DESWORTHY

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

DESWORTHY

SOLID PERFORMANCE AT NEW BRIGHTON Driven by D. Teahen, who trains him at Pleasant Point for Mr M. L. Teahen, Desworthy gave nothing else a chance when he led all the way in the Progressive Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. Temple Star, which was on his toes when the field lined up, swung round and tipped his driver, L. F. Berkett, out of the sulky when the barrier was released. In the mix-up which followed, the sulky was damaged, but Berkett escaped injury. „ , Billy Loyal, David Dryden, Single Task, and Crimson Trail all lost ground at the start. When the field settled down, Desworthy was clear of Rowan McCoy. High Stakes, Merry Man, Wairiri Girl, Nydia, and Passive, which was followed by the breaking Bashaw and Bardia. Desworthy always appeared to be going easily and in an interesting finish he held on to win by a length from Rowan McCoy, with Nydia well back in third place. Then came Wairiri Girl, which was checked at a critical stage of the race. x A five-year-old gelding, Desworthy is by Desmond’s Pride from Ruth Worthy, by Frank Worthy from Boneta, by Bon Patch from Nora, Desworthy appears to be improving with each race, and he should add to his record before the season closes. Finished On Well Shalimar brought his record to three wins and three minor placings in his 13 starts for the season for Mr R. E. Hall when he gave a solid performance to win the Burwood Handicap at New Brighton on Saturday. Shalimar, which was capably handled by R. Young, began well to follow Sowden Beck, Gantree, Kingcobra, and Sandy Logan at the end of the first two furlongs. Young was content to race handy to the leaders until the straight was reached where Shalimar finished very fast to win from Gantree with Despatch in third place. Then came Mac’s Ace, Sandy Logan, Sowden Beck, Sirocco, Gay Note, Demetrius, and Kingcobra. By a New Zealand Trotting Cup winner in Josedale Grattan, Shalimar, which was bred by Mr Hall, is out of a winner in Wee Potts, by Jack Potts from a winner in Wee Audubon, the dam of other winners, including Wise Guy, Wee Truman, Wee Napoleon, and Surely. An Improving Pacer Rasponi, which finished second to Black Diamond after being unlucky in the running of the Selwyn Handicap at the Hororata Racing Club’s meeting on January 29, gained a well-deserved win in the Belfast Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. S. A. Edwards, who trains him at West Melton, had Rasponi handy to the leaders all the way and, after following Golden Slipper, Tradition, and Ipso Facto into the straight, he sent him after the leaders. Rasponi finished straight and true under pressure to win by a neck from Courageous, which appeared unlucky in the running. A son of Sandydale, Rasponi, which races in the interests of Mr J. W. Irving, who bred him at Oamaru, is out of Adagio, which is by Silk Thread from Dice, which left a winner in Dolly Scott to U Scott. By Happy Voyage, Dice is out of Little Doris, by Lord Chancellor from Little Princess, by Prince Imperial from Polly, which was supposed to have been a thoroughbred. Kaikoura T.C. Withdrawals for the Kaikoura Trotting Club’s meeting, to be held at Rangiora on Saturday, 26th February, 1949, close at 5 p.m. to-day, 21st February, 1949, at the office of Byrne* and Company, 193 Cashel street, Christchurch. Advt.