Bon Ton Should Win N.Z. Champion Stakes Today

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28160, 26 December 1956, Page 4

Bon Ton Should Win N.Z. Champion Stakes Today

Bon Ton is certain to be a shortpriced favourite for the New Zealand Champion Stakes, one of the feature' races at the Ashburton Trotting Club s summer meeting today. Bon Ton has had three wins and a second placing from his four starts this season. He has trained on well since winning the New Zealand Derby Stakes last month and he should not be troubled to win. Most opposition to him may come from the Southland three-year-old. Gentry, which 10 days ago recorded an outstanding trial for the race. The half-brother to Scottish Brigade. won the Riccarton Stakes at the cup meeting last month, and, although he failed in the Derby, he is expected to give a good account of himself today. The New Zealand Oaks winner. Overdrive, will have numerous supporters on the place totalisator. She has struck a very solid patch of form in recent months. Stellar, which graduated from maiden company at Motukarara last Saturday, is a capable pacer and she should add interest to the finish. Aksarben and Achates, both of which have shown considerable promise, make most appeal of the others. Lucky Hall, which will be bracketed with Belle Renarde. appears to dominate the field for the first leg of the double, the £l5OO Ashburton Cup. The Dillon Hall gelding is a first-class stayer and it will be most surprising if he fails to take part in the finish. He looks handily placed on the front. Light Nurse, which has been second in her last two starts, Cembala. a good fourth at his only start this season. Kingsdown Direct, Lady Shona, and Glint are other pacers with fine recent form and they are all capable of taking part in the finish. The Second Leg

The speedy three-year-old, Dignus. is selected to win the second leg of the double, the Midsummer Handicap. Dignus failed at Rangiora in a sprint race, but was awkwardly placed all the way. The longer distance should suit him admirably today, and. although making his first attempt over two miles, he is expected to win. The Rangiora Cup winner, Kyle Nurse, will be one of the favourites for the race She is a fine stayer, and, although she will meet much stronger opposition than at Rangiora, she is still expected to race prominently. Reason Why paced a fine race for sixth in the sprint at Motukarara on Saturday. The Light Brigade four-year-old is certain to be an improved horse today and should finish much closer.

Signor and Starwise make most appeal of the others on the front mark, while Golden Chimes and Lady Belmer look the pick of the handicapped horses.

Gold Direct, which is giving away cne second to start, is selected to win the Boxing Day Handicap. The Gold Bar mare paced an outstanding race for third to Scottish Fair and Tehana at New Brighton on December 1 at her last start. She met trouble early in that race and came from an almost hopeless position for her placing. She will be bracketed with Dourglo, which makes little appeal. Straight Eight was narrowly beaten by Belle Renarde in the Flying Mile Handicap at Addington in November, after winning a sprint race at Oamaru a month earlier. The Dillon Hall gelding has struck a solid patch of form for his Washdyke trainer, J. M. Bain, and he should again be hard to beat.

ACCEPTANCES WINTON CLUB (New Zealand Press Association),

La Mignon, a failure in two starts this season, has had several runs at trials meetings and these should have brought her near her best again. She could easily upset calculations. Showdown should be well suited by the roomy Ashburton track. He was runner-up to Highland Air at the Methven trials a week ago and is a very fit horse.

Con Scott, Kelso. Lady Shona, Lucky Hall, and Lady Cook make most appeal of the remainder. Selections are:— 11.15 a.m.—Micham Handicap: Silent Jim, Indiana, San Jacinto. Noon —Wakanui Handicap: First Division: Wainoni Loyal, Haughtiness, Auditor. Second Division: Maharaja, Bentley, High Mark. 12.50 p.m.—Asburton Cup: Lucky Hall, Light Nurse, Cembala. 1.35 p.m.—McLean Handicap: Skydale, Twill. Chupra. 2.20 p.m.—Midsummer Handicap: Dignus, Kyle Nurse, Reason Why. 3 p.m.—New Zealand Champion Stakes: Bon Ton, Gentry, Overdrive. 3.45 p.m.—Winslow Handicap: Unlikely, Native Cord, Royal Mile. 4.30 p.m.—Boxing Day Handicap: Gold Direct, Straight Eight, La Mignon. Fields, with form, for the doubles races are:— Acceptances are:—

MITCHAM HANDICAP, of £300; trotters; 3min 37sec class; one mile and a half.—Alight (9), Bewitch (3), Cinderella (11), Composite (2), Dalmation (10). Forenoon (7), French Silk (16). Ida Ray (13), Kauranui (14), Ordeal (1), Paisley Lass (5), Royal Tour (4), Silent Jim (15), Thumberlina (8), Trevor (6), Waihora Queen (12) scr; Billy Galindo (3), Happy Haven (4), Our Jane (2), San Jacinto (6). Scotch Mist (1), Wakeful (7), Indlanna (5). Willow Dale (8) 36.

Bracket: Cinderella and San Jacinto. WAKANUI HANDICAP, of £4OO ; 4min 53sec class; two miles.—First Division: Auditor (6). Buren (16), Darkest (12), Fair Dillon (13), Haughtiness (9), Utoss (8), Impressario (3), Totem Pole (15), Irrigation (4) Lord Lingfield (7), Loyal Piper (1), Our Bridget (2), Scotsmere (10). Shemara (5) Wainoni Loyal (14) scr. Fourth Edition (1) 48. Second Division: Bentley (1), Cartoni (9). Quare Times (11) Kokomo (7), Geraldo (15), High Mark (4). Highweight (10), Maharaja (12) Ingle Brigade (5), Keff (13), Spring Rae (8), Mulgrove (14), Port Dell (3). Secret Star (2), Te Rangi (6) scr. Brackets: Darkest and Quare Times, Fair Dillon and Kokomb. High Mark and Utoss. Impressario, Maharaja and Totem Pole. Scratched: Spring Rae, Shemara.

McLEAN HANDICAP, of £350; 3min 33sec class; one mile and a half.—Bonny Venture (1), Brittania (13), Capull (18), Chupra (9), Count Renaldo (16), Floreate (14) Francora (12), Jungle Song (8). Ladyship (2), Lady Vai (5), Lillium (17), Mark Dale (10). Mendip Song (7). Twill (15) Siberia (3). Skydale (4), Super Potts (11), Western Son (6) scr: Carnegie Hall (1) 24; Brenda Dillon (1) 36. Brackets: Bonny Venture and Twill, Floreate and Super Potts.

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPION STAKES, of £1000; one mile and a half.—Aehates (6), Aksarben (7), Allanah Marie <4>, Bon Ton (8), Compeer (12), Double Dale (3), Gentry (11), Highland Host (2), Overdrive (9), Sextant (10), Shuntung (13). Stellar (5), Mossgiel (1) scr. WINSLOW HANDICAP, of £460; trotters; 3min 32sec class: one mile and a half.—Gainesway (3), Great Caution (5). Kilmartin (9), Kilty Lad (8), Little locator (7), Lothario (6), Nirvana (10), Royal Mile (1), Serenelli (2). With You (4) aer; Mercury Light (1) 12; Assure (2), Dan's Choice (fi). Gay Tune (3), Jean Able (5). Native Cord (7). Unlikely (4), Victory Cheer (1) 24; Honora’s Last (2), Todman (1) 36; Global Voyage (1), Suredale (2) 48: Barravey (2), Fogbound (1) 60. Brackets: Royal Mile and Barravev, Honora's Last and Suredale.

BOXING DAY HANDICAP, of £800; 2min 47sec class; one mile and three furlongs.—Banjo (9), Dalise (10), Gold Direct (6), Kapeen (5), Kelso (3), La Mignon (8), Marshland Scott (4), Moor (1), Roving Gypsy (7). Showdown (2) scr: Bedivus (6), Con Scott (3), Dourglo (10), Gay Cobra (9), Ice Drift (7), Lady Cook (2), Lady Shona (4), Lucky Hall (1), Pointer (8). Straight Eight (5) 12. Bracket: Gold Direct and Dourfle. GORE CLUB “The Press” Special Service INVERCARGILL, December 28. The Gore track has dried out after rain at the week-end, and it promises to provide an excelflent racing surface for the second day of the Gore Trotting Club’s meeting tomorrow. Frown has been withdrawn from the Eastern Southland Three-year-old Handicap for which his stablemate. Durable * will be a firm favourite. The double will be on the Windle < Memorial Handicap and Longford Handicap. Selections:— 11.30 a.m.—Kelvin Handicap: Avon Lad, Misty, Shiann. 12.15 p.m.—President’s Handicap— First , Division: East Dome, Top Class, Dilossa. Second Division: El Misti, Horatio, Dimvegan Castle. 1.10 p.m.—D. P. Windle Memorial Handicap: Blue Jay, Dame Sybil, Responsive. 1.55 p.m.—Summer Handicap: Upward, Queen’s Glow, Good Fight. 2.40 p.m.—Longford Handicap: Sandy Rose, Heather Walla, Recovery. 3.25 p.m.—Mandeville Handicap: Rustic Boy, Sandy Direct, Canteen. 4.10 p.m.—Eastern Southland Three-year-old Handicap: Durable, Mpoloo, Uncle Bill. 4.55 p.m.—Stewards’ Handicap: Robert Dillon, Rustic Boy, Flying Fury.

INVERCARGILL, December 25. The double at the Winton Trotting Club’s summer meeting on Saturday will be on the Winton Trotting Club Handicap and the Improvers’ Handicap No. 1. Acceptances are:—

SOUTH HILLEND HANDICAP, of £240; 3min 56sec class; trotters; 1 mile and five furlongs.—Avon Lad (7), Caruse (11), Culloden (3), Dagwood (6), Garadale (4), Gentle Anna (9), Lady Barna (10), Gypsy Lad (16). Golden King (15), Lady Claymore (2). Fara (5), Micky Galindo (8), Mistay (12), Oral (13), Stingray (14), Tiny Pat (1) scr; Swiss Admiral (4), Captain Spider (1), White Clouds (3), Whirlwind (2) 36; Sandy Rose (1) 48; Fiery Cross (2), Sandfly (3), Shiann (1), Sword Lass (4) 60. Brackets: Gentle Anna and Lady Barna, Gypsy Lad and Swiss Admiral, Lady Claykmore and Tara, Misty and Oral, Tiny Pat and Captain Spider, Whirlwind and Fiery Cross.

NOVICE HANDICAP No. 1, of £168; 3min 37sec class; one mile and a half.—

Annapurna (10). Carrie Hall (8), Castledown (16), Dot’s Pride (12), Fenham (2), Land's Desire (7), Fighting Lady (6), Grattan Jack (13), Huntaway (1), Jimmy’s Fortune (5), Kentucky Club (4), Misty Dillon (9). Mooloo (14), Native Lad (15), Peteria (11), Top Class (3) scr. Bracket: Fenham and Land’s Desire. IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP No. 1. Of £285; 3min 52sec class; one mile and five furlongs.—Banquier (10). Barbette (18>, Bright Vision (8). Friendly Hall (15). Flying Fury (II), Happy Hall (1), Prince Globe (13), Robert Dillon (7), Hussar (9), Hudson Bay (2), Sandy Direct (5). Lincoln Fair (4), Marchons (14), Regal Child (8), Squire’s Lady (12), Triad (3) scr; Happy Smile (1) 24. Brackets: Happy Hall, Prince Globe and Robert Dillon, Hudson Bay and Sandy Direct.

WINTON TROTTING CLUB HANDICAP, of £650 ; 4min 40sec class; two miles.—Good Fight (5), Harewood’s Pride (7), Queen’s Glow (3), Ronella (8), Sir Tatton (1), Simalas (6), Responsive (2), Upward (4). Victory Nelson (9) scr; Custom (1), Nil Desperandum (2) 12; Kaka Hall (2), Redcliffe Hall (1) 24; Maidens Design (2), Mountain Brigade (1) 36; Peace Pipe (1), Royal Platoon (2) 48. Brackets: Good Fight and Redcliffe Hall, Kaka Hall and Peace Pipe, Queen's Glow and Ronella, Sir Tatton and Simalas, Up* ward and Royal Platoon.

NOVICE HANDICAP NO. 2, of £240; 3min 37sec class: one mile and a half.— Captain Blade (4), Cyclone (10), Cortina (12), Dilossa (3), Dunvegan Castle (8), El Misti (7), Esklight (1), Husky (•). Sangaree (14), Fleet Princess (2), Freeway (16), Horatio (13), Jackaleen (15). Landfall (11), Marching Thru (11), Fyre (6) scr: Vanity Scott (1) 48.

Bracket: Husky and Sangaree. IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP NO. f, of £285; 3min 52sec class; one mile and five furlongs.—Blue Emperor (15), Bright Play (2), Canteen (10), Colossal Queen (4), Soho (9), Dunfern (16), Prince Rola (IL Dunvegan Hall (14), Rustic Boy (13), Ley S Pride (8). Jackaleen (12). Light Blue (3), Lord Balfour (7). Marshall Dale (11). May Hall (6), Powersaw (5) rcr; Catamaran (D 12. Brackets: Colossal Queen and Sono. Dunfern and Prince Rola, Dunvegan Hau and Rustic Boy.

PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, of «325; trotters; 4min 48sec class; two mileaj— Captain Spider (6), Garadale (4). Sandy Rose (4). Micky Galindo (5), Swiss Admiral (3), Whirlwind (2) scr: Sandy* Gift (1). Fiery Cross (4), Sandfly J3', Sword Lass (2) 12; Kapuka Lass (2), Shiann (1) 24; Heather Walla (1). Beechdale Queen (2), Recovery (3) 36; Wilton (1) 96; Lightning Joe (1) 108. Brackets: Swiss Admiral. Sandy’s G l *’’ and Heather Walla, Whirlwind and Fiery Cross.

BOROUGH HANDICAP, of £325: 2min 48sec class: one mile and five furlonf*" - Ace (12), Aegean (2), Blue Jay (8), Catamaran (4), Responsive (15), Dame Syou (3), Eskimo (10), Giri Brigade Robert Dillon (7). Glenalmar (5). wU’ cKsand (10), Rockhaven (1), Rosedell Scottish Song (6), Sister Shona Triad (9) scr; Amazon (1), Fatima L* fl X (2 > 12 - Brackets: Catamaran and Girl Brigade and Robert Dillon, Scottish Song and Sister Shona.

ASHBURTON CUP, Of £1500. 4min 30sec class. Two miles. 0030 Con Scott (5) .. scr 0000 Dourglo (4) .. scr 1114 Glint (3) .. scr 2413 Lady Shona (6) .. scr 0001 Lucky Hall (2) .. scr 0003 Precaution (T.) (1) • . scr 4041 Belle Renarde (1> .. 12 4 Cembala (5) .. 12 0004 Count Grattan (2) .. 12 0040 Golden Marino (7) .. 12 1000 Invicta (4) .. 12 1030 Ricochet (6) .. 12 0002 Slipstream (T.) (3) .. 12 0031 Kingsdown Direct (2) .. 24 0022 Light Nurse (1) .. 24 0000 Starbeam (1) .. 36 Brackets: Con Scott and Invicta, Lucky Hall and Belle Renarde, Ladj Starbeam. Shona and

MIDSUMMER HANDICAP, Of £700. 4min 40sec class. Two miles Auriferous (4) .. ,, 3310 Dignus (12) .. .. aer Dinnie Daley (2) .. .. scr 2200 Gold Moana (6) .. ... w 0004 Johnny Derby (8) .. ter 4210 Next Time (14) .. ..scr 1000 Manunda (10) .. .. 0022 Morere (11) .. ..scr 0000 Reality (3) , cr 3110 Reason Why (9) .. scr 0000 Signor (5) .. ..ger 1300 Starwise (14) .. >er 2021 Suzendy (1) .. ..scr 0 Synchronise (7) .. ..scr 0020 Albert Hall (4) .. 2221 Kyle Nurse (1) .. ..12 0110 Golden Chimes (3) .. ..12 1003 Pibroch (21 .. ..12 00 Dryden Lad (1) .. .. 24 " 0010 Peter Polo (5) .. ..24 0140 Rachael (2) .. .. 24 0 Royal Crown (4) 1 .. ..24 0031 Lady Belmer (3) .. ..24 0 Great Dillon (1) ..38 Bracket: Dinnie Daley and Kyle Nurse.