TROTTING Johnny Gee Picked At Hutt Tonight

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31306, 28 February 1967, Page 5

TROTTING Johnny Gee Picked At Hutt Tonight

Johnny Gee and Forward March, from Canterbury stables, and the Upper Hutt-trained French Pass are fancied for the Worthy Queen Handicap, first leg of the T.A.B. double at Hutt Park Raceway tonight.

Forward March and French Pass were two of the principals in a spectacular finish to the Thompson Free-for-all and Johnny Gee was the beaten, but unlucky, favourite in a similar race on the first night of the Wellington Trotting Club’s summer meeting on Saturday night.

In spite of Saturday’s failure Johnny Gee could be the popular fancy. In the Thompson Free-for-all he became awkwardly placed in a tightly packed field and failed to work clear. That was the first break in a strong sequence of form. On handicaps French Pass, off the limit, must be a strong chance. On Saturday he missed first by a nose. Newcomer On first-night form the best of the others off the front mark could be Russell. He went a fair race for fifth. There could be sound backing also for Rannach Lad, a newcomer with winning form close on his record. Break Through’s best run could get him into the finish. But his chance will

depend on whether he keeps his gait. On Saturday night Break Through broke and cost Scotleigh his chance. Scotleigh will strengthen the chance of a North Island victory for his form has been fairly sound. He will share the 24 yard mark with Poupette, another which did not get the best of runs on the

first night and which could be an improver. Gaylee is expected to improve on her fourth among the sprinters on the first night when she contests the Moera Handicap, second leg of the main double. At her two previous starts Gaylee had been the runnerup to Co Pilot and Newport Maid—two very capable pacers—at Addington Raceway. Sound Stayers Gaylee is one of seven runners on the limit. Other sound stayers on the same mark include Calm Autumn, Light Silk and Loyal Light. Calm Autumn ruined her

chance at the start of the sprint on Saturday night. Earlier she had sound form. Light Silk, which is trained on the course and invariably races well there, was the runner-up to Frosty Heather on Saturday night. Loyal Light’s recent form background is not strong but he is a sound stayer and could be at his best over two miles. Of the handicapped horses —seven are on 24 yards— Frosty Heather, Phillmark and Wee Herb make most appeal. There will be an on-course concession double on the Wrackler and Army Handicaps.. Oh Johnny, Regal Way and Immortal are fancied for the first leg. The best of the second-leg prospects could be Orient Belle, Beau Martial and Double Step. The forecast is for fair weather and the track will be firm.