TROTTING Scottish Light And Van Rush Impress At Trials

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29931, 19 September 1962, Page 4

TROTTING Scottish Light And Van Rush Impress At Trials

Although his time was slow, Scottish Light showed that he had trained on satisfactorily since gaining a win and a second at Addington last month when he won at yesterday’s trials. Scottish Light was in second place most of the way and he was pulled out just before the straight entrance. He finished under a strong hold and won narrowly but well.

Scottish Light will probably race next in the Ashburton Flying Stakes at Ashburton on Saturday week as part of his preparation for the New Zealand Cup at Addington in November. He looks in great heart and should be prominent in the Ashburton race.

The triate were held at Addington by the Canterbury Trotting Owners’ and Breeders’ Association. The weather was ideal, but the track was carrying a tot of top and was on the stow side. Van Rush, which may also r- next at Ashburton, won the other heat of th’ free-for-all in dashing style. Lordship was a scratching for that beat Sentimental. which has been off the scene for some tame because of a leg injury, was one of the better beginners in the first heat of the free-for-aM. He was in front before the end of a furtong and set an easy pace in the middle stages from Scottish Light, Jay Ar, Lucks Way. Dilossa. Zenith and Invicta, which raced in single file. Invicta was first to move, starting to improve near the three furtongs. Zenith attempted to follow him through. Sentimental led Scottish Light and Invicta into the straight, with Dilcssa, Jay Ar. Lucks Way and Zenith dose behind. Scottish Light had his rivals well covered and won easily by a head from Sentimental. which looks ready to race prominently at his first start. Zenith made up ground for third a length behind Sentimental, with a neck to the 1961 New Zealand Cud win- ; ner. Invicta. The last-named was making his first appearance at triate tor some months He looks to have thrived since last he raced and is unlikely to be a spent force. He will have his first race start at Ashburton on Saturday week. Jay Ar, which has not raced fo- some time, showed that he was close to his peak by finishing under a strong hold in fifth place He could be a big winner this season. Diloasa and Lucks Way were two lengths further back. Scottish Light took 3min 4-teec for the 13 furtongs, the last half-mile in Imin 3 2-seec. and the final quarter in 30 4-seec. Second Heat Van Rush and Maharaja lost a few lengths ait the start of the second heat. Gatley was first out, but Dandy Briar, which had begun fairly well even if he was a little slow, raced to the front with nine furlongs left. Dandy Briar was stall in control racing to the straight, where Prince, Gattey. Maharaja, which bad been three wide in the middle stages. Van Rush. Queenson, Adios Heather and Meadow Scott were handy Dandy Briar began to shorten stride near the halffurtong and Van Rush finished in grand style, beating him most convincingly by a length and a half. Van Rush looks improved and should be an early winner Dandy Briar is the backmarker in the Methven Cup on Saturday He has been a big disappointment so far this season. but might be approaching his peak now. Prince battled on for third, three lengths behind Dandy Briar, with half a length to Ad ios Heather, which was followed by Getley, Maharaja and Meadow Scott. Van Rush took 3m tn 32 2-ssec for the 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in 60 l-ssec. and the final quarter in 29 3-seec. La Storm, which has paced some useful races in recent weeks, finished solidly to win the 3min 41 sec class pace, beating Raft by a length. Raft was well back at the turn and finished well He looks to have built up a lot and should be improved as a result of the run. Velvet Drive, which broke early, was a length away third, shading Gold Globe,

with Avante and Dyson, which were being eased up, in line next, ahead of Notify and the tiring Hustler. La Storm took 3min 36 2-saec for the 13 furlongs, the test half-mile in Imin 6 2-seec, and the final quarter in 32 4-ssec.

Easy Win

Paul Bunyan made most of the pace and ran out an easy winner in the first heat of the 3min 48sec class pace. He set a leisurely pace and took 3min 44sec for the 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin ssec. and the final quarter in 31 4-fcec. Paul Bunyan was eliminated from the Mount Harding Handicap ait Methven on Saturday, but he might get a start at Ashburton a week later. Van Buren, which has not raced for some time, paced a useful race for second, shading Kineil, which was dose up throughout. Kinell could be an early winner. Perfect Scott was always close up and he held on for fourth, ahead of King Gtovis, Thermal and Fundamental, which were almost in line. Flying Blue, the probable favourite for ‘he Mount Harding Handicap at Methven as a result of placings at Hutt Park, gained a decisive win in the sec nd heat. He took 3min 38 2-ssec for the 13 furlongs. the last half-mile in Imin 4 3-ssec. and the final quarter in 32 2-seec. Flying Blue was close to the lead throughout and he finished under a bold to win by half a length from Caledonian Lad. which was one of the leaders for most of the event. Terako Queen showed speed after starting from 36 yards to finish third, with Zadlos at useful fourth. ahead of Legendary, which showed speed after breaking. Siki and Darkle Hanover heeded the others.

In At Methven AM Bey, a candidate for the Drayton Handdeep at Methven on Saturday, gained a sound win in the 3min 56sec class trot. He was hampered by breaking horses in the first furtong and was 72 yards from the leaders with 10 furlongs left. He gradually improved and joined the leaders before the straight entrance. Although inclined to hang in a Little, he held on to win decisively by a length after taking 3min 48 l-fcec for the 13 furtongs, the last half-mile in Imin Bsec.

Asia Minor, which has been entered for Ashburton on Saturday week, was forced wide approaching the straight and did well for a three-year-old to finish second, hading Grand Charge and Courtella, both of which are engaged at Methven. Quito trotted like an improver for fifth, ahead of Johnny Diamond and Betty Orr. with a long gap to Coconut Grove.

Field Chief probably earned himself favouritism for the T. S. Harrison Three-year-old Stakes on Saturday when he woo the first beat of the 3min 56sec class pace. He began splendidly and led over the test 10 furlongs and a half. He was untroubled to beet Safe Flight by two lengths, with Shanray, Lilt, Light Rain and Arizona Gal next

Field Chief took 3min 38 3-ssec for the 13 furlongs, the Last half-mile in Imin Bsec, and the final quarter in 33sec. If Field Chief begins as well on Saturday, he should be too speedy for most of his rivals. He has drawn handily at No. 2 at the barrier.

Maggie Spangler took 3m in 40sec for the 13 furlongs when she won the second heat by a length from Iniqui-

,tx>us, with Lord Mina. Tran-

stare ana Kerry countess lowing. She took Innin ssec for her fined half-mile. The third heat was won by Cornish Lad, which started from 48 yards and took 3min 42sec for the 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin 4sec. Dorian Gray held on for second, ahead of Borodin and Singing Lad.