THE SPORT OF KINGS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXI, 13 August 1921, Page 6

THE SPORT OF KINGS.

METROPOLITAN TROTS. {To the Advertiser-By arrangement] CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. The Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting concluded to-day in damp weather. The track was heavy, but not so bad as had been anticipated. The weather did not affect the financial re-, suits to any extent, and the racing was of a high order. There were 19 starters for the Midwinter Handicap, a trotters’ saddle race. Peter the First, The Sligo, Couplet, Real Lady, and Electioneer Child were the popular picks. Belville Wood led off from Bushranger, but broke up early. Six furlongs from home the leaders were Bushranger, Merry Bingen, Real Lady, and Bundaberg. Bundaberg broke going out of the straight, and running along the back Merry Bingen was out in front of Real Lady. McLennan sent Merry Bingen along at the bend, and entered the straight a dozen lengths clear of Real Lady, Bushranger and Bundaberg being the only others handy. Merry Bingen won easing up by five lengths, Bushranger and Bundaberg both breaking near the finish, and allowing Real Lady to secure second money without difficulty. Another field of 19 contested the mile saddle race, for which backers favoured Silver Shoe, Lens and Capriccio in that order. Capriccio did not go ’away, and Silver Shoe also broke at the start, but got off after losing some ground. At the end of a couple of furlongs the front division was Hayseed, Frank Tracey, Ariadne, and Nell Pointer. At the tanks about ten horses were in a bunch, and a great finish ensued. Silver Shoe got a lucky run on the rails, and putting in a strong dash won by a couple of lengths from Auguste Dillon, who just beat Soprano. Birdwood, Wonderland and Hayseed were in a row just behind the place getters. Captain Stanley made a mistake early in the race, but finished ■well, and Bell Fashion was interfered with when going freely. Silver Shoe has been a consistent performer at Addington.

The National Cup, the principal event of the meeting, was a great betting race, Willie Lincoln, Man o’ War, Sherwood, Trix Pointer and Albert Cling being covered by a margin of little more than 100 tickets. Passing -the stand the first time Partner, Silver Nut, Jack Arrah and Asturio were fading, and at the end of another ciruit Partner was showing the way to fsturio, with Man o’ War close up on he outside. Going along the back luthor'-"Dillon moved up, and at the ftnkg Man o’ War took charge, followed by Sherwood, Vice Admiral, and Author Dillon. Man o’ War was never afterwards troubled, and won by about thrde lengths from Sherwood. Albert Cfing, who was last two furlongs from home, came round the field with a lightning run, and just failed to secure second money. Author Dillon was fourth, and W’illie Lincoln fifth. Man o’ "War was confidently driven by J. Btyce, being taken over a lot of ground to avoid trouble. Albert Cling was the unlucky horse of the race, as ho was interfered with when making a move half a mile from home, and with two furlongs to go was last. Author Dillon took the 125 sovs attached to fourth place. . .... . The public was again divided m choice on the Federal Handicap, Embracer, Dillon Direct, Coil and Ben Iximond being very evenly supported. Peter Mac did not move off, and Jewelwood lost ground at the start. Thea, Prince Burlington, and Ben Lomond made the running, but at the end oif seven furlongs Coil had run to the front with Makamako, Tea and Ben Lomond next. At the back Ben Lomond took charge and led round the last bend from Dillon Dirept. In the straight Ben Lomond easily held his place, winning comfortably from Dillon Direct. Embracer put in a gbod run down the straight, and looked like getting third place, but was cut down just on the line by Prince Burlington. Coil faded out at the finish, and - was beaten into fifth place. In the Heathcots Handicap, a race for three and. four-year-olds, the coupled pair After Hours and Lady Joan were inado lire hottest favourites of the meeting. After Hours was slow to begin, and Florrie Audubon made play ftom Yen Yen, who ran to the front at the end of half a half, but «oon retired, and a quarter of a mile from home the order was Florrie Audubon, After Hours, Lady Joan and Nelson Derby. After Hours left his feet just as he was closing on the leader, sftid Florrie udubon won comfortably by half a d >zen lengths or more from Lady Joan, who was a couple of lengths in advance of her bracket mate, Tobermory and Bingenette were the next to two finish.

Oamaru provided the favourite for the trotters’ rare, the Addington Handicap, but Marietta and the Bryce couplet were also solidly supported. Navarre again stood on the mark, and Koraki broke up at the start. Harold Child made play from Overrate, and Binger, and led from end to end.

Passing the stand the first time the leaders were Harold Child, Overrate, Effie Bingen, and they occupied the same positions at the conclusion of the next circuit, where Theseus was close up fourth. Whispering W’illie moved up at the back, and at the turn Overrate and Effie Bingen began to weaken. Harold Child turned into the straight with a good lead, and won by over two lengths from Theseus, who stalled off a late run by Whispering Willie and! annexed second money by nearly a length. After the placed horses came Overrate and. Marvin Junior.

Royal Step, Bryce’s trio, Cappriccio and Paul Dufault carried most of the money in the Islington Handicap. When s half a mile had been traversed Irvar, Vilo, Chid and Belmont Chimes were in the van, but both Bryce’s horses broke soon afterwards. Entering the last lap the order was Chid, Vilo, Trooper Dillon and Paul Dufault. Cappriccio moved up going along the back, and at the bend was in second place behind Trooper Dillon, with Royal Step also going well. Trooper Dillon held his place to the finish, and won nicely by three lengths. Legacy finished strongly, and secured third money from Nellie Scott and Belmont Chimes. Nellie Scott lost ground at the start, which prejudiced her chances, and Royal Step nearly came down in the straight. Nearly £3OOO was invested on Albert Cling and Cello Sydney Wilkes in the Farewell Handicap, toe others well backed being Gloaming and Guynemer. Captain Stanley, Marie Tempest and Oinako lost their chances at toe start. Passing the stand Tatsy Dillon, Logan Queen and Guynemer were in front, but Albert Cling was just behind the bunch. Guynemer, Moneymaker and Gleaming were going best at toe home bend, but once in toe straight Albert Cling was sent along, and flying up the running toe Oamaru pony won by over a length from Gleaming, who was half a length in front of Guynemer and Moneymaker. Albert Cling, who was again driven by J. Henderson, registered a brilliant performance, and is sure to be one of the favourites for the Trotting Cup.