TROTTING INTER-DOMINION MEETING

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27583, 14 February 1955, Page 4

TROTTING INTER-DOMINION MEETING

Our Roger And Caduceus Win Pacing Heats

BATTLE CRY BEATS TROTTERS

(From Ovr Own Reporter)

AUCKLAND, February 13.

The West Melton trainer, J. D. Litten, qualified both his representatives, Our Roger and Caduceus, for the £lO,OOO final on February 26, when they won the pacing qualifying heats on the first day of the Inter-Dominion Championship meeting held by the Auckland Trotting Club at Epsom yesterday. Both horses won very easily. They will probably be better suited by the longer distances on the last two days of the meeting.

The First Trotting Qualifying Heat was won impressively by the Templeton-trained Battle Cry.

None of the Australian horses was seen to advantage. Captain Sandy and Ribands lost their chances at the start of their races, and Tennessee Sky encountered trouble in the straight, when' he appeared likely to be placed. Para Rip, the Australian trotter, showed speed at times, but he broke when approaching the straight and he was well beaten in eighth place.

yards of the Mount Albert Handicap for the favourite. Highland Flirt. Tui Scott began well from 36 yards, and she was soon handily placed with Highland Flirt at the rear of the field, just behind her stablemate, Prince Polka. With less than half a mile to run, Highland Flirt set off round, tho field, and a furlong further on, she was in front. She put a break on the field racing to the straight, but Tui Scott followed her through, pullfag oirt to challenge with about half a furlong to run. They had a great tussle tor a few yards, but Tui Scott had a little extra in reserve, and she won by a neck. Three lengths behind Highland Flirt, Prince Polka was third, a length in front of Parklight and Te Atatu. Secure’s Good Record Secure gained his third win from four starts for M. Holmes when he outclassed the field in the Otahuhu Handicap. Secure was very slow away from 48 yards, and he was giving the leaders a big start with two furlongs covered. , , , , Packington was the early leader, and she set a strong pace. Secure gradually made up ground to be fairly handy in eleventh place, and with six furlongs to run he moved up in the back straight and set cut after the leaders. Racing to the straight, he was just behind Sleepy Hollow and Manoa. He overhauled them inaide the furlong, and won very easily from Sleepy Hollow, which shaded Manoa by a nose. Lee Scott, Beldene, and d’Artagnan were right up next. a Unite gave an outstanding performance to win the Wairakei Stakes. His position looked hopeless when he was well back after an early break. Celestial began best and, racing to the straight, he was joined by Hula Rose and Unite, which had been wide out over the last half mile. Just behind them and tour out, ROyal Minstrel was moving up fast, with Johnny Ray and Earl Marie handy. Unite and Celestial had a great duel over the final furlong. Unite took a head decision, with three-quarters of a length to Royal Minstrel, which was far from disgraced. A neck back, Hula Role battled on for fourth, aheaa of Full Marks, which had been very slow early, and Earl Marie. King Dix, which was formerly owned in Dunedin, gained his second win from three starts this season to save supporters of his solidly-supported bracketed mate, Denny Dillon, by leading from end to end in the Improvers' Handicap. He had half a length to

Our Roger led throughout the First ; Pacing Qualifying Heat, and won well 3 trona Thelma Globe. The latter is ex- ‘ pected to show improvement later at j the meeting. j Many expected Battle Cry to stop 3 in the straight after his efforts to get j to the front, but at no stage of the i last furlong did he look like wilt- i ing, and he finished full of running. I Battle Cry will be a hot favourite for , the final of his section in two weeks' t time. < The meeting was held in threatening ' weather before a crowd of almost ] 20,000. The track was in good order. 1 The Our Roger-Battle Cry double 1 combination returned £M Is for £l. The totalisator investments for the day amounted to £181,346, compared with < £133,638 15s on the corresponding day ] last year. i Led AU the Way J Our Roger led from end to end in the First Pacing Qualifying Heat. He s beat all challengers in the straight to I win by a length. Dancing Years 1 dropped in behind Our Boger soon 1 after the start, with Scottish Star, J Prince Polka, and Bartender handy. 3 With six furlongs to run. Our Roger ' was under a good hold in front of 3 Dancing Years, Prince Polka, Soange- t taha, Scottish Star, Thelma Globe, Bar- - tender, Tennessee Sky, Johnny Globe, 1 Au Revoir, Princess Jewel, Tactician, c and Captain Sandy. Then there was a long break to Moss Hall and Mar- s garet’s Own. There was little change in the order ’ in the back straight, but with two and a half furlongs to run, Thelma Globe 3 and Johnny Globe challenged, and 3 Dancing Years pulling out from the rails, c was just behind them. Soangetaha was ' the only other horse in the picture t at this stage. 3 Over the final furlong Our Roger had ( - too much in reserve tor the others, f and he won from Thelma Globe, which c had been weU back early. Half a * length back, Dancing Years finished on < for third, without ever appearing likely t to catch the two in front of him. 3 Johnny Globe, after being very slow f early, did well to finish fourth, half a length behind Dancini Years. Prince c Polka held on for firth place, three i lengths back, ahead of Princess Jewel, S Scottish Star, Soangetaha, and Au t Revoir. . i Moss Hall and Margaret’s Own broke 1 badly at the start, and Tactician and Captain Sandy were very slow. Tac- ' tician tangled with two and a half furlongs to run, and Au Revoir broke at this point Inside the furlong, Tennessee Sky was squeezed for room and came back on Bartender, which lost his driver, several other horses, which had no chance, encountering interferBrilliaat Trotter Battle Cry gave a brilliant display to win the Trotters' Heat He was badly checked, and sent to a break at Bigs. Precaution trough interferWhen he had settle Cry was ter, Conquer, at straight with i run, Conquer xious Moments, Glen Star, .Fair, odka, Para Rip, r. I his run round i brilliant sprint to the straight i on terms with ■ Moments. In- ■ nd Vodka were < ' took over the g post and alitrong challenge, too much in . nvincingly by a • race. He was 1 bride, but afterwards had every chance. He was running on strongly. He will have brighter prospects in the longer races later at the meeting. Indomitable, which had a perfect run throughout was more than a length behind Vodka in third place, half a head in front of Conquer, with Fair Isle right up next clear of Ecosse, Anxious Moments and Para Rip (both in a break). Pay Boy, Tapuwae, Captain Cuddles, Indian Parrish, Major Scott, Para Rip, and Old Scotch were among those to make mistakes in the running Cadneeas Wtas Caduceus made short work of his opponents in the Second Pacing Qualifying Heat. He broke at the start, and was back with Single Direct at the end of half a furlong. Wayward Peter went away in the lead, and set a very strong pace. He led past the mile post from Recent Choice, Lauder Lass. ReUek, Brave Company, Laureldale, Petite Yvonne, Zulu, which appeared to suffer a slight cheek at the end of two furlongs, Caduceus and Single Direct, with three lengths to Lady Rowan. Caduceus had seven horses in front of him with five furlongs to run, but soon afterwards he was pulled out to make his claim. Racing to the straight, he ■ was wide out, just behind Fayward Peter, Recent Choice, ReUek, and Petite Yvonn. with Tender Lass and Laureldale handiest of the others. Caduceus was four sulkies out as he straightened up. In a few strides, he moved up to wayward Peter. Recent Choice attempted to go on the inside of Caduceus, but he had no chance of catching him. The four-yw-old won by two lengths. Recent ;«25 e iJJ n * und r S ce tor second, Pp aU way - He l e * 3g fiL. ln front ot Laureldale, SdSe rfto? fl^d.“ rUnMly from “ffg 3 gad* • valiant atjust ~2* to overhaul Petite Yvonne. Wayw«rd Peter, Lauder Lass and Zulu next, weU clear of the others. ■£*** * ttK !? on *be mark and lost _ Laureldale was also a Lady Rowan galloped off. fiHWtaFtZTLJ? i,Uently i..’ rui Scott u too well ever the final 50

spare over Chippy, which had been handy throughout, with two and a half lengths to a Canterbury trotter, Morning Mist, which just held off King’s Mint Morning Mist had every chance, but did not run on as well as expected in the straight. Jocelyn Grattan was beaten off in fifth place, ahead of Black Pegasus. Faux Pas moved through to the front approaching the straight in the Campbell Handicap, and from then on he had the opposition well covered. He won by three lengths from Bobrack, which had attempted to lead all the way. A short length back, the Belfast- < trained mare, Cara Nelson, finished i on for third. She was most unlucky, as she was checked badly twice in the < running, and racing to the straight she : was disappointed several times when going for an opening. Sandy Suther- ' land, Tashkent, and Dandy Lad were almost on terms, next. Results:— IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP, Of £lOOO. For trotters. 3min 34sec class, one mile and a half. 2. 2— KING DIX (2) scr .. F. Smith 1 8. 4—Chippy (10) 24 .. R. Bradley 2 1. I—Morning Mist (0) 12 D. G. Jones 3 9, 9 Black Pegassus; 2.2 Denny Dillon bracketed with King Dix; 3, 3 Pukepcto and Jocelyn Grattan bracketed; 5, 5 Social Gift; 4, 7 Stymie: 7. 8 King’s Mint; 11, 11 Oscar Grattan; 8 6 Tapuwae; 10, 10 Indian Prince and Sheryll Scott bracketed; 12, 12 Conquer also started. Half length; two lengths and a half. King’s Mint was fourth. Times—3min 24 3-ssec 3min 22 4-ssec, 3min 24 4-ssec. (Mile’rate 2min 18 2-ssec.) Dividends.—Win: £3 18s 6d. Places: £1 14s. £2 14s, £1 13s. CAMPBELL HANDICAP, Of £BOO. 3min 45sec class. One mile and five furlongs. > 3. 3—FAUX PAS (4) scr H. R. Fisken 1 1. I—Borback (2) scr V. L. Mackie 2 2. 2—Cara Nelson (10) 12 J. G. Hampton 3 1, 1 Peter Boy bracketed with Bobrack; 10, 10 Logan Brook; 4. 4 Sandy Sutherland and Dandy Lad bracketed; 7. 6 Watchguard; 9, 8 Tashkent; 5, 5 welsh Machine; 8, 7 Modern Volo; 11, 11 Grenade; 8. 9 Winsome Girl also started. Three lengths; threequarters of a length. Sandy Sutherland was fourth. Times—3min 35 4-ssec, 3min 37sec, Smln 38 2-ssec. (Mile rate Imin 12 4-ssec.) Dividends.—Win: £6 18s 6d. Places: £1 18s 6d. £1 10s, £1 Ils. WAIRAKEI STAKES, Of £lOOO. For three and four-year-olds. Special conditions. One mile and a half. 12—UNITE (3) scr -T V. Leeming 1 i 3. 3—Celestial (4) 12 J. K. Hughes 2 2. I—Royal Minstrel (12) 36 M. Holmes 3 L 9, 9 Bennie Boy; 12, 12 Glenim; 8, 8 c Chief Vilo; 7, 7 Hula Rose; 5. 5 Johnny * Ray; 4, 4 Kortan and Scottish Btogen i bracketed: 10, 10 Lynette; 8, 8 Earl Marie: 11.11 Full Marks also started. t Head; threequarters of a length. Hula , Rose was fourth. Times—3min 30 4-ssec, 3min 30sec, 3min 18 l-ssec. (Mile rate • 2min Msec.) > AfWsrai.** io " ptac - : i *

rmar pacebs* qAutiraNa rack, Of £l5OO. One mile end a quarter. 7. B—OUR ROGER (4) scr J. D. Litten 1 2. 3—Thelma Globe (12) 18 J. B. Pringle 2 X 3—Dancing Yean (2) scr M. Holmes 3 8, 8 Bartender; 8, 7 Moss Hall; 15. 15 Prince Polka; 13, 12 Princess Jewel; 14, 14 Scottish Star; 10, 10 Au Revoir; 5, 5 Tennessee Sky; 4, 4 Margaret’s Own; 11, 11 Soangetaha; 9, 9 Tactician; 12. 13 Captain Sandy; 1, 1 Johnny Globe also started. Length; half a length. Johnny Globe was fourth. Times—2min 40 4-ssec, 2min 39 4-ssec, 2min 31 2-ssec, 2min 39 l-ssec. (Mile rate 2min 8 3-ssec.) Dividends.—Win: £2l 7s. Places: £4 12s 6d, £2 2s. £2 48 6d. OTAHUHU HANDICAP, Of £lOOO. 4min 37sec class. Two miles. 1. I—SECURE (5) 48 .. M. Holmes 1 7. s—Sleepy Hollow (9) 12 C. G. Lee 2 13. 12—MANGA (12) 12 .. P. Stewart 3 9, 10 D’Artagnan; 12, 13 Gay Derby; 2,2 Ivy’s Pride and Single Medoro bracketed; 3, 3 Packington; 4, 4 Sergeant Sandßr: 14, 14 Beldene; 11, 9 Cherokee and Heroism bracketed; 5, 6 Lee Scott; 6, 7 Mavis Dillon; 8, 8 Cruising Derby; 10, 11 Dandy Lawn also started. Two lengths and a half; nose. Lee Scott was fourth. Times.—4mln 21 3-ssec, 4min 25 3-ssec, 4min 25 4-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min 10 4-ssec.) Dividends.—Win: £2 18s 6d. Places: £1 12s Bd, £3 7s 6d, £9 0s Bd. TBOTTEBS’ QUALIFYING CHAMPIONSHIP, Of £l5OO. For trotters. One mile and a quarter. L I—BATTLE CRY (9) 8 C. R. Berkett 1 2. 2—Vodka (15) 8 .. J. S. Shaw 2 8. B—lndomitable (12) 8 D. G. Jones 3 10, 9 Anxious Moments; 12, 10 Indian Parrish; 8, 8 Conquer; 14, 14 Major Scott; 3, 4 Para Rip; 9, 12 Pay Boy and Mountain Range bracketed; 5, 5 Ecosse; Glen Star; 18, 18 Old Scotch; 7, 7 Precaution; 11, 11 Tapuwae; 13, 13 Captain Cuddles; 4 r 3 Air Isle also started. Length; length and a quarter. Conquer was fourth. Times. —2min 43 3-ssec, 2min 43 4-ssec, 2min 44 l-ssec. 2min 44 4-Bsee. (Mile rate: 2min 10 4-ssec.) Dividends.—Win: £3 Is 6d. Places: £1 128, £1 19s Bd, £3 88 Bd. SECOND QUALIFYING PACERS* CHAMPIONSHIP, Of £l5OO. One mile and a quarter. 1. 2—CADUCEUS (7) 8 .. J. D. Litten 1 9. 9—Recent Choice (5) scr D. G. Jones 2 4. 3—Laureldale (10) 18 .. F. Smith 3 8. 8 Brave Company; 11, 10 Lady Rowan; 2, 1 Lauder Lass; 10, 10 Wayward Peter; 6, 7 ReUek; 5, 8 Zulu; 7, 5 Petite Yvonne; 3, 5 Ribands; 12, 12 Single Direct also started. Two lengths; length. Petite Yvonne was fourth. Times.—2min 37 l-ssec, 2min 38 3-ssec, 2min 37 2-ssec. Dividends.—Win: £2 6s. Places: £1 12s 6d, £6 18s, £2 3s 6d. MT. ALBERT HANDICAP, Of £1250. 4min 32sec class. Two miles. 2. 2—TUI SCOTT (10) 36 M. Holmes 1 1. I—Highland Flirt (8) 36 H. M. Allen 2 1. I—Prince Polka (8) 38 J. Butcher 3 8, 8 Delta; 8, 7 Douglas Derby; 5, 6 Parklight; 3, 3 Scotch Orator; 7, 5 Whispering Smith; 4, 4 Te Atatu; 9, 10 Logan Fame; 10, > Sisley Wood also three lengths. Parklight was fourth. Times.—toun 22 4-ssec, 4min 23sec, 4min 24 l-ssec. (Mile rate: 2min 11 TH vidends .—Win: £2 19s. Places: £1 18 BrackeU Highland Flirt and Prince Polka.