Seconds Handlers roundup

Source: Glasgow Daily Record (Original Article)

Jun 18 2008

By Kerry Simpson

A4 Punches Well Above Its Weight

THE Audi A4 knows its place - premium D-segment saloon - but the new model has been primed for expansion into new sales territory.

Greater sporting breadth sees it able to square up to the big coupe market, while the range’s sub-£20k start still allows it scope to drive up business by moving downwards into the mass-market pitches of Ford and Vauxhall.

Audi knows, too, that a strong selling point in this fiercely competitive class is a lively engine and, it’s fair to say, that even the A4 range’s lead-in 1.8-litre TFSi petrol unit punches above its weight.

The example here - a turbo-charged six-cylinder, common-rail injection, diesel - is one of the German firm’s best.

The low-slung four-door saloon feels lighter, nimbler, and has steering to die for - the progressive weight gain as it races across the revs is excellent.

It has by far the best balance of feedback against speed in this class. Wheel paddles - £240 extra - to flick through the eight-ratio multitronic transmission smooths things along when it dances with wolves - but rarely gets bitten - in the third lane.

The 2.7-litre TDi has a top speed of 140mph, and a zero to 62mph sprint time of 7.7 seconds.

That’s about the right amount of oomph for Britain’s multifaceted motoring routes.

But this is such an easy to live with, relaxed handler that the temptation to ignore the sporty manual gearbox facility and just stick it in drive and go, is great.

It’s such a refreshing progression from the previous A4, there’s none of that big car awkwardness about this incarnation.

The thirst isn’t as great as you might think, either. It’ll do at least 40mpg, even when driven hard.

Official combined cycle return is 42.8mpg. The latest A4 also benefits from a longer wheelbase, with gains for roseanne dvd both rear-seat occupants and load capability. …continue reading

Source: Kansas City Star (Original Article)

Dustin Howard, who was facing a jury trial in the death of a classmate he fought, took his future into his own hands Monday.

In a deal arranged late Sunday, the 16-year-old Gardner boy pleaded no contest to aggravated battery, a felony, in juvenile court.

The plea erased his two-week involuntary manslaughter trial, which was set for Monday, and limited the likelihood that he would serve any more time in juvenile lockup.

After the hearing, the mother of the teen who died said she felt it was time for her family to move forward and heal.

“This was best for everyone in this situation, because there was no win or lose for anyone,” said Angela Meireis, the mother of Dakota DeRemus, who had suffered a congenital heart condition. “It was time we all needed to make peace with this.”

District Judge Brenda Cameron scheduled sentencing for Thursday in the Juvenile Division of Johnson County District Court. The plea agreement recommends that Howard serve 18 months of intensive supervised probation, with the possibility of release after 12 months. Cameron is not bound by that recommendation.

As Howard stood at the defense table, with his attorney occasionally patting his back, Cameron advised him of the rights he would give up if he agreed to the deal. She also asked whether he was happy with the services of his attorney, Debra Vermillion.

“Yes, ma’am,” Howard answered.

When Vermillion asked that Howard be released from house arrest, Shelley Diehl, assistant district attorney, objected. She wanted Howard held until his sentencing. Cameron sided with Vermillion.

Afterward, Vermillion said: “As tragic as this whole situation is, Dustin did not cause this boy to die. He died because he had a degenerative heart disease. … He feels very bad about what happened.

“It was an unfortunate misjudgment of two 16-year-old interest rate calculator boys being boys. That’s what this …continue reading

Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer (Original Article)

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Source: Jamaica Gleaner (Original Article)

Usain Bolt, 100m world record holder, shares a light moment with coach Glen Mills at a press briefing at The Courtleigh hotel to honour Bolt’s 9.72 record run in New York, on Saturday. - photo by LeVaughn Flynn

CAN THE world’s fastest man skip running the 100 metres at the Olympics - the pinnacle of track and field?

On Saturday night in New York, Usain Bolt flashed to a world record of 9.72 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix but, according to his coach, Glen Mills, it is not certain he will run the event at the Beijing Games.Bolt’s feat erased Asafa Powell’s previous mark of 9.74 seconds.However, Mills said he is unsure if Bolt, previously recognised as a 200m runner, will do the double in Beijing. “He will run both at the trials - as to what he will do in August is another matter,” Mills told journalists upon his arrival from New York on Sunday.Asked how the world-record holder could skip the event at the Olympics, Mills replied: “I don’t know - I don’t know”.He, however, said he would make a decision after the national trials.Before I ask my question, let me congratulate Bolt on an incredible achievement, so, too, his handler Mills, who has been his coach since 2004.The work of both men has been tremendous in as little as four years.

Making the right choice

But, after saying that, my question is: What if Mills chooses the 200m and Bolt fails to win the gold, would they be disappointed - and how bad would it be?Only time will tell.Mills continued: “He still prefers to run the 200m; he still wants to run the 200m,” while explaining that Bolt would have to run eight races, plus the relay, if he chooses to run the 100 and 200.I wonder if Mills has decided on Bolt’s Olympic plans but is just keeping it close to his chest because, according to the athlete, he will definitely double.Mills, in previous interviews, said he likes to go with the wishes of his athletes and that was the reason Bolt moved down to the 100m instead credit card au of going ‘up’ to the 400m.Shortly …continue reading

Source: Hartford Courant (Original Article)

The new TT is sportier than before, veering noticeably from the grand touring path taken by the first-generation vehicle. Both the hatchback coupe and the roadster (Audi-speak for convertible) are offered as 2.0T St.George Gold Low Rate Credit Card and 3.2 models.

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Copyright © 2008, The Hartford Courant

Source: Washington Post (Original Article)

Criminals can’t hide from Justice. He’ll fight tooth and nail to keep you safe: chasing down suspects, finding hidden narcotics — even summoning the bankwest lite willpower to avoid tasty treats when in hot pursuit.

Source: Globe and Mail (Original Article)

TORONTO — Never underestimate the master - Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield, 68.Yesterday, natty Attfield, an intravenous bag slung over his hip, shuffled into the winner’s circle with his hot-headed Not Bourbon after winning the $150,000 Plate Trial in an astonishing upset.
Attfield, still trying to recover from a foot infection over the winter, put a sudden and emphatic end to the winning streak of much-hyped Harlem Rocker, the heavy 1-to-5 favourite. The grey Frank Stronach colt was thought to have a lock on the Plate Trial yesterday and the Queen’s Plate in three weeks. After all, he was considered the only colt who may have given Big Brown a reason to sweat in the Preakness Stakes. But Stronach opted to skip the Preakness and send Harlem Rocker on the Queen’s Plate trail.
Not Bourbon’s win creates an interesting scenario for the Queen’s Plate on June 22. If Attfield wins this Plate, he would be tied for first place with eight wins for a trainer. He would be tied with Harry Giddings Jr., who won eight Plate races from 1911 to 1942. Attfield hasn’t won the Plate since Regal Discovery in 1995.

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Yesterday, Harlem Rocker seemed to turn American Express Credit Card up his nose at Woodbine’s artificial …continue reading

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer (Original Article)

The last to go in the five-horse jump-off in the $100,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of Devon, Darragh Kerins, riding Double H Farms’ Night Train, took advantage of his position.
Kerins was the only one to jump cleanly and won the $30,000 first-place purse last night at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.
"I didn’t like that situation, knowing that I had to go clean," said Kerins, a native of Ireland who lives in Ridgefield, Conn. Kerins went a little slower than those who went before him, finishing in 53.168 seconds.
Kent Farrington, on Up Chiqui, finished with one rail down for four faults in 43.989 to take second place. Hillary Dobbs, on Corlett, also with four faults, finished in 46.654 to take third.
Kerins had worried that if he knocked down a rail, he would drop to third because of his slower time, but his gamble paid off. "It’s difficult here, under lights and with the huge crowd," he said.
"I’ve been riding Night Train for about a year and a half," Kerins said. "He’s 9, but he’s a very, very small horse. He’s only 151/2 hands. He’s strong in the ring, but that’s a good thing."
Kerins said he planned to compete on Night Train tomorrow night at Devon in the $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake.
"I can’t be disappointed," said Dobbs, who at 19 is in her first year of open jumper competition. "My mare jumped well for me."
Todd Minikus, on Pavarotti, was fourth with 12 faults in 49.565. Callan Solem, on Allison, was fifth with 12 faults in 53.819. Twenty-eight horses started in the Grand Prix.
Kenny Wheeler of Keswick, Va., who will turn 80 tomorrow, handled the best young horse at Devon for the 33d year in a row. Cismont Manor Farm’s Capital Hill won the 3-year-old (other than thoroughbred) class and was named best young horse.
Ray Francis of Bedminster, Pa., No Annual Fee Credit Card won the leading handler award for the third time.