TROTTIN CHAMPIONS MEET TODAY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 4

TROTTIN CHAMPIONS MEET TODAY

Lordship And Cardigan Bay In Sprint

The meeting between Lordship and Cardigan Bay will be the feature of the first day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s national meeting at Addington today. This will be the fourth occasion on which the two champions have met, all having been at Addington.

Lordship, from the limit, won the New Zealand Cup last November, with Cardigan Bay, from 24 yards, fifth. Then, from level marks, Lordship beat Cardigan Bay by a length and a half in the New Zealand Free-for-all. Later at the meeting Cardigan Bay, from 30 yards, won the Allan Matson Handicap, with Lordship three lengths back fourth after starting from 36 yards and appearing most unlucky.

The weight of Auckland support is expected to result in Cardigan Bay starting at short odds today.

A factor which could be decisive is the run under race conditions Cardigan Bay had at Alexandra Park Raceway last Saturday. He started from 3d yards, and, after covering extra ground, he won narrowly but well after pacing the 11 furlongs in 2:55, a smart run in any conditions. Lordship has not been idle in recent weeks, but like most Canterbury horses, he would no doubt be all the better for a run at trials. Lordship receives a start of 12 yards from Cardigan Bay and if the brilliant five-year-old can take full advantage of this, his Auckland rival will have to work hard for a win. The two back-markers will not have things their own way. Three smart pacers.

Grouse, Master Alan and Samantha, will start from 12 yards. Grouse last season gained a brilliant, win at the corresponding meeting, recording a fast tame for 12 furlongs and a half. Grouse races very well when fresh and if she begins smartly, she could add interest to the finish. Master Alan and Samantha have both recorded smart sprint efforts in the past and they cannot be dismissed as place prospects. Doctor Dan, Oreti and Robin Dundee have the best credentials of the horses on the front. All three have raced with distinction in the last 12 months. Auckland wild have Gay Reel to represent it among

the front-markers. She has shown brilliance ait times, but is not too reliable ait the barrier. If she begins cleanly, she will ensure that there is no loitering. However, she will need luck to beat Cardigan Bay and Lordship. Fair weather is forecast and unless there is heavy rain, the track should be in good order.