SHOWDOWN AND NIRVANA IMPRESS AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27987, 6 June 1956, Page 5

SHOWDOWN AND NIRVANA IMPRESS AT ASHBURTON

TROTTING

A pacer and a trotter destined to graduate quickly to the best classes in their respective gaits gained their first wins at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday. They were Showdown and Nirvana, both of which were successful on each day of the meeting.

1 Showdown created a good impresj sion in his two wins. At Addington in April, he qualified to start at totalisator meetings. He won his qualifying heat in 3min 18 2-ssec—the fastest time recorded by any pacer in Canterbury in a qualifying test. He had his j first race start at Oamaru on May 12, when he broke badly at the start, and again when challenging the leaders at the furlong post. Even then he finished on for fifth.

On Saturday at Ashburton, he was a short-priced favourite for the Improvers’ Handicap. Driven by M. Holmes, he lost ground early, but had the result in safe keeping a long way from home. He finished full of running to win by four lengths from Wainoni Loyal after pacing the mile and a half in 3min 23sec —a smart effort on a dead track. B. J. Forrester, who drove Showdown at, Oamaru, drove him in the Tinwald Handicap on Monday, as Holmes had Next Time engaged in the race. Showdown broke at the start and, even when pacing, he drifted I badly to be nearly half a furlong from the leaders at the end of two furlongs. He rapidly made up ground, and worked clear at the straight entrance. From that point he put a break of 15 lengths on the others without, any apparent effort, and won with a lot in reserve.

Showdown is still very inexperienced, and when he resumes racing on firm tracks, he wi l l not be able to give away such big starts. However, there is no doubt about his tremendous speed-and stamina, and next season he should graduate to a tight mark. Raced on Lease

Showdown is a four-year-old chestnut gelding by Light Brigade from In the Mood. He is trained at Arundel by A. L. Pratt, who races him on lease from the LeestOn trainer, W. J. Doyle. Pratt’s lease still has about 18 months to run. In the Mood was one of the best mares in New Zealand about 10 years ago. She won 11 races and took a record of 3min 10 4-ssec for one mile and a half. She is also the dam of Reason Why, which has shown promise in his racing. Showdown is closely related to a number of winners, including Dancing Years, Karangi, and Scottish Emperor.

Nirvana’s performance to win both maiden trotting events was one of the highlights of the Ashburton meeting. On the first day, he led practically from end to end in the Allenton Handicap and won under a hold. On Monday, he won easily in the Longbeach Handicap. In the latter race he broke early, but was handy wide out turning for home. From then on, he was not in danger of defeat and he won comfortably by three lengths from Gentle Anna. Nirvana was having only his second start when he won on Saturday. His first start was at Rangiora in April, when he broke at the start.

Like Showdown. Nirvana is still very green, but racing and travelling should soon give him confidence. He has a grand style of trotting, and looks a particularly fine stayer. Nirvana was bred at Eiffelton by Mrs C. M. L&ing,. who races him in partnership, with her husband, the trainer and driver of the horse. Nirvana was entered for the yearling sales in 1952, but was withdrawn from the auction. He has proved a difficult horse to handle, but he has responded well to patience. Eventually he should develop into one of the best winners of his gait. He is a five-year-old bay gelding by Indianapolis from Seal Globe, which is best known as the dam of Dictationone of the finest trotters ever raced in New Zealand. Both Showdown and Nirvana have been entered for the Nelson meeting next week-end. Travelling and racing there should do much to give both horses greater confidence. Four Wins

The progeny of Light Brigade have seldom shown to advantage in bad ground, but at Ashburton on Monday they won four races in heavy going. Madam Peterson was successful in the Trial Handicap, Golden Hero in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, Showdown in the Tinwald Handicap, and Dresden Lady in the Winter Handicap. Slow Time Golden Hero’s 3min 33 3-ssec for the mile and a half in the New Zea-

land Sapling Stakes at Ashburton on Monday was the slowest time recorded in the race since Sonoma Child won in 3min 38sec in 1928. The track at Ashburton on Monday was very heavy, and most of the racing was done in the middle of the track, which further increased times. The race record of 3min 19 l-ssec was established in 1949 by Farlena.

Barravcy Ineligible An interesting situation would have arisen at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting had Barravey been placed in either the Durbar Handicap or the Ashburton County Handicap. The Light Brigade gelding, a winner at the trotting gait, was having his first starts as a_ pacer at Ashburton. but he was no‘t eligible to start, as he had not qualified. Rule 109 of the Rules of Trotting says that every pacing horse, except in classic or handicaps for three-year-olds, must qualify by pacing one mile and a half in 3min 30sec or better. The qualifying time at Addington is 3min 25sec, and at Auckland and Forbury Park, 3min 27sec. However, Barravey has not started at a qualifying trial. Had he been placed at Ashburton, he would have had to be disqualified from the race.