Black Label, Walk Alone fancied

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 1 (Supplement)

Black Label, Walk Alone fancied

By

G.K. Yule

Black Label should take another step towards New Zealand Cup class with a win in the Conference Handicap, a two-mile race on the first night of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s winter meeting tomorrow.

The Newport Chief - Rum five-year-old is at present assessed at 2:12 and requires only two wins, the second of which must be over a distance, to be eligible for the big two-miler in November. Raced by Mr E. T. McDermott, of Halswell, the chair-

man of the programme committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, Black Label has compiled an outstanding record under the guidance of the Templeton trainer, F. E. Newfield. So far this season he has had four wins and six placings from 15 starts, much of his racing having been marked by sound displays of stamina and courage. Black Label will start from

24 yards tomorrow, but the horses on the limit are not a particularly strong lot, the pick of them being Royal Trump. Followers of Newfield’s stable will have a worthwhile second string in Waratah, which finished fourth behind Radiant Globe and True Averil in the New Brighton Cup on April 10 when having his first start since January 1.

Waratah and Black Label both went pleasingly at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday and it will not surprise if they both lake a share of the stake. Royal Trump finished a neck and a length and a half from Black Label and Rain Again in the President's Handicap on April 10 at his latest start. He will meet Black Label on 24 yards more favourable terms over an extra three furlongs. Royal Trump should manager a solid two miles and is expected to offer most opposition to the favourite bracket.

Rat Tat, which is booked to race at Auckland next Tuesday, paced an encouraging race at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday after making one of his best beginnings. He failed in the New Brighton Cup on April 10, but at his previous start he showed amazing speed to finish fourth to Globe Bay, Boy Friend and Royal Trump when the first-named created a New Zealand record of 2:31 for 10 furlongs.

Rat Tat has ability far above average and he might make a winning bid in this race.

Pun has probably the strongest form background of any of the others in the race. He has looked to be most unlucky in his latest racing and he should have done much better. He looked well when paraded at the Ashburton trials and will not be a forlorn chance.

Walk Alone probably earned favouritism for the second leg, the J. F. Harris Memorial Pace (a race named after Mrs F. E. Newfield’s father) with a win at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday. Mr Harris played a prominent part in trotting in Otago until comparatively recent years. Mrs Newfield now races Waratah, one of the first leg fancies. Walk Alone won the Cheviot Cup two starts back from the awkward mark of 36 yards, and he was a rather unlucky fifth to Wag at Addington on April 10 at his only other start. Empire Royal, a stablemate of the first leg candidate, Royal Trump, and Noble Lord, Prince Forbes and Monarrg are other bright prospects, while bold showings from Light Globe, Mister Smart and Morris Pal would not surprise.