TROTTING Jay Ar Returns Solid Trial At Methven

Press, Volume C, Issue 29599, 23 August 1961, Page 4

TROTTING Jay Ar Returns Solid Trial At Methven

The smart four-year-old, Jay Ar, showed that he had taken no harm from the race he had at Addington last Friday when he won his heat of the free-for-all at trials held at Meth ven yesterday by the Mid-Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association. Jay Ar finished brilliantly from near the taibof the field for fifth in the race won by Scottish Light last Friday. He is one of the bookmarkers on 36 yards in the Canterbury Challenge Stakes on the final day of the meeting and it will not surprise if he races prominently.

The trials were held in fine weather. The track was dead, but in good order Apart from the qualifying trials and the two-year-old parade, the racing was done about 12 feet out from the rails.

Gatley made the pace in the first heat ot the free-for-all, being followed by Banjo. Jay Ar, Real Dieman, and Maharaja and Lookaway, both of which broke for a stride or two at the start There was no change until near the half-mile where Maharaja moved past Real Dieman, which was having difficulty holding his position.

Gatley was headed early tn the run home and Jay Ar finished under a strong hold to wan by a length and a half. He took 3min 42 l-ssec for the 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin 5 3-ssec.

Banjo battled on gamely to hold second place a head in front ot Gatley, with Lookaway a neck back third. Lookaway paced a fair race in bis first appearance at trials for the season. He has not been long back in work so he might not have been as forward as most of bis rivals. He looks to have done well since last he raced, but whether he win stage another comeback remains to be seen. Maharaja was not knocked about in the straight and he was eight lengths behind Lookaway, with a gap to Real Dieman. Maharaja was placed twice in seven starts early last season. He looks to be carrying plenty of surplus condition and he is certain to be improved by yesterdays race. Trusted’s Trial Trusted recorded a useful trial for the Canterbury Challenge Stakes when he won the second heat However, he was hardly as impressive as his rival Stakes candidate. Southern Cross, which finished uruL>r a strong hold hi third place. Trusted was in front early, but surrendered the lead to a slew beginner, First Song, when the pace was slack before the half-male Trusted worked clear again early in the run home and he did not have to give of his best to win by half a length from Calumite, which showed improvement as a result of bis race at Addington last Friday. Trusted showed outstanding form last season when

he gained two wins and two placings from five starts. He has come to tend well and should not be long extending his record. He paced the 13 furlongs in 3min 49 3-3 sec, the last half-mile in Imm 4 3-ssec.

Southern Cross, after being allowed to coast along towards ttie rear of the field, finished solidly along the inner in the straight for a close third. He had plenty in reserve at the finish and will have more than an outside chance ot being placed at Addington on Saturday. Spangled Princess, which mav resume racing at New Brighton on Saturday week, came with a determined run in the straight for fourth, shading First Song, with Sand Drift and Dillon’s Fashion next, clear of Joylyn. Peel, which qualified impressively at the recent Addington trials, was too good for his opponents in the 3min 56sec class pace. He was close to the lead all the way and over the final furlong he was untroubled to beat Hiya. which also showed speed, by half a length. Peel took a leisurely 3min 53 3-Ssec for the 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin 6 2-ssec. Peel should be an early winner.