N.Z. FUTURITY STAKES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27366, 3 June 1954, Page 4

N.Z. FUTURITY STAKES

CADUCEUS SELECTED TO WIN

BRAHMAN MAY ALSO RUN prominently

Although Caduceus has failed to start correctly in his three most recent appearances, he is selected to win the £lOOO New Zealand Futurity Stakes, the feature race on the opening day of the Ashburton Trotting Club’s vfihter meeting on Saturday. Earlier in the season, Caduceus proved himself to be one of the best three-year-old pacers seen in the country for some time. His wins include the New Zealand Derby Stakes, the New Zealand Champion Stakes, and the Willoughby Norrie Handicap at the Royal meeting in January. One of his most impressive efforts was in the Charles Cross Stakes, when he finished second to Rupee after making the pace, and taking 3min 25 2-ssec for the mile and five furlongs. The Wellington-owned U. Scott pacer has more ability than any of the others in Saturday’s race, and if he begins reasonably well he should win. The strongest opponent of Caduceus may be the Gold Bar colt, Brahman, which paced one mile in 2min 2 l-ssec as a two-year-old. Brahman has been far from reliable at the start of his races this season, but at times he has shown phenomenal speed. Last Saturday at Amberley, his connexions must have been pleased by the manner in which he began in the Kowhai Handicap. He was slow early, but did not break. He was not hurried at any stage of the race, and finished about eleventh.

Brahman has progressed well since being trained by C. S. Donald, and he should take part in the finish of Saturday’s race. Grand Monarch, a member of C. R. Berkett’s team, has won four races this season. The Light Brigade-Safari colt has developed into a fine type of pacer. His most recent win was in the Marconi Stakes at Auckland last month, when he beat Peter Boy and Superior Lawn. He finished fourth in a similar race on the second day of the meeting, after being forced to race wide out all the way. He will be much more favourably placed in the Ashburton race, as he started from 24 yards and 36 yards in his races at Auckland.

Gay Lad’s Prospects Gay Lad failed to win a race on his trip to the North Island last month, probably as the result of a rough plane trip to Auckland. He showed that he is right back to his best again by the manner in which he finished on at the end of a strong two miles at Addington on Tuesday morning. He will have bright prospects of being placed on Saturday. The half-brother to Happy Man was impressive at Addington in April, when he won the New Zealand Pacing Stakes. The fillies Santa Amada and Spring Walk may be the hardest for the colts and geldings to beat. Santa Amada has had an exasperating run of placings in classic races this season, including second in the New Zealand Derby Stakes and the New Zealand Oaks. The U. Scott filly has plenty of ability, and she impressed at the Addington trials last week. Her Yaldhurst owner-trainer, B. H. Lynskey, has her at her peak at present, and she can be expected to make a bold showing. Spring Walk, a member of P. P. Gallagher’s Washdyke team, has won three races this season. At her most

recent appearance, she was a little unlucky to be beaten by Beau Marie in the Manawatu Challenge Stakes. She was awkwardly placed on the rails until well into the straight. Once she got clear, she finished with a great burst. Spring Walk has shown considerable ability in her races. She should be equal to her task on Saturday. The others in the race have very little to recommend them in the way of recent form. Midday, which has broken badly at the start of several races lately, has plenty of ability. The brother to Midnight was most impressive when he won twice at Oamaru in March. If he begins well on Saturday he will have bright prospects, but his chances of beating Caduceus, Brahman or Grand Monarch are not very good. Correct Distances The Ashburton track has been resurveyed, and all races at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting at the week-end will be run over correct distances. At meetings held recently by the Ashburton County Racing Club, distances were short by almost 60 yards. Saturday will be the first time that the new straight will have been used at a trotting meeting. If there is no. further heavy ram, it should provide first-class footing. Hinetaua leased The promising four-year-old mare, Hinetaua, has been leased by V. L. Mackie, of Epsom, who is building up a very large team. Hinetaua, which has had three wins and five placmgs from 20 starts this season, Tui Scott and Faux Pas over two miles in the Liverpool Handicap at Epsom last month, at her most recent appearance. By Light Brigade from Hinemanga, Hinetaua is one of the best prospects in her class in the Auckland district, and she should soon win for her new owner-trainer.

Likely Favourite * Daybreak, a half-sister by U. Scott to the champion four-year-old pacer, Rupee, is expected to win her second successive race in the Allenton Handicap at the Ashburton Trotting Club s meeting on Saturday. Daybreak won at Methven in March, and she gave the impression that she had more ability than most others in her class. Few of her opponents on Saturday have any worthwhile form, and she will need only to receive a favourable run to win.

Addington Dates The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has applied for August 21 and August 28 for its Grand National meeting next season.. November 9, 12, 20, and 27 are the dates sought for the club’s New Zealand Cup meeting, and March 26, April 2, and April 9 for its Easter meeting. At the last annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, a recommendation from the Timaru Trotting Club that the New Zealand Metropolitan

racing for its National and New Zealand Cup meetings was approved by a large majority.

Black Douglas The Sandydale four-year-old, Black Douglas, is back in work with S. A. Edwards. He has developed well since he last raced in January, and he revelled in the light task allotted him at Addington on Tuesday. He more than paid his way this season as a result of three wins worth £1530. His wins included the Metropolitan Stakes, in which he beat Dancing Years. Black Douglas is an excellent stayer. Next season he should be seen to advantage in this role. More Permits Sought The Auckland Trotting Club has applied for two extra race days each season. If permission is granted, the club will hold a two-day meeting in July. An official of the club said it had been felt there were too few trotting meetings in the Auckland province, particularly during the winter. Except for two one-day meetings at Claudelands, there was no trotting in the district between the Auckland Trotting Club’s winter meeting in May and the start of the hew season in August. The first Auckland meeting of the season is usually held in the middle of September. Ashburton Brackets The following horses will be bracketed on the totalisator at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday:— Durbar Handicap: Lodestar and Jaunty, Mighty Falla and Lindy Lou, Waihi Princess and Dillon d’Oro, Denver Hall and Fair Annette. Harvest Handicap: Romanesque and True Friend. Stewards’ Handicap: Demimonde, Remodel and General Lee, Don’t Regret and Chief Eagle. Autumn Handicap: Final Glow and Sandy Rey. Rakaia Handicap: Errol’s Pal and