BLUE TROUT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25328, 30 October 1947, Page 4

BLUE TROUT

RACING

STEWARDS’ HANDICAP PROSPECT

Any doubts about Blue Trout not re-/ gaining form were dispelled by her displays in her two races at Trentham. In the Shorts Handicap on the first day the holding going definitely did not suit Blue Trout, but in spite of that she led to the final furlong and was then beaten into fourth place some three lengths behind the third horse, Royal Scot. The firm track last Saturday was to Blue Trout’s liking and she made an excellent showing for only her second attempt over seven furlongs when she ran Voltaic to half a length in the Awatea Handicap. Although she was drawn wide out at the barrier, a decided disadvantage over seven furlongs at Trentham, Blue Trout did not take long to reach the front, and she carried the field along at a fast pace. She still held charge commencing the final furlong, but Voltaic wore her down to beat her rather comfortably by half a length at the post. Considering that it was only her third race after 16 months’ absence from the racecourse. Blue Trout’s performance was an excellent one, especially as she went under to as capable a performer as Voltaic. As the tracks become firmer and she becomes more seasoned. Blue Trout will show considerable improvement on her Trentham form. Her next race is likely to be the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton, and by that time she should be approaching the peak of her form. She has already shown her capabilities over the six furlongs course at Riccarton, and there is no better Stewards’ Handicap prospect in sight. Nearing Best Form . . Gay Stroller did not show up in the wainui Handicap on the first day at Trentham, but he evidently derived considerable benefit from the race as he made a very forward showing to finish sixth m the Watkins Handicap last Saturday. He did not have the best of fortune in the running, and in the straight had to make his run wide out. He came home well and was only three lengths behind Robin s Reward. Royal Tan and Lord Dundonald which finished practically in line, with the first named getting the decision for third place. Last season Gay Stroller gave promise of developing into a good middle distance performer, and his showing last Saturday suggested that he will be dimcult to beat the next time he starts. Gay Stroller is now five years old, but has done less racing than most horses of his age. Earlier in his career he promised to be much above the average.

Signal Officer’s Cup Trial Signal Officer gave an impressive New Zealand Cup trial when he won the President’s Handicap on the second day at Gore under 9-12 on a track z that was heavy and cutting out. Although he was at the rear of a five-horse field to the home turn, he was always within range of the leaders. Pride of Mossburn, which was in receipt of 361 b from Signal Officer, stuck to his task well over the last furlong, when challenged, and Signal Officer had to be kept up to his work to shake him off. Signal Officer will probably be given another race at Winton on November 8 before being taken to Riccarton.—(P.S.S.) Much-Improved Form The Defaulter mare Renege has taken time to strike form, but recently she has raced very consistently. Her record last season was three second and two third placings in 16 starts, all of them m maiden company, and four of them on the West Coast. This season, after two minor placings. Renege won the seven furlongs Gladstone Hack Handicap at the second Geraldine meeting, her first success. Before she won at Geraldine, Renege had failed three times in maiden company. In those races she had not carried less than 8-4, whereas when she won at Geraldine Renege carried 7-9. It seems a fair indication that she will not handle weight well. Last Saturday sne ran third in the Brackenfield Hack Handicap with 8-1, and on Monday won the Fernside Hack Handicap at Rangiora with 7-13, both races being over seven furlongs. Renege won so well at Rangiora that she should gain further success when the weights are suitable. Renege’s dam, Sibella, is by Silverado from Zaragoza, a Nassau mare from the Miss Kate family. Sibella paid a very big dividend when she scored her first success at Motukarara several years ago, and later returned another very good dividend when she won again on the same course.

Fine Sprint Performance Red Pickle’s winning effort in the Flying Handicap on the opening day of the Gore meeting last Saturday was one of the finest sprint performances registered in Southland for some time. Under 9-4 he ran the six furlongs on a slow track in Imin 14sec, and the Salmagundi gelding showed that he is probably better than ever. Red Pickle missed the jump out, and at the end of two furlongs he was conceding the leaders about 15 lengths—he had only Lorna Leigh behind him. Red Pickle made up some ground at the home turn, but he was still giving the leaders a good start into the straight. It was a sensational run over the last two furlongs that enabled him to win by a length. Inside the last half furlong he was inclined to hang in. and R. J. Mackie had to check him slightly. Mackie was seen in his best form on Red Pickle and with a less vigorous rider the result would no doubt have been different. Red Pickle, which finished second to Derene in the last Great Easter Handicap, promises to be a serious contender for the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton next month. Racing More Solidly The North Island owner. Mr E. C. Haddock, and the Halswell trainer, C. Davey, have now gained some reward for the patience they have shown with the Foxbridge gelding, Clyde Bridge. Last Saturday Clyde Bridge finished strongly to won the J. F. Buchanan Memorial Handicap at Motukarara, and, with a penalty, staged another good finishing run to dead-heat with Hansel in the North Can-

terbury Handicap at Rangiora on Monday. When he first joined Davey’s stable several months ago, Clyde Bridge was very light in condition, and took time to build up. He has raced more solidly this season and now that he has shown his ability to run out a middle distance he should have further prospects. Salmon Spear’s Lapse Salmon Spear's only appearance at the Gore meeting was in the Stewards’ Handicap on the second day, but when the field jumped away he swung round at the start and took no part in the race. Salmon Spear drew No. 2 at the barrier, but he started from No. 1, and his rider, W. F. Ellis, maintained that he took fright at a bundle of overcoats lying on the ground. This season Salmon Spear can be expected to - develop high-class handicap form. Just Held On After failing in the Shorts Handicap on the first day at Trentham, Flying Orders was successful against less imposing opeisition in the Le Bons Handicap at otukarara last Saturday. He showed his usual speed to lead all the way. but he was stopping at the finish and lasted just long enough to beat Chellow Dene by the narrowest of margins. Flying Orders can run out a good six furlongs, but the seventh is just a shade too far for him in strong company. Flying Orders is very well at present and should continue to pay his way this season. His trainer, R. E. Johnstone; has succeeded in getting him to work much more quietly than formerly and he may now stand up to racing much better. Poor Showing Loma Leigh’s only appearance at Gore was in the Flying Handicap on the first day. She \vas last to junfp out and trailed the field most of the way. It was a poor

showing for a sprinter of her class. Canterbury Jockey Club Entries Entries for the New Zealand Cup meeting, also forfeits for the N.Z. Derby and Oaks Stakes, will close at 5 p.m. tomorrow. —Advt.