirke. Racing Club. February 24—Marlborough Racing Club. ACCEPTANCES. February 3—Dunedin Jockey Club. February 3—Taranaki Jockey Club. February 6—Poverty Bay Turf Club. February 16—Canterbury Jockey Club. February 22—Dannevirke Racing. ClubFebruary 27-.—Marlborough Racing Club. FIRST FORFEIT. February 3—Canterbury Jockey Club. SUBSCRIPTION. February 15—Canterbury Jockey Club. TROTTING FIXTURES. January 31. February I—Nelson Trotting Club. February I—Tapanui Racing Club. February 4—Cheviot Trotting Club. February 11—Metropolitan Trotting Club. March 2 —Marlborough Trotting Club. ACCEPTANCES. February 27—Marlborough Trotting Club. RACING NOTES. Nominations will close at eight o’clock on Friday night for the summer meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, to be held on February 18. * * * • Interest in the track work at Riccarton will be provided during the next few days by horses who are booked to race at the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting next week. * * * * When the yearling colt by Hunting Song from Royal Mary was knocked down to Mr J. Porter for 160 guineas, at the Trentham sales last week, it was subject to the approval of the owner, as there was a doubt about the colt being for unreserved sale. When the breeder was communicated with, the sale was confirmed and the colt is now under F. Christmas’s care at Riccarton. * * * * J. B. Pearson has had several of his horses on the easy list lately, but he has recommissioned Solferite, Wreath of Myrtle, Royal Land and Malmsey, with a view to autumn engagements. ★ * * * When Ark Royal was kicked by Joy Bird, prior to the start of the Wellington Cup, he sustained severe injuries to one of his fore legs and it is feared a bone is broken. He could not be moved when S. G. Ware was leaving for home and he was left behind, under the care of the Trentham trainer, W. Young. * * * * Booster knocked one of his joints when contesting the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham and this accounted for him not starting again at the meeting. A report was in circulation in Hawke’s Bay to the effect that J. M. Cameron was likely to shift his quarters to the Auckland province. It is quite incorrect, however, according to latest information, Cameron wilL continue to make Hastings his headquarters. * * * * S. Hodge, who for a long time filled the place of head lad to George Jones at Greenmeadows, has lately been similarly attached to H. Neagle’s team. Hodge has now received the appointment of private trainer to the Auckland owner, Mr T. Impey, who is the possessor of several young horses. * * A * Owing to the second day of the'Pahiatua meeting clashing with the opening day at Egmont, Mr - C. O’Connor has had to forego the starter's position at Pahiatua, and the starting there this year will be done by Mr W. Price, of Wanganui.

Acting on the advice of his doctor, Mr W. G. Stead intends to retire from racing, temporarily at all events. * * # • The summer meeting of the Wellington Racing Club was most successful from all points of view. In addition to the increase of the turnover on the totalisator, there was a satisfactory addition to the gate receipts. * * * * Hawk will probably contest the Taranaki Stakes, to be decided on February 11, and which event he was successful in twelve months ago. The aged son of Martian is in great form at the present time. Still, he will need to be with such horses as Reremoana, Kiosk, Civility, High Disdain and Gascony as his likely opponents in the Taranaki race. * * ❖ * According to an Auckland report, Messrs T. and J. Paterson have disposed of the yearling Surveyor—Lady Form filly to Mr W. T. Ilazlett, of Invercargill. The filly was passed in at the Trentham blood stock sales held during last week. * * * * "On my return from Perth I received a letter from F. D. Jones, the trainer of Limerick, and I am sorry to say that we are not likely to see Limerick in Melbourne this autumn” (says "Cardigan” in the “Australasian.”) He writes: "I am afraid that the Melbourne part of the autumn trip is definitely off. It would mean commencing serious work at the end of, December to be really fit to run at Caulfield, and taking the extra travelling into consideration, it would not give Limerick the rest he deserves after his gruelling spring racing. Our first run will probably be the Rawson Stakes, at Rosehill, somewhere about the middle of March, so I can just potter along with Limerick until nearly the end of January before asking him to go any speed. He has not had time to fill out much since he raced last, but looks very bright. I suppose it will depend upon the size of the field, as well as the handicap, whether he will be a runner in the King's Cup. If we miss that race I can get home in time for both the Awapuni Gold Cup and J. D. Ormond Gold Cup races. The stakes are only fair, but tl e trophies are well worth winning.”

It is probable that the autumn meeting of the Marlborough Racing Club will be held at Trentham this season. The dates, April 18 and 19, bring the meeting in a week before, the Manaw'atu Racing Club’s fixture, and it may attract some good horses.

Commendation is still enjoying a spell, but he is reported to be in the best of health. Mr W. H. Gaisford hopes to have him in work again in a couple of months, in preparation for early spring engagements.

In his races this season Lysander has failed to show anything approaching his three-year-old form, although on the track on occasions he has galloped brilliantly. Neither his owner nor his trainer will have it that he has gone sour. It is thought that the cause of the way he has flinched in some of his races has been discovered, and the gear used on Ark Royal at Trentham may be used on Lysander.

Reports from Melbourne state that the crack three-year-old Trivalve has done well during his spell, and the track watchers at Flemington are more than pleased with the way the chestnut looks. He has not altered to any great extent, but has grown and thickened slightly. He is already doing useful work, and he should be fit to do himself full justice by the time the Victoria Racing Club’s autumn meeting comes along. At present it is extremely hard to see any of the other three-vear-olds troubling him in the Legers, as the longer distance will be in his favour. Winalot and Statesman are perhaps the most likely to chase Trivalve home, as, although Winalot did not show his best form in Melbourne, there is no doubt that he is a good colt. His Rosehill Guineas win and second in the Australian Jockey Club Derby proved that conclusively. Of Statesman good opinions were formed when he ran second in the Victoria Derby, and sixth or seventh in the Melbourne Cup. He stays well, but he looks a customer that may be more at home in handicaps under a light weight than in set weight races: Merry Mint is not likely to run, and it is to be sincerely hoped that Avant Courier is not trained to run a mile and threequarters. He is not a stayer, but the possessor of brilliant speed, and Mr Pearce is likely to have a good time with him at the autumn meetings if he is reserved for races over short courses.

/‘Cardigan,” after his midsummer visit to Perth, had the following to sa.v in regard to racing in West Australia:—“There are some trainers in Perth who are possibly as capable as the leading men of their profession in Victoria and New South Wales, but the majority of them appear to be too severe on their horses, or it may be that they are not good feeders. The result is that of all the horses racing at the Perth Cup meeting not more than 10 per cent carried any condition, rnd some were shockingly poor. There are very few good riders in the West, fiid any jockey who knows his business and is not having the best of luck in the eastern States would be well advised to give Perth a trial. Morley, Marrable. Percival and Livy are perhaps the best, but there is a wide gulf between the best and the worst. There was very little interference in races at the Perth Cup meeting, and the stewards are strict in this respect. They control the racing well, but are perhaps a little inclined to depend on reversals of form before taking action. Reversal of form inquiries are not satisfactory at any time, and it is much better to take action at once rather than wait until the horse runs again to see whether conclusions are right or wrong.

The King’s Cup, at the autumn meeting of the Australian Jockey Club, should provide a great race. Although Limerick is by no means a certain starter, says a Sydney writer, no doubt the glamour of this race will keep him in Sydney. Silvius is said to be a certain Sydney visitor, and it can be taken for granted that Sir Sidney Kidman would sooner win the King’s Cup than the Sydney Cup. Then there is Amounis, to say nothing of Trivalve, who is another almost certain runner, as Mr Ernest Clarke races for the love of the sport. Pantheon is another possibility, and may be Rapier, who has won the Wellington, New Zealand and Auckland Cups on end, will make the journey to Sydney for the autumn meetings. It should be a magnificent race, and the job of handicapping will be difficult, but it is unlikely that Mr Fred Wilson will deviate a great deal from the weight-for-age scale where the really first-class horses are concerned. He will be able to get a line as to the respective merits of Silvius and Limerick through Amounis. There is not a great deal between Limerick and Pantheon at weight for age over a distance of ground. Trivalve may be hard to weight, but, as the weights are not due until twelve days before the race is run. form at Caulfield and Flemington will help the handicapper.

Civility is in steady work again, after spelling for a few weeks, and she will be a competitor at the Wanganui meeting next month.

A triple dead heat is a rare thing on a racecourse, but it is a curious coincidence that when Broad Acre. Polydectes and Ganymede dead heated in the Ruapehu Handicap at Trentham recently they were repeating history. Eight years ago in the same event Nursing Sister (R. Reed). Borealis (G. Young), and Hepta (R. S. Bagby) crossed the line on terms. On March 12, 1926, at Napier Park, Tuahine (R. Reed), Tiega (L. G. Morris), and Crown Gem (L. Daly) were declared a triple dead heat in the Welter Handicap, seven furlongs, so that Mr 11. Coyle can lay claim to a record that probably no other handicapper in the world possessed, as he framed the handicaps for each of these races.

TROTTING NOTES. Nominations for the summer meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will close at noon on Wednesday. * * * * After the Stewards’ Handicap at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, the Judicial Committee met and disqualified F. Holmes, driver of Royal Authoress, who • finished second to Dundas Boy, for interfering with Cardinal and Blue, who finished third. Holmes has lodged an appeal against the decision of the committee. The committee also severely cautioned R. B. Berry, driver of Dundas Boy, for giving unsatisfactory evidence in the case. * ❖ * * All Peters, who won the Waverley Handicap at Forbury Park on Saturday, is a very much inbred gelding, as he is by Petereta from a Petereta mare, hence his name. He is a useful sort, owned by Mr W. J. Doyle, a resident of the Ellesmere district, but he is trained at Winchester by R. Townley, who gets a lot of good results from trotters. * * * # Audalie put up quite a good performance in the Waverley Handicap. He did not keep steady, but he deadheated for second with Quickfire. Although Audalie did not keep to his gait, he went much more steadily at the end than ditl Quickfire. * * * a Quickfire trotted solidly for the best part, of the Waverley Handicap, but in the concluding stages he was urged on so fast by his driver than he went to a break, and. not being checked, finished second with Audalie. There was an inquiry into F. Holmes not checking his horse, but after hearing the evidence the Judicial Committee decided not to take any action. *** ' * Arctotis went no better on the second day at Forbury Park than in his effort on the opening day. It now seems certain that the trotter will require a lot more schooling and race experience before he can be relied on as a stake earner. * * ❖ * Wattle Patch was somewhat slow to begin in the Waverley Handicap, but once he got into his gait he trotted with plenty of vigour and determination. He is by Bon Patch, a trotter who has sired a few good performers at the same gait. * * * * Kate Thorpe, who won the mile sad-" die event at Forbury on Saturday, was the least backed of the nineteen starters. She is a fast mare, who won at the Methven meeting early in the season, and she is trained at Hinds. * * * * Ayr gave a very disappointing display in the mile saddle event on Saturday, as, after a good beginning, she quickly faded out of the race. The Ashburton representative gave her backers a poor run for their money. * * * * The Southland pacer Desert Star put up a fine record for consistency at the Forbury Park meeting. He finished fourth in the mile saddle event on Satday, and was pacing very solidly at the conclusion of the race. * * * * Sarsaparilla is gradually becoming more solid in his races. He seems to break without cause, however. In the Gore Handicap, when going well, he broke up and seemed hopelessly out of the contest. Edwards got him going again and he finished fast enough to just beat Sea Queen, who, as usual, went a solid and reliable race. * * * * Len Wood is becoming a most expensive betting proposition. Like a great many of El Carbine's progeny, he is an unreliable trotter. At times he goes very fast and at others just the reverse. * * * * Sea Queen is one of the most honest trotters in commission. She has improved considerably since going into F. G. Holmes’s stable, but stamina and not speed is still her best asset. She is a good, honest trotter who will do a lot better before long. *'* * * Avalanche has speed, but, like Clonmel, he is far too unreliable to be backed with any degree of confidence. He faded right out of the Gore Handicap when in a good position. * * * * Terence Dillon went a much better race in the chief two-mile event on the second day at Forbury Park than he did on the first day in the Dunedin Cup. Although he seemed to be locked in on the rails for a long way in the Cup, he had plenty of time when the opportunity came to come out and race the field. Terence Dillon, however, showed no dash on the first day, while in the Metropolitan Handicap he seemed full of running and never looked like being beaten. it* * >)c . st At Forbury Park last week, Event kept up her reputation as an unreliable pacer. In the Metropolitan Handicap, he went away fast and was well placed in the early stages. As soon as the pressure came, however, Event compounded and was eventually pulled up. * * * * The field for the Metropolitan Handicap was not at all a good one. Of the nine acceptors. Downcast. Harry Audubon, Golden Devon and Event are not good over the distance. Dalnahine, by reason of his recent victories, was on a tight mark. Machine Gun is not good on a short course, and Logan Chief is out of form. This only left Terence. Dillon, Bonny Logan and Logan Park to have much chance, and the last-named misbehaved at the bar- * * * * Cardinal and Blue, who was a fast mare early in her career, but was very fractious at the barrier, has now become solid and reliable. She is a wellbred mare, being by Copa de Oro from Lady Sybil, by Rothchild from Thelma. She is now owned in Southland, where she has been at the stud for some time. * * m Dundas Boy proved in the Stewards’ Handicap that, had he got away right in the Southland Handicap, he would have made Real Light go very hard to succeed. Dundas Boy is a useful sort, who will win more races over twomile courses.

Nelson M’Elwyn was heavily backed for the Stewards’ Handicap, but at no stage of the contest did the Goretrained pacer look like having any chance. Over the last half-mile, the first three horses were well clear of the rest of the field.

Cannonball was unlucky in the Crescent Handicap, as a mistake at the start caused him to lose a lot of ground. Once he struck his gait, the West Coast-owned trotter went a really fine race, finishing third. * * * *

Engagement is a rare good trotter when at her best. She trotted solidly all the way and won the Crescent Handicap decisively. R. Townley is one of the most capable trainers of trotters, and he drove the winner with judgment. * * * * John Mauritius looked as though he would be troublesome in the Crescent Handicap. He got a wonderfully good run on the rails the last round and was* going well when he fell with Petroleuse. ♦ * * * Trampfast is right out of form at present, and his showing in his recent races is much below what he showed when he contested the pacers' events. * * * * Searchlight Lad looked a certainty for first or second place half a furlong from home in the Royal Handicap, when he broke up, leaving Daphne de Oro to win with the greatest of ease. Searchlight Lad finished a long way back. * * * * The success of Daphne de Oro in the Royal Handicap at Forbury Park on Saturday was in marked contrast to her showing in the King George Han dicap on the first day. In Friday’s race she was tenth favourite in a field of fourteen, whilst in the Royal Handicap she was a solid favourite in a field of fifteen. She never looked like being beaten in the Royal Handicap, and her success was a brilliant performance for a three-year-old filly. * * * * Tennessee’s Child paced a good race for a mile and a quarter in the Royal Handicap,' but did not show up well enough to warrant the solid support accorded the locally-trained pacer. * * * * La Sonnette went a really fine race in the Royal Handicap. He had no chance with the brilliant winner, but the New Brighton-trained pacer showed good form throughout the race. * * * * ness event at Forbury on Saturday in good style. The brilliant Oamaru sprinter was on his best behaviour, and his quick beginning made the race much easier for him. as he got a splendid position in the early stages. Brentloc still pulls very hard, and this probably settles his two-mile chances. He had to be hard driven at the end, as Concliff was finishing very fast. * * * * Concliff showed a fine turn of speed in finishing second to Brentloc in the mile harness event at Forbury on Saturday. He was a long way back in the early stages, but over the last furlong he was pacing at a high rate of speed. * * * * Harold Burwood was not in a racing mood during the progress of the Forbury Park meeting, and he failed to show up at all prominently. He has on previous occasions been seen at his best at Forbury Park.

DRIVER IN TROUBLE AT FORBURY PARK.

F. HOLMES DISQUALIFIED FOR THREE MONTHS. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, January 28. At the close of the running of the Stewards’ Handicap, at’ the Forbury Park Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday, the patrol steward, Mr R. M. Greenslade, reported that F. Holmes, the driver of Royal Authoress, had crossed Cardinal and Blue at the far bend in the last circuit. The Judicial Committee heard the evidence of Mr Greenslade, S. Todd (driver of Cardinal and Blue), R. B. Berry (driver of Dundas Boy) and F. Holmes (driver of Royal Authoress). After lengthy consideration it was decided to disqualify Holmes for three months for interfering with Cardinal and Blue, and also to severely caution R. B. Berry for giving unsatisfactory evidence at the inquiry. Holmes has appealed against the decision of the committee.

INTERESTING SPORT AT DUNEDIN.

TERENCE DILLON IN WINNING FORM. Audalie went away fast in the Wayerley Handicap and led Brent Boy in the early stages, followed by_ Quickfire and Oval, the rest of the field being some distance back. With a round to go Audalie was still in front but. All Peters had raced into second position, with Oval third and Quickfire fourth. Along the back All Peters took charge and trotting in good style had a big lead turning into the straight from Audalie, with Quickfire several lengths back. Although All Peters tired somewhat in the concluding stages, he stay ed long enough to win comfortably. Audalie, who did not go at all steadily, broke some distance from the post but settled down quickly. Quickfire was driven to a break at the end and dead heated with Audalie for second place. Some distance back came Wattle Patch, who did not go so well as on the first day. Peter Fashion did not seem able to get going in the early stages but he came on later and trotted in good style. Oval failed to stay but Arctotis, as on the first day, failed to go at all steadily. Deceitful was one of the slowest to begin but once she got going she trotted in good style. Brent Boy went well for a friile. Peter Boy was not prominent at any stage of the race.

In the mile saddle event, Sahib went away fast but he was not long in front, as Kate Thorpe assumed command and was never afterwards headed. Pointalena headed the rest of the field but. she in time was passed by Fashion Queen, who finished up strong, ly in second place. Desert Star was again responsible for a solid performance by finishing fourth. Ayr was a hot favourite but after getting away well she was quickly out of the contest and gave a very indifferent showing. Kate Thorpe showed that she possessed speed by winning at Methven some time ago. She is a useful mare, with speed as her chief asset, and she paid a dividend of over half a century. It is pleasing to see that fine pacer Fashion Queen showing good form again, as for a long time the Gore-trained mare has raced indifferently. Pointalena oc cupied a similar position to that of the first day and paced soundly all the

way. High Jinks did not begin fast enough to have any chance and the Oamaru-trained pair, Planet and Queen’s General were never prominent. Granite City gave a very poor showing and he is not racing up to track form.

Sea Queen was made favourite for the Gore Handicap and at one stage looked like securing the stake, but she was beaten in the last fifty yards by Sarsaparilla. Pieter Timmerman led the field in the early stages, followed by Avalanche, Fairlight and Len Wood, with Sarsaparilla some distance back. Pieter Timmerman lost his place through breaking at the end of a round and Avalanche went on in the lead. With a round to go Avalanche was still in command, followed by Len Wood, Sea Queen and Fairlight, whilst Pieter Timmerman had made up his lost ground and was close up. Sarsaparilla broke and lost a lot of ground and along the back Sea Queen took command. Avalanche was her closest attendant with Sarsaparilla and Pieter Timmerman not far back. In the run to the post Sarsaparilla outstayed Sea Queen and won comfortably, with Pieter Timmerman about eight lengths away third, just in front of Fairlight. Our Lady failed to begin right and Young Tom trotted badly. Peter the First looks to be a back number, whilst Randolph would not go steadily enough to have any chance. Swiftbine broke up at the start. Fairlight did not trot so well as he did on the first day.

All started for the chief two-mile event, in which Logan Park was made favourite. The favourite failed to go away at the start, and practically took no part in the race. Golden Devon was the earl} 5- leader, followed by Downcast, Harry Audubon and Event. The field raced in that order for a considerable distance, except that the backmarkers closed on the leaders. Just before entering the last round Terence Dillon followed the example set by Concliff on the first day, and rushed to the front, entering the back stretch with a big lead. Golden Devon was holding on, but along the back Bonny Logan put in her claim, and she came on to be the only one tb press Terence Dillon, who won comfortably. As on the first day. Machine Gun put in a good run over the last half-mile, and finished third, with Logan Chief, who looked well, in fourth place. The winner showed a marked reversal of form compared with his first day’s showing, and the ,public made some comment when he returned to the birdcage. Bonny Logan’s form was consistent, and she paced equally well on each day. Machine Gun paced a better race than he has done for some time on such a small track. Dalnahine was always doing his best from the back mark, but Downcast, Harry Audubon, Golden Devon and St Maura all failed to stay. Event was pacing well for a mile, and then he stopped to nothing. Cardinal and Blue led in the early stages of the Stewards’ Handicap, but the favourite, Dundas Boy, was always handy, and in the last quarter of a mile he went right away, and won with the greatest of ease. Dundas Boy was heavily-backed in the Southland Handicap on the first day, but he failed to leave the mark. Royal Authoress went a fine race behind the winner, and was second, whilst the tiring Cardinal and Blue was third. The rest of the field were well beaten; in fact, with the exception of the first three horses, none of the others showed any pretentions to two-mile form. Athalone, who finished second on the first day, was fourth. One of the disappointments of the race was Firebrand, who failed in any way to show up over the last half-mile, though he was heavily backed. Stockade Junr. failed to see out the journey, while Kinney Lou and Nan Brent were* left at the barrier. Cannonball was made favourite for the Crescent Handicap, but he did not begin right, and lost quite ten seconds. Duke Bingen, as usual, went to the front, followed by Our Lady and Clonmel, with Blue Thorpe in close attendance. Duke Bingen kept his lead, but with a round to go the field closed up with the exception of Elzear who would not settle down, and Tramp ; fast, who was trotting very badly. What looked like being a fine finish was spoilt by a mix-up between Petroleuse and John Mauritius, both of whom came down two furlongs and a half from home. In the straight, Engagement put in one of her brilliant dashes, and caught Duke Bingen on the post, winning by a narrow margin. Cannonball, who trotted in great style once he struck his gait, was third, just in front of Little Logan, with Blue Thorpe, who had broken, in fifth place. The winner, who owed her second success at the meeting to her stamina, trotted a much more solid race than on the first day. Our Lady broke up early, and Clonmel was not on his best behaviour. Little Logan saw out the journey much better than was anticipated, but Elzear would not settle down to do her work, and Trampfast seems to be altogether out of form. One of the best performances of the meeting was the brilliant success of the three-year-old filly Daphne de Oro in the Royal Handicap. She was on the back mark, but with a round to go she had worked her way into second place. In the race home Searchlight Lad, who had been in the lead all the way, broke, leaving the favourite to win with ease. Searchlight Lad went away •with a big lead, followed by Transport, with Okoura in third place With a round to go. Searchlight Lad was still in front, with Daphne de Oro second and Transport third. Four Bells was also handy at this time. The

breaking up of Searchlight Lad let the favourite win with great ease, whilst La Sonnette, who put in his claim in the last quarter of a mile, finished second, with Diamond Child third. There were a large number in the field who did not have any chance after the first six furlongs had been covered.

As is usual, the final event produced heavy speculation. Brentloc, Conclifi and the Southland bracket. Desert Star and Downcast, being backed in that order, Jean M’Elwyn was the early leader, followed by Desert Star, William the Great and Brentloc. Once in the back stretch, Brentloc went to the front, and from then on staved the journey well enough to win comfortably. In a great finish for second place, Concliff just got the verdict from Jean M’Elwyn, whilst there was not much difference between William the Great and Desert Star, who were close up. Acre and Nantwich failed to leave the mark. Brentloc is a brilliant pacer and an exceptionally fast beginner, but he does not stay at all wall. He is also a very hard puller, and this is against his chance of success over a distanoe. Concliff did not seem to pick up much of his handicap until the concluding stages. He put in a brilliant last furlong. Donside threatened danger when half the distance had been covered, but he failed to sustain his effort. Logan Holme looked well, but he is now on a very tight mark.

GOOD TROTTING IN HAWKE’S BAY.

(Special to the “Star.") ' / NAPIER, January 28 The Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club held its Summer meeting on the Hastings racecourse to-day. before a large crowd. The track was fast and the winners, with one or two exceptions, did much better than their handicap times. The racing was good all through. The amount invested on the totalisator. £10,530, was about on a par -with last year, but would have been larger but that the first four races all went to outsiders, while only one»favourite won during the day. Eleven horses started for the Novice Handicap, Queen Elizabeth and Krina being best supported. Sailor Boy, who was fifth fancy, and Hilltop, who was seventh, both beat the favourite. The ■winner was driven by the New Brighton trainer, J. N. Clarke, and is a three-year-old son of Man of War and Motley Chime*. The Taradale Handicap was a disappointing race. Mokanna and Ben Bingen were the favourites. King Peter was the only horse who did not make a mistake, and he paced a solid race. Brian Bingen showed a lot of pace, and though he broke several times, he finished second. Ilalgana and Nella Dillon were most in demand for the Clive Handicap. Halgana led for the greater part,of the journey, but in the straight Trumpeter, who was unplaced in the Novice Handicap, came with a surprising run. and under punishment scored a halflength victory from Halgana, with Fliton close up third. In a good betting race the investments on the Hawke's Bay Cup went close to the £2OOO mark. Asset was first choice, Tui Wildwood and Peter Grattan being next, with little to choose between them. All three made mistakes at the start, Tui Wildwood going up in the air, while Asset and Peter Grattan both turned round. Zell a, Kevin Brae and Lady Barrington were the leaders for a mile and a half, when Tui Wildwood closed on them, but could only beat Zella. who weakened in the straight. A good finish between Lady Barrington and. Kevin Brae saw the former win narrowly, beating her handicap time by Bsec. The Hastings Handicap saw the favourite, Hostess, get home first by half a length from Hilltop, who ran another good race. The wipner chipped a lot off her handicap time. Bonniewah, who was second fancy, put herself out of court by breaking. Leo Mauritius was better backed than "Ben Bingen for the January Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, but the favourite saw them all home, Ben Bin-

gen winining in convincing style from King Peter, who was penalised S4yd» for his previous win. Derby Lynn was first choice and Halgana second fancy for the Napier Handicap. but the favourite was slow off the mark and never made up his lost 'round. Ilalgana was in front all the >vay and won by half a length from Fliton, after a punishing finish

The last race, the Farewell Handicap, aw Asset again the favourite, with Dillon Huon second fancy. Zella took charge from the start and held her position to the finish, stalling off a challenge by Peter Grattan and winning under the whip by a length. The winner beat her handicap time by nearly three seconds. ACCEPTANCES. CHEVIOT TROTTIVG CLUB The following acceptances have been received:— TRIAL TROT fin saddle*, of 40 sova. Cla-«s 3.7. One mile and a quarter.

Cuddles acr Shirley ITIlfh Hope M’KIney Laplander scr "U arrcnore sor Kanierl Hard Bel! scr .Tune Nordica Turi Danny Boy Forward Maid 24 Country Life 36 Cullensville scr Adoree 36 DOMETT HANDICAP (In saddle), of 4S nhoppled trotters; rlass 3.65. One m le and a half. Nelson Moor Peter Huon Evl Beta n7r .Rothino Welcome 24 Lfo Bellman Whispers 4* Homeleifgh Goldmark 60 Girl 34 Margaret Peter M’Mlllan 120 CHEVIOT TROTTING CUP (in herness'), of 12C s. Class 4.56. Two miles. Joan Dillon scr Adoree scr yds bhd Authoress Dick Logan 12 Golden Dawn 60 Hard Knocks 24 Dillon Gold Great Audo 36 MINA HANDICAP (in harness), of 6S so vs. Cl a • s 5 5. Two miles. Fransie Logan Minstrel yds bhd Belle Pointer scr Kanierl Cuddles acr Country Life 72 Danny Boy -scr SPOTSWOOD HANDICAP (In harness). Class 3.45. One and a half. Prince Auto scr Great High Hope acr Triumph scr Warrenore yds bhd Prompter Fair Lad R4 Shirley Dillon Gold 144 M’Kinney scr PARNASSUS HANDICAP (In harness). of 70 so vs. For unhoppled trottara; class 5.10. Two Ducky Voyagre yds bhd Peter Huon scr Rothino 12 Mica scr Quickflre 36 Eva Reta srr Leo Bellman scr 3« St Petrox •cr Goldmark 48 Homelelyh Hula Son S4 Girl Peter M'Mlllan 132 M’KENZIE HANDICAP (In harnssa >. of 80 sovs. Class 3.4. One mils and «, quarter. Forward Maid scr yda bhd Joan Dillon scr 12 Proud Dillon Fair Lad 24 Beta Nelson scr Greateaux 24 Audience scr Hard Knocks 24 Cullensville scr Royal Authorsss 86 BODLABD MEMORIAL HANDICAP (iff saddle), of 55 son e. Class 1.28. On* mils. Cuddles acr Thus scr Bell Somerton acr yds bhd Laplander scr Dan Logan Hard Bell scr Annerley Turf scr Macanda 96