TROTTING Smart Three-Year-Olds To Start On Saturday

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 4

TROTTING Smart Three-Year-Olds To Start On Saturday

The first appearance of the season of some of the best* performed two-year-olds of last term will result in much interest being taken in the Canterbury Challenge Stakes at Addington on Saturday. The three-year-olds will all start from the front, with eight four-year-olds on 12 yards, and one on 24 yards.

Four of the seven three-vear-olds in the event showed winning form last term, while the other three showed promise in their races.

Bellajily was the top-ranked two-year-old filly of last season in the South Island and she is regarded as one of the brighter prospects to compete with success against the colts and geldings in restricted age events this spring.

Bellajily, a member of C. C. Devine’a Templeton team, is by Van Dieman from Ma labella. She made an auspicious race debut when she won the Invitation Stakes at Orari. She was twice placed from five other starts, being particularly impressive when she overcame difficulties to finish fourth in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes. She has always given the impression that she would be at her best on firm tracks and if she encounters such conditions on Saturday, she could be prominent. However, Meadowmac and Patchy, two of last season’s winners, might be a little too seasoned tor her this week. They both worked stylishly at Addington last week. Meadowmac not surprisingly being overshadowed by his stablemate, Samantha, while Patchy worked on his own. Meadowmac did not contest the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, but he gained a win and tour placings from six starts. Like Bellajily, he won at his first race start, beating Cathpete and Operatic in the Timaru Nursery Stakes. He finished the season with a useful third behind two grand youngsters, Peerswick and Fa Istaff, in the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes. Meadowmac looks to have done particularly well during the winter and his Yaldhurst trainer, G. B. Noble, should not find him difficult to place to advantage in the next few months. By Meadow Chief from Spangled Queen, he is expected to be one of the

main Canterbury contenders tor classic honours later in the spring. By U. Scott Patchy appeals as fine staying material He is by U. Scott from an outstanding race mare in Glint and is owned and trained at Springstem by R. H. Negus, who produced Flyn to win the Four-year-old Stakes on the first day of the meeting. P&jchy won the New Zealand Golden Slipper Stakes at Wa.mate last December, but failed to return a dividend in tour other appearances, has beet effort being a fifth to the Sapling Stakes. Patchy encountered rain-affected bracks towards the end of the season and he was not suited by the oondibtons. He looks in great order and he should give a good account of himself on Saturday. Victura, a member of J. S. Hunter’s Trentham team, is the only other winner among his age group in Saturday’s race. His win was over Wtoaka. Old Beeson and Out Change in the Thames

Juvenile Stakes to March. The Meadow Chief—Sangro gelding was placed to three of his other tour starts. He worked at Addington yesterday and looked to be well forward. La Soala, Light Chief and Super Chief are the other three-year-olds un the field. La Scala showed more speed at trials than most in his age group last season, but he did not reproduce this in his races. He ran quite a useful race for third to the New Zeeland Sapling Stakes, finishing about a length and a half behind the winner, Wildwood Chief. La Scala has sufficient ability to take a prominent part to the finish of this race, but his racing manners do not encourage much confidence. Light Chief, a brother to Field Chief, showed speed at trials, but did not carry it far in his races. He could be stronger now and it will be interesting to see how he fares. Super Chief has the breeding to be good. He is by Meadow Chief from Super Nurse and is a member of D. G. Nyhan’s Templeton team. Super Chief was unplaced to five starts last season, but he paced much better than his record sugges s. He has had a chance to strengthen since he raced ait Oamaru to May and he could be a useful winner later. However, he might not be quite ready yet to contend with Meadowmac and Patehy on Saturday,