TROTTING Outstanding Field In Race At Motukarara

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30862, 22 September 1965, Page 5

TROTTING Outstanding Field In Race At Motukarara

The Banks Peninsula Trotting Club’s decision to include a race for top-class trotters in the programme for its annual meeting at Motukarara on Saturday, October 9, has proved a worth-while one.

The club received 23 nominations for the £lO5O race, which will be run over 12 furlongs under invitation conditions.

When entries for fast-class trotters’ races at the meetings run so far this season at Addington Raceway were rather smaller than expected, the Banks Peninsula club had grave doubts about its decision to run a similar race. However, the response from owners and trainers has been such that the race is certain to be included in future years. The standard of horses entered is higher than has been seen in similar races

for many months, and it ensures that fields for major events at the New Zealand Cup meeting will be outstanding. The Banks Peninsula race will mark the reappearance of a number of horses with outstanding form in past seasons. The most notable of these is When, which has not raced in New Zealand since March, 1963, when she won the . Autumn Handicap at New ■ Brighton after trotting the 10 ; furlongs in 2min 38 3-ssec. i In the meantime When has been campaigned in the ; United States where she was ; dogged by soreness. She i underwent an operation there

and on her return to this country it was by no means certain that she would stand up to another preparation. She paraded at the recent Amberley matinee meeting and gave a dashing display showing that a long absence from racing had in no way impaired her ability. Her appearance should be a great attraction for the country club.

Mighty Chief. Uteena, Ardleigh, Doctor Kyle, Robert Medoro and Front Line are others expected to have their first races for the season in the race at Motukarara. Mighty Chief is trained in the Motukarara district. He is making rapid progress in his preparation for the race and looks much stronger than last season. Mighty Chief was a shade disappointing in his last four starts, but he has had a long spell and has freshened up well.

Uteena has been off the scene since March. She has trotted her best races when fresh, and she will no doubt be ready to give a good account of herself. Uteena is now a seven-year-old and she could be much more solid than earlier in her career. Won Last Tenn Ardieigh and Doctor Kyle were winners last season. Doctor Kyle has been off the scene since September because of soreness which has restricted his racing in the last few years. Robert Medoro had a race towards the end of last season after an interrupted preparation 12 months ago. He is one of the best horses of his gait in New Zealand and while it might be too early yet for him to Show peak form, he will create considerable interest at Motukarara. Front Line, a brother to a former champion in Battle Cry, had only three starts last term before going amiss again. He has been extremely difficult to keep sound, but when near his best he has few peers among the trotters. He could still stage a successful comeback. In addition the Motukarara race has drawn such wellperformed horses as Queen’s Cord, Mighty Hanover, Asia Minor, Acquit, Flaming Way, Fourina and Harbour Light. With such a wealth of talent engaged, the race should be one of the greatest attractions included in a programme for a country meeting during the whole of the season.