Trotting SHOWDOWN IMPRESSES IN METHVEN TRIALS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28367, 28 August 1957, Page 4

Trotting SHOWDOWN IMPRESSES IN METHVEN TRIALS

Showdown, which is to race next in the Johns’ Handicap at New Brighton on Saturday week, showed improved form when he finished second in his heat of the free-for-all at trials held at Methven yesterday by the Mid-Canterbury Trotting Owners’ and Breeders’ Association. The trials were held in fine, but bitterly cold, • weather. Times were affected by a strong southerly wind in the front straight. The track was in splendid order.

Showdown, driven by his < trainer, A. L. Pratt, who was ! recently granted a licence to drive at matinee and trial meetings only, began brilliantly in his heat and he was a clear leader at the end i of two furlongs. Showdown led ; Quo Vadis, Unite, Kilcullen, Merval. and Genghis Khan into the i straight. Meryal quickly closed ; on Showdown and in the run to the post shaded him by a head. Merval finished strongly for her ; win. She paced the mile and five furlongs in 3min 34 3-ssec. the last half-mile in Imin 4 2-ssec. She is to resume racing in the Electric Handicap at New Brighton on September 7 and is well forward for that engagement. Showdown was finishing on strongly at the post. He lost his chance through breaking at the ; start of both his races at the Addington meeting, but he did not look like putting a foot wrong yesterday. Genghis Khan finished a good third, two lengths behind Showdown. One of the outstanding pacers in his class towards the end of last season, Genghis Khan also began splendidly. M. C. McTigue has him in good condition to start another campaign and he should not be long showing winning form if he races as well as he did yesterday. Showed Speed Quo Vadis was a little slow early, but he made up ground quickly in the first half-mile and held on for fourth, a length from Genghis Khan Kilcullen was 10 lengths away next, clear of the disappointing Unite. Unite was handy to the pacemaker all the way, but when asked for an effort in the straight, there was no response and he drifted to the rear. Unite apparently has had an easy time since his race on the first day at Addington, but it should not take much work to bring him to his peak again. Last December, Unite recorded a similar effort at the Hororata Trotting Club’s nontotalisator meeting, but a few weeks later he was a decisive winner in the Auckland Cup. Signet Ring, a member of J L. Behrns’s Chertsey team, was successful in the second heat. The 1 Direct Heir gelding ran out the ; last furlong solidly to take the decision by a neck. He was well back most of the way and stayed 1 on well in the straight to record ’ 3min 45sec for the mile and five furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin 9sec. There was little pace ! on until the last two furlongs. Signet Ring is booked to resume racing in the Avon Handicap at New Brighton next week He ' usually races well .when fresh and may be a prospect. Impresario was slow away ana ; he did not pace evenly until ; racing at top speed. He finished on in grand style to take second place, a head in front of Marcina. , which broke early. Impresario, a stablemate of Genghis Khan, is expected to develop worthwhile i form later this season. . Roving Gypsy, which is to make ’ a fresh start at New Brighton, made up some ground in the ; straight for fourth, only a head ; behind Marcina, with Esteem right up next, ahead of Wainoni Loyal, Morere and Toune, witn . Highland Host and Technician at ’ the rear. Tourie took the lead with two furlongs left, but tired in the run home. He looks ready to show winning form at short notice. Dusky Bay, which qualified late last season, gained a win in the 3min 56sec class pace,

taking 3min 42sec for the mile and five furlongs, the last halfmile in Imin 7sec. Focal Point was in or near the lead all the way and was second, a length in front of Resolution, with Banklight close up fourth, ahead of Marjoy. Irish Wit in Form The Meth ven pacer, Irish Wit, which has no immediate engagement, finished too well for Solemnity and Ladyship to win the 3min 52sec class pace. Irish Wit joined Solemnity in the lead racing to the half-mile and they were together from that point. Ladyship joining them over the last furlong. All three finished on well. Solemnity was most consistent last season and he may gain an overdue win early this term. Spring Chat was in the middle most of the way and finished strongly along the inner for fourth, a length behind Ladyship. Surie Queen, a stablemote of Irish Wit, was a useful fifth, ahead of Mossgiel, White Caps, Buren and Spaxton. The lastnamed recorded a sound trial as he started from 84 yards and was not far away at the finish. Spaxton showed worthwhile form at times last season and he may be close to his best again. Irish Wit paced the mile and five furlongs in 3min 44 2-ssec, the last half-mile m Imin ssec, a smart effort in the conditions.

Unlikely, a stablemate of Signe Ring, gave a bold display of trot ting to seven rivals in th<

3min 56sec class trot. He started from 84 yards, but soon worked into a handy position. He raceo past the tiring pacemaker. Dungarven Lady, and Honora’s Last early in the run home and was not extended to win by a neck. Unlikely is a grand type of trotter and he should be an early winner. He is to start in the Spring Handicap at New Brighton next week and he may make a bold showing.

Honora’s Last gave away starts of Up to 96 yards and tired to be six lengths back third, ahead of Suntrap, Karingal, Stavley aha Supercraft. Two heats were run for maiden pacers to qualify, but in neither heat did the winner record the required 3min 30see for the mile and a half. The first heat was won by Mountain Melody, which showed ability against the two-year-olds last term. Interest in this heat was taken in the performance of Yon Lad, a member of G. McKendry’s teanv A four-year-old brother to Highland Fling, he was in a trailing position until he broke with just over two furlongs to run.

The second heat was won by Rosewood, a four-year-old mare by Light Brigade. She beat Sangro and Caprico after taking 3min 31 l-ssec for the mile and a half, compared with 3min 32sec in the other heat. © Thunder’s Time Thunder’s 4min 13 2-ssec for his two miles from post to post in the National Handicap at Addington on Saturday showed that he was making rapid progress for rich handicap engagements later in the spring. He paced his first half-mile in Imin 4 2-ssec, six furlongs in Imin 34 4-ssec, mile in 2min 6 3-ssec, mile and a quarter in 2min 39sec, mile and a half in 3min 11 2-ssec, and his last quarter in 31 2-ssec. Even then he made no real impression on the leaders and was well back at the finish.

A pleasing feature of Thunder’s run was the smooth manner in which he moved away from the 60-yard barrier. He was quickly into his stride and paced freely all the way. Trotting in Queensland Further attempts are to be made by the Inter-Dominion Trotting Conference to introduce night trotting to Queensland. Later this year, the president of the association (Mr J. P. Stratton) and the secretary (Mr O. N. Hollier) will go to Brisbane with this in view. This was agreed at the annum meeting of the conference in June. Trotting in Queensland is restricted to day meetings, which, are on a very small scale. Previous efforts to get night trotting in Queensland have failed