NEW BRIGHTON CLUB

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25610, 27 September 1948, Page 4

NEW BRIGHTON CLUB

TROTTING

Make Believe Wins Main Race

NOTUS SHOWS GOOD FORM

A sterling performance by Make Believe to win the Henry Mace Handicap, Notus’s big dividend when he surprised in the Farewell Handicap, Swanee River’s easy win in the H. F. Nicoll Handicap, a close finish between Elmdale and Quarterdeck in the Introductory Handicap, and Gay Knight’s splendid effort in the Bowhill Handicap marked the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday.

The weather was fine, and there was a large attendance. The track was dead after rain on Friday, but it improved rapidly during the day. The totalisator handled £100,169 10s, compared with £112,883 at the meeting at New Brighton on September 11.

Vigorously driven over the last half-mile by T. H. Gunning, who trains him at Temuka for Mr J. Bland, Make Believe, the winner of the Cambridge Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s first spring meeting, returned his supporters a win dividend approaching double figures when he gave further proof of his ability by finishing gamely to win the Henry Mace Handicap by a head from the favourite, County Antrim.

A grand stayer, Make Believe is a son of the speedy Wrack horse, Casanova, which was recently sold to go to a stud in Tasmania, from Lady Winchmore, a stoutly-bred mare which traces to a famous producer in Norice. Only a five-year-old. Make Believe should add to his record at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s cup meeting, which commences at Addington on October 30.

Quite Happy. Make Believe, Nola Scott, Jack High, and Dragoman all began slowly in the Henry Mace Handicap. Mountain Hall was the quickest to begin and at the end of two furlongs he was followed by Wade Lane, Bonny Scott. Proprietor. Tenpennybit, Ben Adam. Good Review. Make Believe. Nola Scctt, and Congo Song, with a gap of four lengths to Countv Antrim. Indigo, and Dragoman. Tenpennybit raced up to take the lead in the back straight and, in turn, he was supplanted by Bonny Scott. With a mile to go these two were followed by Good Review, Ben Adam, Mountain Hall, Proprietor, Make Believe, County Antrim. Wade Lane, Dragoman, and Indigo. Good Review took the role of pacemaker as the field turned into the back straight where Proprietor, County Antrim, Make Believe, and Indigo imfiroved their positions. Securing a ucky run on the rails. Make Believe worked his way into the lead with just over three furlongs to go. Make Believe was under a hard drive as he led into the straight from County Antrim, Dragoman, Indigo, and Mountain Hall and it would not have surprised if he had wilted when County Antrim challenged him with a furlong to go, but he stuck to his work in fine style to win narrowly. County Antrim was not disgraced in defeat, his time, 4min 23 3-ssec, representing a particularly good effort.

* Notus Surprises in Sprint Notus, the twelfth favourite in a field of 17, returned his supporters a win dividend of more than £5O when he gained a decisive win in the Farewell Handicap, the main event for sprinters. The favourite. Sir Vivian, the second favourite. Scholarship, and another wellbacked candidate in Starshell all lost ground at the start. National Velvet accelerated quickly and at the end of the first furlong he was leading from Larry Grattan, Loyal Chief, Clueless, Carisbrook, Premier Royal, Loyal Nelson, Pimpernel, Silverlight, Notus, Northern Lass, Likely, Tam o’ Shanter, and Bay Machine. Larry Grattan broke as the field turned Into the back straight, Carisbrook and Clueless both losing their chance in the mix-up which followed.

Premier Royal and Notus improved their positions in the back straight, and they were close to National Velvet as the field straightened up for the sprint home. Notus soon headed National Velvet and Premier Royal, and he carried on to win nicely from Silverlight, which finished fast. Tam o’ Shanter attracted attention to his prospects when he sustained a strong finishing run to shade Premier Royal for third prize. Premier Royal, which was having his second race after a long spell, should be improved by the race. On this display, a winning turn should noti be far away. A Popular Win Elmdale, the runner-up to Spring Fashion in the Brighton Handicap at New Brighton on September 11, gained a popular win for his young owner, H. Greenhorn, who trains him at Addington. Red Flight began fast from the 12 yards mark in the Introductory Handicap, and when the field settled down he was leading from French Gold, Lusty Bingen, Play Boy, Economist, Elmdale, Quarter Deck, Will Scarlett, and Free Style, with gaps to Seven Bar and Canny Scott. Elmdale improved, his -position to be handy to Red Flight at the end of half a mile, and these two led into the straight from Lusty Bingen, French Gold. Quarter Deck, and Play Boy. Red Flight was soon done with, and with a furlong to go Elmdale and Quarter Deck drew away from the field. In an exciting finish, Elmdale, which was a good favourite, just lasted long enough to win by half a head. Quarter Deck’s second placing was full of merit. A four-year-old horse by Black Globe from Moradijie, Quarter Peck should soon win a race for P. P. Gallagher .When he is better placed in the handicaps. An Easy Win Swanee River followed up his third to Java and David Dryden in the Spring Handicap at the New Brighton meeting on September 11 with a clear-cut win in the H. F. Nicoll Handicap, the main event for trotters. Terrytoon. Dan Martin, David Dryden, and Beverley Volo all made their task harder when they began slowly. Little Jean was the first to show out. and when the field settled down she was leading from Billy McElwyn, Mamanuas. Jimmy Warton, and Bardia, with a gap to Loyal Toast, Morning Wings, Swanee River, and Maxee. Morning Wings ans Maxee both broke in the early stages. With half a mile to go Mamanuas was leading from Little Jean, Bardia. Billy McElwyn, Swanee River, and Dan Martin. Swanee River took the lead approaching the entrance to the straight, and he carried on to win with the greatest of ease from Billy McElwyn, with David Dryden in third place. One of the few' of the stock of Dillon Hall to race at the trotting gait, Swanee River was capably handled by C. King.

The favourite, Java, made a bold attempt from the 120 yards mark, but he lost his balance and broke when his driver, G. McKendry, pulled him out sharply in order to 'get a clear run in the straight. Win for Gay Knight Gay Knight and Wayfarer, which deadheated in the Avon Handicap at New Brighton on September 11, fought out the finish of the Bowhill Handicap, Gay Knight winning by a head. Pirouette set the pace in the early stages and at the end of half a mile she was leading from Theabelle, Gay Note, Melton, Grattan Gold, His Excellency, Wayfarer, Red Arrow, Gay Knight, Boston Lady, Wedding Ring, Lyceum, Sandy Potts, and Sunny Hall. Theabelle raced into the lead in the back straight, and with half a mile to go she was closely followed by Pirouette, Wayfarer (which secured' a run on the rails), Lyceum, Melton, His Excellency. Grattan Gold, and Gay Knight. Wayfarer appeared as the likely winner with a furlong to go, but Gay Knight gradually overhauled him, and he got up to win narrowly. One of the most promising pacers in his class, Gay Knight should win his way to good company this season for R. J. Berry, who trains him at Yaldhurst. The racing th/oughout the day was full of interest, and the form shown should prove a good guide at the Methven Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. INTRODUCTORY HANDICAP Of £325. 4min 47sec class. Two miles. 1. I—H. Greenhorn’s ELMDALE by Sandydale—Ulva aged scr Owner 1 6- 6—P. P. Gallagher’s Quarterdeck 4yrs 24 .. .. .. Owner 2 5. 5—R. H. Butterick’s Economist syrs 12 .. .. Owner 3 9, 11 Canny Scott; 4, 4 French Gold; 2.2 Lusty Bingen; 10, 10 Playboy: 8. 10 Red Flight;. U, 9 Seven Bar; 3, 3 Will Scarlett; 7, 7 Free Style also started. Half head; four lengths. Lusty Bingen fourth. Times—4min 34 l-ssec, 4min 32 2-ssec, 4min 34 2-ssec. Winner trained by owner, Addington. SHIRLEY HANDICAP Of £325. Trotters. 3min 38sec class. One mile and a half. 1. I—H. and C. Stafford’s CONCEIT by Desmond’s Pride —Mersa Matruh syrs scr .. M. Holmes 1 2. 2—W. J. Doyle’s Passive 6yrs scr Owner 2 7. 6—J. Behrns’s Loyal Wrack aged 12 .. .. .. Owner 3 13, 13 Doreano; 4, 4 Merry Man; 12, 12 Silver Volo; 11, 10 Sure Jinks; 10. 11 Black Forest; 8. 8 Gallant RUth; 9, 9 Mack Sure; 6, 5 Mosquito; 5, 7 Pay Boy; 3, 3 Who Knows also started.

Three-quarters of a length; 10 lengths. Mack Sure fourth. Times—3m in 27 3-5 sec. 3min 27 4-ssec, 3min 30 l-ssec. Winner trained by M. Holmes, Yaldhurst. SEAVIEW HANDICAP Of £475. 2min 53sec class. One mile and a quarter. 6. 6—W. Cameron’s HALL ACE by Dillon Hall—Rita Drusus 6yrs 12 H. I. Herbert 1 3. 3—G McKendry’s Gay Piper syrs scr .. .. .. Owner 2 14. 12—C. A. Winter’s Lucky Potts aged scr .. .. R. Donald 3 I, 1 Beckleigh and Double Deck bracketed; 10, 8 Best Globe and Crown Plate bracketed; 4, 4 Direct Heir; 16, 16 Emily Volo: 14. 12 Substitute bracketed Lucky Potts; 17. 18 Makarewa; 8, 7 Marcia: 12. 13 Our Nulgie; 20, 20 Ovend; 7, 9 Rose Volo and Aloysius; 5, 5 West Point; 18, 17 Worthy Jack; 2,2 Demetrius; 11, 10 Gantree; 9, 11 Golden Game; 13, 15 Kimono Girl: 19, 19 Shadow Chimes; 15, 14 Volodale also started. Half length; two lengths. ShadowChimes fourth. Times—2min 44sec, 2min 45 l-ssec, 2min 45 3-ssec. Winner trained by H. I. Herbert, Waimate. HENRY MACE HANDICAP Of £1250. 4min 31sec class. Two miles. 6. 6—J. Bland’s MAKE BELIEVE by Casanova—Lady Winchmore syrs scr .. T. -H. Gunning 1 1. I—Mrs L. J. Brake’s County Antrim syrs 24 L. O. Thomas 2 5. 5—M. C. McTigue’s Indigo aged 24 .. .. .. Owner 3 4, 4 Bonny Scott; 8, 8 Mountain Hall; 12. 13 Nola Scott; 2, 3 Proprietor; 15, 14 Wade Lane; 10, 10 Ben Adam; 3. 2 Good Review; 14, 15 Jack High; 11, 12 Quite Happy; 13, 11 Tenpennybit; 9, 9 Congo Song; 7, 7 Dragoman also started. Head; four lengths. Proprietor fourth. Times—4min 25 2-ssec, 4min 23 3-ssec,' 4min 24 3-ssec. Winner trained by T. H. Gunning, Temuka. BOWHILL HANDICAP, Of £550. 3min 27sec class. One mile and a half. 2, I—R. J. Berry’s GAY KNIGHT by Springfield Globe—Grace McElwyn 4yrs 12 ..... .. Owner 1 1, 2—B. Grice’s Wayfarer syrs 12 O. E. Hooper 2 6, 7—C. Smith’s Gay Note syrs scr C. M. Laing "31 11, 12 Boston Lady; 7, 5 Grattan Gold and Wedding Ring bracketed; 4, 4 Melton; 14, 14 Pirouette; 12, 13 Red Arrow; 9, 9 Sandy Potts; 8, 8 Tudor Minstrel; 10, 10 His Excellency; 3 3 Lyceum; 15, 15 Nelsonova; 5. 6 Sunny Hall; 13. 11 Theabelle also started. Head; two lengths. His Excellency fourth. Times—3min 17 4-ssec, 3min 18sec, 3min 19 l-ssec. Winner trained by owner, Yaldfiurst. H. F. NICOLL HANDICAP, Of £625. Trotters. 4min 48sec class. Twq miles. 2, 2—L. M. and L. J. Argyle’s SWANEE RIVER by Dillon Hall— Wildfly 6yrs 36 . .. C. King 1 6, 5—A. B. Higgs’ and *. Owens’s Billy McElwyn aged 12 G. Holmes 2 5: 3—D. Geddes’s David Dryden aged 72 .. .. .. Owner 3 13, 12 Bardia; 12, 13 Little Jean; 3, 4 Dan Martin; 10, 9 Terry Toon; 8, 8 Loyal •Toast; 9. 10 Mamanuas; 4, 6 Morning Wings: 7, 7 Maxee; 14, 15 Beverley Volo; 15, 14 Blackdale; 1, 1 Java also started. Eight lengths; three lengths. Mamanuas was fourth. Times—4min 31 2-ssec, 4min 35sec, 4min 30 3-ssec. Winner trained by M. J. Argyle, Leeston. PACIFIC HANDICAP, Of £625. 3min 25sec class. One mile and a half. 5, 4—C. Hay’s SEA CRAFT by Quite Sure—Marie Celeste aged scr C. M. Laing .1 1, I—C. L. Rhodes’s On Approval syrs scr .. .. O. E. Hooper 2 2, 2—B. T. Stanley’s Worthy Dick syds 12 .. .. D. C. Watts 3 14, 14 Ben Ledi; 11, 12 Dandy Grattan; 4, 5 Despatch; 3, 3 Gold Strike; 12, 10 Herald and Mourne Spring bracketed; 8, 8 King Cobra; 13, 13 King's Messenger; 10. 11 Melvian; 6, 6 Red Herring; 7, 7 Confirmed; 9, 9 Hal Derby also started. Two lengths; half length. Red Herring was fourth. Times—3min 18 2-ssec, 3min 18 4-ssec, 3min 18sec. Winner trained by C. M. Laing, Ashburton. FAREWELL HANDICAP, Of £625. 2min 48sec class. One mile and a quarter 12, 12—C. E. Dillon’s NOTUS by Dillon Hall—Charming Child aged scr R. Donald 1 5, 5—R. H. Butterick’s Silverlight aged scr .. .. /Owner 2 9, 9—A. Todd and S. Lee’s Tam o’ Shanter aged 12 .. H. J. Smith 3 10, 11 Carisbrook; 13, 13 Clueless; 17, 17 Larry Grattan; 8. 6 Likely; 16. 16 Loyal Chief; 3, 3 National Velvet; 7, 8 Premier Royal; 1, 1 Sir Vivian; 15, 15 Bay Machine; 11, 10 Loyal Nelson; 14, 14 Northern Lass; 6, 7 Pimpernel; 2,2 Scholarship; 4, 4 Starshell also started. Neck; two lengths. Premier Royal was fourth. Times—2min 43 2-ssec, 2min 43 3-ssec, 2min 43 l-ssec. Winner trained by C.- S. Donald, Belfast.