EVENLY MATCHED

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24820, 9 March 1946, Page 8

EVENLY MATCHED

TIMARU CUP FIELD Although the field does not 'appear strong in the Timaru Trotting Cup, tne 11 acceptors are evenly matched and they should provide an interesting race. Bien Sur, from C. S. Donald’s stable, showed that he is back to his best form by finishing second to Will Cary at Forbury and winning Advance Handicap at the Canterbury Park meeting at his next start. The Quite Sure gelding is a nippy little pacer and he gives the impression that he will have no trouble in mastering’ . the two-mile journey. Usually a hard puller, Jill will probably set the pace, and she would need to show little improvement on her race In the Eclipse Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting to gain a place. In that race she was first out, and after leading into the straight she was narrowly beaten into fourth place in the smart time of 3min 32 4-ssec for the mile and five furlongs journey. The trotter. Sure Lady, has only had one race since last November, and she may not be ready yet to run a solid two miles. Play Safe is in a similar position, but his track work has been good and he may spring a surprise in this race. Tam o’ Shanter does not impress, as he has not been placed in eight starts this season. Water Ranger, now back with his owner at Rakaia after being trained at New Brighton for a short time by J. Davidson, has shown good form on grass tracks and on his running at Forbury, where he finished second to Liberty Bond over two miles, he appears the most dangerous. Communique has only a fourth placing in nine starts to his credit, but if his new trainer, F. P. Brosnan, has been able to improve him he may pay expenses to the meeting. Jack Spratt will have to be taken on chance as he has not raced since the 1942-43 season, while the well-bred Traverse is in a similar category. He has the ability to win races, but in his seven starts this season he has failed to reproduce the brilliant form he showed early last season. Radical, also a good performer last season, has not raced for some months, and the back-marker, Will Cary, a trotter,, is set a hard task to concede starts of up to 60 yards to this field. He appeals more over the sprint distance later in the day. Water Ranger. Bien Sur, and Play Safe make most appeal. Brackets The following horses will be bracketed on the totalisator at the Timaru Trotttinf Club’s meeting-.—Claremont Handicap: Carissima and Dinero, Heir Apparent and Mack Sure, Acclamation and Billy McElwyn. Seadown Handicap: Lord Peterson and Bonny Bridge. Timaru Nursery Stakes: Lady Diane and Sahara Queen. Timaru Stakes Field Of the field of 18 two-year-olds in the Timaru Nursery Stakes field, only three. War Glory, Pirouette, and Lass o’ Mine, have raced. The details of the remainder of the field are as follows:—Badminton, filly by Gold Bar—Malapert, trainer, C. C. Devine; Coral Princess, filly by Pacing Power—Lilian Bond, trainer R. J. Berry; County Antrim, colt by Jack PottsBonny Azure, trainer, L. O. Thomas; Fontaine, filly by Casanova—Virginia, trainer, J. Grice; His Excellency, colt by Jack Potts—Judith, trainer. R. J. Humphreys; Ikawai, filly by U. Scott—Rowi, trainer, P. P. Gallagher: Josedale Scott, gelding by Josedale Grattan—Mildred Scott, trainer, B. Flood; Lady Diane, filly by U. Scott—Dawn Lorna, trainer. C. Isaacson! Sahara Queen, filly by Sandydale—Mary ■ de Oro. trainer, C. Isaacson; Lady Inchcape. filly by U. Scott—Great Nulgeria, trainer, S. J. Thomas: Noble Glnnie. filly by Grattan Loyal—Virgin Gold, trainer, ’ W. L. Harris: On Approval, gelding by Jack Potts—Pauline Dillon, trainer, O. EHooper; Real Brigade, colt by Light Brigade—Rbal Burton, trainer, M. J. McTeigue; Silver Shadow, filly by Red Shadow —Becky de Oro. trainer. H. J. Smith: Tiny Trixie, filly by Grattan Loyal—Military Maid, trainer, W. J. Allan. New Brighton T.C. Nominations for all events at the New Brighton Trotting Club's meeting, to be held on the Addington course on Saturday, March 30, will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday next. —Advt.

WAIKATO-THAMES PROSPECTS “ The Press ” Special Service AUCKLAND, March 8. , The Waikato and Thames Trotting Clubs’ combined autumn meeting will be held at Te Rapa to-morrow. Good fields are engaged and provision has been' made for two divisions in the Horotiu Handicap. Horses likely to be well . supported are:— 11-30 a.m.—Ngaruawahia Handicap: Noble Star, Nero. Pardon Me. 12.15 p.m.—Horotiu Handicap, first division: Ivy Goodwin. Impartial, Tonnby. Second division: Awamutu, Tommy True. Flaxen Lass. 1.10 p.m.—Kopu Handicap: Typical, Bonnie Jack. Dainty Jewel. 1.55 p.m.—President’s Handicap: Noble de Oro, Daphne Grattan, Rita Grattan. 2.40 p.m.—Parawai Handicap: Silver Plane, Parwrack, Best Girl. 3.25 p.m.—Newstead Handicap: Desert Lad, Diamond Trust. Gallant Navy. 4.15 p.m.—Fencourt Handicap: Bonnie Jack, Dainty Jewel, Indian Lad. 5 p.m.—AVaipa Handicap: Black Jewel, Red Ace, Our Gail.