FORTUNA AND FAN TAN

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25607, 23 September 1948, Page 7

FORTUNA AND FAN TAN

TROTTING

GOOD PROSPECTS AT AUCKLAND

Fortuna and Fan, Tan proved much too good for the opposition when they finished in first and second place respectively in the second division of the Improvers’ Handicap at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting last week. On that form, they should prove hard to beat in their divisions of the Devonport Handicap on the second day of the meeting on Saturday.

A winner at her last three starts, Fortuna, which is trained at Templeton by J. B. Pringle for Messrs E. J. August and D. H. Blackie, is by Springfield Globe from Betty Wrack, which left another winner in Super Globe to the same sire. A high-class mare, Fortuna should not be troubled to give away starts of up to 24 yards in the first division of the Devonport Handicap. Most opposition to her is expected to come from Airswept and Brig o’ Dee, which finished third in their divisions of the Improvers’ Handicap.

Fan Tdb, the favourite for the second division of the Devonport Handicap, showed good form last season to gain two wins for Mr R. A. McKenzie, for whom he is trained at Yaldhurst by G. B. Noble. Fan Tan gained his first win last season when he beat Sirocco and Tekau in the Spotswood Handicap at the Cheviot Trotting Club’s meeting at' Rangiora on April 10. After being unplaced at his next start, Fan Tan was taken to the Ashburton Racing Club’s meeting on May 1, where he gave an impressive performance to win the Winslow Trot Handicap in 4min 29sec, after giving away starts of up to 48 yards. By Lucky Jack, the winner of two New Zealand Cup Handicaps, from the imported Fantine, which left a smart trotter in Fantom to U. Scott. Fan Tan should prove hard to catch from the scratch mark in the second division of the Devonport Handicap. Likely improvers in the field include Staveley’s Lad, Milford Lad. and Indian Quest. A placegetter at Epsom last week. Staveley’s Lad is an aged gelding by Auto Machine from Worthy Protection, by Worthy Bingen from Windshield, by Blue Mountain King from Intaglio, the dam of other winners, including Free Advice. Prince Parrisji, Ringstone, and Durato.

Jottings Gay Piper, which gained two wing and four minor placings last season for G. MeKendry, who trains him at Methven. is entitled to respect from the scratch mark in the Seaview Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday.

Ivy Goodwin, the winner of the September Handicap on the first day of the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting last week, should prove hard to beat over the mile and a quarter journey in the Papatoetoe Handicap on the second day of the meeting on Saturday.

After losing ground at the start, Star Rosa snowed a lot of speed to finish third to Bronze Gold and Sir Leonard in the special eVent for three-year-olds at the trials at Addington on Tuesday. Star Rosa, which is now trained at West Melton by S. A. Edwards, appeals as an early winner Trained at Rakaia

R. H. Butterick, who trains his team at Rakaia. will be represented by Good Review, Silverlight, and Economist at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday.

The winner of four races last season. Good Review began the present term with a third to Baby Grand and Scholarship in the Heathcote Handicap on the first day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s National meeting at Addington. On the second day of the meeting he was always well back after beginning slowly in the Queen Mary Handicap. Usually a good beginner, Good Review, which has some good form on grass tracks to his credit, should be prominent all the way in the Henry Mace Memorial Handicap at New Brighton. Economist, which is engaged in the Introductory Handicap, is a five-year-old mai;e by Josedale Dictator from a jvinner in Credit Funds, which left Good Review to Sandydale. By Nelson Derby, Credit Funds is out of Credit Slip, the dam of other winners, including Willie Derby, Cracksman, and Credit Balance.

A winner in the 1946-47 season. Economist showed her best form last season to finish second to Rimmo in the 3min 51sec class pace at the matinee meeting at Washdyke on September 22. An aged son of Quite Sure and Honour Bound. Silverlight raced well at the recent National meeting at Addington ’to finish third to Minoru and Novelda in the Islington Handicap and fourth to County Antrim, Novelda, and National Velvet in the Improvers’ Handicap. If he leaves the mark smartly. SilveriiPht should be placed in the Farewell Handicap, of one mile and a quarter, at New Brighton on Saturday. Haughty’s Foal Hauchtv. the’ fastest pacing mare in New Zealand, foaled a chestnut colt foal at 11.30 p m. on Sunday to Gold Bar. the fastest pacing stallion in N6Xv Zealand. Bv Nelson Derby from a winner in Regal Voyage, Haughty, which was bred by B. Grice, who educated and trained her, won her way to the best classes, her record being studded with brilliant performances. including wins in the 1942 and 1943 New Zealand Cun Handicaps. The first mare to break two minutes ip New Zealand. Haughty naced a mile in Imin 59 3-ssec. at Addington.

Gold Bar. imin 59 3-ssec. is the first New Zealand-bred horse to better two minutes. One of the most spectacular nacers ever to race in New Zealand, Gold Bar won 22 races and more than £12,000 -in stakes. His record included a win in the 1945 New Zealand Cup Handicap and in six free-for-alls.

Tlie mating of Haughty and Gold Bar was the first time that two two-minute performers had been bred outside America. Haughty’s chestnut colt has a heritage xif speed and his career will be followed *with interest. Encouraging

Sandy Duval, which is now trained at Templeton by E. Rinaldi and W. J. Coates, gave an encouraging performance to finish third to David Drvden and Jimmy Warton in the 3min 52sec class pace at the Canterbury Owners' and Breeders’ Association’s trials at Addington on Tuesday. A winner last season when trained at Addington by L O. Thomas for Mr V. Constant. Sandy Duval, which is by Quite Sure from Roydon’s Gift, may graduate to good company this season.

Going to Adelaide Operating on behalf of Mr C. Taylor (Adelaide), the Riccarton trainer, C. H. Fairman. purchased Range Finder yesterdav from Mr W. L. Parkinson.

The 1934 foal of Frank Worthy and a winner at the pacing gait in Mavis Bingen. Range Finder developed into a highclass trotter, his present assessments bem? 2min Msec, 2min 50sec, and 4min 32sec.

Range Finder, which is to be prepared for the trotting events at the Inter-Do-minion championships next year, will probably be shipped to Adelaide to-morrow. May Win on Saturday

Merry Man gave a solid performance when, after racing handy to the leaders all the way. he finished third to Belshazzar and Billy McElw.vn in the Welcome Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on September 11. One of J. Bell’s team at Ashburton. Merry Man would need to show little improvement to win the Shirley Handicap at the same club’s meeting on Saturday.

NEW BRIGHTON TROTS Sir, —You published under the caption. “Popular Trotting Meeting,” a glowing account of Saturday’s meeting at New Brighton. From the time I lined up for a bus in Cathedral square until I left the course. I spent the most tiring and uncomfortable day I have ever experienced on a racecourse. I sooke to a large number of patrons, and they were unanimous in condemning the whole, set-up. Women who arrived at 10.30 a.m. were compelled to stand all day, with little or no chance of getting* a reasonable view of the races. Fortunately, the day was fine. I hate to think of conditions there on a dull, windy day. To judge by remarks I heard, it was not a popular move at all. Nd doubt the officials, in their special pavi lion, considered it a good day; but the public were very disgruntled.—Yours, etc., ADDINGTON. September 14, 1948. [This letter was referred to Mr *H. E. Goggin (secretary of the New Brighton Trotting Club), who said: “After nearly six years of military occupation the club had a big task to bring the grounds and buildings to their present state. Had building permits been available a lot more would have been done. However, the club is alive to the position and many improvements have been made since the last race meeting, which will facilitate matters next Saturday.’’]