TROTTING Spry Could Qualify For N.Z. Cup

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31498, 12 October 1967, Page 4

TROTTING Spry Could Qualify For N.Z. Cup

Spry should qualify to start in the New Zealand Cup on November 7 with a win in the Commodore Filter Handicap on the second night of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s spring

meeting on Saturday.

The second leg, the Star Handicap, could result in a well-earned win for Logan Count, a splendid second in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup last Saturday. Spry was most impressive last Saturday when he beat a fairly strong field, which included a number of New Zealand Cup candidates, in the G J. Barton Memorial Handicap. This field is not nearly as strong, but Spry will have to overcome the difficult handicap of 24 yards. He seems to race best when out in the open and R. Donald will no doubt see he is kept away from the rails on Saturday. Spry is an outstanding stayer, an attribute which could, be a deciding factor in this race.

Indecision and Quesnel, from C. S. Donald’s Belfast stables, will form a popular bracket, with Quesnel the more appealing. Quesnel finished a good and close third behind Happy Ending and Rocky Star in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and on the first night of the meeting he finished fourth behind Spry, which he will meet on 12 yards more favourable terms this Saturday. Quesnel is racing most generously and he could make a bold bid to gain an overdue win. He is most reliable and can maintain a prominent position throughout his races. Indecision was a last-start winner at Addington Raceway on September 16 at his most recent start. The rise in class in this field will not worry him and he should acquit himself well. Vista Abbey looks favourably placed on the limit. She started from 12 yards in the sprint won by Glen Vale on the first hight of the meeting and did well to finish fifth. Had she worked clear earlier in the run home, she might have finished closer. Vista Abbey looks very well at present and she is racing most generously. Smart Mares Soldier Gal finished second behind Alpine Lady in the Methven Cup on September 23 at her latest start, Atanui being only half a head away. They will meet again on the limit and could take part in the finish. Atanui looked well when paraded at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday. She was prominent until the straight, after which she was allowed to ease. Soldier Gal went a useful race for a stayer at the Ashburton trials. She, too, looks in great heart. Alpine Lady won the Methven Cup two starts back, but failed at Ashburton a week later. She went reasonably well at the trials on Tuesday, and could be a prospect. Thunder’'Royal will only have to race as well as he did when he was placed behind Lordship on Tuesday to be a sound prospect. So far his racing has been a long way below the standard of his performances at trials.•

If there is to be a surprise Bob Again could cause it. He was a rather weak tenth in the Methven Cup, but he went much better at Addingtor. Raceway at his only othei start for the season. He has paced some of his best races at 7 Forbury Park, but he will need luck to beat Spry and Quesnel if they race up to their best. ■ Second Leg Logan Count has bad a sixth, a third and a second from his three starts this season. An overdue win should come his way in the Star Handicap, which has drawn a small field. Last Saturday Logan Count did well to finish second to Stylish Major at Motukarara after breaking when at the top of a strong run about a furlong from the finish. His effort to return to top speed and run the winner to half a length was a feature of the lace. If he trots solidly on Saturday, he should outstay most in the field.

Stylish Major will again be bracketed with Le Chant. He has gone back 12 yards for his win last week, but that should not be enough to stop hiin making another bold showing. Le Chant was a shade dis-

appointing last week, but that was her first start for some months. She could be a different . mare this week and might add interest to the finish.

Dispense could be the pick of the four horses on the limit. She finished gamely for third at Motukarara and will have to race only with the same dash to take beating. Gala Song trotted her best race for the season when she finished fifth at Motukarara. This could be the forerunner of an early win. Uteena could be the pick of the remainder. She usually races well when fresh and has had the benefit of a run at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday. She looked well and trotted splendidly against a useful field of pacers. If Logan Count makes no mistakes, Uteena might find him too seasoned, but should at least be considered as a place prospect.