TROTTING DERBY STAKES TODAY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29058, 21 November 1959, Page 6

TROTTING DERBY STAKES TODAY

Sun Chief Picked To Win Sun Chief is expected to add the New Zealand Derby Stakes to his successes in classic races when the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club holds the third day of its cup meeting at Addington today. Sun Chief, which is owned and trained at Oamaru by S. W. Easton, suffered a gash behind his off foreleg in a race smash on the second day of the meeting and for a few days a start in the Derby was in doubt. However, the injury has responded well to treatment and he will be at his best today. Sun Chief will be driven in the Derby by D. J. Townley, who has driven him in practically all of his races. Townley drove Rupee to win the Derby in 1952.

Sun Chief has drawn favourably at No. 2 at the barrier and it will not surprise if he attempts to lead from end to end. He won all his races last season after setting the pace and is a bold front-runner.

A strong field of three-year-olds will oppose the Oamaru colt and he will not have things his own way. Stormont, a son of Stormyway, impresses as a Derby prospect. He has run on strongly in all his races and won the Riccarton Stakes on the first day of the meeting. He was equally impressive when he finished fourth in his race on the second day.

Jonboy Star could upset calculations. He is the smallest horse in the field, but is one of the most capable. He won the New Zealand Sapling Stakes- last season and has had three starts this term. He has finished sixth and eighth in his two starts so far at the meeting, but in the latter race he suffered a bad check near the five furlongs.

Jonboy Star has worked keenly at Addington lately and should strip a fit horse. Unfortunately he has drawn this second line, but that should not keep him out 'of the finish.

The Southland colt, Blue Prince, entered Derby calculations when he won the Challenge Stakes on the second day of the meeting after a stem duel with Calumite. Blue Prince showed more gameness than he had in his previous racing and the mile and a half journey should be within his reach. "

Problem Horse Sally Boy is a problem horse. He raced rather disappointingly on the first two days of the meeting and received slight injuries when he went down on his knees in his race on the second day. However, he worked in dashing style on Thursday and appeared to be none the worse for the accident. He has brilliant speed and he will only have to begin smoothly to take beating. Arania and Samantha will form a strong bracket for G. B. Noble. Both have raced prominently at the meeting and they should be at their best Calumite was placed in his two starts earlier at the meeting. His ability to begin well should stand to him in this field as he has drawn No. 4. The extra two furlongs in this race may find him struggling, but if he races as well as he did last week he should be prominent However, Sun Chief, Stormont and Jonboy Star should do best , Le Lievre Handicap Damian should qualify for the Auckland Cup with a win in the two-mile Le Lievre Handicap, in which he will be driven by M. Holmes. Damian has raced without luck in recent weeks and his efforts have deserved better fortune. He is a grand type of pacei and should be the hardest to beat

Bonny Starlet is a sound stayer, and after her fine winning run on the second day of the meeting she is entitled to serious consideration.

Cassado is another fine staying mare. /She has not raced since August, but her owner-trainer, J. Grice, seldom produces her unless she is at her peak and she will be a bright place prospect. Banjo and Blue Emperor look the pick of the others.

The double will be run on the Allan Matson Handicap and the Hayward Handicap, False Step and Tetryman, both members of C. C. Devine’s team, forming a strong combination. Weather prospects are fair and the track will again be firm and fast.