TROTTING Humphrey, Johnny Gee For Addington Double

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31764, 22 August 1968, Page 5

TROTTING Humphrey, Johnny Gee For Addington Double

Humphrey showed that he was close to his peak when he finished boldly for a close third to Miles Gentry and Snowline in the Louisson Handicap, on the first day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s National meeting. He is expected to be a much more difficult horse to beat in the National Handicap, the corresponding race on the second day of the meeting on Saturday.

Humphrey, one of the top pacers racing in New Zealand today, is more forward than many of his rivals after two solid runs at trials leading up to the meeting. It was fairly late when W. E. Lowe sent him after the leaders last week and he was doing better than any of them towards the finish. If he races as generously he will be one of the top prospects. Corwar will be bracketed with Humphrey. She finished at a great rate after a slow start to dead-heat for a close fifth in the Louisson Handicap, but raced disappointingly later in the day when she finished ninth in the sprint won by Curragh Dan. If those races have taken no serious toll, she could be a sound chance. Great Adios Great Adios looked in need of racing when he contested the Louisson Handicap, and it remains to be seen whether that run has been sufficient to bring him close to his peak. He looked vastly improved when worked on Tuesday morning and he was keen to increase the pace towards the finish. Great Adios will start from 30 yards, the same mark as Humphrey. He is certain to be a much harder horse to beat this week. Good Chase was a shade disappointing when he finished seventh in the Louisson Handicap. However, he was only three lengths from the winner. Miles Gentry. Like Great Adios, he looked in need of racing and could atrip near his best this week. Miles Gentry has gone back

only six yards to 18 yards as a result of his win last week. He had a fairly hard race to wear down Snowline, but he is a robust five-year-old and thrives on such racing. He will again be entitled to serious consideration, but he might find his advantage of only 12 yards over Humphrey and Great Adios not sufficient this time.

Snowline’s was a splendid effort and one which gives her better than an outside chance of winning. It was only in the last few strides that she came to the end of her run in the Louisson Handicap and was caught by Miles Gentry. She is capable of taking a prominent part in the finish once more. A newcomer in Curragh Dan appeals more than any of the others on the limit, although Mister Chips and Bass Strait may show up. Curragh Dan won most impressively in a slower class last Saturday. The opposition will be much stronger this time, but even so he must command respect as he appears to be above average in ability. Co Pilot’s fourth in the Louisson Handicap was a sound run. Very little improvement will be necessary for him to finish in the money once more. A win for any of the others would be a major upset and they will find it hard to foot with Humphrey, Great Adios and Good Chase over the final furlong. Due For Win Johnny Gee is overdue for a winning turn, which should come in the second leg of the main double, the Winter Handicap. He could not match Direct Globe’s speed over the final furlong of the corresponding race and had to be content with second place. He will meet Direct Globe on 12 yards more favourable terms over the same distance on Saturday and on this oc-

casion he should finish In front. Johnny Gee looks much stronger and he could be In for a most successful season. Rannach Lad trotted a sound race for fourth ic the Christchurch Handicap and had he secured a better run through in the straight he might have finished closer. He worked keenly enough on Tuesday morning and could be one of the hardest for Johnny Gee to beat. Usually Improves Uteena must be respected after her third placing on the first day of the meeting. She made up a lot of ground over the final circuit and did well to finish so close.

Uteena usually improves with racing and she could be a much fitter mare on Saturday. Once more she will be bracketed with Aronmot, which broke after about half a furlong last week. Aronmot looks capable of making a bold showing, but he will not be able to make any mistake if he is to be placed. Single Cash showed speed after drifting badly and then losing a few lengths with six furlongs left He was confidently supported last week and will no doubt be in demand once again. A peak run for him would give him a fine chance of winning. Towser, Logan Count and Direct Globe appeal most of the rest