TROTTING Bright Highland Could Do Best In First Leg

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31153, 1 September 1966, Page 5

TROTTING Bright Highland Could Do Best In First Leg

Bright Highland suggested an early win when she finished gamely to beat all but Turbulence over a sprint distance last Saturday. Her chance could come over an extra three furlongs in the Johns Handicap, the first leg of the main double at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s spring meeting at Addington Raceway on Saturday.

Bright Highland showed great promise at times last season. A five-year-old mare by U. Scott from Staybright, she is a much better stayer than a sprinter. Unfortunately she is not always too reliable, but from her wide barrier position she could begin better than when started close in. J. H. Winter has her looking well and it will be surprising if she fails to make a bold showing. Admire won the Kurow Cup over 13 furlongs on the first day of the national meeting, but lost admirers when he broke hopelessly at the start of the 10-furlong Lions Handicap last Saturday. He is usually fairly reliable and it is unlikely he will race so badly this week. Admire is considered by many as New Zealand Cup material. He needs three wins to be eligible for this year’s big November contest and if that race is in his planned programme, he will

have to win here this week. Doctor Barry could be the pick of the five horses on 24 yards, all of which could make cup class with a win on Saturday. Doctor Barry had every chance in the National Handicap last Saturday, and, although hampered slightly at the straight entrance, he had no chance of beating Waitaki Hanover. This field is not nearly so strong and if the race is a true test of stamina and does not develop into a sprint home, l e could make a bold bid to win. Fielder, a disappointment last week when he broke badly, looks a picture at present and one of his peak runs would give him a chance. His prospects would be enhanced on a soft track. Happy Songster followed up some sound track finals in company with Waitaki Hanover with a fourth in the sprint won by Turbulence last week. There was merit in his effort as he was last racing to the straight. The extra distance this week will suit him and it will not surprise if he takes part in the finish. Lin Dor, from Mataura, did well for a stayer when fifth behind Turbulence last week.

She should improve a lot as a result of that race and with Password, Town Martial and Vista Abbey she cannot be left completely out of calculations. Cuddle Doon and Turbulence were sprint winners last month, while Happy Ending paced two splendid races at the national meeting. They are others capable of a bold showing, but they might find it hard to catch Bright Highland, Admire and Doctor Barry. Betting will also be well spread in the H. E. Googin Handicap, the second leg of this double. Lusty Lad showed improvement when he finished gamely to beat all but one in the Wildwood Handicap last Saturday. He has drawn wide, but is usually a most reliable beginner and he should be able to secure a handy position in the first furlong. He will be bracketed with another likely improver in Indecision, which did quite well to finish ninth last Saturday. In Great Heart Courtier missed the start of his race last Saturday and was never a danger afterwards. He was a dominating favourite and in spite of that failure he is certain to be in demand once more. He is in great heart and will only have to begin cleanly to be the hardest to beat. Humphrey qualified for this race with an impressive win over two miles last week. He is in great form at present and another bold showing is expected from him. Buchanan looked most unlucky when fifth in the Wildwood Handicap. If he can get away smartly, he could easily upset calculations. Adorato, Allakasam, Rocky Star and Wee Herb ail raced well enough at the national meeting to rate consideration and a win for any of them would not be a complete surprise. <

Profit And A Loss

A profit of £736, against £533 for the previous year, was reported at the annual meeting of the Timaru Trotting Club, while a loss of £248, against a loss of £7889 for the previous year, was reported at the annual meeting of the Forbury Park Trotting Club. A record amount of £14,375 had been paid in stakes, said the retiring president of the Timaru Club (Mr W. L. Richards). The club had suffered because its cup day had clashed with an air pageant. This could have been avoided, said Mr Richards. Forbury Park members were told that although members had increased in number by 250, attendance for the year had been down by about 11,000 and gate takings by £3040. The committee should give more thought to the drop in atten .ances, said the retiring president (Mr A. H. Finnie) in his report. Financial commitments for the new grandstand would amount to about £9OOO a year. That would be a financial worry to future committees and members for many years, but the club had a valuable asset, said Mr Fannie.