TROTTING Chance For Prince Polka At Forbury

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28411, 18 October 1957, Page 6

TROTTING Chance For Prince Polka At Forbury

Prince Polka is confidently expected to graduate to New Zealand Cup class with a win in the President’s Handicap, the main race and first leg of the double on the final day of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s spring meeting tomorrow.

Prince Polka, a member of N. L. Berkett’s team, has brought about the downfall of two cup candidates over sprint distances in recent weeks. At New Brighton last month he beat Thunder over one mile and a quarter and a fortnight later he beat Lookaway in the rich Ashburton Flying Stakes. He will not be meeting such stern opposition at Forbury Park tomorrow and even though he will have to give away starts of up to 24 yards, his task should not be too difficult.

Most opposition to Prince Polka may come from the Dillon Hail gelding, Derive, which lost the main race a week ago on the grounds of interference. He will meet Don Hall, which was awarded the race, on 12 yards more favourable terms this week and he should finish in front Of him again. Derive had little in hts favour in the running last week.

Don Hall will have a host of admirers after his wins last week. He was most impressive in the sprint which he won unextended. Those were his first races since August and he could Improve as a result of them. The Whipster gelding is right back to his best and he should take part in the finish. Like Prince Polka, he would become eligible for the cup with a win in this race. Lady Shona finished a good fourth in the Metropolitan Handicap last week. She was handily placed most of the way, but had trouble working clear from the rails over the last two furlongs. By the time she was in the open her task was hopeiess and she was not knocked about. She looks well and could make amends at short notice. Placed Last Week La Mignon must be respected after her third in last week’s race. She would need to improve a lot to win, but she may again earn some of the stake. Dresden Lady, which will be bracketed with Ricochet, disappointed last week, but she is capable of better and may surprise. Ricochet finished last at Ashburton at his most recent appearance, but if back to his best, he could surprise.

The others in' the race make little appeal, but on a heavy track Bedivus would be hard to catch. However, if the going is similar to last week Prince Polka, Derive and Don Hall should dispute the finish. Auditor, runner-up to White Caps at Motukarara last week when having his first start toi some months, should improve on that effort with a win in the City Handicap, the second leg of the double. Auditor, a halfbrother to Starbeam, is a grand pacer and he looks close to winning form. He is expected to be at a short price tomorrow. Lord Balfour, one of the best three-year-olds in Southland last season, will make a fresh start in this race. If forward enough, he could be prominent.

Catmaran, a stablemate of Diamond Hanover and Responsive, has been placed in her two races this season. She is long overdue for a win and should be prominent.

Technician, runner-up to Quibble at Methven, is the only other candidate for the race with worthwhile form. It will not surprise if Egyptian Queen shows up. She is now a member of H. S. Donaldson’s team and looked weil when paraded at Ashburton. She lost her chance in that race m an accident. Another Win Likely Royal Scot will be strongly supported to win his fourth successive race for the season in the Churchill Handicap, the main race for trotters. If he races as well again, it is difficult to see him beaten He looks favourably placed on the front mark. Native Cord showed that he was close to winning form when he finished second to the promising Medetta at New Brighton last month. He looks well placed on 12 yards and should take part in the finish.

Cat’s Luck was runner-up to Serenelli at Forbury Park last

week. She is close to the good form she showed last season and must be given a chance. With You, Perekop, Kevin and Hazel Grattan are others expected to race well. Indiana, which was narrowly beaten by Willow Dale at Ashburton on October 5, may win the Welcome Handicap, the other race

for trotters. She showed fine form last season and should soon win.

Most opposition may come from Gentle Anna, Captain Spider, Astrol and Egyptian Rose. Parable may improve on his two placings on the first day of the meeting with a win m the Visitors’ Handicap. He seldom paces a bad race and will be popular with place investors. Even though he will have to start from 60 yards, Bobby Brigade cannot be overlooked. The small field should enable him to make up his handicap without too much effort, especially as the pace is unlikely to be strong. Victory Nelson, Dame Sybil, and Super Brigade may also show up.

Fields, with form, for the doubles races are:—

CITY HANDICAP, Of £5OO. 3min 29sec class. One mile

PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, Of £1000. 3min 35sec class, mile and five furlongs. One 0002 Bedivus (3) . scr 0000 Direct Hall (4) . scr 004 Lady Shona (5) . scr 0043 La Mignon (1) . scr 400 Ricochet (2) . scr 0102 Derive (1) . 12 0011 Don Hall (2) . 12 0300 Dresden Lady (2) . . 24 00 Paia Royal (3) ) . . 24 0311 Prince Polka (1) . . 24 Bracket: Ricochet and Dresden Lady.

and a half. 2 Auditor (10) .. scr 000 Banquier (9) .. .. scr 43 Catamaran (6) .. scr 4000 Crimson Star (5) .. scr 00 Drioli (7) .. scr 0 Egyptian Queen (2) Lord Balfour (1) .. Mooloo (4) Pole Star (3) .. .. scr .. scr .. scr .. scr 020 Technician (8) .. • . scr 000 Mighty Loyal (1) Johnny Derby (1) .. .. 24 .. 36