TROTTING Sheridan May Make It Four On Saturday

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30767, 3 June 1965, Page 4

TROTTING Sheridan May Make It Four On Saturday

Sheridan’s eclipse of his rivals in the Kurow Cup last Saturday suggested that the rise in class he will encounter in the Nicoll Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday will not stop him bringing his winning sequence to four.

He will no doubt be a dominating favourite for this two-mile race, which is the first leg of the T.A.B. double on the first day of the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting.

Sheridan was bred at Ashburton by Mr A. J. Nicoll, after whose family this race is named. Previously the event was known as the Durbar Handicap, the name of the stud run for many years by Mr Nicoll and his father, the late Mr H. F. Nicoll. Sheridan is well into the veteran class, being a rising 11-year-old. However, he has been lightly raced and has had only nine starts for four wins and three platings. His first win was in December, 1963, from D. J. Townley’s Tinwald team. Sheridan has been dogged by unsoundness throughout his career, and this season he was passed on to the Mosgiel owner-trainer, R. A. Paterson, who has confined most of Sheridan’s training to road work. Townley has driven Sheridan in most of his races this season, but it is by no means certain that he will handle him on Saturday. Storm King.

a member of his own team, is an acceptor for the Nicoll Handicap, but he requires one scratching before he can reenter the field. Townley won this race last year with Jacobite, which started from 36 yards, while two years earlier Paterson brought another farm-trained pacer in Forest Grattan north for this event. However, he had to be content with second place, being beaten a head by Paddy’s Day. Sheridan is expected to relish the winter conditions he will encounter on Saturday. When he won the President’s Handicap at Gore in April, the track was very heavy. The Lucky Hanover gelding could still be at the improving stage and it is difficult to pick what could be his most difficult rival from among a very even remainder in a capacity field. Night Rocket is the only other runner in the field with a win to his credit at his most recent appearance. That was at Forbury Park on May 4 when he won by four lengths over 13J furlongs. Night Rocket has not been very reliable in many of his races, but his peak efforts have been very good. If he races as solidly again this week, he could make Sheridan work fairly hard for his fourth successive win. Local Horse Flying Over is owned and trained in the Ashburton district. He was a splendid fourth from 24 yards in a sprint at Washdyke two starts ago, and at his most recent appearance he made up ground for sixth over 10 furlongs from behind the starting gate at Addington on May 22. Flying Over is a better stayer than a sprinter. His recent performances suggest that he is approaching his best form, which would give him better than an outside chance of toppling the favourite. Borodin has paced useful races in recent weeks, including a win over two miles on a

sottish track at Forbury Park. He finished on well for fifth over 10 furlongs at Addington on May 22 and could im prove on that effort. Loyal Hanover, Why Not. Carina Star and Frugal appeal most of the others on the limit. Horses behind the limit cannot be overlooked on the roomy Ashburton course. The horses on 36 yards include some capable pacers and it will not surprise if Cuddle Doon, Mountain Song and Gaylee are prominent. The smart four-year-old, Break Through, will be almost as strongly supported as Sheridan in the first leg when he contests the Stewards' Handicap, the second leg of this double. He has won at his last two starts, being most impressive when he strode away from his rivals at the end of 13 furlongs at Addington on May 22. He will need luck to avoid trouble in the early stages as he will start from 24 yards behind 16 horses. However he is in such fine form at present that another win should not be beyond him. Grand Stayer Prince Cord, a grand stayer in winter conditions, would be preferred over two miles. However, he must be given a chance in this 12-furlong race. His recent form background is rather weak, but three starts ago he gained a most impressive win at the Cheviot meeting at Rangiora. If he trots solidly, he could be too good for most of his rivals. Del Reno is another trotter with a splendid record on tracks affected by rain. She did well to finish fourth in the race won by Break Through at Addington on May 22 and now meets that runner on 24 yards more favourable terms. Del Reno is still by no means solid, but she is much more reliable than she was earlier in her career. Royal Harmony, Raevon and Betty’s Song appeal most of the others on the front, although Marshella might go better on a soft track than she has in some of her recent races. Good Luck and Fair Song, both on 24 yards, have trotted useful races in recent months and if there is to be a surprise. one of them could cause it.