TROTTING-

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 10

TROTTING-

WORK AT EPSOM AND OTAHUHU. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, December 20. Features of the training work at Epsom and Otahuhu this morning were the brilliant trials done by Kohara and Jewel Pointer at Otahuhu, and the rare exhibition of trotting given by Etta Cole at Epsom. The conditions were excellent, and all work was done oft the dirt tracks. Etta Cole, from a flat-footed start, set out to go two miles. She trotted the first half in lmin llsec, the mile in 2mm 19 2-ssec, the mile and a half in 3min 26sec, and the two miles in 4min 34sec. She did the last mile and a half in lmin llsec. It was a fine performance, and she only made one slight skip in the last half-mile. Gold Treasure was given three miles at a comfortable pace without hopples. Explosion was sent a mile and a half strapped up. He paced the first half in lmin 10 l-ssec, the mile in 2min 17 4-ssec, the mile and a quarter in 2min 50sec, and the mile and a half in 3min 24 l-ssec. He finished up in great style, coming home over the last half-mile in lmin 6 2-ssec. Worthy Chief paced a mile in 2min 20sec. The Derby candidate was hunted right out, and his effort was not impressive. Nella Dillon and Warplane were companions over a mile and a quarter. Warplane stood Nella Dillon up several lengths’ start, and just played with her at the finish. Warplane jogged the distance in 2min 52sec. Nella Dillon was driven out, taking 2min 55 l-ssec. The Cup candidates Mountain Dell (Smith) and The Abbey (Clifton) were sent away together to go two miles. Mountain Dell at once stepped into the lead and, with The Abbey following a length away, the first half mile was stepped in lmin 13 2-ssec. They got to the mile in 2min 19 2-ssec, and the mile and half in 3min 28 l-ssec. Then the pace was clapped on and Mountain Dell kept The Abbey off to beat him just over a length, the two miles taking 4min 32 2-ssec. The last mile and a half was done in the smart time of 3min 19sec, and the last half mile in lmin 4 l-ssec. Mountain Dell paced freely all the way and though The Abbey was driven hard up the straight he could not get to her. Benefice (Bryce) was allotted a mile and a half task. She jogged the first half mile and reached the mile in 2min 24sec, when she was given her head and, showing a fine turn of speed, came home over the last half mile in lmin 3sec. Warspite (Fairman) did not infuse much dash into his work over a mile and a quarter in 2min 53 2-ssec. Gold Jacket (M’Mahon) and Mignonne were to go a mile and a half together. Mignonne went away with four lengths’ start, but was eased up and waited for Geld Jacket. They then ran the first half in lmin 13 l-ssec, the mile in 2min 20sec, the mile and a quarter in 2min 53sec, and the full distance in 3min 26 3-ssec, the last half mile being done in lmin 6 3-ssec. Gold Jacket beat Mignonne by two lengths, • but the mare was not driven out. The Cup candidate Logan’s Pride bad the hopples on, but was only given the slowest of jogging. He was moving very gingerly, and displaying distinct signs of lameness. At Otahuhu the treat of the morning was provided w’hen Kohara and Jewel Pointer were companions over two miles. Kohara had a shade the better of it at the jump-off, and he was still in front at the end. The two miles were paced in the fast time of 4min 23sec, and it was a great Cup trial on the part of both horses. They are right at the top of their form. Kohara will be driven by J. Bryce in the Cup. (Other late sporting will be found on page 11.)