TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 210, 6 September 1939, Page 16

TROTTING.

WELLINGTON STAKES.

SEASON'S FIRST CLASSIC.

HIGHLAND SCOTT TO

reappear,

The first of t]ie season's classics, the Wellington Stakes, will conic tip for decision at the Wellington Trotting Club's spring meetiny at Hutt Park two weeks hence. and with twelve juicers still remaining in after the final payment, the success of the race is fissured.

The initiative of the Wellington Trotting Club in inaugurating the event tinee seasons a.go lias been well rewarded and the race is certain to Itecome a permanent attraction. The idea was born just on four years «<ro. and the first contest 11 mik place at Hutt Park in Sep. temlier, 1!)3". 11'.e Stakes received splendid patronage in the first two years of existence, and there is no reason why it should not enjoy the same in the future. This month's field includes the best two-year-old pacer bred in the Dominion for some years. This is Highland Scott, who would probably have an unbeaten record but for a leg injury that militated against his preparation for the • lilveiiile Stakes and caused him to break so badly at the start that his task was a hopeless one. As it was, he ran his last mile in 52.."> to finish fourth, lie is sunto make a name for himself with age and experience and should start favourite for this raoe. Highland Scott is an aristocraticallvbred colt by U. Scott, one of the fastest pacers to come from America, from Rustic Maid, a full-sister to Cold Connfry, by Key <le Oro from Country Belle, a daughter of Wild Moor and Bonnie Bell. From the same family are other good horses in Countryman and I'.scapade.

Gallant Chief, who is also owned by Mr. J. R. McKenzie and will In; coupled with Highland Scott, impressed by the mapper in which he improved with racing list term. As a matter of fact, he did his early training as a trotter, and it was not until last February that he commenced his education as a pacer. His three starts to date have yielded two thirds, and there is every reason to expect hint to open his winning ,;aecount at an early date. i" - t American-Bred Youngsters. A product of American-bred jkirents, Gallant Chief is by Gallant from Taka Chanoe, imported to-the Dominion several years ago but never raced. Both sire and dam claim relationship to the best blood lines in America-, and the result of the mating shows all the attributes of a first-class pacer. Durability was a shade disappointing in that he started on nine occasions for one second placing, secured at the South Canterbury meeting last April. However, he is a. particularly big colt and left the impression that he would take plenty of time before being seen at his; test. He is by .Tack Potts from Endurance, a Wrack—Bertha Bingen mare related in blood, to. .those first-class performers Great Bingen, Peter Bingen and Great Parris'h.

Mr. E. P. C. Hinds, who owned that great pacer Harold L<ogan, raced a bonny young horse in Three Tens, a halfbrother to Effie Parrish, who has proved a more, than useful performer. Three Tens"was inclined tt> be very toey in his early races, but he has settled down splendidly, and at his last start was beaten by a neck by Sir .Julien in the Sapling Stakes. The race was run in the fast time of 3.21 2-.">, which is a two-year-old record for Australia and NewZealand. There was no disgrace in the narrow defeat, and it will be surprising if the Jack Potts colt does not win many races this season. Has the Ability, But— The only placed performers among the remainder are Josette and Latest Edition. Josette has the ability to graduate to a fairly tight mark, but as yet she lacks solidity. Latest Edition did a good deal of racing last season, but failed to o|ten his account, and it. may be that he required-a little more time.

Responsive failed to show up in Iter three outinps last term, but she is a wellbred filly bv Jack Potts from Dusolina. a. half-sister to Daphne de Oro, winner of the New Zealand and (Jreat Northern Derbies. Dusolina was out of Doraldina. an O.Y.M. mare and lialfsistcr to Recess, 3.10 1-5, Donard 3.27 l-t>, and Houdini 2.50 3-5.

Imperial Jade lias sliown fine speed in her few races to (Uitc, Imt her main trouble lias liven a slight deficiency 'if stamina. Xo doubt this will he eradicated with racing- experience. She is worth keeping in miiul for short races. She is a tti 1 1-sister to Indianapolis, by Wrack—Estotla Amos, bv Dale Axworthy from Arlci«h M.H.," by XutwfHxh Wilkes.

The remaininjr two pacers are Credence. by lXavid McKlwyu from Trusty Maid, by Truman Direct, and Gleam, by Key de Oro from Sundock, by Sungod.