NEW BRIGHTON CLUB

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25734, 21 February 1949, Page 4

NEW BRIGHTON CLUB

TROTTING

Belmont Hall Wins Main Race BEVERLEY VOLO’S FINE DISPLAY Belmont Hall’s dashing performance to win the New Brighton Handicap, Beverley Volo’s splendid exhibition of trotting in the Autumn Handicap, good displays of reinsmanship by the C grade drivers in the Trial Handicap, Pirouette’s big dividend in the Eclipse Handicap, and Maida Dillon’s easy win in the fast time of Zmin 39sec in the Final Handicap marked the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting at New Brighton on Saturday. The weather was fine, the track was fast, and there was a good attendance. The totalisator handled £97,617, compared with £100,705 10s on the corresponding day last year. Paraded in sparkling condition by V. Leemijig, who trains him at Prebbleton for Mr J. Richardson, Belmont Hall confirmed the good impression he created when he finished close up to the place-getters after giving away starts of up to 36 yards in the Wigram Handicap at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on February 12 by his decisive win in 4min 22 4-ssec from a 4min 33sec mark in the New Brighton Handicap.

The winner of three races in his first four starts as a three-year-old last season, Belmont Hall has sometimes made his task hard by pulling, but he appears to have settled dpwn tp race kindly, and he should have little difficulty in winning his way to the best classes.

Novelda and Victory Globe lost ground at the start, Fortuna and Belmont Hall being the first to show out from Gay Knight, Paddy Potts, Quite Happy, Mountmellick, Wayfarer, Starshell, Premier Royal, Prince Hall, Direct Medium, Maida Dillon, and Bonny Scott. P. P. Gallagher took Quite Happy into the lead at the end of four furlongs and with a mile to go he was followed by Mountmellick, Belmont Hall, Bonny Scott, Gay Knight, Fortuna, Premier Royal, Paddy Potts, and Wayfarer. Premier Royal improved his position in the back straight where he took over the role of pacemaker from Quite Happy, which appeared to be weakening with three furlongs to go. Belmont Halt dashed into the lead approaching the entrance to the straight and with a well-sustained run he carried on to win by half a length from Premier Royal, which finished well, with Mountmellick well back in third place. Then came Wayfarer and Victory Globe, which appeared to be hopelessly out of the contest, as he raced at the rear of the field in the early stages. Once he was properly balanced, Victory Globe showed a brilliant turn of speed which should eventually enable him to win his way to cup company. A Successful Experiment The action of the New Brighton Club in putting on a race for C grade drivers was successful from all angles. Before the Trial Handicap the young drivers were given a lecture on their responsibilities by the chief stipendiary steward, Mr F. J. Beer, who said the success of the experiment would mean that other clubs would probably provide similar races. As the field lined up, the starter, Mr A. J. Hastings, gave the drivers some hints on reinmanship. With the exception of Double Deck and Wynleaf, the field all began well, Grand Fleet being the first to show out from Lady Beverley, Killowen, Active Service, Gay Pal, Risingholme, Our Nulgie, Beckleigh, Aqua Lady, and Pierre. Gay Pal improved his position to join Grand Fleet in the lead, and with a mile to go they were followed by Lady Beverley, Killowen, Risingholme. Active Service, Pierre, High Command, Beckleigh, Aqua Lady, Our Nulgie, Mavis Grattan, Double Deck, Wynleaf, and Black Diamond. Excitement was intense as Grand Fleet, High Command, L&dy Beverley, Pierre, Beckleigh, and Aqua Lady fanned across the track as they entered the straight for the sprint home, Pierre gaining the decision in a photo-finish from Aqua Lady and Grand Fleet. A consistent son of Dillon Hall and Mademoiselle, which left another winner in Caudray to the same sire, Pierre was confidently handled by P. G. Wilson. After the race, the vice-president, of the New Brighton Club, Mr T. E. Johnston, said that he was delighted with the exhibitions given by the drivers, and that his committee was completely satisfied.

Beverley Volo’s Good Display Beverley Volo followed up her win in the Aviation Handicap at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on February 12 with ML.oulatanding performance to win after giving away starts of up to 84 yards in the Autumn Handicap. Much of tlje credit for her win is due to her driver, C. S. Donald, who has a good record with trotters. Before the start, Donald gave Beverley Volo barrier practice and short sprints, and he kept her on the move as 'ong as possible before lining up for the start. When the barrier was released Beverley Volo accelerated quickly, Mamanuas as the smartest to begin from the scratch mark, and when the field settled down he was followed by Loyal Toast, Suzerain, Bingendale, Loyal Flier, David Dryden, and Beverley Volo. The Wyndham trainer, H. R. Walker, moved Bingendale up to take the lead in the early stages, and with a mile to go, he was followed by David Dryden, Mamanuas, Suzerain, and Loyal Flier, with a gap of about two lengths to Beverley Volo. David Dryden supplanted Bingendale as pacemaker in the back straight, where Beverley Volo continued to improve her position. After following David Dryden into the straight for the sprint nome, Beverley Volo soon took the lead, and she carried on to win comfortably from Suzerain in the fast time of 4min 24 2-ssec from a 4min 39sec mark.

One of the most improved trotters seen out this season, Beverley Volo should add to her record at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Easter meeting.

A Big Dividend Pirouette, which faded out of the picture after being prominent for nearly a mile in the Wigram Handicap at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on February 12, returned her supporters a win dividend of more than £5O when she won the Eclipse Handicap by a narrow margin from the unlucky Magnificent. Pirouette, which had previously shown good form on grass tracks, is a five-year-old mare by Grattan Loyal from Lady Slipper, which won races for E. A. Berry, the trainer of Pirouette.

Loyal Chief was the quickest to begin, and he set the pace in the early stages from Super Globe, Pirouette, Magnificent, Sir Peterson, Darrington Hall, Palette, and Remlap. Magnificent broke and lost his position at the entrance to the back straight where Super Globe took the lead from Loyal Chief and Tam o’ Shanter.

Pirouette had six horses in front of her with two furlongs to go, but once S. A. Edwards let her stretch out she finished gamely to win from Magnificent. Then came On Approval, Remlap, and Ikaroa. Magnificent, which lost about 24 yards when he broke, appeared the likely winner when he took the lead with a furlong to go, but the effort to make up his lost ground had taken toll of his stamina and ne was not disgraced when -be was beaten into second place. A son of Jack Potts and Mercedes, he should soon win a race for Mr V. Barker, for whom he is trained at Washdyke by P. P. Gallagher. A Decisive Win Maida Dillon, which had finished sixth after giving away starts of up to 36 yards in the New Brighton Handicap, gave nothing else a chance in the Final Handicap, winning easily in the fast time of 2mln 39sec. Dillondale, which has marred some of his efforts by failing to begin correctly, moved off smartly for H. Greenhorn and at the end of two furlongs he was leading from Bonny Scott, National Velvet, Direct Medium, Golden Shadow, Maida Dillon. Bonny Clare, Gold Peg, Henry of Navarre, Checkmate, Limerick Pride, Minoru, and Jackie Guy. Dillcndaie was still in the lead with a furlong to go where Bonny Scott, Bonny Clare, and Maida Dillon were all prominent. Once she got a clear run, Maida Dillon soon settled the issue, winning by four lengths from Bonny Clare, with Bonny Scott in third place just ahead of Dillondale, which broke' a hopple with about 25 yards to go. ,A daughter of Dillon Hal! and Otapiri Lee, Maida” Dillon, which is trained at Invercargill by J. H. Winter, has raced well for two wins and two minor placings in her last four starts. On Saturday’s display, she should not be troubled to win in much better company. Although big fields paaraded in some races, the stipendiary stewards had an easy day, the racing being remarkably free from trouble. Results:— BELFAST HANDICAP, Of £350. 4min 47sec class. Two miles. 5. 7—J. W. Irving’s RASPONI by Sandydale—Adagio aged scr . S. A. Edwards 1 6. 6—J. W. and T. M. Scanlon's « Courageous 4yrs 12 W. R. Butt 2 18. 17—H. Hunter’s Ipso Facto 6yrs scr T. Thompson 3 10, 10 Golden Slipper; 17, 18 Margaret Logan: 9, 8 Novacord; 8, 5 Tradition; 15.16 Blue Match; 12, 12 Blue Print; 1,2 Bon Voyage; 4, 1 Gloxania; 14, 14 Play Boy; 13, 13 Antrim Hall; 3, 4 Ben’s Son; 2, 3 Foreign Lady; 11, 11 Free Style; 7, 9 Lady Mavourneen; 16, 15 Typhonic also started.

Neck; three lengths. Golden Slipper fourth. Times—4m in 25 l-ssec, 4min 24 2-5 sec, 4mln 26sec. Winner trained by S. A. Edwards, West Melton. PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP, Of £350. Trotters. 3min 38sec class. One mile and a half. 3. 3—M. L. Teahen’s DESWORTHY by Desmond’s Pride—Ruth Worthy syrs scr ..... D. Teahen 1 8. 6—J. A. R. Hampton’s Rowan McCoy syrs 12 J. G. Hampton 2 5. 5—C. A. Lang’s Nydia aged 24 A. Purdon 3 12, 12 Bashaw; 14, 13 Billy Loyal; 6, 8 Temple Star; 13, 14 Crimson Trail; 9, 10 High Stakes: 2, 1 Wairiri Girl; 10, 9 Merryman; 16, 16 Bardia; 7. 7 Rakautika; 4. 4 Single Task: 1,2 Passive: 15. 15 Bingendale; 11, 11 David Dryden also started. Length; six lengths. Wairiri Girl fourth. Times—3min 26 3-ssec, 3min 25 4-ssec, 3min 26 l-ssec. Winner trained by D. Teahen, Pleasant Point. TRIAL HANDICAP, Of £450. 3min 29sec class. One mile and a half. 2. 2—J. S. Dick’s PIERRE by Dillon Hall—Mademoiselle 4yrs 12 P. G. Wilson 1 !• I—P. G. O’Reilly's Aqua Lady 4yrs scr .. . T. Rea 2 4. 6—D. Rodgers’s Grand Fleet syrs scr .. .. .. T. H. Elliott 3 I. 1 Black Diamond bracketed Aqua Lady; 5, 4 Double Deck and Beckleigh bracketed; 10, 10 Gay Pal; 13, 11 Killowen; 8, 8 Lady Beverley; 9, 9 Our Nulgie; 11, 11 Active Service; 12, 13 Mavis Grattan; 6, 5 Risingholme; 3, 3 Wynleaf; tff, 7 High Command also started. Neck; neck. Beckleigh fourth. Times — 3min 17 3-ssec, 3min 17 4-ssec, 3min 19 sec. Winner trained by R. J. Berry, Yaldhurst. NEW BRIGHTON HANDICAP, Of £l2OO. 4min 32sec class. Two miles. 1. 2—J. Richardson’s BELMONT HALL by Dillon Hall—Belle Grat--tan 4yrs 12 .. .. D. C. Watts 1 5. 6—B. C. Lee’s Premier Royal aged , „ 12 .. .. T. Thompson 2 12. 12—J. Fowler’s Mountmellick aged 12 .. D. Townley 3 4, 4 Fortuna and Novelda bracketed; 2, 3 Gay Knight: 13, 14 Paddy Potts; 8, 7 Starshell; 7, 8 Prince Hall; 3, 1 Victory Globe; 6, 5 Wayfarer; 10, 10 Quite Happy; 11, 9 Bonny Scott; 14, 13 Direct Medium; fi, 11 Maida Dillon also started. Half length; seven lengths. Wayfarer fourth. Times—4min 22 4-ssec, 4min 23 sec, 4min 24 3-ssec. Winner trained by V. Leeming, Prebbleton. BURWOOD HANDICAP, Of £6OO ; 3min 26sec class. One mile and a half. 8. 4—R. E. Hall’s SHALIMAR by Josedale Grattan—Wee Potts 4yrs _ 12 .. R. Young 1 5. 3—T. Baker’s Gantree 6yrs scr - . „ T S. Purdon 2 3. 4—E. F. Laurensons Despatch 6yrs 12 .. L. C. Frost 3 7, 9 Avondale; 14, 15 His Excellency; 13, 16 Sowden Beck; 19, 20 Wee Logan; 16. 14 Belle Potts; 8, 4 British Machine bracketed winner; 1, 1 Demetrius: 18, 18 Expensive; 2,2 Gay Note; 17. 17 Highland Dale; 6. 6 Hydro Belle; 10, 10 Kingcobra; 12, 12 Mac’s Ace; 20. 19 News Agent; 9, 8 Sandy Logan; 11. 11 Sirocco; 21, 21 Terry O’Shea; 6, 7 Worthydale; 15, 13 Sahara Queen also started. Half length; three lengths. Times — 3min 16 2-ssec, 3min 17 3-ssec. 3min 17 l-ssec. Winner trained by C. R. Berkett, Templeton. AUTUMN HANDICAP, Of £600; trotters; 4min 46sec class. Two miles. 6. 2—A. H. Todd and G. E. Thompson’s BEVEELEY VOLO by Lusty Volo—Beverley King 6yrs 84 c. S. Donald 1 1. I—F. W. Cress well’s Suzerain aged 12 .. R. Young 2 5. 6—F. Birses Bingendale aged 12 H. R. Walker 3 7. 7 Loyal Toast; 4. 4 Mamanuas; 1, 1 Dan Martin bracketed Suzerain; 3, 5 Loyal Flier; 8, 6 Buncrana; 2, 3 David Dryden also started. Length and a half; two lengths. David Dryden was fourth. Times—4mih 24 2-5 sec, 4min 31 l-ssec, 4min 31 3-ssec. Winner trained by C. S. Donald, Belfast. ECLIPSE HANDICAP, Of £700; 3min 22sec class. One mile and a half. 11. 10—W. W. Hancox’s PIROUETTE by Grattan Loyal—Lady Slipper syrs scr .. .. S. A. Edwards 1 4. 4—V, A. Barker’s Magnificent 6yrs scr .. P. P. Gallagher 2 2. I—C. L. Rhodes’s On Approval syrs scr .. .. O. E. Hooper 3 11, 10 Carisbrook bracketed winner; 15, 14 Darrington Hall; 13, 13 Doonholme; 10, 11 Gold Flier; 12, 12 Ikaroa; 14, 15 Loyal Chief; 2, 1 Sir Peterson bracketed On Approval; 5, 5 Palette; 1, 3 Super Globe; 6, 6 Tam O’Shanter; 17. 16 Coral Princess; 9. 7 Daisy Gold; 3. 2 Direct Heir; 15, 17 Nola Scott; 8, 8 Remlap; 7, 9 Sea Craft; 18, 18 Wade Lane also started. Neck; two lengths. Remlap was fourth. Times—3min 16 4-ssec, 3min 17sec, 3min 17 2-ssec. Winner trained by E. A. Berry, Spreydon. FINAL HANDICAP, Of £750; 2min 44sec class. One mile and a quarter. 3. 3—J. H. Winter’s MAIDA DILLON by Dillon Hall—Otapiri Lee 6yrs scr .. .. L. C. Frost 1 7. 4—C. Nordqvist’s Bonny Clare 6yrs scr .. F. G. Holmes 2 5. 5—A. F. C. Rushton’s Bonny Scott aged .. .. .. Owner 3 11, 12 Dillondale; 10, 10 Direct Medium; 12, 11 Golden Shadow; 6, 9 Henry of Navarre; 1, 1 Limerick Pride and Checkmate bracketed; 2,2 National Velvet; 8, 7 Gold Peg; 4, 6 Jackie Guy; 9, 8 Miroru also started. Four lengths; neck. Dillondale was fourth. Times—2min 39sec, 2min 39 4-5 sec, 2min 40sec. Winner trained by owner, Invercargill.