NATIONAL MEETING AT ADDINGTON

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25269, 22 August 1947, Page 4

NATIONAL MEETING AT ADDINGTON

TROTTING

Highland Fling May Win Winter Handicap

EMULOUS IN FORM FOR FREE-FOR-ALL

Favoured by fine weather during the winter months, most trainers have their horses in splendid condition. With the prospect of a fast track, a high standard should be set for the 1947-48 trotting season when the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s national meeting opens at Addington to-morrow. Although the meeting has not attracted as many visitors as usual, excellent fields of evenly-matched horses are carded, and some exciting racing should be seen.

The main two-mile event on the programme, the Winter Handicap, is regarded as an important stepping-stone to cup company, and it has attracted a field of 20 pacers. Most of these have an abundance of good form to their credit and the task of selecting the likely winner is not an easy one.

The Templeton trainer, L. F. Berkett, will parade a .strong bracket in Highland Fling and Nyallo Scott, which both showed fine form for him last season. The leading trainer and driver last season, Berkett is keen to top off his record with a win in the Trotting Cup this year. Highland Fling is now assessed on 4min 21sec and Nyallo Scott on 4min 22sec for two miles, and they appear to have good prospects of qualifying to race in the best company. Most opposition to Highland Fling and Nyallo Scott in the Winter Handicap may come from Aberhall (a visitor from Gore), Cameronian and Dundee Sandy.

Emulous has indicated that he is near his best form by his efforts at matinee meetings recently, and he is expected to prove the hardest, to beat in the Lightning Free-for-all, which is one of the feature races on the programme. A genuine racehorse, Emulous will be opposed by a field which includes New Zealand Trotting Cup winners in Gold Bar and Integrity, and other fine pacers including Highland Fling, Nyallo Scott, Knave of Diamonds, Loyal Nurse and Navigate. Emulous’s task will not be an easy one, but his form last season indicates that he should add this race to his record.

Congo Song has come into favour for the Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes, in which his admirers confidently predict that he will beat Sir Vivian, which stayed on well to. win the New Zealand Sapling Stakes by two lengths from him at Ashburton on June 2. Other good youngsters in the field include Daisy Bar, Gay Knight, and David’s Pride, and they may divide the minor prize-money. The track at Addington is in good order, and, with the prospect of fine weather, it should provide excellent going to-morrow. Horses in form include:— Intermediate Handicap.—Jason’s Quest, Excalibur, Royal Dale. Islington Handicap.—Notus, Maudeen, Starshell. Heathcote Handicap.—Checkmate, Maori Home, Mountain Hall. Winter Handicap.—Highland Fling, Aberhall, Cameronian. Speedway Handicap.—Sprayman, Dillondale, Gold Sheik. Stewards’ Handicap.—Mistydale, Rerewaka, Pardon Me. Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes. —Sir Vivian, Congo Song, David’s Pride. Lightning Free-for-all.—Emulous, Integrity, Highland Fling. The following are the fields:— 10.45 a.m.— INTERMEDIATE HANDICAP, Of £5OO. Trotters. 3min 48sec class. One mile and five furlongs.

Jason’s Quest, which raced well last Beason for five wins and two minor placings in nine starts, gave a dashing display to win his heat at the Methven Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. On that form he should not be troubled to give this field 24 yards start. A bold trotter, Jason’s Quest has done well under T. H. Gunning’s care at Temuka, and he should soon work his way into the best classes. Most opposition to Jason’s Quest may come from Excalibur, Fairy Wings. Golden Amazon, Betty Maxegin, and Royal Dale. Excalibur, a well-bred trotter by Swordsman from a champion trotter in Worthy Queen, showed good form for Mr W. L. Parkinson last season to win the Waitaki Handicap at the Oamaru Trotting Club’s meeting in October, the Waikaura Handicap at the same club’s meeting in May, and the Mayfield Handicap at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting in June. Now a six-year-old, Excalibur may show his best form this season. Fairy Wings has done well since joining J. B. Pringle’s team at Hornby, and provided she avoids trouble in the early stages, she is a possibility. Golden Amazon has more speed than most in his class, but he has marred several of his efforts by beginning badly and he has tc be taken on chance. Betty Maxegin is now trained at Hinds by D. Townley, who drove her to win against the pacers in two races last season. By Maxegin from Wrackeen, she is bred to trot, and she should pay expense? this season. A genuine mare. Royal Dale was placed in 12 of her races last season, and, in what should prove an interesting race, she may fight out the finish' with Jason’s Quest and Excalibur. 11.28 a.m.—

M. B. Edwards’s bracket, Starshell and Right Royal, looked in splendid condition when they paraded at the matinee meeting at Addington on Tuesday, and they should attract attention from investors in the Islington Handicap. A six-year-old daughter of Sandydale and Skyglow, Starshell showed her best form since being trained by Edwards for Mr W. Deyell who purchased her last season, to win the Navy Handicap from Ben Ledi and Admiration at the Wellington Trotting ’ Club’s meeting on April 12. Starshell has been working well at New Brighton, and she should fixiish in the money to-mor-row. Maudeen, which is also trained at New Brighton, won the Acton Handicap at Ashburton on June 2 from Free Fight in fast time, and she appeals as a high-clasf performer in the making. Expensive, the winner of the Harvest Handicap at Ashburton on May 31, has been a good winner for L. G. Smillie, who trains him at Timaru. A clean-gaited pacer. Expensive appears to have a bright future. Coral Princess showed up at the matinee meeting at Addington on Tuesday, and she must be conceded a good chance. Notus, an unlucky runner last season, has wintered well at Temuka, and his performance at Methven last Saturday indicates that he should be an early winner. The Auckland candidate. Baby Grand, won a heat in fine style at Adddington on Tuesday, but he may be extended to giveaway starts to likely improvers in Notus, Maudeen, and Starshell. 12.13 pun.—

Checkmate’s record of four wins in his last four starts is impressive, and he may be sent out favourite for the Heathcote Handicap, in which he will be bracketed with Limerick Pride, which beat promising pacers in Super Globe and Bobby Burns in the Winter Handicap at Ashburton in June at his last start. Besides Checkmate, the 12 yards division includes useful pacers in Chinook, Mandrake, Traverse, Maori Home, Mountain Hall, and Paddy Potts. Maori Home has created a good impression since Mining from Southland, and he is expected to take high honours in Canterbury. Paddy Potts, a winner at the matinee on Tuesday, is probably better now than at any other stage of his career. Mountain Hall, which like Paddy Potts, is trained at New Brighton, looks like developing into a good winner for Mr H. C. Robinson. Mountain Hall is now staying on much better in his races, and he should win in tighter classes before the Season closes. Snowflake, one of the best three-year-olds seen out last season, is handicapped

to give away starts of up to 36 yards but she is such a brilliant pacer that she must be given a chance of dividing the prize-money v/ith Checkmate, Maori Home, and Mountain Hall. 12.58 p.m.— WINTER HANDICAP,

Aberhall. Jack’s Son, Gold Peg, Local Gold and Sir Michael look the pick of the horses on scratch in the Winter Handicap, and they should prove capable of setting the handicapped horses a hard task. Aberhall worked well at Addington yesterday morning, and that should bring him into favour. Gold Peg raced consistently last season for Messrs H. McL. and G. S. Benny to earn £4675 for five wins and nine minor placings, and that record entitles her to respect.

Jack’s Son is well forward, and he should soon win a race for Mr L. S. Hopkins. Local Gold is a neatly-made mare by Gold Bar from Lottie Location, and she appears to have good prospects. Sir Michael is the problem horse in the field. A brilliant sprinter. Sir Michael has yet to win over two miles, but, in his present condition, he will have every chance to make the grade to the stayers’ ranks.

War Form makes little appeal from the 12 yards mark, but the 24-yard markers. In the Mood, Cameronian, Nyallo Scott, and Plunder Bar, are all possibilities.

W. J. Doyle has In the Mood very well, and she gave an encouraging display to finish in third place to Navigate and Sir Michael in the main event at the matinee meeting at Addington on Tuesday. Cameronian, a smart performer last season, bears a bright appearance, and his track work yesterday morning indicates that he should finish in a place. Nyallo Scott headed the list of stakeearners last season with a grand total of- £7730 for 11 wins and 11 minor placings, and that is a sufficient testimonial to his ability. Nyallo Scott will be bracketed with Highland Fling, which finished in second place on the list of stakeearners with £6685 for eight wins and three minor placings. Highland Fling registered 4min 13 4-ssec for two miles when he finished in third place to Gold Peg and Jack’s Son in the James Memorial Handicap at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on May 3. and a repetition of that form should find him hard to beat to-morrow. In Highland Fling and Nyallo Scott, L. F. Berkett has two of the fastest pacers in commission at present, and, if they begin correctly, they may prove capable of fighting out the finish. Dundee Sandy has been working well for V. Alborn, but, in what should be a good betting race, investors may prefer Berkett’s bracket. Highland Fling and Nyallo Scott, Aberhall and Cameronian. 1.43 p.m.— SPEEDWAY HANDICAP,

After being placed in 10 of his first 13 races last season. Sprayman lost form and finished the season with five unplaced efforts. Sprayman appears to have recovered his best form now, and, together with his stcblemates, Eelhall and Worthy Gold, he should race well in the Speedway Handicap. Belhall, which showed good form when trained by F. J. Smith in the 1945-46 season to secure three wins and four jninor placings, did not race last season because of a splint. Belhall appears to have done well under Holmes’s care and she should soon show her best form.

Dillondale raced well when trained at Addington by R. A. Hamilton last season to secure two second placings and three third placings in six starts. Dillondale is now back in S. A. Edwards’s team at West Melton, and, provided he leaves the mark smoothly, he appears assured of earning one of the prizes. Radical showed some ability at the matinee meeting at Methven last week and. together with Gold Sheik, a winner at Addington on Tuesday, he appears the most likely to trouble Sprayman and Dillondale over the last two furlongs.

Mistydale followed up her fine performance to win the Ashburton County Handicap from Gelert and Casabianca at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting on May 31 with two second placings in heavy going, which did not suit her. at the Wellington Trotting Club's winter meeting. A solid trotter, Mistydale begins quickly in her races and she should prove the hardest to beat from the scratch mark in the Stewards’ Handicap.

Of the others on the same mark, Gelert, Rerewaka, Pardon Me, and Toushay make most appeal. Rerewaka trotted well at the matinee meeting at Addington to win his heat from Forewarned, and he should be seen at his best over the mile and five furlongs to-morrow. Pardon Me also pleased by her effort at Addington on Tuesday and she should at least be placed. The back-markers. Forewarned, Range Finder, and Will Cary, all have some useful performances to their credit. Forewarned worked nicely in company with Golden Amazon and Cameronian at Addington yesterday morning, and she may prove capable of catching Mistydale. Rerewaka and Pardon Me in the sprint home. • 3.13 p.m.— CANTERBURY THREE-YEAR-OLD

Sir Vivian. Congo Song, Beckleigh, Red Flight, i nd David’s Pride appear to dominate discussions on the Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes. Congo Song was suffering from a cold when he finished in second place to Sir Vivian in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes at Ashburton on June 2. At his best, he may reverse placings with the Grattan Loyal gelding to-morrow. A handsome son of Gold Bar and Flying Helen. Congo Song appeared unlucky not to win a race as a two-year-old. but he should do well this season.

Sir Vivian has worked well at Addington and he should be at the top of his form when he parades to-morrow. Beckleigh, which is now trained at Templeton by F. E. Upton, who has taken over the late R. J. Humphreys’s team, is a pro-

mising colt by Dillon Hall from Maeve. Beckleigh was placed in two of his four races as a two-year-old and he may eventually win good races for Messrs O. T. and O. G. Evans.

The field includes some likely types in Daisy Bar, Gay Knight. Viceroy, and Whips+er. A colt by Quite Sure from Bantam, Whipster was given a run at Meth ven last week and, with conditions to suit him, he may prove capable of extending Sir Vivian, Congo Song, and David’s Pride. 3.58 p.m.— LIGHTNING FREE-FOR-ALL, Of £750. 2min 43sec class. One mile and a quarter. Turco Battle Colours Integrity Acropolis War Form Emulous Knave of Diamonds Countless Nyallo Scott Gold Bar Highland Fling Trusty Scott Loyal Nurse Shadow Maid Navigate Most of the best pacers in commission will meet in the Lightning Free-for-All, which should provide one of the highlights of -the day’s racing. Emulous, a brilliant son of Jack Potts and Light Wings, has won his way to a tight mark with a series of splendid performances and he may be the favourite. Highland Fling and Nyallo Scott are both capable of taking part in the finish if they leave the mark smoothly, and they should also carry solid support.

Navigate raced solidly at Addington on Tuesday to win his heat, but he may be safely held by Knave of Diamonds and Loyal Nurse, which both showed up in their race at Methven last week.

Turco has never looked better than he does at present. A game pacer, he may secure one of the prizes. Nothing has been seen of Integrity, the winner of the New Zealand Trotting Cup and of the New Zealand Pacing Free-for-all at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting in November, but he is always paraded in sparkling condition by his owner-trainer, V. Leeming, and in what should be a thrilling race, he should be handy to Emulous, Highland Fling, and Knave of Diamonds at the finish.

Blackdale .. scr Tall Timber .. 12 Excalibur .. scr Betty Maxegin 24 Fairy Wings .. scr Gold Weed .. 24 Glenlee .. scr Jason’s Quest .. 24 Golden Amazon scr Teddy Gregg .. 24 Jimmy Scott .. scr Kildonnin .. 36 Max Baer .. scr Royal Dale .. 36 Strummer .. scr Frank Scott .. 48 Beverley Volo 12

ISLINGTON HANDICAP, Of £600. 4min 38sec class. Two miles. Appreciate .. scr Baby Grand 24 Expensive .. scr Hal Derby 24 Horatio Nelson scr Johnnie Lawn 24 Maudeen .. scr Leonin 24 Starshell .. scr Mountmellick 24 Trevathan .. scr Right Royal . 24 Coral Princess 12 Certainty 36 Notus .. 12 Indigo 36 Sir Raymond .. 12 Renown’s Pride 36 Symetra .. 12

HEATHCOTE HANDICAP, Of £850. 4min 33sec class. Two miles. Ben Adam scr Paddy Potts .. 12 Direct Medium scr Traverse 12 Limerick Pride Northern Lass scr Ann Scott Imperial 24 Remlap scr Grattan 24 Checkmate 12 Windermere 24 Chinook 12 Absolutely 36 Lady Vi 12 Golden Shadow 36 Mandrake 12 Snowflake 36 Maori Home .. Mountain Hall 12 12 Tenpennybit .. 36

Of £1750 . 4min 24sec class. Two miles. Aberhall . scr In the Mood .. 24 Cabin Boy scr Nyallo Scott .. 24 Gold Peg . scr Plunder Bar .. 24 Highland Scott scr Acropolis 36 Jack s Son . scr Battle Colours 36 Local Gold . scr Dundee Sandy 36 Sir Michael . scr Highland Fling 36 Trusty Scott . scr Loyal Peter 36 War Form . 12 Shadow Maid 48 Cameronian 24 Countless 60

Of £1250. 4min 29sec class. Two miles. Dillondale scr Gold Sheik 12 Follow Me scr Margaret Hall 12 Radical scr Pre-Eminence 12 Sprayman scr Ribbon Again 12 Stimulant scr Worthy Gold .. 12 Alcazar 12 Fancy Foods .. 24 Belhall 12 Claremorris 36 Bill Scott 12 Gamble King .. 36

2.28 p.m.— STEWARDS’ HANDICAP, Of £750. Trotters. 3min 43sec class. One mile and five furlongs. Fire Water .. scr Toushay scr Gelert .. scr Willie Winkie . scr Misty dale .. scr Forewarned 36 Pardon Me .. scr Range Finder 36 Rerewaka .. scr Will Cary 36 Sure Lady .. scr

STAKES, Of £850. One mile and a half. Artful .. scr Quarter Deck .. scr Beckleigh .. scr Red Flight .. scr Chief Officer . scr Viceroy .. scr Daisy Bar .. scr Victory Globe scr Gay Knight .. scr Whipster .. scr Globe Son .. scr Yours Truly .. scr Grand Scott .. scr Congo Song .. 12 Highland Chief scr David’s Pride .. 12 Liebestraum .. scr Sir Vivian .. 24