TROTTING NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24741, 5 December 1945, Page 4

TROTTING NOTES

Ashburton Nominations Entries lor all handicap events and final forfeits' for the New Zealand Champion Stakes, 1945, to be run on Boxing Day. close with the secretary, Ashburton 'Trotting Club, on Thursday next, December 6. at 8 p.m. —6 Jottings

After being one of the pacemakers In the R. T. Reid Memorial at Claudelands, Larissa was beaten into third place when the straight was reached. This was her best form for some time, and she' should be an early winner. Candy Girl lost any chance she had when she broke in the Forbury Handicap. Jackie Boy, the winner of a division of the Frankton Handicap, is a five-year-old gelding by Jack Potts from Winavray, which Is by N e lson Derby from "Mina. Mandrake attracted attention in his races at Forbury. A gelding by Dillon Hall, he promises to develop into a useful pacer.

Investors at Claudelands evidently ignored first day’s form when they allowed Professional to go out 4-3 in the betting in the Frankton Handicap, where she ran home an easy winner from Baby Grand. Battle Colours is coming back to form. His two seconds at his last two starts point to his good prospects at the New Year meeting. A Good Mare

Belhall was unlucky in striking Heliopolis on his best form at the Waikato meeting. These two outclassed the field in the R. T. Reid Memorial, and It , was only over the last half furlong that Heliopolis prevailed. Belhall has shown useful form, and she should come into her own at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting this month. Trained at Oamaru

Heir Apparent, which is owned and trained at Oamaru by S. Easton, spoilt his chance when he went to a break with two furlongs covered in the St. Kllda Handicap. Once he settled down he was giving the leaders a long start, but he showed a lot of speed to make up his handicap and finish in fifth place. By Quite Sure, he is from the John Dillon mare. Mountain Queen, the dam of winners in Slieve Donard, Queen Margaret, Slieve View, and " Certainly. Fenchlld, the dam of Mountain Queen, .was bred at Ohal by Mr D. Cameron, and Is by Rothschild from Finwater, by Finald from Miss Wllpoole, by the imported Wildwood. A Smart Colt

The three-year-old Stirling Castle was responsible for a pleasing effort In the Forbury Handicap. He was actually the smartest to begin, but was steadied, and surrendered the lead to Pencarrow, which he followed for most of the journey. Stirling Castle put in good work over the closing stages of the race, but the older horses. Plunder Bar and Volo Audubon, were too' good for him at the finish. The Dillon Hall colt is a likely type, and he should prove a good winner for Mr J. H. Winter. Poor Cup Trial The Cup Trial at the Waikato Trotting Club's meeting might not have bebn very illuminating as a pointer for the £3IOO Auckland Trotting Cup, which will be decided at Epsom later in the month, but it provided a real thrill for the large crowd. The little fancied Alcazar, which bald a dividend of nearly a quarter of a century, made the pace, and he resisted challenges from Double Peter, Black Label, Medical Student, and Te Roto over the last two furlongs, to win .by a head from Double Peter, with only heads separating the next three horses. Alcazar’s Success was a tribute to the patience and perseverance of W. Cockbill, who, In past years, brought Off several successes with Direct Morning, Bingen Chief, and All Bell, Double Peter .began very fast, •from the 48 yards mark, to be handy to the leader, but Was forced to do most of his. work on the outer and In the circumstances his effort In recording 2min 40 l-ssec, after covering much extra ground, was.a fine one. Without detracting from the performances of and Double Peter, it can be said that the third horse, Black Label, was the unlucky runner. In going for an opening at the three furlongs post, he got squeeze'd and was sent back. From then on he had to work hard to get clear, and he was travelling faster than anything else In the race over the last furlong to take third money. The hot favourite, Medical Student, was always in the fight, but just as he was expected to make his run he failed to Improve his position. Medical Student has been consistently in the money, and this was one of his few unplaced efforts. Te Roto was always In the picture. and though the track was not in his favour he stuck to his work well. Te Roto has been feeling the effects of the hard tracks and he may find it difficult to show his best form until he strikes a track with the sting out of it. Should Win Soon

P. P. Gallagher had Direct Medium handy to the leaders all the way in the Otago Handicap, and he gave a solid performance to finish third to Dandy Grattan and Pointsman. A gelding by Dillon Hall from Trelese, he has attracted attention in his ■ earlier races this season, and he-may pick up a stake* at the holiday meetings. Deserved Her Win

Black Jewel was unlucky In the running of the Haurakl Handicap at the Waikato meeting, where she was beaten by half a length; by Indian Quest, but she gave another good display later in the day to take the Bruntwood Handicap by two 'lengths from Toronto Lass. A slx-year-old mare by Jewel Pointer from Joy Ride, she is trained for Mr G. Bellingham by J. Gillard, who drove her on Saturday.' A Good Beginner

Mlstydale impressed in the St. Kllda Handicap at Forbury, where she quickly made up her 60 yards handicap to take the lead with just over half a mile to go. After leading into the straight she could not resist'challenges from Rerewaka, Klldonnin, and Zona Grattan, but her performance was a sound one. By Sandydale she is from Sea Mist, the dam of another smart mare in Sea Max. Likely Type Ace of Diamonds was always in the first five In the Otago Handicap, but he could make no Impression In the straight on the leaders, and had t» accept fourth place. By Gamble from Resale, the darn of Ace High, this gelding finished second to Pony Express in the Mount Hutt Handicap at Methveu in September, and he looks a good prospect for a maiden race shortly.