WASHDYKE TROT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 4

WASHDYKE TROT

W. R. BUTT TO PARADE STRONG BRACKET

The last contest of the 1952-53 lightharness season, the Washdyke Trot Handicap, will be decided at the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s steeplechase meeting today. W. R. Butt, who is at the head of both the trainers’ and drivers’ lists, and cannot now lose either premiership, will parade a strong bracket in Rowan Star and Kingsdown Grattan, and he has bright prospects of increasing his lead. Tne North Island reinsman, M. Stewart, who is one win behind Butt on the drivers’ list, is unlikely to be driving today. The Yaldhurst trainer, A. Holmes, was to have provided Stewart with a drive behind Night Flare today, but up until last evening Stewart had not been in touch with Holmes. Night Flare is a doubtful starter. Two weeks ago Rowan Star finished second on the Washdyke course in the First Richmond Handicap. In that event she made a better beginning than usual, but still lost nearly 24 yards at the start. She was taken around the field to reach the front in the early stages, and, after leading from then on, just failed by half a head to hold off Sure Terra in a punishing finish. A three-year-old daughter of U. Scott and a grand mare in Margaret Hall, Rowan Star is bred on stout lines. She will be well suited by the distance of one mile and a half today, and, with a reasonable beginning will be the hardest to beat. She will be driven by Butt. Kingsdown Grattan, which gained five placings from seven starts when trained by J. B. Pringle earlier in the season, has started twice since being trained by Butt. On July 4 he finished a fair fifth in the Second Richmond Handicap at Washdyke. Last Saturday at Waimate he failed by a head to catch Red Hackle over one mile and a half in the Winter Trot Handicap, after enjoying a good run throughout.

A three-year-old Josedale Grattan colt, Kingsdown Grattan is more at home in firmer going than he raced on at Wairnate. He will be driven today by J. A. Carmichael.

Pacific Pace is expected to offer the strongest opposition to Butt’s bracket. This Gold Bar—Rocks Ahead gelding has started only four times this season. At his first appearance he finished unplaced, but on July 4 at Rangiora he gained two seconds, being narrowly beaten on each occasion. Last Saturday at Waimate Pacific Pace was confidently supported to win, but after making the running to the home turn he dropped right out of the contest. His performance was apparently affected by the soft state of the track, and he should make amends today if the going is better.

Her handicap of 48 yards should not prevent Lady French from racing prominently. In the First Wakefield Handicap at Washdyke on July 4 this’Grattan Loyal mare finished second to Gift over one mile and five furlongs, after being well back in the early running. Lady French has raced without much luck this season, and her record of three minor placings from seven starts is not a true indication of her ability.

Of the others Child’s Play and Princess Dawn make most appeal. Child's Play is a half-sister to Rupee and Lynberne. Her last placing was at Ashburton in May. when she finished third to Moor and Marathon over one mile and a half. If she begins well from the inside barrier position today she may prove hard to catch. Princess Dawn, having her second start for the season at Waimate last Saturday, made up a considerable amount of ground to finish third to Red Hackle and Kingsdown Grattan.