TIMARU CLUB

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25435, 5 March 1948, Page 4

TIMARU CLUB

TROTTING

PROSPECTS TO-MORROW

Sahara Queen, a winner at her last two starts, will probably be sent out a hot favourite for the Timaru Trotting Cup Handicap, the main eVent for pacers at the Timaru Trotting Club’s meeting at Washdyke to-morrow.

Driven by M. Gray, Sahara Queen showed her best form for the season at the Nelson Trotting Club’s meeting on February 2, when she finished brilliantly to win the President’s Handicap, of two miles, in the track record time of 4min 21 4-ssec. Sahara Queen /indicated that she was at the top of her form by sprinting the last half-mile in an easy manner in Imin 4 2-ssec, when she won her heat in 3min 34 3-ssec at the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association trials at Addington on Tuesday. The Washdyke course is reported to be in good order, and Sahara Queen should prove capable of recording fast time over two miles in the Timaru Trotting Cup. Most opposition to Sahara Queen may come from Carisbrook, Notus. Confirmed, and Bonny Clare. A consistent son of Grattan Loyal and Lu Parrish, Carisbrook, which has been placed in five of his last nine races, has been racing without luck. One of E. A. Berry’s team at Addington, Carisbrook appeals as an early winner. Confirmed showed good form when trained by D. Townley at Hinds to win the Midsummer Handicap, of one mile and a half, in 3min 19 l-ssec at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting on Boxing Day. If he repeats that form, Confirmed, which is now being trained at Winchmore by his owner (A. J. Wilson), should earn some of the prize money to-morrow. Bonny Clare’s record this season includes two second placings at her last two starts for C. Nordqvist, who trains hen at Methven. A five-year-old daughter of Grattan Loyal and Irish Peach, Bonny Clare is a likely improver, and she may take part in the finish with Sahara Queen, Notus, and Carisbrook. Large fields of evenly-matched horses are carded throughout the programme, and investors will be set some hard tasks in selecting the winners. Horses in form include: 11 a.m.—Claremont Handicap: Dan Martin, Nydia, Tatsydale. 11.45 a.m.—Salisbury Handicap: First division: Ikaroa, El Sandra; .second division: Risingholme, Melton. 12.25 p.m.—Timaru Trotting Cup: Sahara Queen, Notus, Confirmed.

1.10 p.m.—Seadown Handicap: Gloxania, Ben’s Son, Aries. 1.55 p.m.—Timaru Nursery Stakes: Star Rosa, Night Raider, Direct Chief. 2.40 p.m.—Temuka Handicap: Mack Sure, Dan Martin, Monitress. 3.25 p.m.—Washdyke Handicap: Admiral Peterson, Bull’s Eye, Kimono Girl. 4.10 p.m.—Wai-iti Handicap: Scottish Brogue, Proprietor, Sahara*Queen.