TROTTING Three-Year-Olds In Clash Tonight

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 7

TROTTING Three-Year-Olds In Clash Tonight

The meeting between Fort Nelson, Cardinal King and other high-ranked three-year-olds in the Graduation Stakes will be a highlight of the first night of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Easter meeting at the Addington Raceway today.

Fort Nelson has not raced since he gained a runaway win over one mile at Addington on January 2.

He has been back in work for several weeks after a short let-up and seems to have thrived. He won twice at the Auckland Cup meeting and at his third start was rather unluckily beaten by Governor Frost in the Great Northern Derby Stakes.

Earlier in the season he looked most unlucky when fourth in the New Zealand Derby Stakes. He will not be set an easy task from 24 yards, but should eome out on top. Cardinal King was most impressive when he won over 13 furlongs and 108 yards at Forbury Park on February 4 at his most recent start. That was after some rather disappointing efforts by a colt ranked second only to Holy Hal among his age group. He is certain to make Fort Nelson work hard for a win.

Semloh, Seafield Countess and Dacron will form a strong bracket for the Templeton trainer, F. E. Newfield. Any one of the trio could figure in the finish. Corwar, Don Carlos, Curragh Dan and Kimberley Kid are other form runners in an open field which appears to be dominated by Fort Nelson and Cardinal King. The T.A.B. double will be run on the two heats of the Easter Cup, and the on-course concession double will be run on the heats of the New Zealand Trotting Championship.