TROTTING NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20455, 7 November 1934, Page 12

TROTTING NOTES.

Satin King broke down early in the contest for the Hagley Handicap, and, although he got to the leaders when four furlongs had been covered, his infirmity told on him severely by the time he had travelled a mile, and that v'as the end of his chance. He limped back to the enclosure. A GREAT SUCCESS. The first day of the X'ew Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s spring carnival was a big success. Better racing has not previously been seen at Addington, and the contest for the Xew Zealand Trotting Cup was one of the most successful that has been run under the jurisdiction of the premier I club. A large crowd assembled long before the Cup candidates were scheduled to parade, and the excitement that prevailed during the contest recalled the most prosperous days of the sport. The meeting was exceptionally well conducted, the secretary, Mr A. I. Rattray, and his assistants being entitled to much credit for the efficiency in every department. The course was in splendid order, and the starter, Mr A. J. Hastings, got the fields away in excellent style. The totalisator returns for the day showed a shrinkage of £1420 as compared with the corresponding day last year. The figures were £42,363 10s as against £43,783 10s in 1933. A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE. Worthy Queen appeared to be trotting somewhat gingerly in her preliminary, but in the Spring Handicap at Addington yesterday she went off at -a great clip, and going without th 6 semblance of a mistake was just beaten for third place. It was a great effort on the part of the trotting queen, but when she returned to the paddock she appeared to be very sore. J. S. Shaw, her trainer-driver, asserted, however, that it is nothing serious as she is suffering from a splint which is slowly developing. Under the circumstances her effort in the race was all the more meritorious. WILL WIN AGAIN. Sea Gift was made favourite for the Spring Handicap at Addington yesterday, but she gave her backers a shock by breaking twice early, Teviot Downs heading her and establishing a good lead. The favourite later settled down, however, and trotted fast to the finish, winning rather easily. She is by Wrack from a Paul Iluon mare. Paul f Huon, who came from Australia, was a good trotter in his day and won a number of two-mile races, so that Sea Gift is bred on sound trotting lines. She is a great stayer and looks like reaching high honours over all distances later. In the meantime, she seems to race more solidly on grass tracks. WILL MAKE AMENDS.

Teviot Downs was second favourite for the Spring Handicap at Addington yesterday, and although he was not very fast away he took the lead when the favourite broke. With haif a mile to go and in the lead, Teviot Downs broke, and through a rein breaking he could not be pulled back to his gait till well into the straight, when his driver was fortunate enough to be able to get him to the outside of the track. But for the mistake the southern trotter looked like being in the divi-dend-paying section. A FINE TROTTER. Nell Yolo was made favourite for the Middleton Handicap at Addington yesterday. She was slow away and lost several lengths, but once the Aucklander settled down she trotted in a most attractive manner. It looked as though she met with some slight interference at the entrance to the straight and put in a break which took a lot of interest out of the race as at this point the favourite was going very fast. Settling down again she finished in third place. HE JUST WON. Cloudy Range was backed as though he could not be beaten in the Empire Handicap at Addington yesterday, and he finally succeeded. His task was made easier through several in the 1 race failing to begin right. Cloudy Range, like the winner of the first race, is by. Wrack and a speedy sort. He has won three races for his trainer, E. C. M’Dermott, who holds him on lease from Durbar Lodge, Ltd. A SENSATIONAL EFFORT. One of the features of the Empire Handicap at Addington yesterday was the brilliant final effort by Peter Locanda. The Brent Locanda pacer, who has established a reputation for speed, was a good distance back w’hen the straight was reached. Once in line for home he came with a great dash and got to within a head of the favourite at the finish. It was quite a fine burst of speed that the son of Reta Peter turned on at the end. HAROLD THE GREAT. Making a good beginning as usual Harold Logan was quickly well up with the field in the New Zealand Trotting Cup and kept a position that was satisfactory. When the back sfretch was reached and the speed was on, Indianapolis went away, followed by i Blue Mountain, but Harold Logan also made an effort and three furlongs from home it was apparent that the final issue would be between these three. Although Harold Logan failed to catch the other two, he was easily third and went 4min 12 2-osec for the two miles. It was a great effort on the part of the champion. Private watches timed him to travel the two miles from starting post to winning post in 4min llsec.

Red Shadow, who was second favourite for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, never looked like a winner. Going out of the straight the last time Red Shadow was almost last and his finishing effort was not at all impressive. It was a very fast run race, but Red Shadow failed to put much dash into his work, especially over the last half-mile. A GAME PACER.

Blue Mountain, who got second in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, was always well placed throughout the race. He followed Sunny Morn in the early stages, but half a mile from home he had fallen back a little. When Indianapolis went away just after passing the half-mile post the last time Blue Mountain set out after him. and a little less than three furlongs from home he was in second place. He came on well, but could not quite catch the big pacer, suffering defeat by a length. Blue Mountain’s effort was a very tine one.

At Addington yesterday, the Judicial Committee met to inquire into the interference to Real Burton in the Riccarton Handicap, and it was decided that the committee was satisfied that interference took place, but, owing to the conflicting nature of the evidence, no action was taken. HAS IMPROVED. N’ew Metford now seems to have settled down to trot solidly. The Rev de Oro trotter always had plenty cl speed but rarely went through a ra e without several mistakes. He is now trained by R. J. Humphries, who has I evidently got him to trot solidly. It | only requires him to keep to his te-v. to soon be a winner.