TROTTING NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 256, 28 October 1931, Page 10

TROTTING NOTES.

yl STRONG contingent of Canterbury horses will be racing at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. H« * * * Dollar King could not handle the track or the going at Greymouth. The big Drusus gelding went from bad to worse as the meeting progressed. H« * * * The racing at Greymouth should improve the pacer First Prince, who paced fairly well in each of .his efforts. There is little doubt that he will do a long way better on a larger track. * * * * Harold Thorpe was the outsider in the Greymouth Handicap, on the first day, and was also least backed in the Jubilee Handicap, on the second day, Jolly Pet carrying more money than the National Handicap winner. Harold Thorpe looked in fine order and on each day showed that he is on the top of his form, as in patches he paced very fast. He also appears to be quite sound. * * * * The three-year-old filly Tuscan raced very consistently at Greymouth. On the first day she was fourth in the Introductory Handicap and second in the Blaketown Handicap, while on Monday she was second in the Tradesmen’s Handicap and fourth in the Cobden Handicap. She looked very light in condition, but she raced better on the second day. * * * * The New Zealand Cup candidate, Vesuvius, started only on the first dav of the recent Greymouth meeting. In the twelve furlongs and a half event he was prominent for about a mile, but after that he quickly faded out of the contest. Vesuvius does not appear to be so well as he was a couple of months ago and he will require to show decided improvement during the next fortnight to receive much support for the Cup. SUCCESS REPEATED. The Belfast trainer, C. S. Donald, raced a useful team last year at the spring meeting of the Greymouth Club, being in charge himself. On the first day he won a double with Author Franz and got a second with Harvest Girl, who was ridden by C. King. Donald left after the first day, so as to be present at the Oamaru Trotting Club’s meeting. On the second day at Greymouth, Lydia Pointer, Patty Bingen and Bessie Logan won, while

Author Franz was third. Last Saturday Donald won with Ron and left that evening for Oamaru. History repeated itself, as Avernus and Ulm won, with Ron and Sir Guy in second places, while Erin’s Star was again in third place. * * H« * The trotters racing at the recent meeting of the Greymouth Trotting Club were hardly up to the average of those who have raced on the track in the past. Peter Fashion accounted for the long distance race each day, but only because he kept steadily to "his work. Mis Wilkes had a somewhat easy victory on the first day in the Petrie Handicap and trotted fast in both her races on the second day, finishing second and third, but she did not keep steady. Great Burton showed some speed but also failed to keep to her gait. Childe Bay went steadily enough but was deficent in stamina. Our Bingen, who won on the last day, will make considerable improvement, while Marven Guy looks to be a good one in the making. Fairyland could not get up an)’ speed on the first day, although she finished second, and she broke on the last day. Real Boy trotted fast but very unsteadily and he does not seem to be getting out of this bad fault. WILL HAVE TO IMPROVE. The Nelson trainer, L. F. Berkett, raced his New Zealand Cup candidates, Dilworth and Imprint, at the Greymouth Club’s meeting. On each day Berkett drove Dilworth, N. Kearns being behind Imprint. Imprint paced solidly each day, but the track was to his liking. Dilworth, on the first day, went a shocking race and her form must have been all wrong, otherwise she would not have been started. On the second day she went much better and she may have been responsible for the success of Arikitoa, as she kept Red Shadow hard at it for ovei a mile and the first day’s winner was unable to withstand Arikitoa’s final dash. Berkett is coming on from Greymouth to Addington this week to finish off the training of Dilworth and Imprint for the November meeting. Both will need to improve considerably on their Greymouth showing to have any chance in the New Zealand Cup. FIXTURES. October 31—Banks Peninsula R.C. October 31—Wellington T.C. November 10, 12, 13—N.Z.M.T.C.