CHIEF EAGLE’S TWO WINS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27169, 13 October 1953, Page 5

CHIEF EAGLE’S TWO WINS

TROTTING

IMPRESSIVE EFFORTS AT ASHBURTON

The performance of Chief Eagle to win both the Chertsey Handicap and the Mount Somers Handicap were features at the Ashburton' Trotting Club’s spring meeting on Saturday. The Springfield Globe gelding was making his first appearance for his Ashburton trainer, R. J. Jones, and his new owner, Mr R. D. Butterick. Chief Eagle’s win in the Chertsey Handicap must have been expected as he paid only £ll 12s 6d for a win. This was his first win for almost two years, his previous success being at Greymouth in October, 1951, when he beat Native Dictator and Little Ann in the Dunollie Handicap. He had had two wins before that as a pacer. However, it was as a trotter that he showed most ability. In the Chertsey Handicap on Saturday, Jones kept him behind the leaders and did not ask him for an effort until well inside the furlong and he just got up in time to beat Court Martial on the post. In the Mount Somers Handicap he did not run any risks and he challenged the pacemakers just inside the furlong, He took their measure in a few yards and did not have to do his best to wm by a length. Chief Eagle looked a much improved horse when he paraded on Saturday and he raced accordingly. His wins brought a change of luck to Jones, who had won with Royal Brigade at Forbury Park the previous Saturday. Chief Eagle has a good style of trotting and he showed on Saturday that he was not lacking in stamina. His winning run has far from ended and he will have bright prospects of winning a good stake in the next few weeks. He has proved his ability on all types of tracks, but is better than most in adverse going. He is a seven-year-old gelding by Springfield Globe from Erin’s Empress, by Wrack from Erin’s Logan, by Logan Pointer from Innisfail, by Rothschild. Erin’s Logan is also the dam of Janice, Erin’s Pointer, Jorrocks and Everest, all of which were winners. Matinee Meeting

The Hororata Trotting Club will hold a matinee meeting on Tuesday, December 15. The club had to abandon its fixture last season, but two years ago it held a most successful meeting. Solidly Supported

Recent Choice came in for surprisingly strong support in the President’s Handicap at Ashburton, and he started a firm 3-5 favourite. He was about twelfth most of the way, and made up a little ground in the straight to finish tenth. Recent Choice has his share of ability, but he does not seem to do well in his races. Raced Wide Out

Kilcullen showed speed in the middle stages of the Hinds Handicap, but he was forced to race wide out. after being slow early, and these efforts found him out by the time the straight was reached. He stopped badly over the last bit, but the next time he is produced on firm going he may r 'ke amends. Kilcullen pacec. with a lot of action, but he has plenty of speed. He should win another race or two soon.

Promi ing Trotter Marawiti created a good impression when she held on to dead-heat for third with Lady Biddy in the Chertsey Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday. The Luck> Jack three-year-old began correctly for the first time in her races and she was fiever far away. She finished on boldly against her older and more experienced opponents. Owned and trained by G. F Middleton. .Marawiti is only a three-year-old. ' She has a splendic*action and, when she becomes solid, she should develop high-class form. Black Douglas

Black Douglas and his stable-mate. Bronze Indian, were made firm favourites for the Seafield Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday, but neither looked a place prospect at any stage of the race. Black Douglas broke at the start and he was well back. He did not appear to relish the track conditions, and he was not knocked about. The Sandy dale four-year-old looks in great order and he should soon make amends for that failure. Bronze Indian has made a good recovery from his trip to Auckland, and he, too, should not be long showing form again. Well Related

Prince Polka, a member of H. M. Allen’s Pukekohe team, created a good impression when he won his division of the Second Kihikihi Handicap at the Te Awamutu meeting on Saturday. The first division was won by his stablemate, Dusky Earl. Prince Polka is a four-year-old by U. Scott from Polka Dot, the dam also of Soangetaha, Shooting Star, Gallant Day, Monte Casino and Camille. Prince Polka was in work for some time in Canterbury, but he was disappointing. However, he has apparently improved with age, and now that he has struck form he should carry on. He will have bright prospects of extending his record at minor meetings in the Auckland district in the next few weeks. Highland Kilt Pleases

Highland Kilt was most impressive when he finished fourth, just over a length behind the winner, his stablemate. Black Wings, in the Seafield Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday. If he trains on he will add considerable interest to the main races for trotters at the New Zealand Cup meeting. On Saturday Highland Kilt began well, but he broke at about the end of a furlong. He soon got into his stride and went to the front in the back straight. He looked to have the result in safe keeping, but he tired slightly over the last few yards and he was beaten into fourth place. Highland Kilt appeared to have done plenty of work before the Ashburton meeting, and he should be a very fit horse for his immediate engagements. To Race in Australia

If present plans are followed, Belshazzar and Golden Amazon, both of which are now owned by Mr V. C. McPhail, of Wellington, will leave for Australia on October 22. Both Golden Amazon and Belshazzar are now in the veteran class, but they should not find it difficult to pay their way in Australia where they will be on favourable marks. Golden Amazon won at Nelson last February when he beat Killamey Lady and Poranui in a race for pacers. He recorded the smart time of 3min 18 l-ssec for toe mile and a half. Belshazzar has not raced for some time. He marred many of nis efforts by breaking badly. He has plenty of ability, and if he can be made to race solidly, he should soon win in Australia. Teller In Form

Teller was most impressive when he won the Waipa Handicap at the Te Awamutu Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. Earlier in the day he had finisned very fast /or second behind Chipping Warden in the Te Awamutu Handicap. He was having his first start for the season in New Zealand, having just returned from a trip to Sydney, where he contested the Spring Handicap, won by another former New Zealand horse in Merrymaker. Teller ran second in two appearances at Harold Park, but railed badly in the final of the Spring Handicap and he had only two horses oehind him at the post. Teller, which is trained by P. Skousgaard, has always shown more than average ability. He will have bright prospects of extending his record at the Auckland meeting later in the month.