TROTTING Gay Widow Picked For Second Leg At Methven

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29316, 22 September 1960, Page 4

TROTTING Gay Widow Picked For Second Leg At Methven

Gay Widow, the runner-up to Highland Custom in the Bowhill Handicap at New Brighton last Saturday, may regain winning form in the Avonmore Handicap at Methven this week. The Avonmore Handicap is the second leg of the double at the Methven Trotting Club’s spring meeting. The Bowhill Handicap marked Gay Widow’s return to racing after being off the scene since June. She held a handy position about four places from the lead, in the line behind Highland Custom, to the straight

The latter dashed clear about a furlong from the end and was in ho fear of losing that lead closer to home but Gay Widow, which experienced a little difficulty In working clear, finished resolutely once the gap came and was only a length behind the winner at the finish. The value of that run is best assessed through the performances of Highland Custom this season. She has started three times for a third and two wins. One ot Gay Widow’s strongest rivals this week might be Medium Blue, one of two runners in the field from J. D. Utten’s West Melton stable. Medium Blue was a solid finisher for third in the Bowhill Handicap, three parts of a length behind Gay Widow.

There was much merit in his effort for about three furlongs and a half from home he appeared to be hampered for racing room on the inner when some of the tiring runners started to drift back through the field. Once in the clear Medium Blue reached a challenging position quickly but was forced over extra ground and had to make his run wide out in the straight. Medium Blue will form a strong bracket with Lileas , this week. They were also rivals at New Brighton where Lileas finished eighth. Her performance was not as spectacular as that of her stablemate but there was some merit in it for she raced about mid-field on the outer all the way and lost little ground, if any, in the run home. Lileas should be improved by that run and should be capable of adding more interest to the finish this time. Determined Run The Bowhill Handicap at New Brighton will also have proved of value if Jimmy Grattan gets into the finish this week. < With the exception of Medium Blue he was further back than any of the eventual place-getters half a mile out but kept up a determined run over the final stages for a creditable fifth.

Jimmy Grattan and Medium Blue are tWo of four runners on 12 yards. The best of the other handicap horses might be Fiord which shares the same mark. She also made a fresh start in the Bowhill Handicap last Saturday

and ran her usual honest race for sixth.

Fiord was most consistent during a busy campaign last season when her record included two wins and numerous minor places. She is almost certain to have benefited from her latest race and could be hard to beat if she produces one of her best runs.

Although there is plenty of scope for a surprise result on New Brighton form the prospect of a victory for the other runners off the front, with the exception of Gay Widow or Lileas, does not look bright. The best of them could be Jack. Attack which lost all chance when he tangled badly at the start of the Bowhill Handicap last week.

Jack Attack cleared maiden class impressively at the end of last season when he was successful in both races for horses in that class at the Marlborough meeting in June. He would only need to begin correctly this week to add interest to the finish for he is a very capable pacer. The remainder should be safely held by Insolent, one of two newcomers on the limit. Insolent, a close relative of Highland Custom, showed much ability in the little racing he did last season when he was produced only five times and won two of his last three races. His last start victory was by five lengths at Ashburton in June. If he is produced anywhere near his peak this week the prospect of him making a fresh start successfully could not be overlooked.

Susan Blue Amiss

Susan Blue, an acceptor for the Ferguson Handicap, the .first leg of the double on the second night of the Auckland • Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, is unlikely to fulfil that engagement, according to her trainer, P. T. Wolfenden. Susan Blue contested the September Handicap on the first night of the meeting and finished at the tail of the field after breaking badly at the start.

She has not done well in the meantime and is at present under veterinary treatment. It is not expected that she will race again for some weeks.