Speedy Southern Pacers Engaged At Epsom Trots

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 194, 18 August 1939, Page 12

Speedy Southern Pacers Engaged At Epsom Trots

With the opening of the Xorth Island trotting season for 1939-40 at Alexandra Park to-morrow week, no small amount of interest will be taken by followers of the sport in the first appearance in Auckland of the South Island performers Isabel Derby, Fortex, Ladv Vasclyne, Repose, Monty Chimes and the Aus-tralian-bred Wilbur's Heiress. Repose and Wilbur's Heiress are in the novice class, but the others have won races, Isabel Derby proving herself a good class racehorse prior to June of last year, when she lost form.

Keen attention will also be paid to Tsana, Josedale (.rattan and Elliotvale in consequence of their impressive victories at Epsom in May last, and to Belfast Jack, who created a favourable impression in the second division of the Mangere Handicap on May 27.

Proved Two-miler. Isabel Derby, an eight-year-old mare by Xelson Derby from Harebell, drew pointed attention to future prospects when she defeated Gallant Knight, Kongomai and a big field in the Metropolitan Handicap at Addington on Xovember 12, 1936. She ran the two miles that day in 4.25 2-5, and a couple of months later at Clifden scored over a similar distance in the President's Handicap, (Jallant Knight again finishing second. In the 1937-38 season Isabsl Derby started 17 times for one win and two minor placings. Her success was gained in the Tiniaru Cup on March 12 of last

year in 4.25 from a 4.30 mark. She has failed to reproduce lier real form since that date, and in several starts this season secured only one minor place. However, she is now moving alon" nicely iji her work and sprinted really well yesterday over a couple of furlongs.

Sprinting Her Forte.

Fortex, an aged Man-o'-War mare, is hi a different class, and her Successes have been achieved over short courses. Her last win was recorded atf Greymouth on October 26, 1938, when she won the Whirlwind Handicap, eight furlongs and a half, in 2.21 1-5. She appeared in minor roles on three other occasions that season, but was out of a place eleven times. In 1937-38 Fortex covered a mile in 2.14 1-5 when she finished third to Waitaki Power and Sir Gowan in the Salisbury Handicap at limaru, and she was out of the money six times in eight starts. She has failed several times this term, but is puttin-r her heart into short spurts with Tinker and Re>d Flush at Epsom. She is on 12 yards in the Orakei Handicap, one mile and a quarter, an event that bears a very open appearance.

Take Lady Vasclyne, six-year-old daughter of Wrack and Vasiliki. This is not a bad sort of mare. She showed some promise in the early part of last season, and at Greymouth on January - last defeated a couple of minor fields Rnff'V ?'" T^ E , xact 'y a month later at tiutt lark, Kilrea, receiving 12 yards lowered her colours in the Dispatch Handicap, but Lady Vasclyne covered the mile and a. half in 3.20 1-5 from 337 xt" + i, We ? tlxat U P at Palmerston Sfl ttP" 1 15 b 7 winning the stewards Handicap narrowly in 2.48 2-5 f[? m + i 2 ' 58 '^ La^ y Vascl yne worked badlv shortly after her arrival here, and it was not until a week ago that she showed improvement. She is on 2.58 in the Orakei Handicap. Many Failures. Investors in the South must surelv have been glad to see the last of Monty Chimes aged son of Blue Mountain Kincr and Lady Chimes. It is true that he qo on seven occasions in 1937'a u alwa ys finished in the rupk, and he did no better in his few appearances last season. It was 'way back on January 6, 1937, that this representative of Blue Mountain King won his last race, and that occurred at. Grevmouth in the Progressive Handicap, Monty Chimes registering 3.33 3-5 that day for the twelve furlongs and a half, n that year too he had numerous failures—ten m all.

Repose is a four-year-old half-sister by Wrack to Shrewdie, and she has done very little Facing and not much on the tracks at Alexandra Park. She made her first appearance on the race track in the isew Brighton Challenge Stakes, for

Their Successful Efforts In Past Seasons Should Attract Notice

tliree-vear-olds, on October 8 and failed to finish in a- place. She did no better in the Riccarton Stakes, won by Nelson Eddy at the last New Zealand Cup meeting, but she should profit by the experience.

The Australian-bred Wilbur's Heiress has reached the age of nine without scoring, but as she was purchased by Dr. M. G. Fazaro and Mr. E. G. Bridgens some time after her arrival at F. G Smith's stable at Takanini, it might be assumed, not unreasonably, that she hag shown some promise. She trots fairly well, but is to race as a pacer. Importation Appeals. One of the best novice performances seen at Epsom for many a long day was that put up by the young American stallion Josedale Grattan, a son of Grattan McKinnev —Miss Belwin, on the opening day of the May meeting. At the start of the first division of the Mangere Handicap Josedale Grattan was so slow in getting into pacing action that the speedy Television established a lead of at least 100 yards. It seemed 5 forlorn to chase him, but F. J. Smith apparently had other ideas, and he sent Josedale Grattan along to such good purpose that he had collared tha leader two furlongs from the winning post. In achieving this the imported horse not only showed that he possesses a nice turn of speed, but also rare courage. The valua of iig effort was further emphasised on tbe second day, when Television spread? eagled a somewhat similar field. Jowdale Grattan is a fine type of hone and he has done well in the interim,

although his preparation has been hampered by unfavourable weather conditions. This pacer should win many races. Will Do Better. Another meritorious run went to the credit of the Jack Potts gelding Tsana in the first division of the Manukau Handicap. Tsana had had several runs earlier in the season without showing much promise, even though he was close to the placed division in a race at Palmerston Xorth in April. In this event he was allowed to go off the mark very quietly, and after covering a fair amount of extra ground had the race won a long way from home. Tsana has made decided progress since entering M. Stewart's stable, and he is susceptible to further improvement. He is a bold pacer, and it would surprise the writer if he were not exceptionally game. The trotter Elliotvale, who won the Winter Handicap from end to end, had shown plenty of speed in all of his races earlier in the season, but was inclined to leave his feet under pressure. That was due to his inexperience, and it was noticeable that he was doing a little bit better with every run. If he has made any progress since May he should have no difficulty in adding to his record. That brings us to Belfast Jack, also by Jack Potts. This fellow was heavily supported on the totalisator to win the second division of the Mangerc Handicap, and although lie failed to run into a place he demonstrated that he was worth persevering with. He is working well. FIRST OFF THE MARK. As both driver and trainer, M. CMcTigue was easily the most successful at the Addington meeting, for two wins each of Great Divide and King's Play and a single victory to Fine Art gave him the good total of five wins, an excellent start for the new season. The South Canterbury trainer F. P. Brosnan led in the winners of three races in Marsceres, who won two races, and Token, while N. C. Price, with Red Hanger and Waitaki Power, was the only trainer to secure more than one win. The following each had a single success:—R. Townley, R. S. Armour, D. Bennett, F. J. Smith, J Bryce, F. C. Dunlevy, R. Motz. D. Teahen, M. Holmes, W. J. Allan, J. Fraser, R. J. Humphreys, J. Pringle and W. JDoyle. BILL B.'S PROMISE. The American pacer Bill B. has taken some time to develop into the pacer that his admirers have always claimed him to be, but his win in the Belgium Handicap at the Metropolitan Trote was an impressive one, for he was racing kindly all through and came home with something in reserve. Bill B. is by Single G., one j • ST l " ea test unhoppled pacers ever raced in America, and h e should go on to further successes before the season is far advanced.