REVIEW OF FORM FOR TO-MORROW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18385, 10 February 1928, Page 3

REVIEW OF FORM FOR TO-MORROW.

METROPOLITAN MEETING PROMISES GOOD SPORT. (By OBSERVER.) The Summer meeting of the Metropolitan Club at Addington to-morrow, should prove a great attraction, and there is every prospect of a record attendance for the- one-day fixture. The exhibition match between Great Bingen and Native Chief is arousing much enthusiasm, and many who do not usually extend their patronage to trotting fixtures, are anxious to witness the contest between these two classy pacers. On the strength of his phenomenal track work, Native Chief is favourite, but Great Bingen seems to have returned to form and should make nis younger rival show something sensational, if he is to remain in front at the end of the mile journey. As this event will be staged as an “extra." there will be the usual eight races with opportunities for investors, so the public will have a good measure of entertainment during the day. The club has received a splendid acceptance, and large fields are the order of the day In the minor events, the best quality in the respective classes is well in evidence, though as the principal event for the leading club, the class is not all it might be. As a 4.32 class, however, it has attracted a big acceptance, which includes many prom--1S L in^,i )e^ormers ’ a g°°d contest should result. As a result of the holiday racing, there is a lot of form available to guide the punters—so much, in fact, that it mav be difficult to follow. The result will probably be that most of the races will see a number of horses well .supported on the totalThe first event is a mile and a half. 3.34 class, for unhoppled trotters. Nelson Boy, on scratch, ran well, but unluckily at Auckland, where he was third in each of his three starts. He finished the meeting by going 3.32 3-5 sec from a 3min 38sec mark, so he must still be considered. Herbilwyn has not been racing very convincingly. Sarsparilla and Swiftbine are on 12 yards, and the public will no doubt remember the former’s three victories since New Year. If Swiftbine leaves the mark properly he should lead the field home, as he has a great turn qf speed. On 36 yards are Nelson M’Kinney, Petroleuse, Lady Fan and Wild Hebe. The first two appeal most. Nelson M’Kinney has raced consistently this season and looks well treated. Petroleuse gave an indication at Forbury that there would be better performances to follcfcv, and providing she has recovered from the effects of her collision, must be hard to head off. Nourmahal on 48 yards has been performing well in her track work, and promises to be well supported. Real the Great, on the same mark, trotted a solid race t>n the second day of the Canterbury Park fixture. On 72 yards is Duke Bingen, a good trotter with 3.24 2-5 to his credit for the distance. With a good run he should be close up. Sarsparilla, who looks to be much more solid than he formerly was, Petroleuse and Nelson M’Kinney should be prominent.

The mile saddle event—a 2.16 class—has attracted seventeen acceptors, of which nine are on scratch. Of this lot, Pomtalena has been running into a place consisently, but is a bit of a slug and requires a lot of riding. Firpo is nicely placed, as he traversed the mile in saddle last year in 2min 13 l-ssec. If back to form, he

should go close to the money. Kulnine gave a good performance in saddle at Ashburton, and in going 2min ’sl 2-5 sec for a mile and a quarter, was not troubled. Of those farther back, Jean M’Elwyn has been running well, but on Ashburton form should not beat Kulnine. Doctor Dillon and Oiumet on 24 yards should run well. Darknite and Countryman look too far back. Of the remainder, Sahib, on the track, goes well, but disappointed too often to be worthy of much consideration. Kulnine looks to have a royal chance, and Doctor Dillon and Jean M’Elwyn should also be prominent. Seventeen horses still stand their ground in the principal event, the Midsummer Handicap. Harry Audubon, Billy Sea and William the Great are on scratch. The first two appear to have no chance, and, in fact, Billy Sea appears on the “ schooling list ” in the Official Calendar of February 9. William the Great will yet be a good twomiler, but at present must be passed over. On 12yds are St Maura, Trimmer, Shine Soon. Peter Swift and Golden Devon. The last-named cannot be regarded as a stayer. Peter Swift is a good trotter, but against the good pacers he appears to have little chance from this mark. Shine Soon has not been seen to advantage for some time. St Maura did not per-

form so well at Dunedin as her track Work suggested. She may do better on her home track. If Trimmer runs tip to his form in the November Handicap. where he defeated Jewel Pointer and Author Jinks when in receipt of 36yds and 24yds respectively, he should be one of the prominent, ones at the finish. lie went 4min 31 l-ssec on this occasion, and, although he was

almost “all in” at the finish, Jewel Pointer was no better, and the rest of the field were w-ell beaten off. This is his first attempt in good company, but he should give a good account of him-

self. Of the quartet on 24yds, Pluto reads best. His win at Ashburton was, something to enthuse over. Pan Yan must also be held in respect, and, if he has suffered no harm from the knock in training, should show up. He was second to Pluto, and second again to Dalnahine when the latter won in the mud at Canterbury Park. lie is in the same stable as St Maura. Fight Ever is on a good mark for him, but Trampfast seems to have temporarily lost form. Auther Jinks and Machine Gun,

on 48vds, are two good ones. Machine Gun ran two thirds at the recent Forbury meeting, demonstrating that he is now handling the left-handed going much better. On the last occasion Author Jinks was in action he was second, from the same mark, to the much improved Dalnahine. He should come up fresh from his spell and ready to go a good two miles. Acron, on 60yds, is too well known to need comment. Waitaki Girl, on S.4yds, has been let up a bit, and should be running on at the finish. She should remain in front of Jewel Pointer on 96yds. It is a hard race to narrow down. One would like to be with Pluto, but it is too far a cry from the end of a 4min 3Ssec class to a 4min 30sec mark. He will have admirers, however, and his presence will add interest to the event. In spite of previous failures at Addington, Machine Gun should show up. Trimmer and Author Jinks should also be in the picture, with F. G. Holmes’s pair showing up.

The Papanui Handicap, a 4min 37sec class, two miles, presents a proper puzzle. High Jinks was close up at Ashburton to the three horses which improved considerably on their times. Quality was second *at Forbury in 4min 36 l-ssec. These two are on scratch. On 12yds are Avenger, Zenith, Colene Pointer and Jackie Audubon. The former pair have so far appeared to greater advantage as sprinters. Jackie Audubon is an improving sort. He won at Forbury in 4min 37 sec. Colene Pointer won in November in 4min 37 3-ssec. These two wins were registered rather easily. On 24yds are Rey Logan, Ariki, Nantwich* and Kotuku Jack. Rey Logan is probably still a sprinter. Ariki won in 4min 35 sec last August, but has not been seen to advantage since. Nantwich, like Kotuku Jack, must be taken on trust as far as two-mile journeys are concerned. Honour Bright is also on 24sec, but has not been seen to advantage for some time. Of the trio on 36yds, Epigram looks best. He has the speed, and on his breeding and the manner in which he fights out a finish he should stay. King Pointer ran well at Auckland, and won in 4min 35 1-5 sec. He is now meeting a better lot. Dalmeny is a good, honest sort, but may require a race or two yet. Jackie Audubon looks to have a good chance, but what of Colene Pointer and Epigram? There are still half a dozen others with equally good chances, it seems.

After the exhibition match is the unhoppled trotters contest, a 4.42 class, two miles. Audobell on 12yds is working much better, but will find two hard ones in Frisco Beau and Petroleuse on 24yds. Duke Bingen on 36yds is” staying better, but will have trouble in remaining in front of Cannonball on 60yds.. The backmarker, Elzear, would be hard to beat if she gave of her best, but she has been unreliable of late. Still, she is about due to do it right. Cannonball, Petroleuse and Duke Bingen should be in the picture. In the next event, the juveniles will try conclusions over the mile and a half course. * The scratch division is not over-burdened with experience, but Rey Child showed at Cheviot that he knew a bit about the game. Don Derby, on 12vds, in spite of his Dunedin display, may catch some of the money. On 36yds is Great Triumph (penalised for his Cheviot win), and this fellow should account for the stake. Pet Locanda, also on 36yds, looks next best. Harvest Child appears to have too big a task.

The Liverpool Handicap, a 4.42 class, two miles, has drawn a large field of twenty-three. If Carbine Direct, on scratch, gives his best effort, anything that beats him will have to go fast. Searchlight Lad looks best of this lot. On 12yds are two good ones in Mac Dillon and Sarelia. The latter has a great finishing effort. Orphan, on 24yds, is a promising sort, as are Jolly Pet and La Sonnette on 36yds. Great Actress and Acre, on 48yds, will soon be in better company. The former’s Auckland form was not correct. Sarella, Searchlight Lady and La Sonnette should be prominent. Proceedings will conclude with the Craven Handicap, a 2.46 class mile and a quarter event, for which there is at present a large field. As several will probably be seen out earlier in the da}', this number may be reduced. If reserved for this event, Trimmer, on scratch, should make a good showing. The distance should suit Fight Ever on 12yds, and Roicole on the same mark is good enough if he does it right. The six competitors on 24yds look to hold good chances. Logan Chief promises to win a stake soon. Queen’s Own is working well, but then she doesn’t often repeat her work with the colours up. Taurekareka has improved a great deal, but is now with some good ones. Black Admiral must have a good chance if he has trained on since Canterbury Park. Sea Pearl has yet to show to advantage at Addington, while Logan Holme looks as though the handicapper has found him cut. Terence Dillon should also go well. Bessie Logan has not been working convincingly. Author Jinks should be capable of doing a great mile and a quarter, but will have to travel to remain in front of Jewel Pointer on 48yds. The latter looks the pick of his division. Black Admiral should show up in the straight, and, if reserved for this event. Jewel Pointer and Author Jinks should also be prominent.