TROTTING FOR CERTAIN MAY WIN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29910, 25 August 1962, Page 4

TROTTING FOR CERTAIN MAY WIN

Stakes Today Not

For Favourites

For Certain could well gain the second w in of her career when she contests the Canterbury Challenge Stakes on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s national meeting at Addington today.

This event, for three and four-year-old pacers, has not been a lucky one for supporters of favourites. Since it was first run in 1958, no favourite has won and the race has been noteworthy for the defeat of some high-class young horses.

Last year the hot favourite. Lordship, could do no better than third behind Belroy and Southern Cross, while the year before Sun Chief was unplaced in the contest won by Jay Ar. Damian was favourite and finished third to Sally Boy and Arania in 1959 while the initial contest was won by Sea field Lad from the favourite. Gay Baron. Seafleld Lad. the only four-year-old to win the event, was trained and driven by W. R. Butt, who owns and trains For Certain. The latter, a four-year-old. has been a consistent place-getter in strong classic company and on occasaions she has shown ability in winter conditions. She has won about £2OOO in stakes and looks ■well placed on 12 yards. Junior Royal looked fit when paraded at the trials before the meeting. The Fallacy four-year-old is the lone representative o£ his trainer, J. D. Litten. at the meeting. If Junior Royal moves off smoothly, he should be capable of a bold showing, no matter what track condi-

tions prevail. "actile has fallen from favour a little after a dis-

appointing trial at Addington

on Thursday, there was some

on Thursday. He looks well, but might need racing to bring him to his peak. However, he is such a grand pacer that his run on Thursday might be enough to bring him on sufficiently to finish in a place. Adios Command has a big reputation in the North "jlar.d. He was a winner at Hawera in April and is reported to have worked well lately. Carina Star is not a very reliable beginner, but he is very well and could well take part in the finish, particularly if the track is soft Field Chief qualified impressively in fast time recently, but he is too unreliable to recommend with confidence. Landlord, a good third in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, Wee Mike. Thunderboy, Rothesay and Strip are others capable of adding interest to an open race. The double will be run on the National Handicap and the Wildwood Handicap, If the track is firm Scottish Light and Grouse could form

a likelv combination. Although the track received a thorough soaking

drying when the weather cleared yesterday. If there is no further rain the going should be reasonably firm although not as fast as on the first day of the meeting.