TROTTING

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1321, 19 August 1915, Page 16

TROTTING

METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB.

SECOND DAY AT ADDINGTON. SHERWOOD WINS BIG EVENT. The second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting was held in unfavourable weather. A steady rain set in some hours before proceedings commenced, and it continued intermittently all the afternoon. As a result the track became very muddy and the attendance was seriously affected. Despite this, speculation kept up remarkably well, the total tor the day reaching £31,206, as against £27,994 on the corresponding day last year. Consequent on the slippery nature of the track there were several falls, but fortunately none of them were attended with serious results.

Parkfield, a Dunedin representative ridden by Free Holmes, scored a surprise victory in the Improvers’ Handicap, for which Rothbury was made a strong order. Two furlongs from home Chub appeared to have winning prospects, but he tired badly at the finish, and Parkfield, after putting in a bad break, overhauled him within a few yards of the post. Of the others Havana, Matilda and Ohapi gave the best showings.

Nineteen' horses, all capable of going a mile and a-half in 3.36 or better, lined up for the Trial Handicap, the best backed being Lindetta, 0.1. C. and Drum-Major. With half the distance gone, 0.1. C., who always does well in heavy going, rushed to the front, and scored decisively by a length from Lady Rattoo, who cut down Drum-Major out of second money in the last few strides. Soon after the start Specialfor the start Specification Junr. and Ariadne collided, and Cello Sydney Wilkes came down over them. Persuader was the only withdrawal from the King George Handicap, leaving a high-class field of twelve to contest the big harness event of the day. On the strength of her fine showing on Monday Queen’s Drive was made a slightly better favourite than the Wellington pair, Jewel Chimes and Fash ion wood, with Edith A. next in demand. After Queen’s Drive and Edith A. had made the early running Sherwood took charge, and had the race won a long way from home. Fashionwood ran a very solid • race in getting second place, while of the back markers Frandocia gave the best exhibition. As showing how holding the track had become at this stage it need only be mentioned that Sherwood, who was handicapped to go 4.38, was enabled to win in 5.5 1-5. A well-fancied candidate in G'eorge Hard had a comfortable win in the Lincoln Handicap, being in front from start to 'finish. He had all the best of the going, whereas some of the back markers got so mud-bespattered in the early stages as to make their tasks particularly hard. Doris Wilkes ran a genuine race all through, and only for a break two furlongs from the post she would certainly have troubled the winner. Treasure Seeker, the actual favourite, put in a solid first mile, and then failed to sustain his effort. Eccentric looked all over a winner in the International Handicap till within a few yards of the post, where Adonis, who had always been handy, outstayed him, winning a fine contest by half a length. Jingle, the favourite, ran well for a mile, but then tired very badly, as did Dillon Bell. Galacian went steadier than most of his opponents in the Avon Handicap, and when half the distance had been covered he had the result in safe keeping. Imperial Crown put up a solid race in getting second place, but if Clive had not made three bad mistakes he may have been returned the winner. By the time the Telegraph Handi-

cap came on for decision the track was fetlock deep in mud. The Whip started very smartly but before reaching the stand he came down and Desdemona toppled over him. A little further on False Alarm took charge, and never gave anything else a look in. CONCLUDING DAY. Splendid weather favoured the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club for the concluding day of its August meeting, and the attendance kept up wonderfully well. Though rather holding, the track was not in bad order, after a few races had been decided it afforded very fair going. Galacian was made a strong order for the Midwinter Handicap, but though he ran a solid race he had no chance with Whispering Lad. The latter took charge at the end of a circuit, and was pulling up at the finish to win by a dozen lengths. Grattan Abbey showed a bold front for a mile and then tired, as did Chub.

A staunch favourite in Erin’s King pulled his backers through in the Federal Handicap, but it was only in the last furlong that he got with the leading division. All things considered, it was a very fine performance on the winner’s part, as he had all the worst of the luck in the running. Soda put up a good go in getting second place,, while of the others Al Franz, 0.1. C. and Prince Poole were the only ones to race up to expectations.

A very special field of 15 went out to contest the National Cup, a race confined to horses that had done 4.38 or better in public. It was a disappointing race, for with half the journey gone Tommy C. rushed to the front, and from this out he was never approached. Calm finished second, 12 lengths away, just in front of Jingle and Adonis. No doubt the state of the going made a difference to the result, but even on a dry track it is doubtful if Tommy C. would have been beaten.

Ariadne looked all over q, winner in the Canterbury Handicap till a furlong from the post, where he tired. This gave Granger his chance, and, seeing it out really well, he won a good race by two lengths. Harold Direct, the favourite, did not start too well and was never in the hunt. Auckland Girl was the best supported of the 11 starters in the Addington Handicap, but there was plenty of money also for Redchild and Master Raymond. The northerner looked to have excellent prospects till within a furlong of the post, where the pace told on her. By a great final effort Master Raymond got up in time to win by two lengths

from Treasure Seeker, with Auckland Girl a length away in third place. Clive trotted very well in patches, but left his feet under pressure, and Redchild was called off for anticipating the starting bell—a rather doubtful decision. After losing several seconds at the start Prince Berlin and Emilius cut Sungod was only a little more than Islington Handicap in the last furlong. A spirited finish between the pair saw Prince Berlin outstay the colt and win a good race by a length. Sungdo was only a little more than that distance away in third place, Edith A. coming next. This was one of the worst starts of the meeting. Don Caesar effected a surprise by getting to the front half way through the Lightning Handicap and i winning comfortably from False Alarm and Sherwood. The winner is a certain starter in the New Zealand Trotting Cup if he keeps sound, and so far he has stood up to his work very well. Aotea Roa did not start too well and failed to justify the favouritism accorded her. Mr. W. McKenzie has been appointed secretary to the Manawatu Trotting Club. Mr. G. F. D. Watson, who has held office since the club was formed, has enlisted for active service.

Mr. Ernest Skeates, the well-known jeweller, of Queen Street, opposite Smeeton’s, Ltd., draws attention to a change of his advertisement in this issue. Lady readers or country residents can always obtain from Mr. Ernest Skeates any article they require by post. Particulars will be. forwarded free on application. ♦ * * * We draw attention to Messrs. J. R. Self’s advertisement which appears in our columns, and which should prove of general interest. The bargains offered in the boot and shoe departments are of good value, and a visit paid to Messrs. J. R. Self’s establishment in Queen Street would prove that bargains are not only offered in boots and shoes but also in clothing and underwear.