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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1495, 19 December 1918, Page 14

J. Armstrong has a big string in work at Brighton. Among the number is Beewood, Albertoria, Te Kuiti, Koaheni and Disappear. ❖ * * * The death is reported of Bon Ami (Bon Homme —Gardenia), who will be remembered as the winner of the last Winton Trotting Cup. * • * • Reports from Christchurch are to the effect that Cappriccio has been eased in her preparation for the Auckland Trotting Cup owing to a slight mishap. • * • ■ The influenza epidemic has caused an alteration in several of the trotting fixtures in the South Island. As regards the holiday meetings the Canterbury Park Trotting Club will hold their gathering on January 1, the New Brighton Club on January 2, while the Gore Trotting Club’s Boxing Day meeting will take place in April.

Our Christchurch correspondent writes: — A. Hendricksen will take Matchlight and High Admiral north for the A.T.C. meeting, and drive them in their engagements. J. Bryce is making a splendid recovery from his accident, and, despite a fall from his crutches a few days ago, hopes to be able to drive Cathedral Chimes and other members of his team at the Canterbury Park meeting. K. H. Smith will take Peony, Lord Rose and Otarama north for the Auckland T.C. meeting. The death is announced of an oldtime track favourite in My Mistake, the dam of Sungod. As a result of the Addington track being closed, a number of the mentors who usually work there have been patronising the Canterbury Park and New Brighton courses. B. Jarden intends taking a team to the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting, which will comprise Author Dillon, Huon Patch, Marie Tempest and Leewood. He leaves as soon as steamer accommodation is available. Adelaide Direct has freshened up a lot since her Cup exertions, and should be nearly at her best by the New Year over short journeys. The Scottish-bred mare Jenny Lind died recently from foaling at Oakhampton Lodge. The foal, which is by Wildwood Junior, is doing well. Mykot and Auckland Girl are to be shipped north in a day or so to fulfil engagements at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting. They will be in charge of J. Clarke, who will drive them in their engagements. M. Edwards remains at home to race other members of his big team at the Ash-

burton, Canterbury Park and New Brighton meetings. According to a Christchurch writer the handicap issued by Air. Edwards for the Auckland Trotting Cup is something of a puzzle. Though supposed to be a 4.39 class, it looks as if the handicapper has cut it down to a 4.37 race in an endeavour to attract the best horses. No fewer than 11 of the entrants have been lumped together on the limit, and it is quite likely that many of them will decline the contest. For instance, what chance can the majority of them have with such as Moneymaker, Matchlight or Author Dillon, unless they improve out of all knowledge? In the New Zealand Trotting Cup Moneymaker ran a fair race from a 4.33 mark, and now is only called on to give away 3sec. in a 4.39 class. Matchlight was placed on a 4.31 mark, and ran second in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, while subsequently he won the Courtenay Handicap from a similar mark. Now he is only asked to give away 6sec. in a 4.39 race. Even harder to understand is Author Dillon’s treatment. In the Christchurch Handicap on the last day of the November meeting he was placed on a 4.23 mark, and only Willie Lincoln finished in front of him. He left the two miles behind under very unfavourable circumstances in 4.24 3-5, yet now he is apparently placed on a 4.26 mark. It looks as if Mr. Edwards has made a serious mistake in his estimation of Author Dillon and Moneymaker, or else has quite ignored form in the Christchurch Handicap. In that event the former conceded Pringle’s representative llsec. and a severe beating, yet now there is only 10sec. between the pair. Altogether it looks as if Mr. Edwards has held out every inducement to Author Dillon’s owner even at the risk of sacrificing the chances of many others.