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Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 193, 15 August 1931, Page 21

New Zealand Sires Score Well. HAROLD LOGAN AGAIN. (By OBSERVER.) The Metropolitan Trotting Club’s August meeting was concluded yesterday. The fields were large, but the winners in each event had clear-cut victories. Although a number of horses were feeling the effects of their earlier racing, the events were all full of interest. A feature of the meeting, which was particularly noticeable yesterday, was the success of New Zealand-bred sires. Matchlight, represented by Gemlight (twice) and Glenrossie and Oinaku (Belinda (2) and Milo Minto) each had three winners. Four Chimes was represented by Ayrmont Chimes, a dual winner, while Sungod, with Sunchild and Meteor also had two winners. Erin’s King (Satin King) and Our Thorpe (Harold Thorpe) were also represented, crediting twelve winners out of a total of twenty-four races to New Zealandbred stallions- Importations in Sir Voyage (2) and Stanley T won three events, while Australian-bred sires (later raced in New Zealand) in Happy Voyage and Man o’ War sired winners in Regal Voyage and Warplane, leaving only seven first places to the American sires. New Zealand sires were well represented in all classes. Glenrossie was the big money-winner of the meeting, and the most consistent performer amongst the high-grade pacers; Gemlight was the best trotter in his class, and Satin King, Belinda and Ayrmont Chimes the outstanding performers amongst the two-milers in the middle and outer circles. Gemlight Improved. Previous to this meeting Gemlight had not shown form which suggested he would be the outstanding trotter in his class. . It was natural that he should be at very liberal odds the first time out, but in view of his two very fine performances his party received a handsome dividend again yesterday. Gemlight went very kindly and solidly in his races and must be kept in mind for other events this season l —perhaps at two miles, for he showed good staying ability in his three races. Repute trotted three good races without getting much money. Her positions were third, fourth and second. She just lacks the finishing dash to make her a good winner. When thoroughly wound up Ambition should have a good innings in/ this class. She finished fourth yesterday and by the time she next goes to the races should be a much better mare. Merce Bingen was one of the most promising young trotters of last season and should be a good winner later. White Satin was all to pieces at this meeting, but when Tomkinson gets her to her best she will take high honours. Meteor at Last. Well placed throughout the mile saddle. race, Meteor came away in the straight to record a decisive win. As far as backers were concerned, those supporting Sunchild were unfortunate, as this fellow appeared to have the second place at his mercy when he stumbled a few yards from the post. Wild Voyage, always a good saddle mare, finished strongly to cut him out of the dividend. After being in a i handy position throughout Steel All : was next, though making no impres- j sion on the leader. Great Ballin came i fast in the straight, but was never in ' a dangerous position. The disappointment was John Jinks. Though not holding a particularly good position throughout the first three-quarters, he was close enough to the leaders at the top of the straight, but after a short efiort he started to slip back. Class Tells. Although form pointed to two recent entrants to the good class racing in Satin King and Regal Voyage being prominent at the finish of the National Handicap, the proved horses left them high ana dry at the finish. Although he was fourth on Wednesday Harold Thorpe showed immense improvement yesterday and won with great dash from Roi L’Or and Harold Bogan. A very smart beginning gave the winner a good position and a splendid run throughout, and this may have made ail the difference to him. Roi L’Or again showed himself a great beginner and soon ran into a handy position, but he had no chance with Harold Thorpe at the finish. The unlucky horse of the race was Harold Logan. He must have paid a dividend but for a check which cost him some lengths at the critical stage. In more generous mood than usual, Lindbergh finished fourth and Regal Voyage, after having a good race | and getting to the front with a quarter I still to go, failed to stay on as well as j in her other race.

j Satin King was well enough placed I if he had been good enough to go on.

Won the National Handicap at Addington. Arethusa Expensive. Arethusa was again a hot favourite in the slow mile and a-quarter, but again broke, and let her supporters down badly. Warplane, the second choice, was soon in a bad position, and a few others, evidently feeling the effects of hard racing, made mistakes in the running. Another good beginning gave Milo Minto an excellent position, and he was able to hold off Great Ballin, who came from the clouds at the finish. The Auckland horse has a great turn of speed, but is a somewhat slow beginner to utilise his pace to advantage in short races. Eugene de Oro and Sunny Bob were next. The latter may be an early winner, as the racing improved him a good deal. Belinda Still Wins. Though penalised forty-eight yards for her first win and advanced to a better class, Belinda was again equal to the occasion, though she was extended this time by Steel All and Tarndale. Dillon Logan, who raced with Belinda most of the way, faded out when the real racing commenced, and it looks as though he may be best first time St. George began slowly, but ran the distance in fine style to finish fourth. Sir Voyage Again. On form, Sir Voyage’s most serious opposition yesterday should have been from Stanley T and Quickfire. Stanley T would not settle down, and took no part, and Quickfire', feeling the effects of the earlier efforts, broke badly, so there was nothing to extend the exAustralian. Native Star soon worked her way up to a good position, but was not able to make any more impression on Sir Voyage. The rest were simply outclassed. The winner is one of the best trotters imported to this country, and had he been in his best form on the first day would probably have accounted for all the trotting e- ints at the meeting. With this fellow and Surprise Journey Tomkinson will have some say in the big events for unhoppled horses.

Ran into second place on two occasions at Addington. He was one of the unlucky horses at the meetA Real Stayer. J. Bryce, jun., had a great drive behind Ayrmont Chimes, getting a splendid run through on the rails, which landed him in a nice position. Bryce kept his horse handy until the straight was reached, when he went after the leader. As on the first day, Ayrmont Chimes accounted for the horse ahead m a few strides, but once in front he sat back perfectly satisfied with his performance, and had to be smacked along right to the winning post. This is a peculiarity of a number of the Four Chimes breed. So long as there is a horse in front they will fight to bt..t him, but once out in front they do not race the same. Ayrmont Chimes was responsible for a fine performance, and now that he has come right, should be a good winner this season. Lifebuov owed his second placing to his staying powers, and Netta Oro was third. Impromptu had every chance, but stopped when the hard racing started. Easy for Harold Logan.

Going easily all the way in the highclass mile and a-quarter, Harold Logan left the remainder without visible effort and recorded one of the easiest wins of the meeting. This fellow holds his form well, and has the stamina to stand plenty of racing. On his form yesterday he should be the one for the Trotting Cup if he can be produced in the

Accounted for the last race at Addington yesterday. same form at November. Glenrossie continued his consistent form, and beat the rest as easily as Harold Logan beat him. He was the big stake-winner at the meeting, and has evidently had his education completed. Muriel de Oro ran a surprisingly good race to finish third, and Dundas Boy was again in the picture in fourth place. Great Logan broke when holding a good position. On his r .ning in the big race Harold Logai. appeared the best proposition of the day for this event.