TROTTING AT ADDINGTON TODAY

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28434, 14 November 1957, Page 4

TROTTING AT ADDINGTON TODAY

Gentry Picked To Win Again

Gentry, which has been unbeaten in five starts this season, should win again for his Auckland owner, Mr H. S. Barry, in the New Zealand Metropolitan Challenge Stakes, a special condition race for three and four-year-olds on the second day of the cup meeting at Addington today.

Gentry gained a decisive win over a strong Held in the Canterbury Handicap on the first day of the meeting and he looks lo he meeting a comparatively weak field on most favourable terms today. I nless lie meets trouble in the running, he should win without being asked to race al top.

Most opposition to Gentry may come from Night Reveller, an impressive winner in a slow class at Oamaru on October 28. Night Reveller looked likely to improve still further as he had not been long in work after a spell. He looks a great place prospect. Aksarben, which raced most disappointingly on the first day of the meeting, is a high-class pacer on his day. If he races right up to his best he could extend both Gentry and Night Reveller. Prospects of a three-year-old winning look remote. They receive only 12 yards from Gentry and Night Reveller. The best of the horses of this age may be Gay Baron. The other four-year-olds make little appeal and the finish should be disputed by Gentry, Night Reveller and Aksarben. Thunder will be a short-priced favourite for the first leg of the double, the Ollivier Handicap, after his fine run for second in the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday. He looks favourably placed on 24 yards in this small field. He will again be bracketed with General Sandy, which could win if he raced up to his best form. Highland Air. False Step, Trueco and Prince Polka are others expected to add interest to the finish. Lenvin looks favourably placed on the front in the second leg, the Dominion Handicap, the main race on the calendar for straightout trotters. The stablemate of Gentry is close to winning form. He is a strong stayer and should, set the backmarkers a difficult’ chase. Recruit, Battle Cry, Durban > Chief, Quite Contrary and Bar-i

ravey should also race prominently. Dignus. a place-getter in his five starts this season, is. expected to gain an overdue win in the Hornby Handicap. which has drawn a strong field of improving pacers. Dignus pleased by the manner in which he ran out the last two furlongs in the Spring Handicap on Tuesday to finish third to Esteem and Glint. The race should improve him and he should set his opponents an impossible chase. Glint is another probable improver. She led until well inside the furlong in her race on Tuesday and it wa:> only in the last 50 yards that she was caught. She looks better placed on the front here and she should be close to the front all the way. La Mignon’s third in the cup on Tuesday entitles her to strong support. If she races as well again today, she should at least earn some of the stake. Esteem, a decisive winner over two miles on Tuesday. Suzendy. Lady Shona. Lady Belmer and Invicta are others capable of a bold showing, but they should find Dignus too good. Manana, which will be having her first start at the meeting, is selected to win the Yaldhurst Handicap. If she is allowed to make her own rules in front, it is difficult to see her caught. Most opposition to Manana may come from Medetta. Willow Dale, Native Cord, Cat’s Luck and Serenelli. Auditor. Scottish Command and Vierosa are a likely trio for the Cashmere Handicap. All three I have good recent form to recommend them. Single Derby. White ! Caps. Fourth Edition and Quo (Vadis appeal most of the rei mainder.