Petite Yvonne Likely To Race At Addington

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27405, 19 July 1954, Page 5

Petite Yvonne Likely To Race At Addington

TROTTING

If present plans are followed Petite Yvonne will be raced at Addington next month. She has done well lately for her Auckland trainer, C. Paul, and last week she showed,that she was near her best when she won a free-for-all at a matinee meeting at Epsom. The U. Scott mare finished boldly in the straight to beat Goldina, which had been awkwardly placed for most of the race, by a length, with a, similar distance to Greek Brigade. Petite Yvonne was not troubled to record 3min 18sec for the mile and a half. During the current season Petite Yvonne has been extensively raced for three wins and 13 placings from 25 starts. Her stake-earnings amount to £4945. She more than held her own against the best pacers in commission at Addington, and she also raced with distinction at Epsom, She is now a rising eight-year-old, and, as she is now on a tight mark, it is unlikely that she will do a great deal more racing. She is one of the hardiest mares racing at present, and she seems to thrive on hard work and strenuous racing and travelling. Greek Brigade, which was not driven out to finish third in the free-for-all won by Petite Yvonne, may also be brought south for next month’s meeting at Addington. He has shown no signs of soreness in recent weeks, and it seems that he may stand up to another serious preparation. The Light Brigade stallion was not extensively raced this season and he was four times placed from eight starts. He has rum some of his best races at Addington, and, if at his peak next month, he should not be troubled to pay expenses on the trip. Greek Brigade’s stablemate, Prince Polka, a half-brother to Soangetaha. won the free-for-all for slow class horses at the Epsom matinee. He beat

his stablemate, Highland Flirt, by a head, with the two-year-old,- Mikado, showing ability to take third place. Prince Polka is not likely to be brought south, but ,he should be a winner early in the new season in the Auckland district. He has won four races during the current season, and he is expected to do well again next term. Stand At Methven A sub-committee of five has been appointed by the Methven Trotting Club to investigate the possibility of erecting a new stewards’ stand at the club’s course. This w T as decided after a number of speakers at the club’s annual meeting had urged that a new building be provided. The grounds committee reported that the reconditioning of the training tracks was well under way. All retiring officers were re-elected unopposed. -

Won at Richmond The Pokeno owner-trainer, E. R. Smith, had a successful day at Richmond (New South Wales) last Saturday week, when he won races with Scottish Bank and Powerful Lady. Scottish Bank was placed at his second appearance, and Sandy Scott and Pridola were other New Zea-land-bred horses to be placed. Scottish Bank, a half-sister by Dillon Hall to the speedy three-year-old Scottish Brigade, started at 10 to 1 in the Richmond Windsor Civic Handicap, and she returned a win dividend of £l3 12s. She began from 48 yards, and beat Gwen Lea by four lengths. Powerful Lady, which started at 5 to 1, made short work of her opponents in the Harold Park Handicap, winning by five lengths after taking 3min 21 sec for the mile and a half. The Pacing Power mare has more than paid her way in Australia. Sandy Scott, formerly a member of J. M. Bain’s team, finished second to Nepean’s Pick over one mile, and Pridola, driven by S. Ward, finished third to Para Bill and Bill Spencer in the Penrith Trbtters’ Handicap. Sandy Scott started at 5 to 2 in his race, and Pridola at 10 to 1. Totalisator Figures During the year ended May 31 last £1,344,120 5s was invested on-course at meetings held by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. Off-course investments for the same period amounted to £826,342, making a total of £2,170,462 ss. Total investments on doubles, included in the above figures, were £390,542 ss, of which £277,809 10s came from off-course sources. These figures give some idea of the popularity of doubles betting with off-course investors. An analysis of on-course betting shows that 10s tickets accounted for 79,2 per cent, of the amount invested on the win and place totalisator. Tickets, valued at £1 accounted for 18.3 per cent, of investments, and £5 tickets, 2.5 per cent. The popularity of the 5s unit for doubles betting was proved by a selling percentage of 90.4. Doubles tickets at Addington are sold in ss, £l, and £5 units. At Addington. Armenian is back in work with K. Purdon at Addington, and the Josedale Dictator gelding is being prepared for racing early in the spring. Armenian has not had much racing to date, but he has shown a fair measure of ability in his track trials. With racing and. travelling he should become more solid, and it will not surprise if he makes an early return in the new season.

Purdon is also educating a rising four-year-old horse by Sandydale from Rendezvous, which was purchased for 150 guineas at the annual sales of brood mares and racing stock last April. Rendezvous, herself a winner, was got by Dillon Hall from a grand mare in Rocks Ahead, the dam also of Barrier Reef, Navigate, Global Voyage, and Pacific Pace. Bon Arnie, which showed ability in his three starts this season, is to rejoin Purdon’s team in the next few days. A rising five-year-old gelding by Young Bob from Jane Derby, Bon Arnie is a Half-brother to Lucky Logan and Perfect Trail, both of which were winners. He should more than pay expenses in the new season.