TROTTING CADUCEUS PICKED TO WIN SPRINT TODAY Sun Chief Favoured For Stakes

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29051, 13 November 1959, Page 4

TROTTING CADUCEUS PICKED TO WIN SPRINT TODAY

Sun Chief Favoured For Stakes

The meeting between 10 of the top pacers over 10 furlongs in the New Zealand Free-for-all will be among the outstanding features of the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s cup meeting at Addington today.

Caduceus is selected to win the race for a third time, equalling the record of Author Dillon and Harold Logan, two of the greatest pacers of past years.

Caduceus first won the race in 1956 and 12 months ago he was successful in 2min 34 4-ssec, 1 l-ssec slower than Johnny Globe’s race record. Caduceus is the most brilliant sprint and middle distance pacer in New Zealand and if he has taken no harm from his hard race in the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday and a race earlier in the day in the Ollivier Handicap, he should prove much too speedy for his rivals, particularly if he is allowed to make his own rules in front.

False Step and Thunder will form a strong bracket for C. C. Devine. False Step finished fourth in this race 12 months ago when obviously feeling the strain fr u m two hard two-mile races earlier at the meeting. He looks a better horse this year and seems almost certain to take part in the finish. Gentry was runner-up to Caduceus 12 months ago and after his second to False Step in the cup, he will appreciate his return to sprint racing. Gentry has some outstanding spri... efforts to his credit and one of his better efforts could result in a win.

Diamond Hanover is a problem horse. He won an invitation sprint race at Addington in August and then won stylishly over 12 furlongs at New Brighton He was a little disappointing in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru last month, but he looked a little on the burly He has had the benefit of a solid run at the Addington trials since then and he should be an improved horse this week. If he races up to his best, he will be a place prospect Lady Belmer, which has drawn the outside, has shown to advantage in sprint races in the past and with Invicta she appeals most of the remainder. The majority of the main New Zealand Derby Stakes contenders will meet in the New Zealand Metropolitan Challenge Stakes, a race for three and four-year-olds run under special conditions The four-year-olds do not look a very good lot and they should be safely held by their younger rivals. Due For Win Sun Chief, the winner of five races last term, looks ready to gain the first win of his three-year-old season in this event He overcame difficulties, after starting from 36 yards, to fail by only a head to beat Stormont in the

Riccarton Stakes on Tuesday. He meets Stormont or. 12 yards more favourable terms today and should finish in front of him.

Jonboy Star was having only his second start for the season when he made up ground for sixth tn the Riccarton Stakes. The Sapling Stakes winner is making good progress in his preparation for the Derby tomorrow week and be could upset calculations. Blue Prince and Calumite appeal most of the other three-year-olds. Stormlea, Tryst, and- Gatley are -the only four-year-olds in the field and they make* little appeal Tryst, which wfff start from 12 yards, makes most appeal of this tno. The double will be run on the Ollivier Handicap and the Dominion Handicap. False ’ Step and Supervise, both first-day winners, forming a likely combination.

Weather prospects are favourable and the track will be in splendid order.

Sally Boy reared and broke at the start of the Riccarton Stakes ahd he covered extra ground. There was considerable merit in his fourth placing and he should be harder to beat with a smooth beginning. He receives 12 yards from Sun Chief and looks the horse most likely to extend the probable favourite. Arania, a brilliant sprinting filly, will not be set an easy task from 24 yards, but she is such a splendid beginner that she should at least finish in the money. She recorded 2min 39 2-ssec when second to Sally Boy at Addington in August and she will only have to race close to that effort to take beating Stormont was impressive when he beat Sun Chief on Tuesday. He has not finished improving and he will have bright prospects of finishing in the money again.