AT ASHBURTON TODAY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 4

AT ASHBURTON TODAY

TROTTING

AMIGO EXPECTED TO WIN AGAIN

HISTORIC SHOULD ALSO RACE WELL

Amigo, a winner.over two miles last Saturday, is expected to win again in the Mayfield Handicap, which will be run over the same distance on the final day of the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting today. This is the last trotting meeting in the South Island until the middle of August, if the weather is fine there should be a good attendance. Last Saturday Amigo won very

easily after starting from 72 yards and trotting the distance in the smart time of 4min 33 l-ssec. The Blaydon gelding will meet much sterner opposition at Ashburton, but from 24 yards his task should not be too difficult. The hardest for Amigo to beat may be the Henry of Navarre four-year-old, Caliph. He finished solidly for third behind Pylon and. Demimonde last Saturday after appearing to be well beaten at the straight entrance. Caliph has plenty of stamina, and he should be running on at the end of today’s race. Seaforth, which has had a win and two placings from his four most recent appearances, is a speedy but not always reliable trotter. If conditions suit him today and he escapes trouble in the early rush for positions, he should take part in the finish. • The brother to Fourth Brigade has proved his ability over all distances. The horses on the front mark do not make much appeal, and the best of them may- be Remodel, which will be bracketed with Demimonde. The last-named may find the two-mile journey beyond her. Anitra and Executive disappointed in their race last Saturday. Both have a fair measure of ability, and they are more than capable of racing prominently in this class. The others in the race will have to show marked improvement to have any chance, and the best of them may be Don’t Regret and Pylon. Historic Favoured Historic, winner- of the Improvers’ Handicap on the first day of the meeting, is selected to win again in the Tinwald Handicap. The brother to Valour should improve more, than most in the race, and he should not be troubled to run out a solid two miles. Most opposition to him may come from Cassado, a winner over two miles at Rangiora at her only start to date. Cassado then showed great stamina in a punishing finish. If she is allowed to make the pace, she will be hard to beat. She should not be in difficulties if the going is easy. Sandy River, an unlucky runner at Amberley a fortnight ago, did not start last Saturday. He is one of the most promising improvers in sight, and he will have bright prospects of being placed. The Washdyke trainer, P, P. Gallagher, will produce a -strong bracket of three in Final Glow, Sandy Rey, and Mighty King. Final Glow should do best of them.

Starlight, Zulu’s Pride and Jenny Grattan are expected to do best of the others.

Daybreak, which was beaten by Amigo last Saturday, should not find it difficult to make amends 'in the Longbeach Handicap. The U. Scott mare should be well suited by the mile and a half today.

The consistent three-year-old, Barravey, a winner at Awapuni last month, is a most promising trotter, and he will be popular with place investors. If he races up to his best form he should be prominent at the finish.

Circlette. which should apreciate the shorter race this week, finished on for fourth in her race last Saturday. She has a fair measure of ability on her day, and she should be placed today. Larnie Scott finished third in his race last Saturday, and if he trots as well again, he should be placed: Irish Laughter, Bedelia and Te Waihopi are others expected to race well. No horse stands out in the Trial Handicap, a race over two miles for maiden pacers. Coronation Hall was finishing strongly in the race won by Martini at Oamaru last month when he touched a wheel of ja sulky in front of him and fell. At that time he seemed likely to be placed. If he has made a complete recovery, from that fall, he may show to advantage. Pursuance, a member of D. J. Townley’s team, ran a useful race for fifth in the Improvers’ Handicap last week when making his first appear-

ance in public. He may give an improved display today. Gainesway, which has been slow at the start of his only race to date and at trial meetings, has plenty of speed and stamina, and the longer race today may be to his advantage. Florican’has had a number of placings this season, and she is long overdue for a win. She may be prominent, as may Long Range and Meadowbrook. The double will be run on the Ashburton County Handicap and the Abton Handicap. >