THE OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 447, 16 February 1899, Page 17

THE OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

[By

Petronel.]

As I anticipated, the acceptances for the first day’s races, which take place on Saturday, are well up to the mark, and if only half the horses go to the post the fields will still be large. With ihe abundant promise of good sport the attendance should be first-class, and looking at the prospective strength of the fields it is almost safe to say that speculation on the totalizator will be exceedingly brisk. . There are eighteen left in for the Maiden Trot one mile and a half. It is like looking for a needle in a bundle of hay to try and pick the winner of a maiden trot, but perhaps the following may have something to do with the finish: Victobine, Dulce, or Katie.

For the Maiden Pony Race, five furlongs, seventeen have cried ccntent. Stella, Spreydon, Minola, and Dolly look to have a chance of success, and perhaps the issue may be fought out by these three : — Dolly, Stella, Spreydon. The Otahuhu Trotting Cup Handicap, two miles, has thirteen acceptors. Last year Uric won this event from the 60sec mark, romping home an easy wfnner by a hundred yards. .He is back lOsec on this occasion, and has a companion on the limit in Waitekauri. The latter will have to show marked improvement to have a chance against some of those behind him. Hollywood, also on the limit, I like best of the three long starters, and if on his best behaviour he would be very dangerous. Peril (32sec) is not out of the race, and Wild Rose 11. and Bellman, both 22sec, appear to have a show on their best form. Judah (12sec) has had time to improve since the last trotting at Potter’s Pad dock, while Old Judge (26sec) reads well. I have not heard how the last-named is, but if fit and amiable he ought to make a race with the best of the field. However, I am inclined to pin my faith to the following: — Wild Rose 11., Peril, Judah. The Hurdle Race ought to provide a good contest, and probably the finish will lie between these:— Faiby, Minola, The Dove. Eleven remain in the Harness Trot Handicap, two miles. Albert Victor is on scratch, and I expect he will be very close up at the finish. Alice (26sec) and Motuiti (24sec) are not unfavorably handicapped in a race which appears to be very open. I fancy, as place-getters : — Motuiti, Alice, Albebt Victob. For the Flying Stakes, five furlongs, there should be a good race. Nora, with 9.10, is topweight, and if she could be depended upon to start well she would just about win. But I cannot take her on my side on account of her known excitability. Perhaps the issue may be between Topsail, Lulu, Israelite. The Electric Trot, one mile, may be fought out by Cob, Old Judge, Charlie. The Suburban Pony Handicap ought to furnish a great race, and with a proviso that Nora gets away well, I shall expect her to finish with 1 ulu and Topsail.