TROTTING Highland Air’s Sound Auckland Cup Trial

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28155, 19 December 1956, Page 5

TROTTING Highland Air’s Sound Auckland Cup Trial

Highland Air recorded a sound trial for the Auckland Cup when he won his heat of the free-for-all at trials held yesterday at Methven by the Mid-Canterbury Trotting Owners’ and Breeders’ Association. Highland Air was never far away from the pacemakers. and he finished on in grand style wide out on the track to win comfortably by a length after pacing the mile and five furlongs in 3min 39 2-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 7sec. The time was a useful effort on a dead track.

Kapeen was first out, but at the end of a furlong and a half he was passed by Showdown. A furlong further on Merval took over, setting an easy pace. Showdown was just behind Merval racing to the straight, with two lengths to Quo Vadis, Kapeen and Highland Air, which was beginning to move round the field. Highland Air maintained his run and strode clear inside the furlong. He was being eased up at the post a length in front of Showdown, which was also pacing easilv

Merval. which was not hurried in the straight, was another length away third, two lengths in front of Golden Chimes, which shaded Trueco. The last-named, also a candidate for the Auckland Cup, broke badly at the start, losing at least 48 yards. He showed speed afterwards, and was finishing strongly at the post. He is an extremely capable pacer and a sound stayer. If he races up to his best he will have prospects at Auckland. However, on recent running at trials meetings. he should be safely held by Highland Air. Magellan, which drifted early, made up some ground for sixth, ahead of La Mignon, with a gap to Dalise. Kelso Beats Macklin Kelso, which is to race in the Boxing Day Handicap at Ashburton, won the second heat of t-he free-for-all in a good finish with Macklin, which is engaged in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Club Handicap »at Motukarara on Saturday. Kelso recorded 3min 44 3-ssec for the mile and five furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin Bsec. Red Hackle made most of the pace, Morere moving up to join him, just ahead of Kelso, racing to the straight. Morere soon dropped out. and Kelso worked clear, to be challenged over the last 50 yards by the fast-finishing Macklin. The last-named was well out of his ground at the straight entrance. and his finishing burst suggested an early win. Kelsd, too, pleased, his effort being his best for some time. Glint, which is to race in the Ashburton Cup, finished on for third two lengths back. She w’as never far away. The Whipster mare looks very fit for her immediate engagements. Air Command was running on boldly in fourth place, just ahead of the Westport candidate, Aerophlite. with Red Hackle next, followed by Overdrive, which was slow early. Racemaster, Morere, and Roving Gypsy. The Two-year-olds Rosalinda, which had been most impressive at an earlier start at a trials meeting, showed brilliant speed to win the parade for two-year-olds after pacing the six furlongs in Imin 45sec, good time on a slow track. She began splendidly yesterday, and was in front all the way, being accompanied in the early stages by a Lucky Hanover—Pacing Folly gelding from D. G. Nyhan’s team. Rosalinda was clear with half a mile to run, and was under a good hold all the way up the straight to have two lengths to spare at the finish. Subtract, a filly by Logan Derby from Multiplex, did well to finish second. She lost several lengths at the start, and made up a lot of ground over the last three furlongs. She is trained by D. G. Nyhan. Royal Blend, which fell in the Golden Slipper Stakes, was never far away, and was two lengths from Subtract in third place, with a similar gap to the tiring Lucky Hanover gelding. The Brahman—Roseal colt from I. M. Scoon’s team broke badly at the start, and was a long way back early. He made up some ground, but was still beaten off fifth, ahead of Captain Bob. a gelding by Young Bob from Officious. Marcina In Form Marcina, an acceptor for the First Waihora Handicap at Motukarara on Saturday, recorded a sound trial when she won the 3min 52sec class pace. She trailed the pacemakers, Black Gem, Pursuance and Fontenoy most of the way, finishing fast through the middle of the field in the straight. She took charge about the furlong post and was pacing well within herself at the post where she was a length in front of Fontenoy. Fontenoy, a candidate for the second leg at Motukarara, also pleased. He was in or near the lead most of the way and he was finishing strongly. He has plenty of ability and may make a bold showing. Irish Wit made up a lot of ground in the straight to finish third, a head from Fontenoy. . Irish Wit looks to be back to his best again. He just shaded Spring Chat, which was just in front of Spaxton with one mile to run. Loyal Piper, Mara Maru and Buckaloo were right up next, ahead of Spaxton, which lost ground at the start after beginning slowly from 36 yards He looks to have trained on well since winning at Waimate earlier in the month and should be one o f the hardest to beat in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Club Handicap at Motukarara on Saturday Buckaloo, a disappointment at Rangiora last week, was allowed to drift to the rear at the straight entrance and he finished with a great burst. He looks on the verge' of winning form. The winner paced the mile and five furlongs in 3min 47sec, the last halfmile in Imin 7sec. Unlikely Pleases Unlikely, which is to resume racing in the Winslow Handicap at Ashburton next Wednesday, gave a bold display of trotting to win the 3min 56sec class trot after taking 3min 45sec for the mile and five furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin Bsec. Unlikely started from 84 yards and quickly joined the back of the leading bunch. He was not asked for an effort until near the straight entrance where he was showing up wide out. He maintained his run and was soon clear. He was being eased up at the post where he had a head to spare over the pacemaker. Coronet Lass, which gave a sound display for a horse in her class. She is engaged at Motukarara on Saturday, but was balloted out at Ashburton. She was a useful turn of speed and could surprise at short notice.

Lawsuit, which was not hurried in, the straight, was a length and a half back third. He looks to have taken no harm from his race at Rangiora last Saturday when he finished third. He should win over the holidays. Our Jane finished a fair fourth, four lengths back, with a gap to Happy Haven, which broke at the straight entrance. Ebony King. lana and Suntrap, which broke near the post. Scratchings allowed the qualifying trial to be run as one heat. The event was run in light rain and with a dead track to hinder them, none paced the mile and a half in the required 3min 30sec or better. The race w’as won by Wild Mirrow, which recorded 3min 33 3-ssec. Lady Attack showed speed to finish second, clear of Confide and Mossgiel. Double Dale, which is to race next in the New Zealand Champion Stakes at Ashburton on December 26, pleased

by the manner in which he finished on to win the 3min 56sec class pace. He trailed Fiord most of the way and came away over the last furlong to win with something in hand by three lengths after pacing the mile and five furlongs in 3min 47sec, the last four furlongs in Imin Bsec. Double Dale, a stablemate of Showdown, has plenty of ability, but may find the class a little rich in the Ashburton classic. Next Time he starts in maiden class he should have bright prospects of winning.

Buren, which is to race in the maiden event at Ashburton, showed ability to finish secofid. He did not pace evenly in the early stages of the race, but finished on boldly. He has plenty of ability, but as yet is not too solid.

Our Bridget finished strongly on the inside for third, a head behind Buren, and a length in front of Totem Pole. Fiord, a half-sister to Rupee, tired badly to finish fifth, followed in by Fontani, Isidorus, Focal Point and Geraldo.

Overdrive To Start At Ashburton

The New Zealand Oaks winner, Overdrive, which is an acceptor for the North Island Challenge Stakes at Auckland on December 27, and the New Zealand champion Stakes at Ashburton on Boxing Day, will start in the latter event. Overdrive, which was trained by D. L. McGregor for her Oaks win, is now back with her owner, S. T. Webster. The Whipster filly is in great order for her immediate engagements and will probably race also in the Charles Cross Stakes at Addington on December 31.

NEW DRAW FOR RACE AT WESTPORT

(New Zealand Press Association) WESTPORT, December 18. The Williams Handicap, on the first day of the Westport Trotting Club’s meeting on December 26, will now be run as one race.

The acceptors, with new barrier positions, are:—

Black Satin (3), Cairo (16), Concerto (2), Dansy Lady (14), Domboola (8), Gay Alabama (1), Tonga (9), General Advance (7), Mighty Loyal <l2'), Pageantry . (6), Prim (17), Scrooge (24), Silver Paper (13), Solemnity (11), Tauranga Boy (5), Technician (15), Travelon (10) scr.