TROTTING FIFTH BRIGADE IN FORM

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28542, 22 March 1958, Page 6

TROTTING FIFTH BRIGADE IN FORM

Spreydon Handicap At Addington

Fifth Brigade, a place-getter in her last two starts, should gain her first win since being trained at Halswell by R. A Hamilton in the Spreydon Handicap on the opening day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Easter meeting at Addington today.

Fifth Brigade recorded a fine trial for this race when she won at the recent Addington trials. Her time on that occasion was very fast for a mare in her class, and from the front she will be difficult to beat.

Willow Dale has not raced since the cup meeting in November, but he usually trots well when fresh. His form this season has been of a very high standard, and if he races up to his best he will be a serious threat from 24 yards. Native Cord gave a bold display of trotting at New Brighton last month, when he won decisively over one-mile and a half after forcing all the pace. The Ripcord trotter is improving all the time, and it will be surprising if he fails to add interest to the finish. Coronet Lass, Egyptian Rose and Unlikely are capable trotters engaged on the front, but they should be safely held by those further back. Indianna, Legislate and White Wings, all of which

will start from 12 yards, have raced well enough at times to reach a place, while from 24 yards Cat’s Luck, Air , Command and Red Jenny will have to be taken into consideration. Dame Sybil is selected to win the Bryndwr Handicap. She showed that she was well forward for this engagement when fourth

in a big field at Wynghani last week. She was slow away from 24 yards and was running on in grand style in the straight. She has previously raced well ■ at Addington and will be well suited by the mile and a quarter race. Due For Win , Fourth Edition has not won a race this season, but he has been placed in four of his last six starts and is overdue for a change of luck. Pointer gave a hint that he may yet recapture the fine form he showed as a two-year-old when he was fifth bver two miles at Washdyke early in the month. He is better as a sprinter than as a stayer, and if the favourites are to be beaten, he may be the -one to do so. Parable seldom paces a bad race and in this type of race he is always a prospect -Mountain Brigade has been placed in his last four starts, and. if he does not drift too'far out of his ground early, he could take part in the finish. Kelso, runner-up to Single Derby at washdyke, Spaxton and Gay Cobra appeal most of the others.

Three mares in—La Mignon, Glint and Light Nurse—are selected to dispute the finish'to the Rattray Handicap, the main race on the programme and the first leg of the double. They will not have things their/ own way and plenty of opposition should come from Invicta, Lady Shona, East Dome, Esteem and Canyon. Betting win be weU spread in the. second leg. the Rothschild Handicap. Single Derby, Bon Ton and Auditor are all entitled to solid support, while the chances of Guard’s , Brigade, Cassado. Macklin, Reason Why, Overdrive and Golden Chimes cannot be Fields throughout the day are strong and good racing should result The appearance of Blue in the New Zealand Welcopie Stakes, and Recruit, Battle Cry and Durban Chief in the Stewards* .Handicap should be among the highlights.