TROTTING LORDSHIP HAS GOOD CHANCE IN MILE

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31564, 29 December 1967, Page 4

TROTTING LORDSHIP HAS GOOD CHANCE IN MILE

Lordship has not found this season to be one of his more successful ones, but he should be untroubled to extend his record at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s New Year meeting, which opens at Addington Raceway tomorrow. He will contest the mile President’s Free-for-all tomorrow, and on Monday he will compete over 13 furlongs under free-for-all conditions.

So far this season. Lordship has had seven starts for three wins and a third. In a number of his races he has had to start from

awkw a r d handicap

marks and in spite of claims that his brilliance has been dulled a little, he has recorded efforts equal to if not better than anything recorded by other pacers anywhere in New Zealand.

Lordship paced a splendid race for sixth in the Rangiora Cup on December 16 when having his first start for about a month. He has drawn favourably at No. 3 at the barrier and should be capable of recording a sub-two-minute mile if conditions are reasonable.

Cardinal King was a shade disappointing when he finished seventh in the Rangiora Cup. His previous form was of a very high standard and he must be one of the hardest for Lordship to beat. Indecision, the winner of the Rangiora and Ashburton Cups in the last fortnight, is one of the most improved

pacers in Canterbury this season. He is a smart sprinter and should be capable of a merry mile.

i The flying start should suit ' Happy Ending, and from No. 7 ihe should be prominent all I the way. However, he might j find it difficult to escape covering a fair amount of extra ground. He looks a picture at present, and in spite of his failure at Rangiora, be must be given a chance. Fort Nelson, tike Cardinal King, is a four-year-old. He is one of the best in his age group and even from the outside barrier position, he must be given a chance. Waitaki Hanover’s form has been nothing to enthuse over. He looks in great heart and could be capable of a bold showing over this sprint distance. However, he will need luck to catch Lordship. Strong Bracket The bracket of Le Chant and Stylish Major appears to dominate the Stewards’ Free-for-all. which will also be run over one mile. Le Chant has not raced since she was beaten narrowly by her brother. Stylish Major, on the final night of the New Zealand Cup meeting. She trotted one mile in

rather slow conditions in 2min llsec at Waimate earlier in the month, a run which should have helped bring her close to her peak for this race.

Stylish Major trotted a bold race for third in the Winslow Handicap at Ashburton on Tuesday. He should now be close to his peak and could finish in the money.

Mighty Chief has drawn the second line, but that should not prove an insurmountable handicap. He showed great brilliance to be the leader before the half-mile in the Winslow Handicap after starting from 42 yards. He should be capable of a very fast mile and, with a reasonable run, he could make Le Chant produce a record-breaking run.

Johnny Gee trotted his best race for the season when he failed by a nose to catch Highland Fortress at Ashburton on Tuesday. He is close to his peak and he should be one of the better prospects.

Harbour Light is an out-of-form sprinter, but she could surprise just the same. She has produced her peak runs at this time of the year.

Break Through and Glen Dee appeal most of the remainder.

Fair weather is forecast and the track should be in splendid order.