Excelsa Shows Speed In Good Trial At Addington

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28053, 22 August 1956, Page 4

Excelsa Shows Speed In Good Trial At Addington

TROTTING

Excelsa and Madam Grattan recorded fine trials for their engagements on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s National meeting on Saturday when they worked at Addington yesterday. The track was again in perfect order, but atmospheric conditions were not fast early because of a heavy fog. Other useful efforts were credited to Glint and Kevin.

Working on her own, Excelsa strode over one mile and a half in 3min 17 2-ssec, the last four furlongs in Imin 1 2-ssec, and the last quarter in 30sec. She looked keen to increase the pace in the middle stages of her trial. Excelsa looks greatly improved as a rebcr race in the Louisson Handicap last Friday and she should be much harder to beat on Saturday Madam Grattan finished on solidly to be two lengths in front of Kevin, with a tength and a half to See All and Waihora Queen at the end of two miles in 4min 42sec, the last half-mile in Imin 2s£c. and the last quarter in the good time of 30sec. See All made all the pace and he was not hurried over the last furlong. He looked to have benefited from his race in the Opening Handicap last week in which he was runner-up to Silver Son. Madam Grattan is to make a .fresh start in the Addington Handicap this week She has had plenty of work and it will not surprise to see her make a bold showing. Kevin broke in the straight when handy to the leaders in his race last Friday. He looks to be near his best again. Silver Circle made the pace for Glint and Night Wind over two miles but Glint finished on to be on terms with the pacemaker at the post, three lengths clear of Night Wind. They paced the full distance in 4min 36sec the last half-mile in Imin Isec. and the last quarter in 30sec. Glint gave Silver Circle a start of three lengths at the two-furlong post and did well ! to finish so close up. She is to have her first start for some months in the I

Metropolitan Stakes on Saturdav Elate’s Trial

Elate, which is to resume racing at New Brighton on September 1. showed plenty of dash when worked on his own over one mile and a half in 3min 29 2-ssec. the last half-mile in Imin 7 2-ssec. and the last quarter in 34sec. Elate was placed in his last two starts last season and it he races up to his recent track efforts, he should not be long winning for his ownertrainer. V. Alborn.

Gay Cobra went away from the twomile post and he ran on solidly to pace his last mile and a half in 3min 20 l-ssec. his last four furlongs in Imin 3 3-ssec, and his last quarter in 30 3-ssec. Gay Cobra looks very fit at present. He is engaged in the two-mile Improvers' Handicap, but may do better when he races over a shorter distance.

Carntyne, which had to be eased in her work after pricking a foot, was not allowed to do her best over one mile and a half in 3min 30 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 6 3-ssec, and the last quarter in 33 3-ssec. Carntyne showed useful form last season and she may not be long returning to her best. Egyptian Queen was ahead of Vinccre at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 30sec, the last half-mile in Imin 8 2-ssec.,and the last quarter in 34sec. Vincere broke with two and a half furlongs to run and her companion waited on her. Cabra was restrained in his run over two miles at about a 2min 35sec gait. He was allowed to stretch out a little over his final two furlongs in 35sec. The Dillon Hall gelding looks improved as a result of his race on the first day of the meeting and he will have bright prospects in the Addington Handicap on Saturday. Frontiersman, an unlucky fourth in his race last Friday, was restricted to a very light task. He has done well since arriving in Christchurch and will not be without prospects in the Improvers’ Handicap on Saturday.