GREAT BELWIN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24986, 21 September 1946, Page 4

GREAT BELWIN

A HIGH-CLASS PACER Great Belwin showed splendid form as a four-year-old last season to win five races and record two minor placings in 10 starts, and he will probably be sent out a hot favourite for the Takanini Handicap at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting to-day. Trained at Takanini by F. J. Smith, this son of Worthy Belwin and Agnes Bingen finished second to Maioha at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting on October 22, and followed up with a win over Certify in the Ohaupo Handicap at the Waikato Trotting Club’s meeting on November 24. At his next appearance he won the Akarana Handicap at the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting on December 27, and four days later he won the Onslow Handicap at the same meeting from Heliopolis. After being unplaced at his next start, he won the Wairarapa Handicap at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting on February 23 from a field which Included some smart pacers in Liberty Bond, Dundee Sandy, Scottish Lady, Ingle Belmer, Golden Shadow, and Imperial Lady. Two unplaced performances followed, and he then gave a high-class display to win the Autumn Stakes from Navigate, County Clare, and Aberhall at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Easter meeting at Addington. Great Belwin’s last start for the season was at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting on May 18, where, after a slow beginning, he finished third to Margaret Hall and Acropolis in the Farewell Handicap. The Worthy Belwin gelding was one of the most improved pacers seen out last season, and he should win his way to the best company this season. Jottings

Navy Queen has worked well since joining L. Frost’s team at New Brighton, and she should be promineiit at the Nelson Trotting Club’s meeting. Fly High, which is by Auto Machine from a Dan Direct mare, won at her last two starts last season, and that form entitles her to consideration for the United Handicap at Auckland to-day. Thelma Grattan showed some ability to be handy to the leaders in the early stages of the Selma Trot at Ashburton; but after taking the lead with four furlongs to go, she began to tire once the straight was reached, and was beaten into sixth place. A good beginner, she should race well over the mile and aquarter journey, in the Geraldine Trot at the Geraldine Racing Club’s meeting. With two wins and a third placing to his credit, in his last four starts, Loyal Flier should be a place proposition in the trotting events at the Nelson meeting. Imperial Lady Destroyed A. Holmes, who was injured during the week in a mishap on his private track, suffered another misfortune yesterday when Imperial Lady, which he races in partnership with Mr A. Cooper, had to be destroyed because of injuries she received when she was kicked by another horse. A six-year-old mare by Gamble from Imperial Gold, Imperial Lady had earned £3399 since she began racing as a two-year-old in the 1942-43 season. Her last placing was at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting on August 24. She finished in second place to Scottish Lady in the Heathcote Handicap. . Not Starting Shepherd’s Brook has been withdrawn from her engagements at the Nelson Trotting Club’s meeting. Her stablemate, Symetra, will be driven in her races by D. Anderson. Withdrawn Hardy Annual, which is trained’by G M. Mouritz for Mr D. Rodgers, has been withdrawn from the Geraldine Trot at the z Geraldine Racing Club’s meeting. Big Stakes An average of more than £l4OO in stakes for each race will be given by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club at its four-day meeting, which will be held on November 2,8, 9, and 16 Besides the £7500 New Zealand Trotting Cup and the £2OOO Dominion Trotting Handicap, the programme is rich in feature races. Trotters have been catered for specially well, and the prize-money now offered them is in keeping with the interest they provide. Begins Well , A quick beginner, Little Hero should be well placed early from the 12 yards I P ar J c , in the Royal Oak Handicap at Auckland, and, as he is now staying on much better in his races, he should be the hardest to beat. Driven by A. W. Broughton, he finished fast in the Te Aroha Handicap at the Auckland Trotting Club s matinee meeting, to get within a length and a half of Oval’s Pride, and he should be benefited by that race when he parades to-day. Owned by Mr A Pillinger and trained by G. Phipps, Little Hero is by Quite Sure from Nancy Bingen, which left other Wirmers in Gold Pot to Jack Potts, Nancy Carbine to Guy Carbine, and Pocket Book to Gold Paper. Consistent Air Spray has raced consistently since being trained at Addington by J. Purdon to record five minor placings in eight starts, and he should <o close to winning a race at the Nelson Trotting Club’s meeting. Air Spray raced well on this club s course on June 10, to finish in second place to Gioworm in the. first division of the Waimea Handicap, after being in the lead with less than a furlong to go Paraded in the Richmond Handicap later in the afternoon, he took the lead in the early part of the race, but just faffed to hold off the fast-finishing Nyallo Scott. Purdon has Air Spray looking particularly well, and he should pay his wav this season. May Need Experience The Winthrop gelding. Marnoc, which is engaged at the Geraldine Racing Club’s meeting to-day, shows some speed in his work; but he is very green and may need racing and travelling experience before he can be supported with confidence. Now at Addington Besides Pirouette and ■ Carisbrook, the Addington trainer, E. A. Berry, is educating Mr N. Matyasevic’s two-year-old filly by Red Shadow from Krina, which was previously.in N. C. Price’s stable at New Brighton. By Jewel Chimes from a Rothschild mare. Krina has left a useful family, including Rerekohua. Ngarimu. Air Spray. Lady Spray, and Sprayman New Brighton T.C. Withdrawals for all events at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting, to be held on the Addington course on Saturday next, must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Advt