TROTTING Excellent Two-Mile Trial By Ribands At Addington

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27499, 5 November 1954, Page 5

TROTTING Excellent Two-Mile Trial By Ribands At Addington

The chaihpioji Australian pacer, Ribands, showed that he will be a worthy representative of his country in next Tuesday’s New Zealand Trotting Cup, when he ran two miles in company with Petite Yvonne and Au Revoir at Addington yesterday morning. Tremendous interest was taken in the trial, and about 500 persons watched it. The outstanding trial of the morning was recorded by Caduceus and Flagship. Black Douglas, Vodka, Unite, and Mighty Falla also pleased. Trainers had the use of the inside of the main track yesterday, and it provided good footing. Atmospheric conditions were perfect. Au Revoir and Petite Yvonne were about five lengths in front of Ribands, which was a little slow to gather speed, at the start of their’run over two miles. After taking Imin 4 4-ssec for the first half-mile and Imin 39 2-ssec for the first six furlongs, they were joined by Jack Peterson, which moved in in front of Ribands. The mile post was reached in 2min 13 3-ssec and the mile and a quarter post in 2min 49sec. Ribands began to move up at the end of about one mile and a half in 3min 23 3-ssec, and at ( the half-mile post he was on the outside of Petite Yvonne, about a length from Au Revoir. The pace was increased at this stage, and Ribands moved up to shade Au Revoir with three furlongs and a half to run. He was a clear leader racing to the straight. Ribands ran on vfltell over the final furlong, and he had a length and a half to spare over Au Revoir, Petite l Yvonne, and Jack Peterson, which 'were almost together, at the post. The leaders paced the final four furlongs in 59 2-ssec, the final quarter in 30sec. Ribands paced his last half-mile in 59sec. He was pacing -&ell at the finish; so were Au Revoir and Petite Yvonne. As a cup trial, it was,a fine effort by all three pacers. Ribands should be

greatly improved, as he was sweating freely on being pulled up. This was his first serious run since he arrived in Christchurch, and the free-going Lawn Derby stallion impressed many experienced critics.

Ribands was driven by his race-day driver, J. D. Watts, who arrived by plane from Sydney yesterday. Petite Yvonne was driven by P. Wolfenden, Au Revoir by D. C. Watts, and Jack Peterson by J. Fraser. Flagship’s Trial The fastest time for two miles was 4min 17 2-ssec, recorded by Flagship and Caduceus. Flagship tangled slightly at. the start, but he was a clear leader at the end of a furlong from Qur Roger and Caduceus. They reached the mile post in 2min 9sec, the mile and a quarter post in 2min 42 2-ssec, and the mile and a half in 3min 15sec. Caduceus moved up to be handy to Flagship at the furlong, but he could not catch him, and was a short length away at the post, with six lengths to Our Roger, which was not pressed in the straight.

It was a grand effort by Flagship Flagship was eliminated from the Canterbury Handicap field. Caduceus also ran particularly well He was running on strongly at the post after taking Imin 2 2-ssec for the final half-mile and 31 2-ssec for the final quarter. He will not race until the second day of the meeting. Our Roger looks well forward for his cup engagements. His chances will be enhanced if the track is soft.

Empire Lady trailed the other three for one mile and a half, after which she was pulled up. Black Douglas and Star Rosa, which did not pace as kindly as usual, took 4min 29 3-ssec for their two miles, the last half-mile in Imin 6 l-ssec, and the final quarter in 31 4-ssec. Both horses had plenty in reserve at the post. Black Douglas looks improved as a result of his race at Hutt Park last week, and he will have prospects in the Final Handicap next Tuesday. Mighty Falla could have improved considerably on his time of 3min 16 3-ssec for one mile and a half, the last half-mile in Imin 4sec and the final quarter in 33sec. The Colossal gelding is carrying more condition than for some time. It will be surprising if he fails to win a race at the ingVapour Trail Pleases Midnight, which moved scratchily before he worked, and Cabra started from the mile and a half post five lengths in front of Vapour Trail and Precaution. Vapour Trail finished well in the straight to shade Cabra and Midnight at the post, a length in front of Precaution, after taking 3min 21 2-ssec. The last half-mile took Imin 1 2-ssec and the last quarter 30 2-ssec. Vapour Trail- Jias progressed well since he raced at Oamaru. and he should do well at Addington. Most impressive was the Dillon Hall trotter, Cabra, which is not engaged on the first day of the meeting. He trotted in fine style and should soon win a race.

After trotting easily over his first six furlongs in Imin 52 l-ssec, Vodka was joined by Johnny Ray. Vodka was running better than his companion at the post, after taking 4min 36 2-ssec for his two miles, the last half-mile in Imin 5 2-ssec and the final quarter in 32 4-ssec. Vodka was trotting with plenty in reserve all the way. He should run an excellent race in the Worty Queen

Handicap. Gay Lad was in front of Quick Silver and a maiden pacer throughout their run over one mile and a half in 3min 27sec, the last half-inile in Imin 6 3-ssec and the final quarter in 32sec. Gay Lad, which looks to be right back to his best, should race well at Addington. Young Sam and Hinepo were running on strongly at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 21sec, the last half-mile in Imin ssec, and the final quater in 31 3-ssec. Young Sam seems to have made a complete recovery from the cold which prevented him from racing at Oamaru on October 25.

Battleground was travelling well alongside Unite at the end of their mile and a half in 3min 20sec. They took Imin 4sec for their last halfmile and were speeded up to take 30 3-ssec for the final quarter. Unite has been improved by his winning run at Hutt Park last week, and he will not be without prospects in the Riccarton Stakes on Tuesday. Excelsa Disappoints

Real Globe and Beau Marie finished well clear of Excelsa at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 19 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 1 l-ssec, and the final quarter in 30 l-ssec. Excelsa, a candidate for the Final Handicap, was most disappointing, and she may find it difficult to make a successful comeback. Real Globe and Beau Marie were running well at the post. Fair Isle and Egyptian Queen were

let off with an easy mile and a half, the final mile and a quarter in 2min 60 l-ssec. They took Imin 5 4-ssec for the last half-mile, and were speeded up to record 32 l-ssec for the last two furlongs. Fair Isle was keen to i icrease the pace. She is in excellent order for her engagement in the Worthy Queen Handicap. Cembala was running slightly better than Surf man at the end of two miles in 4min 39 4-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 5 3-ssec and the final quarter in 31 2-ssec. Surfman will race at Hutt Park tomorrow, and he should be prominent. Mecca Chief began three seconds behind' Zulu’s Pride at the mile and a half post, and he beat him home after taking 3min 16 3-ssec. He looked to have plenty in reserve at the post after sprinting his final four furlongs in Imin 4 2-ssec, the last two furlongs in 32sec. Captain Cuddles made the pace and was just in front of Tiberius at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 22 2-6 sec, the last four furlongs in Imin 4 3-ssec, and the final quarter in 31sec. It was a much-improved effort by Captain Cuddles, which trotted poorly at the recent Addington trials.

Madam Grattan, a candidate for the Introductory Handicap on Tuesday, covered two miles in 4min Slsec, the last half-mile in imin 6 3-ssec. She was trotting well at the finish, and will not be without prospects in her race next week.

PROSPECTS FOR TOMORROW

WELLINGTON CLUB The appearance of a .number of fresh horses from the Auckland province will create considerable interest on the final day of the Wellington Trotting Club's spring meeting at Hutt Park tomorrow. There has been a little light rain during the week, and the track should again be hard and fast. The double will be run on the Empire Handicap and the Spring Handicap. Selections are:— 11 a.m.—Kelbum Handicap: Wee Raider, Moth, Don’t Regret. 11.45 a.m.—Qualifiers* Handicap: Colin Grattan, Amen Ra, 12.30 p.m.—Featherston Handicap: Secure, Surfman, Marathon. 1.15 p.m.—Empire Handicap: Fallacy, Scottish Star, Chief Lochiel. 2 p.m.—Kaitoke -Handicap: Moth, Wee Raider, Glengallan. 2.45 p.m.—Spring Handicap: Arriba, Blacksmith, Linda Bridget. 3.30 p.m.—Maiden Handicap: Amen Ra, Synchronise, Colin Grattan. 4.15 p.m.—Electric Handicap: Secure, Dalise, Earl Marie. Fields, with form, for the doubles races are:— EMPIRE HANDICAP* Of £9OO. 3min 39sec class. One mlle«and five furlongs. 0004 Affable (4) .. .. .. scr 4400 Logan Fame (2) .. scr 2000 Rowan Star (1) •• .. scr 1123 Scottish Star (3) •* .. scr 0000 True Parrish (5) .. •. scr 0000 Patrick Earl (1) .. ..12 0000 Sisley Wood (2) .. ..12 0003 Chief Lochiel (2) .. ..24 0002 Fallacy (1) .. .. 24 Bracket: Logan Fame and Scottish Star. Scratched: Real Class. SPltara HANDICAP, Of £4OO. 3min 52sec class. One mile and five furlongs. 0302 Blacksmith (8) .. .. .. scr 0000 Brighton’s Wonder (6) .. scr 3403 Fair Lead (2) .. .. .. scr 0000 Golden Present (4) .. ..scr 0302 Harr Sterling (11) •• .. scr 0000 King Worthy (1) ..scr 0403 Lille Bolero (10) .. .. scr 1000 Linda Bridget (7) .. ..scr 2100 Piccadilly Boy (5) .. .. scr 0400 San Mario (9)scr 0000 Topaz (3) scr 4003 Arriba (1) W 0404 Scottish Song (2) .. .. 12 2001 Secure <1) .. .. ..48 Scratched: Surlman. (

INVERCARGILL CLUB

Press’" Special Service INVERCARGILLo November 4. The Invercargill Trotting Club will conclude its spring meeting on Saturday. The weather has been fine, and the track will be firm. The double will be on the Stewards* Handicap and the President’s Handicap. Selections:— 11 a.m.—lnnovation Handicap No. 1: Shyanna, Amazon, Happy Hall. 11.40 a.m.—Enwood Handicap: Fencer, Worthy Admiral, Saturfi. 12.25 p.m.—Stewards’ Handicap: Maximilian and Philosee bracket, waverley Hall, Young Erin. 1.5 pjn.—lnnovation Handleap No. 2: Signor, Michael Han. Whirlwind. 1.50 pjn.—President’s Handicap: Royal Platoon-Argyle Lad bracket, Brandon. Bude. 2.30 p.m.—Southern Three - year - old Stakes: Dunvegan Castle, En Avant, Dominion . Monarch. 3.10 p.m.—Lorneville Handicap: See All, Recovery, Fencer. 3.55 p.m.—Final Handicap: Royal Platoon bracket, Captain Cook, Moko Boy. The fields, with form, for the double races, are:— STEWARDS* HANDICAP, Of £275. 4min 50seo class. Two miles.

Brackets: Night Sister and Loyal David, Philosee and Maximilian. PRESIDENTS HANDICAP, Of £450. 3min 48sec class. One mile and five furlongs.

0 Night Sister .. •« set 2000, Philosee .. •• . . scr 0214 Rosedell .. «• •• scr 3000 Floral Hall •• •• .. 12 0000 Loyal David .. •» .. 12 0000 Maiden's Design •• •• 12 0000 Ace .. •• — •• 21 1000 Mighty Lucky •• m *• 24 4031 Maximilian •• •• 24 1000 Nigger Hall .. •• 24 0004 0102 Waverley Hall .. •• Young Erin .. .. •• 24 • -I**

0100 Argyle Lad •• scr 3000 Balfour Lass .. scr 1043 Brandon 0. scr 0021 Bude • . scr 0104 Colraine e. scr 0002 Fatima Lady 0« scr 0100 Fiona .. scr 0010 Haddon Hall «. scr 0000 Right Away a. scr 0200 Aula 00 12 0400 Nyallo Hall .. 12 2242 Royal Platoon .. 12 0001 Man Friday .. 36 0000 Gold Dust .. 48 Brackets: Argyle Lac Bude and Man Friday.