TROTTING Banjo’s Sound Trial For Methven Cup

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 5

TROTTING Banjo’s Sound Trial For Methven Cup

Banjo and Surie Queen recorded sound trials for the £ 1000 Methven Cup on Saturday when they finished first and fourth respectively in the free-for-all at trials held yesterday at Methven by the Mid - Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association.

The trials opened in fine weather, but a cold southerly brought heavy rain and showers of sleet later in the day. The track was fast until the last few races when it became dead.

Banjo was never far away in the free-for-all and he finished on boldly to wear down Roy Grattan over the last furlong and beat him narrowly but well. Banjo has not shown any form so far this season, but if there is any easing in the track conditions on Saturday, his prospects would be enhanced. Banjo paced the 13 furlongs in 3min 49 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 6 2-ssec.

Roy Grattan, which has no immediate engagements, paced a fair race for second, clear of Diamond Hanover, which tired over the last furlong after forcing all the pace. Diamond Hanover’s performance was most disappointing as a trial for the Methven Cup. He looks in great order, but has raced poorly so far this season. He will have to show marked improvement to be a serious threat in his next few races.

Surie Queen was much more impressive. She finished with a strong run over the last furlong and was right up with Diamond Hanover. She lost her driver in a mix-up in her race at New Brighton on Saturday last, but took no harm from the incident. She was an impressive winner at New Brighton a fortnight earlier, and, although the opposition will be stronger this week, she should give a good account of herself. Aksarben paced a useful race for fifth, ahead of Morere, Dalene, Radar and Indianna. Two-Y ear-Olds Several smart youngsters were produced in two heats of the parade over six furlongs for two-year-olds. The majority of them were surprisingly well forward for this time of year and it seems as though there are more two-year-olds about than has been the case in recent years. The first heat was won by B. Grice’s filly by Brahman from a grand pacer, Petro Star. She beat. Commonwealth by half a head, with both pacers finishing under a good hold. They paced the six furlongs in Imin 40sec, the last half in Imin 6sec. Commonwealth, a member of F. G. Holmes’s team, is a gelding by Adorian from a useful winner in Empire Lady. Commonwealth is a very sensible type of youngster and he should develop useful forint:- \ A gelding by Hal Tyrax from Bonny Colene, trained at Washdyke by W. P. Hogan for Mr J. Peterson, raced greenly early, but finished well for third, ahead of Rma Arania, a filly by U. Scott from Local Gold, the dam of Local Light. A half-brother by U. Scott to a winner in Merry Gold finished next, ahead of a Red Flight—Marjory gelding. Full Sway, a gelding by Young Bob from June Dale, and a brother to Overdrive were beaten off.

A gelding by U. Scott from Solar, trained by D. P. Grice, won the second heat in Imin 41sec, the last half-mile in Imin 6 2-ssec. This youngster was a little wayward over the first furlong, but once properly balanced he showed a useful turn of speed.

Van Erabant was not asked for> an effort to take second place a head back. She is a fine type of filly by Van Dieman from Dillon’s Pride and is trained by C. C. Devine.

A filly by Whipster from Jenny Grattan finished third, ahead of a colt by Amen Ra from Mary Pointer, and a filly by U. Scott from Aileen Hall. Elope In Form Elope, a candidate for the Mount Harding Handicap at Meth ven on Saturday, gained a narrow but decisive win in the 3min 52sec class pace. The Lucky Jack gelding moved up to Joy free with a little less than one mile to run and was not afterwards headed. Joyfree challenged him over the last furlong, but was beaten a head after Elope had paced the 13 furlongs in 3min 44 4-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 8 2-ssec.

Joyfree paced a useful race for second, a length in front of Captivus, which finished under a good hold. Captivus set all the pace and finished a good second to Tolerant in the Maiden Event at New Brighton last Saturday. Yesterday he was kept in behind and he finished with something in reserve. He will be hard to beat in his division of the Westward Ho Handicap at Methven. Freeway, which was not knocked about, made up ground for fourth, half a length back, ahead of Fnal Say, Lady Attack, which lost ground early, Medalius and Darkest.

Young Dieman, Tolerant, Spring Lynne and Lady Attack lost ground at the start. Prince, after losing ground at the start, took the lead at the end of three furlongs in the 3min 56sec class pace and he was not afterwards headed. He won with a lot in hand after taking 3min 49sec for the 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin 5 3-ssec.

Prince beat Smokey Diamond, a candidate for the T. S. Harrison Three-year-old Stakes at Methven on Saturday, by three lengths. Smokey Diamond looked to be in great heart and he should be improved. as a result of the run. He beat all but Fan Loan on this course last season.

Lucky Hazel, a favoured candidate in her division of the Westward Ho Handicap on Saturday, was not hurried to take third place, ahead of Twig, Dark Louise, which was being eased up near the finish, Kilkerry and Away.

The four placed horses in three heats all qualified to start at totalisator meetings by recording 3min 30sec or better for the mile and a half. Fastest time of 3min 27 4-ssec was recorded by Lucky Dora and Bargee, winners of the second and third heats.

The Trotters Although Mighty Brigade finished only second in the 3min 56sec class trot, he was most impressive. He started from 36 yards and was soon handy. Beau Clair worked clear with five furlongs and a half left and he ran on strongly to beat Mighty Brigade by a length. Mighty Brigade finished under a strong hold after giving a smooth display of trotting all the way. He was pulled up after an accident in his race at New Brighton on September 6 when having his first start, for the season. He may race next at Ashburton on Saturday week. Beau Clair is engaged in the Drayton Handicap at Methven on Saturday. He has plenty of ability and if he can be made to race kindly, he should be one of the hardest to beat. Kilmartin, which started from 84 yards, also showed speed to get up for third, just ahead of Merry Nora, which tired in the run home. Tribune, Cyma and In Time headed the remainder. Cyma was kept in behind over the last mile and looked to have something in reserve at the finish. She will be a place prospect in her race at Meth ven on Saturday. The winner trotted the 13 furlongs in 3min 55 4-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 8 3-ssec.