Two Qualify At Forbury Trials

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 5

Two Qualify At Forbury Trials

“The Press” Special Service

The Otago Trotting Owners’, Trainers’ and Breeders’ Association started the season on a high note when two of the five starters in the qualifying trial qualified at Forbury Park yesterday.

The winner was Coral Spark, a five-year-old Seaforth gelding from Red Fyre, a mare by the Lusty Velo horse. Sir Michael.

Driven by his owner-trainer, R. G. Cleave, Coral Spark did not take long to reach the front and he ran the mile and a half In 3min 21 3-ssec.

Two lengths and a half from the winner was Johnny Eden, which paced the distance in 3min 22sec. A three-year-old gelding by Morris Eden from Gloria Bell, he is owned by Mr K. A. Greaney and was driven by his trainer, I. S. Sutherland. Third was Thalaringa (My Chief—Modern Hall) a stablemate of the winner. She was 13 lengths behind Johnny Eden and her 3min 26sec was not fast enough to qualify her.

Winfield Chief won the unrestricted race over 13 furlongs.

No more than two lengths covered the six starters at the finish. Winfield Chief was placed only once in a light season’s racing last term, but the previous year as a six-year-old he won three races, including the Waikouaiti Cup. He is now assessed at 2min 14sec.

Yesterday, Winfield Chief made a good beginning from 36 yards and with a mile and a quarter to go he was following Really Something. Lavareen was on the inside of Winfield Chief with Stella Frost and Chief Judge together next, two lengths clear of the baekmarker. Meadowbank.

• Challenged in the straight, Winfield Chief fought on well to beat Meadowbank by half a head. Meadowbank, which started from 48 yards did not make his run until late and came on well without being driven right out.