SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23882, 26 February 1943, Page 7

SPORTING

METROPOLITAN T.C.

MEETING AT ADDINGTON

The fields for the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington to-morrow are restricted in numbers, but quality is well represented in each event. Small fields at Addington provide good racing. Unwieldy fields of maiden pacers create neither good racing nor interest in the sport. Two free-for-all events—one for pacers, ♦he other for trotters—should provide the best racing, and horses such as Gold Bar. Burt Scott, Haughty, Shadow Maid, and Loyal Rey amongst the pacers, and Within, Lament, Margin, and Gerfalcon (trotters) are attractions on any course. A two-year-old race which' will be run at 11 a.m. will serve to introduce the best young pacers in commission. Under the win-and-place system of betting the following horses will be fancied: Preliminary Handicap.—Douglas McElwyn, Pegasus Bay, Te Kahu. Trial Handicap.—Watcher, Belfast Jack. Jerry Parrish. Halswell Handicap.—Worthy Cross. Star Ace, Jack Spratt. A. I. Rattray Handicap.—Shadow Maid. Burt Scott, Gold Bar. Midsummer Handicap.—Stormtost. Accountant. Sabu. Trotting Free-for-All.—Within, Mohican, Margin. Durham Handicap.—Pacing Power, Single Star, Battle Colours. * Metropolitan Free-for-All.—Gold Bar. Burt Scott, Shadow Maid.

TROTTING NOTES

Douglas McElwyn At the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting last Saturday, Douglas McElwyn and Millisle sorted themselves out from the field in the Autumn Handicap and fought out a most exciting finish, the winner. Millisle, recording 4min 30 1-5 sec for two miles. Douglas McElwyn, who was beaten by l>al£ a head, is now regarded by many as unbeatable in the .Preliminary Handicap at the Mctropoliron Club's meeting* to-morrow, but he may find a different style of running adonted in a hard race. Pegasus Bay and Milestone may set such a pace from the start as to make the task of backmarkers very difficult, and while Allie Audubon has failed often enough to leave her with only a runner’s chance, she would only need to strike her true form to outclass the field. Te Kahu, too, is better than his poor display last week suggested, and there was some disappointment when the Metropolitan Club’s programme committee debarred him from stalling in the Free-for-All at Addington in November. Te Kahu will concede 12 yards to Douglas McEiwyn, and a race over a mile and five furlongs will suit him better than would a longer distance. Douglas McElwyn is entitled to be favourite, but Pegasus Bay. Te Kalvu, Sagamore, and Timworthy will all help to provide a good race. A Likely Favourite On his recent performances, Watcher appears to be a very good pacer, and he is likely to see a very short price In the Trial Handicap at Addington tomorrow. His brilliant burst of speed and his decisive win at the New Brighton meeting in 3min 34 4-sscc for a mile and five furlongs, showed him to be a pacer of class. He paid less than even money when he won his last race after a performance that would entitle him to be a firm favourite for the Trial Handicap tb-morrow. There are others in this race, however, who may help to make a race of what may be regarded as a foregone conclusion. Belfast Jack has form to recommend him. He finished close behind the placed horses In the Belfast Handicap on Saturday, after having none the best of the running. At the Canterbury Park meeting last month he was beaten by Recluse on the opening day, but he won the Middleton Handicap of a mile and five furlongs in 3min 36 3-ssec, a fine effort from a 3min 48sec mark. Belfast Jack may prove a worthy opponent for Watcher. Trotters’ Free-for-All

Races for trotters arc always popular with a race-going public, and the Trotters’ Free-for-All to-morrow may provide the race of the season. The last race of this class was held at Addington in November, when Margin (later disqualified) showed great speed to beat Gerfalcon and Lament. The race was not run without interference, and it appeared that Within was the one who suffered most. Like her stable-mate. Lament, she is in very good order, and the pair may take a prominent part in the result of tile Trotters' Free-for-All.

TURF_GOSSIF

Welcome Change The rain yesterday was much appreciated at Rlccarton, as the training tracks had become very hard in the last week, and galloping on anything but the plough was cut of the question. There has, been little activity lately., but with the approach of the Banks Peninsula. Wellington, Oamaru, and Waimate meetings, a busy period is in view.

Novice Hurdler The four-year-old Willow Wood, by Cricket Bat from Winsome. Hind, Is (lie latest to join the jumpers at Ellerslie. This well-bred gelding has failed to come up to expectations on the flat since being bought at Rlccarton by Mr J. D. Simpson, but judged by the ability he Is showing In his schooling he will make good over the hurdles.

At Woodville Favoured by the easy track, Classform scored one of her periodical successes, finishing in the Woodville Handicap with her typical run to beat Lambourn, who ran surprisingly well for a fresh horse. There was a great race for third, Yogi, Enrich, and Dynasty being in a bunch. Stairway, the favourite, was badly checked when turning into the back and was well smothered in the run home. Gay Genet and Par Avion both stopped. Bloodstock Prospects

A number of trainers and owners In Australia are optimistic about the future of racing and the demand for thoroughbred stock. They maintain that when the war is over Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and other countries will be buyers of fashionably-bred bloodstock, and with depleted studs in England breeders will turn their attention to Australia and New Zealand for fresh blood. Permit Granted The Westport Jockey Club has received a permit from the New Zealand Racing Conference to hold a meeting on April 24 and 26. Stakes to the value of £1960 will be given, an increase cf £460 on last year’s figures.

BANKS PENINSULA R.C.

HANDICAPS The following handicaps have been declared for the light harness events at the Banks Peninsula Racing Club’s meeting on March 6;— WAIREWA HANDICAP TROT, of £140; 3min ssec class; one mile and a quarter.— Avowal, Ben Deo, Claremorris, Daventry, Dalriada, Delusion. Erin’s Empress, Eureka Girl, Fanny Moore, First Royal, Galvena, Great Artist, Hardy Annual, Honest Peter, Johnny Boy, Lady Moness, Lady Bligh, Lucky Gem, Major Grattan, Mark Way, Mother’s Wish, Noble Reta, Ovend. Paddy Pointer, Pocket Bock, Quite New, Red Setter, Tolerate, Tu Rangi, Volterra, Wavell, Wee Logan scr; Bons, Lockheed, Nola Scott 12; Lanaco, Playwright, Sponsor, Waikarl Chief 24; Baytax 36; Country Jack 48. WAIHORA PARK HANDICAP TROT, of £150; 3min 39sec class; one mile and a half.—Bons. Bromley Boy, CoIQ Steel. First Royal, First Venture, Lady Bligh, Lady Moness, Lanaco, Lockheed. Of Course, Pocket Book. Playwright, Sponsor, Semper Fidelis, Technique, Tolerate, Warline scr; Country Jack. Le Compte, Robinette, Silver Flash, Thumbs Up, Trikkala 12; Clive Brock, Hargood's Pride 24; Direct Bingen 36.