BLACK DIAMOND’S PROSPECTS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25955, 8 November 1949, Page 7

BLACK DIAMOND’S PROSPECTS

LIKELY FAVOURITE AT ADDINGTON

The consistent Black Diamond, which has gained three wins, a second, and a fourth this season, will probably be sent out a hot favourite for the Electric Handicap, the opening event on the programme for the third day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Troiting Club’s Jubilee Cup meeting at Addington. A bold pacer by Gallant Knight from Doris Nelson, Black Diamond is trained at Highbank by P. G. O’Reilly for Mr W. J. Thomas.

Black Diamond began his career as a two-year-old in the 1947-48 season with a win and two fourths in three starts, his win being over Ga* Scott in the second division of. the Waikaura Trot Handicap at the Oamaru Jockey Club’s June meeting. Last season Black Diamond added a win and four minor placings to his record, his win being in the Selwyn Trot Handicap at the Hororata Racing Club’s meeting. Black Diamond improved rapidly with racing and travelling experience, and at his first appearance this season he gave a sterling performance to beat Pferpetua by a neck in 3min 27 3-ssec in Hie Metropolitan Stakes at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting on September 3. Taken to the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on September 24, Black Diamond was not troubled to win the Bowhill Handicap by two lengths from Victory Dale in 3min 17 4-ssec. Black Diamond’s next appearance was at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting last month, where he finished second to Courageous in the Stewards’ Handicap, won the Epsom Handicap from Indian Triumph, and finished fourth to Courageous, Chamfer, and Islaburn Lass in the Labour Day Handicap. A good performer over all xiistances, Black Diamond should be capaole of recording fast time over the two miles in the Electric Handicap at Addington on Saturday.

Encouraging Novelda had nine horses in front of her when she settled down to pate after breaking at the start of the Le Lievre Handicap at Addington on Saturday, but once she was balanced she showed a lot of speed to finish third to Chamfer and Bonny Scott. A good performer when she is at her best, Novelda may win a race at the meeting for Mr C. E. Dillon, who bred her. Eliminated

To reduce the size of the fields to the safety limit, the following horses were eliminated after acceptances had been taken for the third day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Jubilee Cup meeting at Addington on Friday: Australasian Handicap, Carisbrook, Quite Happy, Scottish Emperor; New Zealand Free-for-all, Local Gold. Maudeen, Navigate, Nyallo Scott. In Form

Remlap, the third place-getter in the Victoria Handicap on the first day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting, gave another solid performance on the second day of the meeting on Saturday when he finished third to Culture and Foreign Lady in the New Zealand Intermediate Sprint Handicap. A Lusty Volo gelding, Remlap appears to be near his best form. He must be conceded a chance whenever he starts at the meeting. Set the Pace

After being unplaced in the November Handicap at her first appearance at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, Foreign Lady showed a glimpse of her best form later in the afternoon when, after setting the pace for most of the way, she finished second to Culture in the New Zealand Intermediate Sprint Handicap. A racy-looking daughter of Dillon Hall and Foreign Mission. Foreign. l ady may soon win a race for P. P. Gallagher, who trains her at Washdyke.

Greymouth Trotting Club Stakes for the club’s sixtieth jubilee meeting were fixed at £4200 at a recent meeting of the committee of the Greymonth Trotting Club. Thirteen new members were elected. One resignation, that of Mr E. W. Dumpleton. who has left the district, was accepted with regret.

The Greymouth Amateur Athletic Club was granted the use of Victoria Park for the summer season.

Trotted Solidly Royal Stone, which was raced in halfhopples by C. M. Laing, who is now training her at Tinwald, gave an encouraging display to finish third in the Intermediate Handicap at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington on Saturday. She would need to show little improvement to win a race for Mr E. J. Doonan. Doubles Totalisator

“No information is available yet as to the operation of the scheme, but the Canterbury Park Trotting Club hopes to have a double totalisator operating at its meeting on December 31 and January 2,” said the secretary of the club, Mr H. E. Gjoggin, yesterday. Stayed on Well

There was some merit in the success of Volo’s Gift in the Travis Memorial Handicap at the Invercargill Trotting Club’s meeting on October 29. Earlier in the‘day he was in a winning position in the Moiowai Handicap, but he lost his chance when he struck trouble and went to a break. In the Travis Memorial Handicap, Volo’s Gift took the lead at the entrance to the straight, and stayed on well under pressure to win by half a head from Super Sarin.

Foaled in 1942, Volo’s Gift is by Lusty Volo from a great race pare in Sea Gift (4min 21 2-ssec), which so far has not left any progeny which has looked like reaching her own class. Retired

Northern Lass, a winner earlier in her career for F. G. Lynch, who trained her at Rolleston, has been retired, and she will be mated with Lucky Jack this season. A U. Scott mare. Northern Lass is out of Lady Ann, which left Caledonian Lass and Lass o’ Mine to the same sire.

Bred at Ashburton by Mr D. McKay Lady Ann is by Great Bingen from Sin cerity, by Bridgewood from a Prince Im perial mare.