Johnny Logan May Win First Leg At Waikato

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27693, 24 June 1955, Page 4

Johnny Logan May Win First Leg At Waikato

TROTTING

Johnny Logan, a member of W. Gee’s Mangere team, will probably be a firm favourite for the Hamilton Handicap, the first leg of the double at the Waikato Trotting Club’s winter meetingat Claudelands tomorrow. Johnny Logan won two races early in the season, but he then failed in seven starts before finishing a good second to the, promising Mavis Dillon in the R. T. Reid Memorial Handicap at Claudelands on May 28. The track was easy in his previous race at Claudelands, but tomorrow the going should be even softer after heavy rain in the last week or two. This will suit Johnny Logan, which has run his best races on really soft ground. Great interest will be taken in the performance of Bude, which will be having his first start since joining H. M. Allen’s Pukekohe team. Formerly trained at Gore by J. Walsh, Bude has raced most consistently this season for three wins and four placings from 12 starts. He has plenty of stamina, and in this comparatively weak field, he should make a forward showing. Covrex had his first start for the season at Claudelands in May, when he did well to. finish fifth after encountering trouble in the running. He is reported to have trained on well since that race, and he could easily upset calculations tomorrow. Before being taken to Australia, where he was campaigned unsuccessfully. Covrex was regarded as one of the most promising nacers in the North Island. By Light Brigade from Grand Dame, he is only a five-year-old, and he should develop high-class form. Manoa, which has not won a race this season, has been rather disappointing in some of her recent races, but she has been working with plenty of dash at Epsom. She is at home on heavy tracks, and is a fine stayer. She mav beat the favourites if she races well. Blazeworthy’s Prospects Blazeworthy, now a member of L. McFarlane’s team, was disappointing in his races at Epsom last month. However. when raced in Southland, he showed his ‘ability to master heavy tracks. His form in the south this season was good, and, from 12 yards tomorrow, he must be respected. Sleepy Hollow, which has been placed in nine of his 15 starts this season, is long overdue for a win. At times, his efforts have suggested that he will win several races soon, but he has had little luck. He finished fast for fourth at Claudelands in a similar race in May, and will again have prospects of reaching a place. Electric Ring, a member of G. A. Collison’s Ashhurst team, has shown useful form on firm tracks this season. The Ringtrue gelding has been unplaced in four of his 12 starts this season, and he has won three times. If he can cope with the track conditions, he may add interest to the finish.

The others in the race would have to show improvement on their recent efforts to have much chance, and the pick of them may • be Royal Ring. However, his chances of beating Johnny Logan, Bude, or Covrex are not highly regarded. A capacity field of 20 is carded for the second leg of the double, the Railway Handicap. Lucky Belwin, a member of D. R. Grantham’s Hawera team, will probably be favourite because of his win at the recent Hutt Park meeting. Lucky Belwin’s win was in a division of the Belmont Handicap, in which he led all the way, and won by a wide margin from Tehana and Spotlight. At his only other start for Grantham. Lucky Eelwin beat all but Marshland Scott over two miles on the first day °O.tl£-IP ee ting. He was badly checked 1

with three furlongs to run, or he might have made the winner’s task more difficult. Lady Belwin is a good type of pacer and, with a reasonable run, he should not be troubled to win. Morning Glory, which was narrowly beaten by Reelaway at Claudelands three starts ago, may offer most opposition to Lucky Belwin. Morning Glory failed at Hutt Park, but the track should not be quite so heavy tomorrow, and he should fare better. Reelaway has not raced since his win on the course a month ago. The Logan Derby pacer has fair ability, and once again he should be prominent. Useful Bracket H. M. Allen, who has Bude in the first leg, will parade a useful bracket in Grattan Dillon and Ukuwera. Grattan Dillon, by Dillon Hall from True Grattan, should do the better of the pair. He has had two wins and three placings from 10 starts this season, and he should extend his record tomorrow. Royal Arrow finished fourth over two miles at his most recent appearance, and over the shorter distance tomorrow, he may do better. He has a fair turn of speed on his day. Scottie’s Glow and Simon, members of J. P. Baker’s team, both have useful efforts to their credit. Scottie’s Glow, a five-year-old mare by U. Scott from Coral Glow, has had only one win this season, but she has been nine times placed. Simon, a gelding by Peter Smith, could surprise. He was twice placed at Hutt Park, and is at home in very heavy going. With a reasonable run tomorrow, he could easily win. Tatiaree. Highland Reel, and Elizabeth Derby are expected to do best of the others. Selections:— 10.45 a.m.—Newstead Handicap: Scabard. Mary Dillon. Kaipaki Jack. 11.25 a.m.—Victoria Handicap: Ruth Again. Noble Jessie, Medorosa. 12.15 p.m.—Maeroa Handicap: Lynette, Sweet Jewel. Mighty Briton. I. p.m.—Hamilton Handicap: Johnny Logan, Bude, Covrex. 1.45 p.m.—Karapiro Handicap: Fort Knox. Courtesy, Knighthood-Jocelvn Grattan bracket. 2.35 p.m.—Railway Handicap: Lucky Belwin, Morning Glory, Reelaway. 3.20 p.m.—Winter Hanidcap: Shannon Gift. Full Marks, Derry Browne. 4.10 p.m.—Electric Handicap: Mavis Dillon. Watty Lawn, Barbara Gaillard. Fields, with form, for the doubles races/ are:— HAMILTON HANDICAP, Cf £6OO. 4min 37sec class. Two miles. 0000 d'Artagnan (1) .. .. SC r 0000 Faux Pas (3) .. .. scr 0002 Johnny Logan (2) .. .. scr 0300 Royal Ring (4) .. .. scr 0200 Blazeworthy (5) .. ..12 1100 Bude (1) 12 1014 Electric Ring (7) .. ..12 0030 King Oliver (3) .. ..12 0000 Manoa (4) .. ..12 0003 Sandy Sutherland (2) .. .. 12 2004 Sleepy Hollow (6) .. ..12 0 Covrex (1) .. ..24 0300 Tarzan Grattan (1) .. ..48 RAILWAY HANDICAP, Of £350. 3min 49sec class. One mile and five furlongs. 0300 Grattan Dillon (1) .. .. scr 000 Joseora (5) .. .. scr 0000 Master Peter (4) .. .. scr 3200 Morning Glory (2) .. .. scr 0000 Ukuwera (3) .. .. scr 0000 Audrey’s Own (10) .. ..12 0640 Elizabeth Derby (1.) .. ..12 0020 Good Time (5) .. ..12 0003 Highland Reel (2) .. ..12 0021 Lucky Belwin (12) .. ..12 0000 Ngaroto (11) .. ..12 0000 Noble Jessie (6) .. ..12 0000 Pip White (3) .. ..12 0000 Prince Findon (4) .. .. 12 0001 Reelaway (13) .. ..12 4304 Royal Arrow (14) .. ..12 1000 Scottie’s Glow (9) .. ..12 0022 Simon (7) .. ..12 0000 Tatiaree (8) .. ..12 0 Drucilla (1) .. ..24 Brackets: Grattan Dillon and Ukuwera, Scottie's Glow and Simon.