TROTTING TOPICS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21033, 8 February 1940, Page 11

TROTTING TOPICS

Equipoise is stated to be under a cloud and there is every probability that he may forego his engagements at the approaching Epsom gathering After working the other morning he was sore and S. M. August stated that the horse would have to improve if he is to go into the starter’s hands this week. Star Pronto Star Pronto has been shaping attractively on the tracks at Epsom and promises to strip in forward condition for racing at the approaching meeting. He is to contest the Otahuhu Handicap this week, an event in which he has previously proved successful. Star Pronto was not seen to advantage at the summer meeting but in his present improved condition may make amends. Red Flush While tiie form of Red Flush at the Auckland Christmas meeting fell below expectations he would need only to reproduce that of earlier meetings to make amends soon. Prioi to the holidays he shaped stylishly to prevail in the Jellicoe Handicap and appeared unlucky to be narrowly beaten in the Labour Day Handicap. At Claudelands he endorsed that fine form by winning the Auckland Cup trial. In Good C ondition According to reports Three Bells is in splendid heart for engagements at the Auckland meeting in which case he will have to be conceded every chance in Saturday’s Otahuhu Handicap. A most consistent type he defeated a good field in the Remuera Handicap at Epsom in October, was narrowly beaten in the Cup Trial here and subsequently accounted for the St. Helier’s Handicap on the first day of the Auckland Summer meeting from the J. F. Smith combination, Josedale Grattan and Nervie’s Last. Chances of Tangatu Tangatu, who is to contest the Otahuhu Handicap at Epsom on Saturday, has been racing consistently of late and though he has not won outright his placed performances hold promise of better things. He was runner-up to Francisco in the Massey Memorial Handicap at the August meeting, accounted for all but Fortex in the Grandstand Handicap at Epsom over the holidays and recently at Hutt Park was third to Loyal Rey and Worthy Need in the Kia Ora Handicap. Any improvement on those efforts would suggest a good chance for him this week. Peter Smith Well Since leaving Claudelands Peter Smith has been pacing with customary brilliance on the tracks at Epsom and the other morning drew attention to his forward condition by finishing on solidly over the concluding stages of a mile and a half. According to present intentions he will contest the Otahuhu Handicap on Saturday and it will not be on the score of condition if he fails to show to advantage. While he has shown himself to be unreliable on occasions he won the Cambridge Centenary Handicap in the course record time of 4.26 3-5. Looks the Part Fortex, one of the ruling fancies for the big race at Epsom this week, has done well for M. Stewart, opening her winning account in the Orakei Handicap at Auckland during the Auckland meeting and subsequently staying on well to win the Kaipaki Handicap (two miles). At the Auckland Christmas meeting she continued her winning way by annexing the Grandstand Handicap when she accounted for Tangatu and Battlevale in a great finish. Messrs A. W. Ebbett and J. R. Henderson have a remunerative representative in the Man o’ War mare who would appear to have good prospects of furthering her account at Epsom this week.