TROTTING MOON BOY PICKED TO WIN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29974, 8 November 1962, Page 5

TROTTING MOON BOY PICKED TO WIN

Dominion Handicap At Addington

Moon Boy, one of the outstanding trotters raced in New Zealand in recent years, is selected to win the Dominion Handicap on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s cup meeting at Addington tomorrow. Moon Boy has had three previous starts in the event, but so far success has eluded him. He will be the backmarker on 42 yards tomorrow, but that should not be enough to keep this grand staying son of Court Martial out of the finish.

Moon Boy had his first start in the event in 1959. He was beaten narrowly by Annual Report, but was disqualified for galloping. He was second again the following year, beating all but the brilliant Ordeal, which had received a start of 24 yards from him. That day he trotted the two miles in the record time of 4min 15 4-ssec, time which was equalled 12 months ago when Au Fait won the event. Moon Boy was not quite as good last year as earlier, but ’trotted a fine race from 36 yards to finish fourth. Moon Boy showed that he would be ready to trot a great race tomorrow when he made up ground for fifth in the Worthy Queen Handicap on Tuesday. In that event he did not appear to be at his ease in the conditions and he did well to finish so close up.

The Leeston owner-trainer. W. J. Doyle, has been one of the leading trainers for trotters for many years. He has won almost every major event for horses of this gait, but has had only one win in the Dominion Handicap,

being successful with Mr F. E. Graham's Bomber in 1943. Doyle will have When and With You to represent him twnw.

When, which will start from 24 yards, is one of the greatest trotting mares of recent years. She trotted a splendid trial for this race when she finished a close third to Our Own and With You on Tuesday. The longer distance will suit When, which often takes time to muster top speed. She and Moon Boy have had some great Struggles over all distances in the past and they should fight out the finish of tomorrow's race With You seldom trots a really bad race and he could be close up. but he does not appeal as much as When. Fine Win Our Own must be one of the favourites after her stylish win on Tuesday in conditions which have not suited her in the past. Our Own has been a model of consistency this season and s«ie should do best of the horses on the front. She has shown sound staying form earlier in her career.

If there is to be an upset Mighty Hanover might cause it He did not trot freely in the going on Tuesday and

finished a good way back. Firmer footing tomorrow

should assist him to give a good account of himself. He is a dour stayer and has a record of 4min 18 3-ssec for two miles, the distance of this event.

Dianthus Girl, which is now a member of C. S. Donald’s Belfast team, has disappointed this season. However. 12 months ago she trotted an outstanding race in the Dominion Handicap, taking second place in a record-run contest. A firm track could help her race prominently. Spinster Scott appeals most of the others on the front. Min Scott and Pohutukawa are smart trotters on 12 yards. Both looked well on Tuesday and they should be capable of a bold showing on a fast track. The Dominion Handicap will be the second leg of the double, the Ollivier Handicap being the first leg. The withdrawal of Lordship, Cardigan Bay and Falsehood has robbed the Ollivier Handicap of considerable interest. Betting will be well spread and it is difficult to predict which horse will start favourite. In Form Blue Prince's good third to Lordship and Falsehood in the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday entitles him to consideration. Blue Prince is obviously back to the out-

standing form he showed earlier in his career. Given firm footing tomorrow, he should go close to gaining his first win for the season.

King Hal was one of the leaders until the straight in the cup and then dropped right away after floundering in the going most of the way. He, too, will be better suited by a firm track. He was one of the favourites for Tuesday’s big-race and from 12 yards he looks to have a great chance in this event. Scottish Light’s failure on Tuesday can be overlooked when assessing his prospects. He won the Louisson Handicap and finished a close second to Lordship in the National Handicap at Addington in August as well as winning under free-for-all conditions. If he has taken no harm from Tuesday’s race, he could be prominent. Sun Chief paced a great race for fourth in the cup, an effort which suggested an early return to form. If that hard race has taken no serious toll, he could upset calculations. Master Allan and Gildirect should do best of the others on the front, while Grouse and Samantha appeal most of the others on 12 yards. Invicta failed in the cup, but he could do better in this race in spite of his handicap of 24 yards. Fair weather is forecast and the track should be in good order.