W. J. COATES’S BIG TEAM

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26514, 31 August 1951, Page 4

W. J. COATES’S BIG TEAM

SOANGETAHA TO RACE AT WELLINGTON The Templeton trainer, W. J. Coates, has a big team in work, including Culture, Soangetaha, Gretna Green and Magician, which have been entered for the Wellington Trotting Club s meeting, and Josedale Audubon ana Global Voyage, which will probably race at New Brighton. Soangetaha, one of the best four-year-olds of last season, has done well during the winter. He has developed into a grand type of stallion. He has undergone a course of strong road work, and it will not take much fast w° rk t° t°P off his preparation. Although he is assessed at only 4min 29sec for two miles, he is on the tight mark of 2min 44sec for one mile and a quarter. His meeting with Vedette and other outstanding pacers in the free-for-all events at Hutt Park promises to be the highlight of the meeting. Soangetaha is a foolproof pacer and great interest will be taken in his first race against Van Dieman, the best staying four-year-old of last season. The two horses are not likely to meet until the New Zealand Cup meeting, at which both will be eligible for free-for-all events. Josedale Audubon, which was to have joined Coates’s team this week, has been most disappointing. Bought at a four-figure price by Mr A. T. Cartwright, he has shown considerable ability in his track work, but he has failed to produce it in his races. He can both sprint and stay, but he is too unreliable. If Coates can induce him to race solidly, he may strike form.

Coates has many young horses in work, and several are of particular interest. A grand type of two-year-old colt by U. Scott from Polka Dot looks a likely sort. He is a halfbrother to Soangetaha, Monte Casino (runner-up to Ohio at Addington last week), Camille, and others.

A two-year-old filly by Sir Michael from Free Again, is a half-sister to Yankiwi, which was sold at a big price to Australia recently. She is closely related to a number of grand performers, and traces back to Thelma. Another youngster of interest li a two-year-old gelding by Beckleigh frotn Reno, dam of Van Dieman, one of the early favourites for the next New Zealand Trotting Cup. A two-year-old colt bv His Excellency from Maeve is a half-brother to Beckleigh. He is an in-bred youngster as Taruna Mary, the second dam of Maeve, is the third dam of His Excellency.

Two three-year-old fillies are showing considerable promise. One is bv U. Scott from Blue Revue, by Man o' War from the Auckland Cup winner, Navy Blue. Navy Blue is also the dam of the promising Black Wings. The other is by Radiant Walla (the sire of Radiant Night) from Heather McKinney, the dam also of Clean Sweep, a winner last season. Now At Epsom Lawn Grattan, a six-year-old stallion by Josedale Grattan from Miss Lola, is being trained at Epsom by V. L. Mackie. Master Lawn showed considerable ability when trained in the South Island, but he did not always show his best in his races. His best effort last season was a second to Prince Gaillard over one mile and three furlongs at Greymouth in October. Passed In at Auction

Sea Rover, a maiden four-year-old pacer by Dilion Hall from Auburn Sun, the dam also of two good winners in Grattan Drive and Air Mail, was passed in at 850 guineas at a clearing sale held on behalf of Messrs Agnew, at Invercargill. Sea Rover showed great promise in his racing last season, and with a little luck he would have been a winner. As it was. he was placed In three of his six starts.

Light Brigade Colt The two-year-old Light Brigade—Fakdale colt bought at the last yearling tMes for 750 guineas by Mr H. Guppy, of Auckland, is being trained at Epsom by C. Paul. So far he has not been asked to do anything serious, but he has impressed as a likely type for classic races later in the season. Eskdale, which was not raced, was by Sandydale from Loyal Bonny, by Grattan Loyal. He is related to many fine performers, Including Captain Morant, Morano, Forward. Bayard, and Safety Pin.

Twilight Dead Twilight, a four-year-old mare by Light Brigade from Kushanahi, took ill after her race in the Metropolitan Stakes at Addington last week, and died of colic on Monday. It was unfortunate for her trainer, O. G. Oakley, who raced her in partnership with Mr J. N. Scott. She had promised to be more than useful this season. She graduated from maiden company at Washdyke in July with a most impressive win over Graticulate and Lady Nairne, after receiving a poor run in the straight. Twilight was bred by Mr A. V. le Roi, who sold her for 200 guineas at the 1949 yearling sales.

Red Chase The Light Brigade stallion, Red Chase, which was trained by F. G. Holmes for his last five appearances last season, is again being trained by his owner, O. J. Watson, at Annat. Red Chase showed outstanding form early last season, when he secured four wins and three placings in his first 10 starts. He became wayward at the start of his races later on, and was most disappointing. He can both sprint and stay, and if he can be made to race solidly he should develop fine winning form this season. He is a five-year-old out of Rosewood, a sister to a fine mare in Lady Ngaio. Ashburton Racing Club Entries Nominations for the trotting events at the spring meeting will close with the secretary. Ashburton, on Monday, September 3, at 5 p.m. Advt.