TROTTING URRALL IN FORM FOR ANOTHER WIN

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29401, 31 December 1960, Page 6

TROTTING URRALL IN FORM FOR ANOTHER WIN

Islington Handicap At Addington Urrall, which has had three wins and a second from his four most recent starts, should go close to winning again in the Islington Handicap at Addington today. The Islington Handicap is one of two races to be run over two miles on the opening day of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s summer meeting. Urrall was most impressive at New Brighton on December 3 when he won with ridiculous ease over 10 furlongs, a distance which many thought would not suit this fine staying four-year-old. Urrall won the Kaikoura Cup at his previous start and if he races as well as expected, he should be too good for most in this field.

Meadow Scott and Medium Blue will form a strong bracket for their West Melton trainer, J. D. Bitten. Medium Blue paced • an outstanding race from 48 yards to beat all but Highland Custom in the Mid-summer Handicap at Ashburton last Monday. .He is on 12 yards today, but -that should not be enough to keep him out of the money. Medium Blue has shown sound form at times. He has not finished further back than fifth in his last five starts and has had one win. He was runner-up to Dark Signal over two miles at Hutt Park on December 17, an effort which entitles him to consideration. Radiant Hanover has been unbeaten in two starts this season, both over two miles. His decisive wins give him more than an outside chance of success and it ■will be surprising if he fails to show up. Highland Custom fought on strongly for her win over two miles at Ashburton last Monday. .She seldom paces a bad race and is certain to be prominent. She will be without the services of her usual driver. R. Young, who was injured at Reefton on Thursday. Van Rush raced with distinction but without luck at the cup meeting last month, but at his last start at Hutt Park was third. The firmer footing expected at Addington should suit him better. Gildirect, Zenith and Nadpehda appeal most of the others. When Selected When, runner-up to Court Out at New Brighton on December 3 at her most recent start, should go close to winning the

Stewards’ Handicap, the main race for trotters on today’s programme. When meets Court Out on 24 yards more favourable terms than at New Brighton where she overcame a slow beginning to run the winner to half a head. When is above average in ability and it will be most surprising if she fails to earn some of the stake.

Court Out was having her first start for the season when she was successful at New Brighton. She should be an improved mare this week and may be hard to head.

Dianthus Girl trotted an outstanding race for fourth at Ashburton last Monday, covering 12 furlongs in 3min 15 3-ssec. If she races as well in this field, she could be prominent.

Merry Nora was twice • placed at Hutt Park recently, suggesting that she is returning to form. She stavs well and is usually fairly solid.

Philonic is not reliable, but on his day is capable of holding his own in this company. He could easily surprise. Welbum, Cat’s Luck, Storm Lord, Van Cheetah and Reprimand are on awkward marks, but should be capable of adding interest to the finish. The double will be run on the Irwell Handicap and the_ H. H. Wauchop Handicap. Mystic Star, Dark Signal and Florita are selected to dispute the finish to the first leg, with Rustic Lad, Peebles and Cassado appealing most in the second. There were more showers In Christchurch yesterday, but the forecast is for fine weather today, when the track should be in good order.