TROTTING Ceremonial—Medoro Star At Forbury Park

Press, Volume C, Issue 29637, 6 October 1961, Page 4

TROTTING Ceremonial—Medoro Star At Forbury Park

Ceremonial could take the final step to New Zealand Cup class in the Metropolitan Handicap, the main race and first leg of the double on the opening night of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s spring meeting tomorrow. Ceremonial has had two wins, a second and two thirds from five starts this season. Her racing has been of a very high standard and with a reasonable run from 12 yards tomorrow, she should take a prominent part in the finish.

Ceremonial paced a great race to beat all but Diamond Hanover in the Ashburton Flying Stakes last Saturday. She was late working clear otherwise she might have made Diamond Hanover work harder for victory. Gildirect was a shade disappointing when he finished seventh at Ashburton. He was a solid finisher for fourth in the Methven Cup a week earlier and at his previous start he beat all but Queen Ngaio in the Henry Mace Handicap at New Brighton. Gildirect has raced well at Forbury Park in the past and he could be one of the hardest for Ceremonial to beat.

Queen Ngaio was an impressive winner at New Brighton last month and she raced right up to that effort when she finished fourth at Ashburton last week. The U. Scott mare is in fine form at present and she could extend her record with at least a placing in this race. Frown is a likely improver, but his barrier manners make him a problem horse. He gave trouble at the start of the Ashburton Flying Stakes when making a fresh start, but did not lose much ground. He was handy to Diamond Hanover ovsr the last nine furlongs and it was inside the furlong that he began to wilt a little and finished fifth. If Frown makes a smooth beginning, he could upset calculations. He has drawn the outside of the horses on 12 yards, which may assist him to begin better than when drawn among other horses. Aldora won the Methven

Cup at his most recent start. W. M. Denton has him racing most generously and another winning run should not be beyond him. Vanity Scott, which has paced her best races at Forbury Park, and Teryman should do best of the others on the front, while Smokeaway and Con Scott appeal most of the remainder on 12 yards.

Second Leg Medoro Star, a fast-finish-ing third over 10 furlongs in the race won by Highland Custom at New Brighton on September 2 at his lone start for the season, is selected to win the second leg. the Members’ Handicap. Medoro Star has raced with distinction at. Forbury Park and if he has trained on as well as expected, he could be hard to beat tomorrow.

Van Rush was a stylish winner at the recent Methven trials and he should be close to winning form. The son of

Van Dieman has not enjoyed much luck in his racing so far this season, but this could change at Forbury Park. He will be bracketed with a capable pacer in Young Dieman

Sentimental was a brilliant finisher for sixth in the sprint won by Young Kim at New Brighton on September 16. He has always impressed more as a stayer than a sprinter and the extra three furlongs in this race should assist him to race prominently. He has had three starts this season and should be at his best.

Young Kim gained an easy win over 10 furlongs at New Brighton when having his first start for the season. He is a capable front runner and if allowed to make his own rules in front, he will take beating.

Lauder Scott showed sound form at times last season and if forward enough, he could do best of the other horses on the front.

The disappointing Massacre and Royal Brittania will start from 12 yards. Both are capable of adding interest to the finish, but should be safely held by Medoro Star, Van Rush and Sentimental. Fair weather is forecast and the track should be in splendid order.

Double fields, with form, are: METROPOLITAN HANDICAP, Of £1100; 3min 35sec class; one mile and five furlongs. 4001 Aldora (4) .. .. It, 3000 Gay Alabama (3) .. It. 7247 Gildlrect (2) ..It. 8 Kiwi Grattan (3) .. It. 6600 Teryman (6) .. It. 20 Vanity Scott (1) .. It. 4000 Bonny Starlet (5) .. 12 1132 Ceremonial (3) .. 12 5048 Con Scott (6) .. 12 5 Frown' (8) .. ..12 009 Patchwork (7) .. 12 0814 Queen Ngaio (4) .. 12 Samantha (2) ..12 2083 Smokeaway (1) .. 12 MEMBERS’ HANDICAP, Of £700: 3min 3Ssec class; one mile and five furlongs. Autumn Folly (11) .. It. 0 Elope (2) .. .. It. Lauder Scott <9; .. It. 0 Lucky Tryax (4) .. It. 3 Medoro Star (3) .. It. 376 Sentimental (6) .. It. 00 Sharwalo (10) .. It. 005 Van Rush (8) .. It. Va Vite (1) .. It. 940 Young Dieman (7) .. It. 1 Young Kim (5) .. It. 0806 Massacre (1) .. 12 82 Royal Britannia (2) .. 12 Brackets: Lauder Scott and Va Vite; Van Rush and Young Dieman.