TROTTING Batavia In Fine Trial For Rangiora Meeting

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30625, 16 December 1964, Page 4

TROTTING Batavia In Fine Trial For Rangiora Meeting

Batavia confirmed his position as favourite for the Rangiora Raceway Stakes on Saturday when he won his heat of the two-year-old parade at the Methven trials yesterday. As has been the case in most of his appearances at trials, Batavia led from end to end. However, this time he did not have much to spare, being run to a neck by a youngster by Hal Tryax from Laura Ann in G. G. Devine’s team.

Batavia, a colt by My Chief from Lightette, is trained by K. Pardon. He paced the eight furlongs and a half in 2min 25 4-ssec, ;he last mile in 2min 16sec, and the final half-mile in Imin 6sec, a smart run on the searching Methven track.

Batavia, a runaway winner at the recent Addington trials, has drawn favourably at No. 3 on Saturday. He is a most reliable beginner and should be one of the hardest to beat.

The Hal Tryax youngster which finished second was most impressive. He was prominently placed all the way and he finished boldly over the last half-furlong to run his more experienced rival to a close decision. He should eventually develop worthwhile form.

Inky Blue, a member of D. G. Jones’s Templeton team, was four lengths back third after being in the first five most of the way. He was a length in front of Contour (Johnny Globe Meadow Rain), with Poinsetta (Johnny Globe—Phantasy) next, ahead of Johnny Chappelet (Johnny Globe —Chappelet) and Perchance (First Lord—Caroline). Johnny Chappelet, a candidate for Rangiora, showed a lot of speed after a slow start.

Lucrative, W. R. Butt’s representative in the Rangiora Raceway Stakes, made the early pace and ran on best in the other heat to record 2min 27 l-ssec, the last mile in 2min 17 3-ssec, and the final half-mile in Imin 9sec.

Lucrative, which has drawn No. 1 at Rangiora, won by two lengths from a gelding by Whipster from Spring Maid in J. L. Ferguson’s team, which was one of the leaders all the way. A colt by U. Scott from Pipe Dream in G. H. Murfltt’s team paced a useful race for third, ahead of Cameo, which finished close up at Waimate last week. Blue Tryax and Shy Bess were next, well clear of the others. Free-for-all

Fox Able set a sound pace throughout the first heat of the free-for-all and he lasted for a head win over another Ashburton Cup candidate, Spring Garrison. Fox Able paced his first mile in about 2min 13sec and completed the 13 furlongs in 3min 34 4-ssec, the final half-mile in Imin 6sec. Fox Able seldom shows the same dash in his races that he does at trials, but he is far from being a spent force. Spring Garrison recorded a pleasing run for the Ashburton Cup. He looks to have thrived since last he raced.

Dandy Briar gave one of his best displays since being trained by C. C. Devine. He began safely and moved into second place on the home turn. He was not hurried in the straight and looked to have something in reserve. The Auckland Cup candidate, Flying Blue, finished a fair fourth, ahead of Bonnieburn, with a gap to Lottery Song, Disband and Napoleon Hanover.

Disband, Mitcham, Stormy Lad, Morano Boy, Peebles, and Lottery Song lost ground early. Hurry On, a disappointment at his most recent start, showed much more dash when he won the second heat, which was run at a leisurely pace. He was prominently placed all the way and took charge outside the furlong. He was easing up at the post

a length and a half in front of Dora Doone, which also went well. Both Hurry On and Dora Done should pay expenses at holiday meetings. Hurry On paced the 13 furlongs in 3min 44 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 6 3-ssec.

Bluff, which is due to make a fresh start shortly, came home well from a good way back for third, ahead of Medico, Smoke Screen, and Orangapai. Blew Hard

Cloudy Bay, one of the early favourites for the Rangiora Challenge Stakes, blew hard after finishing third behind Waltz Away and Thfrd Chief in the 2min 19sec class pace. The winner took 3min 44 2-ssec for the 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin ssec. Cloudy Bay came from seven lengths back racing to the straight and was a little more than a length from the winner at the line. He is certain to be a much-improved horse as a result of the run.

Waltz Away is a candidate for the Hurunui Handicap, the first leg of the on-course double at Rangiora. He finished a useful fourth at Waimate last week and could be returning to his best form. Third Chief gave an improved display, while Gay Judy’s fourth was a sound effort. She was followed in by Josie Pique and Winning Song. Stella Globe, a candidate for the Parnassus Handicap at Rangiora on Saturday, gave a splendid display to win the 2min 20sec class trot from 36 yards. She sprinted away from her rivals in the straight and won by four lengths after recording 3min 48sec for the 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in Imin 5 l-ssec. Stella Globe appears to be trotting more solidly now and she could cause an upset shortly.

Wayleggo finished on fairly well for second, a length in front of the pacemaker, Royal Joan. Phenoma was trotting well in fourth place, followed by Royal Charter, a half-sister by Secure to Min Scott. Royal Charter made up a lot of ground. Hialea and Notulas were next to finish.