MAIN EVENT AT CLAUDELANDS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26031, 7 February 1950, Page 7

MAIN EVENT AT CLAUDELANDS

FLYING SMITH’S GOOD PROSPECTS

Flying Smith’s spectacular effort to win the Frankton Handicap by 15 lengths from Mission King in the winning track record time of 4min 19 3-ssec, after starting from a 4min 39sec mark, at the Waikato Trotting Club’s meeting on January 21, stamped him as one of the most promising four-year-old pacers in training in the North Island. On form, Flying Smith is entitled to be a hot favourite for the City Handicap, the main event for the Waikato Trotting Club’s second summer meeting this week. In the Frankton Handicap, Flying Smith began we 1 fropi the 24 yards mark to take the lead at the end of the first furlong, and he soon opened up a gap on the field. Pacing effortlessly, Flying Smith cleared away from the field, and he appeared to be goinfe easily at the finish.

A racy-looking four-year-old black horse. Flying Smith, which was bred at Pokeno by E. R. Smith, who trains him, is by a fine performer in Peter Smith from Del Rio, by Jewel Pointer from Ursuline, an Our Thorpe mare, which also left Directline, Precious Jewel, Our Jewel (2min 42sec), County Jewel (3min 22 2-ssec), Our Gail (3min 18 2-ssec), and Indianline.

Peter Smith, which was foaled in 1933, is by Peter Bingen (Nelson Bingen— Berthabell) from Aggie Bell, by Gold Bell from Agnita, by Bell Boy from Agnes B, by Wilmington from Little Agnes. At his only appearance as a two-yeair-old, Flying Smith, which was educated by his owner, finished third to Peggy’s Star and Rayon in the Great Northern Trotting Stakes. Last season Flying Smith’s four starts yielded wins in the first division of the Kairanga Handicap and in the second division of the Ladies’ Bracelet at the Manawatu Trotting Club’s meeting. This term Flying Smith has started in 12 races for three wins and six minor placings. Most opposition to Flying Smith in the City Handicap may come from Chedworth Hall and Admiral Peterson, which finished first and second in the Waikato Trotting Cup at the Waikato Trotting Club’s first summer meeting. The winner of three races this season, Chedworth Hall is a six-year-old gelding by Dillon Hall from Saboteur, by Harold Dillon from Waipero, by Wildwood Jnr. from Peri, by Imperious from Fairy, which was by a thoroughbred horse. Admiral Peterson, a place-getter when trained at Templeton by E. Rinaldi earlier in the season, gained his first win since being trained at Te Rapa by M. Stewart when he beat Calando in 2mm 42 2-ssec in the R. Hannon Memorial Handicap at the Cambridge Trotting Club’s meeting on January 7. A placegetter in his last four starts, Admiral Peterson should be handy to Flying Smith and Chedworth Hall at the finish of the City Handicap on Saturday.

Consistent Grenade brought his record to two wins and four minor placings in his seven starts this season when he won the Otapiri Trot Handicap from Golden Jack at the Winton Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday. , _ A four-year-old Blaydon gelding. Grenade is out of the Worthy Bond mare Hymenial, which is also the dam of Clueless, Keymaster, and Landlight.

Finished Second Dance Time, the runner-up to Petite Raider in the Fairfield Handicap at the Waikato Trotting Club’s meeting on January 21, is one of the favourites for the Hillcrest Handicap at the same club s meeting this week. One of E. N. Kennerley’s team at Te Awamutu, Dance Time is a five-year-old mare by Radiant Walla from Lady Robert. Recovered Single Direct, which was withdrawn from the Inter-dominion Championships at Melbourne because he was off-colour at the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting, has made a good recovery. Some American clubs are endeavouring to have Single Direct race at their meetings.. but so far no details have been arranged. Because of the sleeping sickness ban Single Direct would be unable to return to New -Zealand if he was taken to America to race.

Brother to Gay Knight Much interest was taken in the brother to Gay Knight when he was paraded at the trials at Addington last Thursday, but no line could be gained on his prospects when he broke in the early stages of his race.

Has Some Ability Driven by J. McLennan, Merchant Prince showed some ability to finish second to Doubtful in the Claudelands Handicap at the Waikato Trotting Club s meeting on January 21. A six-year-old son of Josedale Grattan and Barbara Scott, Merchant Prince would need to show little improvement to win the waitoa Handicap at the same clubs meeting on Saturday.

A Leggett is training a likely type of two-vear-old filly by Radiant Walla from Elevator, by Nobleman from Zoneaphone, the dam of winners in Zest, Quest, and Jacose.

Big Guy weakened with more than two furlongs to go in the 3min 48sec class trot at the trials at Addington on Thursday He would need to show much improvement to have any chance in the Holmes Handicap at the Canterbury Park meeting this week.