TROTTING Strong Novice Pacing Fields At Nelson Today

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28606, 7 June 1958, Page 7

TROTTING Strong Novice Pacing Fields At Nelson Today

Open fields of pacers are engaged in the Nile Handicap and the Arrow Handicap, races ' for novices on the opening day of the Nelson Trotting Club’s city, of Nelson centennial meeting at Richmond today. There have been several scratchings for both races, but it is almost certain they will be run in divisions. Ardono should leave novice ranks jn the first division of the Nile Handicap. She was. a desperately unlucky fourth over two miles at Ashburton last Monday. She began well, but soon after the start the majority of the field raced round her, and she was about

six places back on the rails in a few yards. From then on she was securely hemmed in and it was not until well into the straight that she was in the ctear. She finished well for her fourth and was doing better than any of the others at the post. With better fortune in the running, she should win. Profitable has had two seconds in his last three starts. This Light Brigade gelding has plenty of ability and the roomy Nelson track should suit him. Boboli, a member of J. S. Hunter’s Trentham team, has not been placed recently, but he has raced well enough to be placed today. He I was a good sixth at Hutt Park lasf Monday after losing ground at Matron a Dale and Waitaki Child will, represent W. R. Butt in this division. Both have .shown ability in their recent racing and one at least should take a prominent part in the finish. First Nigfit, a fast-finishing seventh at Ashburton, and Onside appeal most of the remainder. Pleased at Ashburton Forest Hill, a recent addition to D. J. Townley’s Tinwald team, paced a sound race for eighth at Ashburton last Monday, and if he races as well today, he should win the second division. He’ looks to have plenty of ability and it will be surprising if he is not prominent. Alison’s Pride and Kerry Queen will be bracketed with Matron Dale and Waitaki Child, candidates for the first division. Alison’s Pride was a good second at Hutt Park last Monday, and if she races as well again, she is certain ‘ to be hard to beat.

Our Bridget has had a number of in recent months and is long overdue for a win. With a little luck in the running, she should at least be placed. Vishnu, a three-year-old halfbrother to Merval, a smart race mare, will have his first race start in this division. He showed considerable promise at trials last season, but was not reliable at the barrier. If he has gained sufficient confidence to move off with his field, he could upset calculations.

Hatter’s Plush and Maori Chief appeal most of the others.

Similar fields are engaged in the divisions of the Arrow Handicap. Alison’s Pride, Our Bridget, and Cushie Doo are a likely trio in the first division, while Forest Hill, Ardono and Vishnu should do best in the second.

Derry Air, Great Direct and Josie Gay are a likely trio for the Trafalgar Handicap, the first leg of the off-course double. The winner of this race will qualify for the Centennial Cup on Monday. Others expected to race well are Rimu Lass and John Leslie. ‘

Harlequin Parade will probably be favourite for the second leg, the Beatty *Handicap. Most opposition to him may come from Ben Lee, First Belle, Johnny Guitar, Wimpy and Radar. The on-course double will be run on' the St. Vincent Handicap and the Hardy Handicap. Temple Scott will probably be favourite for the first leg, while Dodger may dominate betting on the second leg.

Weather prospects are fair for today, but the track is expected to be on the easy side. The fields are; —

ST. VINCENT HANDICAP, of £200; trotters; 3min 37sec class; one mile and a half—Birkenhead (6), Brigadier Scott (10), Citron (3), Cottlesmore (2), Firestreak (4), Gazeaway (12), Mairo (7), Nimble Grattan (8), Ordeal (16), Peppercorn (14). Reprimand (1), Snap On (15), Sporsail (9), Springal (13), Temple Scott (5), Trevor (11) scr; Gay Cord (1), Van Qheetah (2) 36; Little Dictator (1) 60; Van Ardee (1) 84.

Scratched: Brigadier Scott. NILE HANDICAP, of £200; 3min 37sec class; one mile and a half.— First Division: Alison’s Pride (10), Kerry Queen (3), Anne Peterson (9), Mentone (6), Belfast Lady (2). Hatter’s Plush (8), Clackson (14), Eastern Brigade (12), Forest Hill (11), Vishnu (13), Little Molly (4), Our Bridget (5), Raidette (l),Sanfarer (7) scr; Maori Chief (1) 48. Second Division: Waitaki Child (5), Matron Dale (13), Artillery (6), Ardono (12),

Bestow (1). Boboil (17). Delsena (7>. First Night (4), Irrigation (3). Island Valley (11), On Side (14). Profitable (9) Roxburgh Lad (8). Synthetic (10) scr. Brackets: Alison’s Pride, Waitaki Child, Kerry Queen and Matron Dale; Anne Peterson and Mentone; Bestow and Hatter’s Plush. Scratched.: Irrigation, Artillery, Little Molly. HARDY HANDICAP, of £225; 3mln 33sec class; one jnile and a half.— Black Satin . 43), Blue Marlin (10). Carton! (16), Chanter (9), Dodger (4), Elope (14), Floreate (13), Freeway (7), Golden Present (5), Impala (11) Our Ada (15), Publisher (12), Queen Audrey (2), Red Belle (6), Rovindale (17), Spangled Brigade (1), Stylish Petro (8) scr. scratched: Red Belle, Blue Marlin, Golden Present. TRAFALGAR HANDICAP, Of £4OO. 4min 45sec class. Two miles. 0320 Bessie Brigade (1) .. scr 0000 Femside Lad (5) .. scr 1000 John Leslie (8) .. .. sci* 0023 Josie Gay (3) .. .. scr 0000 Little Christine (4) .. scr 0000 Our Tim (7) .. .. scr 3330 Rimu Lass (9) .. .. scr 0020 Van Ardee (2) (T.) .. scr 4412 Derry Air (6) .. .. scr 2100 Great Direct (10) .. scr 0000 Scottish Song (2) .. 12 2000 Toka Boy (3) .. ..12 0000 Tonga (1) .. ..12 0000 Zany (4) .. ..12 3000 Disraeli (1) .. -..24 Brackets: Fernside Lad and Tonga. Scratched: Zany, Little Christine. COLLINGWOOD HANDICAP, of £225; trotters; 4min 53sec class; two miles.—Birkenhead (6), Brigadier Scott (11), Citron (14), Cottlesmore (3), Firestreak (15), Gazeaway (13), Maioro (2), Ordeal (10), Peppercorn (0), Profitable (4), Reprimand (7), Snap On (5), Springal (8), Sporsail (12) Trevor (1) scr; Gay Cord (2), Van Chettah (1) 36; Little Dictator (I) 72; Van Ardee (1) 108. Scratched: Brigadier Scott, Profitable. ARROW HANDICAP, of £200; 2min 59sec class; one mile and a half.— First Division: Alison’s Pride (6), Kerry Queen (9), Anne Peterson (12), Mentone (1), Belfast Lady (11), Bestow (5), Boboli (14), Cushie Dpo (10), Delsena (7), Our Bridget (4), First Night (3), Irrigation (15), Island Valley (2), O’Dearo (13), Onside (8), Roxburgh Lad (16), Synthetic (17) scr; Our Ada (1) 36. Second Division: Waitaki Child (15), Matron Dale (6), Artillery (7), Ardono (2), Hatter’s Plush (12), Clackston (1), Delmar (II) Dither (13), Eastern Brigade (9), Forest Hill (10), Vishnu (3), Little Molly (5), Stormlea (8), Raldille (4), Sanfarer (14) scr; Maori Chief (1), Publisher (2) 36. Brackets: Alison’s Pride, Waitaki Child, Kerry Queen and Matron Dale; Anne Peterson and Mentone; Belfast Lady and Publisher; Bestow and Hatter’s Plush; Dither and Our Bridget; O’Dearo and Stormlea; Sanfarer and Synthetic. Scratched: Irrigation, Artillery, Little Molly. BEATTY HANDICAP, Of £450. 3min 27sec class. One mile and a half. 0001 Ben Lee (9) * .. .. scr 0010 Cyclone (4) .. .. scr 3000 Disraeli (5) .. .. scr 1043 First Belle (11) .. ..scr 3100 Gay Bells (10) .. .. scr 0301 Harlequin Parade (3) .. scr 0000 Revelation (6) .. , z . scr 0000 Sextant (8) .. .. scr 0100 Shantung (2) .. .. scr 0000 Wimpy (1) .. ..scr 0020 Johnny Guitar (1) .. 12 Manunda (5) .. ..12 0330 Radar (2) .. ..12 0000 Reticent (1) .. ..24 0000 Sir Tatton (2) .. ..24 0000 Honest Charles (1) .. 36 Bracket: Sextant and Sir Tatton. Scratched*. Gay Polka, Zetland, Night Owl. AJAX HANDICAP, of £300; 2mln 54sec class; one mile and a half. — Bessie Brigade (4), Derry Air (3), Fernside Lad (6), Great Direct (5), John Leslie (7), Josie Gay (9), Our Tim (8), Publisher (2), Rimu Lass (1) scr; Scottish Song (2), Toka Boy (3), Tonga (1), Zany (4) 12; Sir Tatton, (1) 48. Bracket: Fernside Lad and Tonga. Scratched: Zany.