TROTTING Leading Light Qualifies For New Zealand Cup

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 6

TROTTING Leading Light Qualifies For New Zealand Cup

Leading Light qualified to start in the $22,500 New Zealand Cup next month when he beat Manaroa decisively and the others easily in the G. J. Barton Memorial Handicap at Forbury Park on Saturday

Earlier in the day D. G.. Jones, who trains Leading Light in conjunction with J. Grant, woh the Markalan Handicap at Rangiora Raceway with Light View. J The same two horses won legs of doubles races on September 20, Light View being suceeMful at Addington Raceway and Leading Light at Alexandra Park.

Leading Light, after being in front after two furlongs and a half, received a perfect run behind Spry whan that runner took charge of the pacemaking after half a mile. Spry was on the inside of Leading Light, with Co Pilot and Manaroa further out at the straight entrance. Glenda Hanover and Chief Command were showing up further back. Leading Light was soon in control and he came on to win handily by a length after the leaden had paced the last mile In a modest 2:6 2-5, the last half-mile in 1:0 3-3, and the final quarter in 29 2-5. Manaroa, a firm favourite, went a splendid race. He bounded for a couple of strides at the start, but quickly caught bis gait, settling down five places back on the rails He pulled hard for much of the way while bis driver, A. M. Harrison, had little chance of working him clear. He got off the fence about the three furlongs, but he was forced wide from then on, just as the pressure was applied. He gave Leading Light a handy start from the furlong post and -did well to finish so dose. Spry, after covering extra ground early, went bis best race for the season when he held on for third, but be was two lengths and a half away, with the same distance to Co

Pilot Meadow Bank went a Mr race for fifth, ahead of Chequer Board, which came home well after breaking at the start. James, Chief Command and Seafleld Countess, which received a poor run, were next. Cuddle Doon broke at the start and Wipe Out met a check. The Vic. Leeming Handicap, the second leg of the double, <

provided the expected dismal contest* with few of the runners proving capable of matching the pece set first by Swift Action, and then by Tarras, Swift Action again, and finally Young Danny, Walata, which w«a eligible for maiden races, gradually moved up to Young Danny and after a stern tussle over the last 75 yards he won by a long neck.

il Waiata is a four-year-old 1. half-brother by Flying Song f to the champion trotter, Ory deal. y Young Danny was unchali, lenged for second, finishing 12 lengths in front of Royal Dile lon, which went quite well. V Swift Action tired to fourth, ahead of Local Luck, with the y others struggling home at intervals.