TROTTING Wag and Pun in sound trials

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32676, 4 August 1971, Page 9

TROTTING Wag and Pun in sound trials

Wag and Pun, members of W. E. Lowe’s Hinds stable, showed their fitness for the National meeting at Addington later this month when they won the free-for-all heats at the Waitaki Trotting Club’s equalisator meeting at Washdyke yesterday.

Wag, although he was four seconds slower than his stablemate for the thirteen furlongs, was timed at 58 3-ssec. for his final half-mile. The time seldom equalled in trials was exceptional in the cold conditions.

Wag broke at the start but quickly recovered and moved round the field after about two furlongs. He set a very leisurely pace until near the five furlongs. W. E. Lowe then increased the pace sharply, and although All Local, which had trailed Dreamy Mom and Waratah, threw out challenges, they could not get near Wag, which went to the post strongly, a length and a half clear.

All Local had a sound race for a 2min 16sec class pacer in finishing second, a neck ahead of Dreamy Mom, with Waratah close up fourth. The rest, headed by Young Trouble, were well back. Pun had a narrow win in his heat when he beat Prince Forbes by a nose with threequarters of a length to Swift Action.

Pun set all the pace and ran his last half-mile in 61 4-ssec. Prince Forbes had every chance from the trail ahead of Swift Action which raced in the third line on the rails throughout. Logan Light lost ground at the start but ran on well from the rear over the last half-mile for fourth ahead of Sudden.

Newport Tryax, which performed well last season, had an easy win in the Waikouaiti Handicap for three-year-olds. He led for most of the way and, after taking a four lengths lead on the turn, was not challenged and won by half a length from Pretty Belinda and Robin’s Sister, which lost ground early. Newport Tryax is, like the other two place-getters, nominated for the Waitaki Hanover i Stakes at the Kurow meeting. On yesterday's run. Newport Tryax could give his trainer, F. E. Newfield, a good start for the season if he contests the event. Beedeecee. a filly by Keepaway from Forenoon, had an all-the-way win in the two-year-old parade. After making a smart beginning, Beedeecee, which is a halfsister to Solena and Antermeridian. was never in danger and won by a length and a quarter from Quick March, a Keepaway— Grace Hawar filly, which was always handy. A celt by Whlpaway from Robin Frost was third, half a length away. MAIDEN TROTTERS Finnigan gave a good display of trotting to win the first heat of the maiden trotters' race. After taking the lead off No Offence near the half mile, Finnigan battled on well in the straight when challenged by Bambi to win by three-quarters of a length. No Offence fought on along the rails and was only a nose behind Bambi at the finish. About Time went well for

fourth ahead of Arita, which had every chance. Good Admiral, which won the New Zealand Trotting Stakes at Addington late last season, was not pushed to win the second heat of the 2:20 class trotters’

race. After a slow start Good Admiral quickly improved to midfield and took the lead inside the last furlong. He was not asked for serious effort by T. M. May, but he easily held out Henry's Return, handy mostly, and Able Adios.

Kingsdown Light raced near the lead until the three furlongs. where he took a short lead, but was no match for the others in the run home. Good Admiral, if he starts, should be hard to beat in the Paterson Handicap at Kurow next MAIDIN PACERS Ros Beiaard. which showed some promise last season, looked an early winner when he won the first heat for maiden pacers from Blue Fibre and Condy. < From mid-field at the half mile he moved up three wide and led on straightening. Blue

Fibre trailed and then lost her position. She .came again and was a creditable second, but did not look like catching the winner. Condy was a fair third after being handy all the way.

In a very tight finish, Tom Hanover won the second heat by a nose from Roy, with only heads to Henry Dee and Johnny Eden.

Four wide turning for home, Tom Hapover battled on well to beat Roy, which was pushed back on the rails between the mile and the half mile. Henry Dee. after a slow start, made up ground between the mile and the six furlongs and then lost his position. Forced wide into the straight, his run for third was impressive.

GOOD WIN Pono, an entrant for the Twlzel Handicap at Kurow, gave a good display to win the 2:19 class trial by a neck from Top Brass and Twilight Fair. Pono broke at the start and was near the rear of the main

bunch till the half mile. He Improved four wide into the straight and took the lead inside the last SO yards. His time of 3min 35 2-ssec under the circumstances was a good effort. Top Brass shaded the pacemaker, Snowlight, into the straight and fought back well when headed. Half a length away Twilight Fair appeared to have every chance. Wee Gold ran a good race for fourth after being near the lead throughout. QUALIFYING TRIALS The trainer, B. Gliddon, produced the winners of both heats of the qualifying trial, but neither qualified. Master Armbro beat Canarben and Marwai in the first heat, but failed by almost five seconds to qualify. Royal Twinkle took the lead near the three furlongs and won the second heat by six lengths from Newport Gold and Sincerity. Royal Twinkles time of 3mln 21 4-ssec under the cold conditions was a good effort.