Smart Sprint By Roy Grattan At Ashburton

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27875, 25 January 1956, Page 5

Smart Sprint By Roy Grattan At Ashburton

TROTTING

A brilliant last half-mile by Roy Grattan and a pleasing trial by Johnny Globe were the features of the first heat of the free-for-all at trials held yesterday at Ashburton by the MidCanterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association. Conditions were ideal and the track was fast. Most of the racing was done about three sulky-widths out from the rails.

Tactician, Caduceus and Roy Grattan broke at the start of the free-for-all. Johnny Globe and Our Roger began best to lead at the end of a furlong by five lengths from Tactician, with a similar gap to Roy Grattan and Caduceus. Johnny Globe worked clear with just less than a mile and a quarter to run and he led past the mile post, followed at length and a half intervals by Our Roger, Tactician, Caduceus, and Roy Grattan. There was almost no change until near the straight entrance where Tactician moved up on the outside of Our Roger. Johnny Globe strode away from the others to be five lengths clear at the furlong. He was being eased right up at the post two lengths in front of Tactician, which finished on well. Roy Grattan, which had still been at the rear with a-furlong and a half to run, did well to finish third a length back, six lengths in front of Our Roger, with a neck to Caduceus. Johnny Globe paced the mile and a half in 3min 16sec r the last half-mile in one minute. Roy Grattan’s last half must have been about 59sec as he was giving Johnny Globe a start of at least seven lengths at the half-mile. He will have bright prospects of adding to his record in the Forbury Handicap at Forbury Park. Johnny Globe is a candidate for the same race, but has to concede Roy Grattan a start of 48 Our Roger, and Caduceus are all candidates for the InterDominion Championship series at Harold Park next month and all raced satisfactorily: Caduceus is also a candidate for the Dunedin Cup on Saturday and even from the back mark of 48 yards, he must be given a great chance. He looked well yesterday and the race should help to bring him to his peak for Saturday’s race Signet Ring, Auriferous, and Bedivus were the only starters in the second heat of the free-for-all and . they finished in that order at length intervals after pacing their last mile m 2min 15sec, the final four furlongs m lmin 4sec.

Smart Two-year-olds Twenty-four two-year-olds paraded in two heats. Considerable interest was taken in their performances as the first race for the season for them will be run at Addington on February 11. Golden Hero, a member of G. B. Noble’s team, won the first heat by a head from Shantung after pacing the mile in 2min 17 3-ssec, the last halfmile in lmin 4 2-ssec. Golden Hero, a brother to La Mignon, the leading two-year-old two seasons.ago, looks to be improving with every run. He should be one of the most prominent youngsters in early two-year-old Shantung, a fine type of black filly

by Croughton from a speedy mare in Statuette, was driven by R. Young. She was back a few places on settling down, but was soon handy. She ran on well. Trained by P. C. Williams, she is owned by Mr D. H. Park, who has refused at least one offer of more than £2OOO. If she trains on she should more than pay her way at her first few starts.

A length and a half behind Shantung, a small filly by U. Scott from the trotting mare, Flame, was third. She was a good way back early and had to cover extra ground approaching the straight She has an easy style of pacing. She was a head in front of Jolly Gay, which is by Gay Reveller from Josie Fern.

Finestra, a gelding by Medoro from Daisy Scott, was one of the last three horses on settling down. He showed ability to finish close up in fifth place. If he begins smoothly in his races, he could be the best winner of his age this season.

Lord Balfour, a brother to Lady Balfour, showed speed for sixth, followed by Silver Wings, a Whipster— Lucky Sweet filly, and Highland Rover.

Josedale Grattan Filly Allanah Marie was always one of the leading division in the second heat, and she was shaken up to beat Mossgiel by a length after pacing her mile in 2min 18 2-ssec, her last halfmile in lmin 4 l-ssec. Mossgiel was first out, but with six and a half furlongs to run, he was passed by Stellar. Mossgiel came through on the inner with three furlongs to run and led into the last furlong from Allanah Marie, which responded well when asked fbr an effort. Allanah Marie is a strong bay filly by Josedale Grattan from a useful race mare in Allanah. Mossgiel, a colt by Burns Night from Constellation, was doing his work just as well as the winner at the post. He is a good type of pacer, but is rather small.

Stellar, by Springbok from Star Ace, was always handy and held on for third, a length in front of Final Say, with Achates, a Highland Chief— Officious gelding, a Red Emperor— Bonny Heather colt, and a Springbok —Northern Lass filly. Win for Zagar

The Weedons trainer, R. H. Butterick, produced Zagar and Francora to finish first and third in the 3min 33sec class place. Gold Moana made most of the pace, but dropped out early in the run home. Zagar, driven by J. H. Butterick, finished on solidly to beat Major Ferguson by half a length after pacing the mile and a half in 3min 24 3-ssec, the last halfmile in lmin Bsec. Francora held on for third three lengths away, a similar distance in front of Scotch Paree which was followed in by Pylon and Gold Moana.

Scotch Paree, having her first run in public for many months, was most impressive. One of the most promising trotters seen out last season, she was allowed to drift in the early part of the race. She moved up to be handy at the half-mile post and was then eased again in the straight. She looks to be near her best again, and G. B. Noble should not have long to wait before gaining a win with her. Pylon trotted a useful race, breaking near the straight entrance. He showed speed and may soon win again. Kauranui In Form Kauranui, a disappointment in his racing over the holidays, won the 3min 41sec class trot from end to end, but had only a head to spare over Freebooter at the post. Freebooter, which broke hopelessly at the start of her race at Washdyke on Saturday, gave a sound display of trotting, and the first time she begins well she should go close to winning. Jean Able, which started from 72 yards, finished on over the last halfmile for third, half a length from Freebooter, with a length to Nirvana, which looked to be doing his work well at the post after trailing Kauranui all the way. Nirvana is a gelding by Indianapolis from Seal Globe, the dam also of Dictation. Supervise was a useful fifth, just ahead of Simplicity.

The winner trotted the mile and a half in 3min 36 4-ssec, the last halfmile in lmin 8 2-ssec.

Starwise had too much pace for the others over the final furlong in the 3min 37sec class pace, and she came away to win comfortably by two lengths from Rey Derby, a member of H. R. HendeYson’s Ashburton team. Starwise is a speedy three-year-old filly trained by O. E. Hooper. She should not be long in maiden class. Haughtiness finished on in the straight for third, a length back, just shading Shemara, with Biddy’s Luck, Nikova, Rene Lou, and Macklin next. Starwise paced the mile and a half in 3min 25 4-ssec, the last half-mile in lmin 4 4-ssec.