TROTTING DERBY STAKES TODAY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29366, 19 November 1960, Page 6

TROTTING DERBY STAKES TODAY

King Hal In Form ToWin King Hal has the right form background to give C. S. Donald his second training success in the New Zealand Derby Stakes on the final day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s cup meeting at Addington today. Donald had his first Derby win in 1944 when Mr A. W. Moore’s Air Marshall was successful in 3min 21 4-ssec. King Hal, unbeaten in three starts this season, will have to better that time by many seconds if he is to succeed. King Hal’s three wins have been most impressive. In all of them he has come with a stayer’s run to win fairly narrowly, but most decisively. His most recent win was in the Riccarton Stakes on the first day of the meeting when he came from near the tail of the field at the five furlongs to win well from Student Prince. The extra two furlongs in this race should not worry him.

Flying Note, winner of the Sapling Stakes last season, has had only one start this term, finishing a close third to King Hal and Jay Ar in the Oamaru Three-year-old Stakes a month ago. Flying Note meets King Hal on 12 yards more favourable terms today than at Oamaru and he will only have had to train on satisfactorily to be the hardest opposition for King Hal. He is a determined stayer.

Free-for-All. Moon Boy will meet Ordeal on 24 yards more favourable terms this week and that should be sufficient to enable him to turn the tables on her. However, he will need to keep elose to the leaders all the way if he is to beat Ordeal. If she puts a break on him early, he will find her hard to head if she races with the same dash she showed in her other two starts at the meeting. Ordeal is assured of solid support. She has given two outstanding displays of front-run-ning trotting so far at the meeting, being perfectly rated by her trainer, F. G. Holmes. She will probably attempt to make most of the pace today and is certain to be in the finish.

Jay Ar has been unfortunate again in his barrier draw. He is the only horse on the second line and, in a way, he could be better off there than on the outside of the front line, as the field does not travel far before reaching the first bend. Jay Ar will be able to start behind Southern Cross, which is usually a reliable beginner. With a reasonable run on the inside, Jay Ar should take a prominent part in the finish He is more seasoned than most of his rivals. Summit Road has improved with each race this season. He tired a little to a close third in the Challenge Stakes last week after forcing all the pace. The First Lord youngster should be even better this week and if he does not pull too hard, he could be the one most likely to upset the favourites. Student Prince has been a consistent performer this season, but 12 furlongs might find him out. However, he is most reliable and his ability to hold a handy position most of the way could earn him some of the stake. Southern Cross, third in the Rieearton Stakes, and Wekin. which has paced sound races in recent weeks, appeal most of the others.

Au Fait has also raced well at the meeting, her third in the Dominion Handicap suggesting that she will again be a place prospect in this field. Reprimand is an interesting newcomer to this field. He is a speedy front-runner and could set a torrid pace if he works clear early. He' made the pace when Moon Boy created his record of 3min 23 4-ssec for 13 furlongs at Addington in August. Supervise, winner of this race 12 months ago, should be improved as a result of her racing at the meeting. She was fourth in the Dominion Handicap and could improve on that effort at short notice. With You, Beau Clair and Highland Glen appeal most of the remainder. The double will be run on the Allan Matson and the Hayward Handicaps, Sun Chief, from Oamaru. and Kingsdown Patch, from Timaru, forming a likely combination.

Moon Boy will have a chance to make amends for his defeat by Ordeal in the Dominion Handicap last week when he parades in the New Zealand Trotting

Fine weather is forecast for today when the track should again be in splendid order.