TWO-YEAR-OLDS AT METHVEN

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27307, 25 March 1954, Page 4

TWO-YEAR-OLDS AT METHVEN

EDIN BRIDGE SELECTED TO WIN RACE

Edin Bridge is likely to avenge his defeat by Dresden I*ady in the Timaru Nursery Stakes, when they meet in the Two-year-old Stakes, one of the feature races at the Methven Trotting Club’s autumn" meeting on Saturday. This race is an experiment by the Methven club. A capacity field of excellent class is engaged. The race will probably become an annual event. On Saturday, Dresden Lady hgs drawn No. 15 at the barrier, and Edin Bridge has drawn No. 5. This may be the deciding factor in favour of the colt. Edin Bridge- did not appear to be so far forward as Dresden Lady when they met at Washdkye, and it appears certain that he will be much improved this week. Edin Bridge looks to be a high-cl&ss pacer in the making, and it is predicted that he will show much more improvement than the horses he beat at Washdyke. The brother to Chamfer may develop into the best horse of his age this season.

Most opposition to Edin Bridge may come from Royal Minstrel, which appeared unlucky to finish nd closer than fourth in the * Timaru race. He was pushed back on the rails in the middle stages of the race, which was almost over before he got clear to put in his claim. He finished brilliantly wide out and was not far from the winner at the post. He is a welldeveloped gelding and, if he is more favourably placed in the running on Saturday, he should take part in the finish. Royal Minstrel will be bracketed with La Mignon, a fine type of filly by Light Brigade from Parisienne. Her dam, a fine race mare, has left nothing approaching her own class, but in La Mignon she will have a worthy representative. La Mignon raced in a parade at Addington on January 2, and was most impressive when she finished fourth. She may be hard to beat on Saturday. Dresden Lady’s Prospects The Timaru Nursery Stakes winner, Dresden Lady, will again have bright prospects, but her wide barrier position may result in her defeat. There is no doubt about her great ability, and it will be surprising if she fails to show up. A likely improver is the Springbok filly, Magic Eye, a close sixth in the Timaru race. She lost 48 yards at the start of that race. If she begins better tomorrow she should be very prominent. She has a Seat turn of speed, and should win at ast one race before the end of the season. She will be bracketed with Phil’s Jewel, which was not far from the leaders when she was checked in the Timaru Nursery Stakes. Amen Ra should race better here than when he finished third at Washdyke. He looked in need of the race at Timaru, and may still need another one or two before the best is seen of him. Sierra Madre looked likely to take part in the finish of the Timaru race until she broke with a furlong to run. Even then she finished a good fifth. She must be respected on Saturday. She has drawn a barrier position near the outside of the field, and this may be against her.

Super Brigade impressed by the manner in which he finished on over the last halfmile at Timaru, after being at the rear of the field early. The Light Brigade— Translate colt appears to have fair ability. The other horses which started at Washdyke will have to show improvement to have any chance at Methven, but there could be a surprise fronf horses making their first appearance in public. They are La Mignon, Banjo, First Attack, My Gold, and Tattoo.

Banjo is a colt by Young Bob from Cinevra. He showed a fair measure of ability when he paraded at tinals. First Attack is by the Light Brigade stallion. Attack from Variety Girl, by .Jack Potts from the Travis Axworthy mare, Lou Axworthy. My Gold is a gelding by Marco PoL> from Lyaldale, a Sandydale mare which has left another winner in Peter Polo. Tattoo is the first of the progeny of a speedy trotter. Fourth Brigade, to race. He is out of Gay Melody, a Springfield Globe mare, which is closely related to Lucky Jack, Merval, and other winners. The Methven field is particularly good. Edin Bridge, Royal Minstrel, and Dresden Lady may be the best candidates. Dual Acceptors Flaring, Fairy <3lll, and Nona Grattan are engaged at both the Waimate and Methven meetings on Saturday. Failed to Reach Reserve Bcunden Duty was put up for auction after the Northland Trotting Club’s nontotalisator meeting at Whangarei on Saturday, but a bid of 1400 guineas failed to reach the reserve. Methven Brackets Blacksmith and Kilcullen (Spaxton Handicap) and La Mignon and Royal Minstrel and Magic Eye- and Phil’s Jewel (Two-year-old Stakes) are the only brackets at the Methven Trotting Club’s autumn meeting on Saturday. At Epsom A former Nelson pacer, Michele, was left in the north with C. Paul after the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting last month. The Sir Michael mare, a dual winner this season, is reported to have progressed very well during the last few weeks, and she will have bright prospects of opening her account for her new trainer in the Members’ Handicap at the Thames meeting on Saturday. Winton Prospect

The Oamaru-owned and trained Straight Eight will have bright prospects of winning the Central Handicap, the main race at the Winton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. The Dillon Hall pacer ran an excellent race for fifth at New Brighton last month, after being slow early and being forced to cover a .lot of extra ground over the last mile. Straight Eight is a fine type of pacer, and. he should have little difficulty in extending his record this week. He will be handily placed on the front mark at Winton. Waimate Candidate

Triad, which has not had much luck in his races this season, may gain his first win in the Second Hook Handicap at the Waimate Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday. There are only 10 acceptors, and the small field.should be to the liking of the Wayfarer three-year-old. Most opposition to him may come from Golden Chimes, a sister to Patrick Earl, which made her first public appearance at Rangiora last Saturday. She was never prominent after a slow beginning, but she showed enough, speed to suggest that she will win Trials at Addington The first race at the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association’s Trails at Addington Today. March 25, commences at 11 aan. A collection will be taken in aid of the St. John Ambulance. Advt.