TROTTING First Belle May Win At Forbury Tomorrow

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28573, 30 April 1958, Page 4

TROTTING First Belle May Win At Forbury Tomorrow

First Belle, which won twice at Greymouth on April 7, should win again in the St. Clair Handicap on the first day of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s winter meeting tomorrow. Raced by Mrs J. M. and Mr C. B. Holdem, she is trained at Templeton by F. E. Newfield, who is experiencing a most successful season.

First Belle is a four-year-old mare by a speedy pacer, First Lord, from Logan Belle, by Logan Derby. Her two wins at Greymouth were achieved with a minimum of effort and, although she will be meeting much sterner opposition tomorrow, she is almost certain to extend her record.

The Invercargill three-year-old, Light Mood, has a big reputation in the south. He won at his last start at Roxburgh on Easter Monday, nine days after he had failed to take any part in the New Zealand Pacing Stakes at A4dington. The brother to Reason Why and Showdown has plenty of ability and if he moves off with his field tomorrow, he may take part in the finish. Sand Flight, from D. Todd’s successful Mataura stables, has had two wins and two seconds from his last four starts, form which entitles him to serious con-

sideration in this field. Sand Flight is a five-year-old gelding by Medoro from a smart mare, Sand Piper. He is bred to be more than useful. Allard, from G. D. Shand’s Washdyke team, has at times raced well enough to be a sound prospect in this field. However, he is not always reliable. One of his better efforts would see him close at the finish. Kanor, Toka Boy and Crimson Star appeal most of the others. Idle Jack’s Prospects Idle Jack is selected to win the Domain Handicap, which has drawn a rather weak field of improvers. Idle Jack showed that he would be a distinct possibility in this field when he finished a close twelfth in his race at Methven on April 19. He started

from 48 yards in a big field and met trouble early. In the circumstances his placing was full of merit Most opposition to Idle Jack may come from Lady Attack, which has shown little form of note this season. She showed improvement at Methven when she finished strongly from well back for seventh. Had she not met trouble in the middle stages, she may have finished closer. Dew Heath is expected to do best of the Southland horses in the race. The Medoro stallion was a very easy winner at Wairio at this most recent start, and his previous form had been sound. He is trained at Gore by H. R. Reid for Mr J. H. G. Peterson, who has another likely candidate, Diamond Hanover, engaged at the meeting. Erin’s Choice is another form prospect from Winton. She was just beaten by Top Class at Wairio and if she races as well again, she should be close up. Fontani, Derry Air and Panacea are others expected to give a good account of themselves. The double will be run on the Winter Handicap and the Beach Handicap. Overdrive is expected to take a further step towards New Zealand Cup class in the first leg. This smart Whipster mare is in fine form at present. She won at Addington on April 5 at her last start, and she showed she was retaining her form with an impressive win at last week’s Methven trials. Invicta and Auditor may be the hardest for Overdrive to beat, and the chances of Mountain Brigade, Showdown, Lady Shona and Super Royal cannot be overlooked. Captain Free, Guard’s Brigade and Diamond Hanover appeal most in the second leg, in which Roving Gypsy and Dame Sybil may also show up.

Fields, with form, for the doubles races are:— WINTER HANDICAP. Of £1000. 3min 36sec class. One mile and five furlongs. 0000, Captain King (3) . scr 0000 Count Grattan (4) . scr 2000 Golden Chimes (5) . scr 4101 Mountain Brigade (1) . scr 0000 Scottish Fair (2) . scr 2000 Showdown (7) . scr 0403 Suzendy (6) . scr 0100 Auditor (2) . 12 0000 Direct Hall (6) . 12 4000 Lady Shona (3) . 12 0000 Lauder Lady (1) . 12 0001 Overdrive (7) . 12 4204 Super Royal (4) . 12 3203 Invicta (1) . 24 Bracket: Suzendy and Auditor. Scratched: Bedivus. BEACH HANDICAP. Of £750. 3min 21 sec clast b. One mile and a half. 1142 Captain Free (1) . scr 0000 Colossal Queen (9) . scr 0404 Dame Sybil (6) . scr 1400 Diamond Hanover (2) . scr 0000 Dinnie Daley (8) . scr 0300 Fourth Edition (7) . scr 0000 Responsive (5) . scr 1002 Ronella (10) . scr 0000 Roving Gipsy (11) . scr 0000 Spaxton (3) . scr 0000 Welsh Heir (4) . scr 3000 Banjo (3) . 12 1032 Guard s Brigade (2) . 12 4000 Lady Cook (5) . 12 0000 Reason Why (4) . 12 0301 Upward (1) . 12 0000. Victory Nelson (6) . 12 Brackets: Diamond Hanover and Responsive, Fourth Edition and Lady Cook, Roving Gypsy anc Spaxton. Scratched: Surie Queen.