TROTTING First Attack Showed To Advantage At Methven

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27466, 28 September 1954, Page 5

TROTTING First Attack Showed To Advantage At Methven

, 'first Attack showed that he will be h’ strong contender for classic honours latcr the spring when he won the jhree*year-old Stakes, one of the feature races at the Methven Trotting Club’s spring meeting on Saturday. The race was included in the programme as an experiment, but it was so successful that it seems certain that „ will continue to be one of the highiehts of the club’s spring meetings g?flie future. As in his previous races First Attack began smartly on Saturday, and X soon the pacemaker. He had most "t the field struggling by the time the anal furlong was reached, and when driver. J. Bryce, jun., shook him „„ he came right away from Royal Minstrel, winning by three lengths First Attack has developed considerably since last season, when he was unplaced in five appearances. However. he showed promise in those races 3 nd on several occasions he was narrowly beaten out of a place. Owned and trained at New Brighton by A M Richards. First Attack is a fine type Of colt. He is one of the first crop o f his sire, the Light Brigade horse Attack, which won his way to New’ Zealand Cup company. Attack, which is now at the stud in Australia, won 14 races and more than £12,000 in (takes. ' Variety Girl, dam of First Attack was bred by Mr J. C. McClure, of Cdristchurch. who also bred First Attack. Variety Girl was by Jack Potts <rom Lou Axworthy, by Travis Axworthy from Taruna Mary, by Antonio (a son of Harold Dillon) from a aare by Young Irvington. First Attack is closely related to a number of miners, including Lindbergh, which took a 4mm 16 3-ssec record for two miles more than 20 years ago. Worthy Mac, Reservist, Taruna, Olax and Beckleigh. * First Attack had had only one previous start this season when he finished fburth, after setting the pace behind Light Nurse. Royal Minstrel and Dresden Ladv in the Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes. Since then his only appearance had been in a qualifying test race when he led from end » end in good time, outclassing »he opposition. First Attack seems to ’be improving with every race, and he should more than pay his way in classic races during the remainder of the reason. loyal Minstrel’s Placing Royal Minstrel was far from disgraced by being beaten. He was practically pulled up after beginning from » yards to avoid several horses which bad been slow from the front. He must have been conceding 48 yards to First Attack when he got clear Jfe .wed a good run through behind LigM Nurse racing to the straight, but •j» effort required to get near the leaders told over the final furlong, and be was not knocked about to hold second place. The next time he meets isrres of his own age on level terms - classlc ? aces he should go close to Taming. He, too, has developed conuderably m recent months, and he is low a fine type of gelding Mort impressive was the effort of super View, which held on for third having every chance. The Super .'Ole filly has not had as much race S',"S'?.? 8 J 2l ? *L orses to finish in iront of her. Saturday’s event being miy her second appearance in public .rained at Ashburton by W. J T ■dehheai. who races her in partnership with Mr N. C. Lochhead, she is re fflark Cl ° ud >' Horizon, < Sl , 3! * from Ra P> d Five, a i wm foal by Wrack from Misfire, a laughter of Miss Fortune, ancestress Supe s View ’ which PuProfc’hly be a candidate for the later in the I ■ fahiud not be long winning.

Light Nurse Disappoints m£ti£ th |h le l4>" d £Ty ?s°a U S^/^" O th/ amst . maiden pacers. thi « “appointment of the race was mtkS m imnt Lady V . a1 ’. ™ showed Mart “ Wa strligh? 1 but wh gh S on d sterfilT? S * X p!ace ’ The whi PLn as most impressive last season when she lost several winning m&e r „ y dJ aPSe and ah ’ Favourites Fail n,Si?fl? r Ki rS T. of fav ourites had a most Hn? rn tal ? le day at the Methven Trotting Cluo s meeting on Saturday. Not rnd e Don” n R? g ra e t t tan ’ R ° yal Min ’ No Front Shoes whnf h a y Fin u- sprung a front shoe Avonm«?l n H hl a- prehminary for the ore Handicap at Methven on ?yA uTday - The totalisator closed just the M^v re^ ned to the birdcage and |h£ blacksmith removed the plates from sk?w f =,°= t hoo . ve ®- Mighty Fine was w?ih a h Va . and .,he received a check with about a mile to run. After that RnUh’fa ne X? r >. a possibility and he eeirim* I We JJ baCk ’ The Jack Potts fnd h? l? Oks „ Ver ? well at Present Incite Brighton owner-trainer. H. Stafford, should not have to wait long before he wins a race. Booked to Van Dieman b M >? r S . tha ]? 50 mares have been booked to the U. Scott stallion, Van Dieman, which will be having his first Season at the stud this spring. The in ? lude zxt ady Mavourneen, L S? s^.? he dam of Linda S”dg et). Nightbeam (the dam of Heather Globe, Carmen. Aromatic (the dam of Young Salute). Joan Conquest (the dam of Lady Rowan and Con Scott), Sure Potts, Huntington Lass, Bingen’s Advice (the dam of J ack Jrvine, Cherry Malotte, and Lille Bolero, and the granddam of Invicta), Athena (a half-sister to w ln K Cess Cali Ph). Dillon’S PrKte Wishing Well, Scene (the dam of Fearless Peter), Gold Strike, Tokena, and Mystery Maid. NOMINATIONS FORBURY PARK CLUB “The Press” Special Service „ . DUNEDIN, September 27. The following entries have been received for the Forbury Park Trotting Club s spring meeting, to be held on October 9 and 16. FIRST DAY I BAYFIELD HANDICAP, of £4OO ; 3m in 156 sec class: one mile and five furlongs.— | Robin’s Gift, Don’t Regret, Sure Pip,

Moccasin, Kakahu Pride, Amigo, Condor, Redale, See All, Jimmy Pride, Superfortress, Moth, Sure Phoebe, Component, Wee Raider. Lothario. ST. CLAIR HANDICAP, of £4OO ; 3min 48sec_ class; one mile .and five furlongs.— Maori Lad, Captain King, New Idea, Cembala, Surfman, Stadium Chief, Sandy River, Easydale, Nona Grattan, Vapour Trail, Abbasia, Barney Dillon, Ductile, Hyperbole, Rapid Rival, Quite Obvious, Golden Marino. SOUTHLAND HANDICAP, of £500; 4min 40sec class; two miles.—Gold Dust, Vera Scott, Invicta, Prince Regent,- Royal Hall, Master Tony, Sailaway, Sure Terra, Con Scott, Speed King, Blazeworthy, Brahman. Sandman, Chance, Radiant Diamond, Martini, Magic Mist, Gay Lad, Sonlight, Mighty Maori, Bedivus, Errol’s Pal. METROPOLITAN HANDICAP, of £1100; 3min 35sec class; one mile and five furlongs.—Recent Choice, Inglewood, Au Revoir, Trixie Milne, Maori Queen, Scott Wrack, Paia Royal, Excelsa, Caduceus, Our Roger. Chief Lochiel, Lauder Hall, Aladdin, Mayenga. FREYBERG HANDICAP, of £550; 3min 52sec class; one mile and five furlongs.— Factotum, Kevin, Redale, Spring Creek, Royal Manne, Demimonde, Executive. Seaforth, Anitra. PENINSULA HANDICAP, of £600; 3min 41sec class; one mile and five furlongs.—Frigate, Reko, Straight Eight, Catkin, Loraine, Jaunty, Lodestar, Midnight, Sally Walla. Real Class, Melva Grattan, Bronze Indian. Grand Monarch, Midday. Lauder Lass. Dillon d'Oro. DOMINION HANDICAP, of £700; 3min 21sec class; pne mile and a half.—Royal Brigade, Tiberius, Maestro, Rowan Star, Jaunty, Girl Black, Lassoloc, Gay Heritage. Fair Annette. Sea Rover, Ice Drift. Crafty Guy, Rajah. Real Class. FLYING HANDICAP, of £750: 3min 2sec class; one mile and three furlongs.— Recent Choice, Inglewood, Au Revoir, Trixie Milne, Diamed, Maori Queen. Scott Wrack, Excelsa. Caduceus. Our Roger, Chandelier, Thelma Globe, Clontarf, Chief Lochiel, Lauder Hall, Aladdin, Mayenga, Rajah. SECOND DAY PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, of £1100; 3min 35sec class; one mile and five furlongs.—Recent Choice, Inglewood, Au Revoir, Trixie Milne, Maori Queen, Scott Wrack, Paia Royal, Excelsa, Caduceus, Our Roger. Chief Lochiel, Lauder Hall, Aladdin, Mayenga. FAREWELL HANDICAP, of £750 ; 3min 2sec class; one mile and three furlongs.— Recent Choice, Inglewood, Au Revojr, Trixie Milne, Diamed Maori Queen, Scott Wrack, Excelsa, Caduceus, Our Roger, Chandelier, Thelma Globe, Clontarf, Chief Lochiel, Ice Drift, Lauder Hall, Aladdin, Mayenga, Rajah.

TROTTING EVENTS AT GERALDINE

SIGNET RING WINS AGAIN Signet Ring brought his record to three wins and a second from five starts, when he easily won the Orari Trot Handicap at the Geraldine Racing Club’s first spring meeting yesterday. Rehandicapped to 36 yards after his win at Methven on Saturday, Signet Ring began well and soon made up his ground. He raced in a position handy to the leaders until approaching the straight, where he moved up on the outside to follow New Idea and Lynberne into line. New Idea was still clear at the furlong, but Signet Ring quickly gathered her in to win going away by a length. New Idea made the early running, and then dropped back into the trailing position going through the back straight. She received an opening at the half-mile, and shot clear. She was still a clear leader after straightening, but could not match Signet Ring for finishing speed. Four lengths away, the favourite, Lynberne, battled on for third placing. 'He appeared to have every chance. There was another three lengths to Rapid Rival, fourth, which made up a good deal of ground in the straight. Coronation Hall was a close fifth, just clear of Scotttish Song. The latter had broken early in the race, and made up ground. The others, headed by Nona Grattan and Banbury, were beaten off. Nipalong Wins Nipalong, which was lucky to receive a clear run along the rails in the run home, won the Domain Trot Handicap in a photo-finish from Colin Grattan. There was only a neck between the pair at the post, and, a similar margin away, Scottish Fair finished third. The pacemaker, Super Light, tired to finish fourth, half a length back, with a length and a half to Sir Roger. Palmarie, Princess Peterson, and Synchronise led in the remainder. Hurricane lost ground at the start. At the end of a furlong. Young Blade broke, checking Waitaki Joe, which also tangled and lost ground. Super Light made all the running and coming to the straight entrance, he was just clear of Derry Air, witfc Scottish Fair, Colin Grattan, Paimarie, Shemara, Sir Roger, Nipalong. and Queen’s. Cornet all handy and closely bunched. Super Light was still in front at the furlong. He was under pressure, however, and Scottish Fair and Colin Grattan were

challenging on the outside, with Nipalong moving fast along the rails. Colin Grattan reached the front short of the post, and looked to have the race won, but' Nipalong just managed to get up for an impressive victory. Ashburton T.C. Withdrawals Withdrawals for the Ashburton Trotting Club’s spring meeting are due not later than 4 p.m. Today (Tuesday), 28th inst. —Advt.