TROTTING Royal Ascot favoured in Ashburton Cup

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32798, 24 December 1971, Page 7

TROTTING Royal Ascot favoured in Ashburton Cup

Five years ago the Mount Hutt trainer, C. J. McLaughlin, and his stepson, A. M. Harrison, combined to win the Ashburton Cup with Allakasam. Next Monday they should go close to winning the race for a second time with either Manawaru or Royal Ascot, both of which are closely related to Allakasam.

Then, next Friday, the stable will attempt to win its second Auckland Cup with Manaroa, a half-brother to Manawaru.

Manawaru and Royal Ascot and the Methventrained Walk Alone are the only horses in the Ashburton Cup with last-start winning form. Manawaru won over 13 furlongs at a mile rate of 2:7 on December 4 at Addington Raceway, while Royal Ascot won on the course a fortnight earlier over two miles in 4min 20sec. Both horses are right at their peak and the two of them should share in the record stake of $4600 attached to the race.

Walk Alone will start from 24 yards, a mark unlikely to prove prohibitive. He showed courage to wear down Noble Lord and beat him by a head at the end of 10 furlongs in 2min 39sec on the final night of the cup meeting last month.

He has proved his ability to master a solid two miles. This race is unlikely to develop into an extreme test of stamina and if favoured with a reasonable run, Walk Alone should take a prominent part in the finish. Noble Lord, at four years, shares with Royal Ascot the honour of being the youngest horse in the field. He will not be one of the lesser lights because of that. He has raced most consistently in the last few months and deserves a win. His trainer, D. G. Nyhan, produced Lords to win this race three years ago.

If there is to be an upset it might come from among False Square, Forest King and Monarrg. False Square was placed in the Methven Cup in the spring and, although out of form since then, he looks particularly well.

Forest King has a rather bleak form background, but he is capable of a bold showing in a race such as this, *as' is Monarrg, a most consistent mare so far this season? She has a fine record at ' Ashburton and on that score: alone she must be respected, i Waitaki Elect, due to have; his first start for the season, might also figure in the finish. He has come to hand in] great order for J. L. Behms; and looks ready to make a prominent showing in spite of being away from racing since last May.

Merrin, one of the most consistent trotters to race at the cup meeting last month, should go close to winning the second leg, the Winslow Handicap. He raced with dash at the recent Methven trials and looks to have freshened well since his exertions of last month.

Going, the winner of this race 12 months ago. has shown her best form on grass tracks. She found the track too hard at Addington last month, but might regain some of her lost status in this race.

Philemon, Tony Bear, j Marius and Just Money are others capable of adding interest to the finish. Fields for the T.A.B. double; are:— (TJLB. Double closes 11.30 p.m.) (T.A.B. closes 12.50 p.m.) * p.m.— ASHBURTON CUP *4600; 2:13 class; 2m. 1 0000 FALSE SQUARE (4) It <6g Fallacy—Red Square). Disappointing since he was placed in the Methven Cup in the spring. Stays well and better than an outside chance. L. Thomas. 1 SSM FOREST KING (2) If (5m Lumber Dream—Ahumai). Form has been rather mixed

lately, but a peak run would; give him a chance of surprising. J. Carmichael. 3 7541 MANAWARU (5) It (5g Prince Charming—Flying; Mile). Fine staying run to win over 13 furlongs in 3mini 26 l-ssec at Addington on December 4. Sure to. race| prominently. A. Harriaon. 3a 5041 ROYAL ASCOT (7) It (4g Prince Charming— Morsel). Fine win over two 1 miles at Addington on November 20 at his latest* start. Sure to be one of j the hardest to beat.* F. Newfield. 4 7224 MONARRG (•) It (6m Morano Arriaga). Was second to Sassenach over two miles two starts back and finished fourth at only start sinee. Is racing well enough to be a danger. M. Holmes. 5 4342 NOBLE LORD (6) It (4h Lordship Ebonite). Just caught by Walk Alone in sprint at Addington oni November 4 at latests start. Is rapidly approaching his* peak and should go close. D. G. Nyhan. j

4 8000 SHARLEA (1) It (6m Young Charles Honeysuckle). Has been disappointing so far this season. Outside chance only. 7 0 SOLDATO (3) It (6g Forward—Wee Doll). . Second start for season. Little appeal. D. Jones. 8 *m VAN ROVER (3) 24 (9g Smokey Hanover—Early Van). Little appeal on latest racing. C. McDonald. * 0000 WAIATA (1) 24 (6g Flying Song—Arizona). Has gone fair races at times, but would have to improve on latest efforts to hpve much chance. 10 WAITAKI ELECT (unruly) 24 (6h Garrison Hanover—Kid Dale). Malting a fresh start, but went well lately at trials and could cause an upset. T. Behms. 11 6401 WALK ALONE (2) 24 (5g Bachelor Hanover—Stroll). Fought on gamely for sprint win on December 4. Must be a top chance as he has a fine record on grass tracks. Scratched: Wag.

(T.A.B. closes 2.10 p.m.) 3.20 p.m— WINSLOW HANDICAP *2750; 2:13 class; trotters; 12f. 1 9716 ARITA (10) It (9m Johnny Globe —Girl Brigade). Is racing most generously with two wins to her credit in the last eight weeks. Capable of another bold showing. I. Sutherland. 2 *OU ARONMOT (7) If (9g Court Martial Star Maid). Not too reliable, but could be an outside chance. O. Quinlan. 3 4404 BAMBI (9) It (6g Forward—lkawai). Sure to be improved by race he had at recent Methven trials. Looks favourably placed to make a bold showing. G. Shand. 4 9*97 FRI (3) It (7g Light Brigade Tralleborg). Recent efforts have been-only fair. Little appeal. W. Lowe. 5 9319 JOHNNY FLING (2) It (7g Johnny Globe—Hestling). Raced well enough at the cup meeting to have a chance, of surprising. J. Smolensk!. * 721* LE CHAR (S) It (7m Forward Fontani). Disappointed at Addington on December 4 when she ’ failed to trot evenly. Capable of a bold showing. 7 000# LOGAN PARK (1) It (8g Prince Charming—Coming Down). No appeal. R. Butt. * 047# MARIUS (t) It (8g Morano—Little Liza). Has not trotted too solidly In most of his recent races. Looks ‘ favourably placed to get into finish. J. Nordqvlst. 9 «M 3 PHILEMON (4) It (fig Sun Chief—Judear). Trotted best race for season when third to Arita at Addington on December 4. Looks to be at the improving stage and should go well. 1# 5525 SMOKEY CORD (*) It (fig Ripcord—Smokey Rose). Has trotted consistently well in recent weeks, but will find this difficult D. D. Ny11 7M9 JUST MONEY (1) 12 (8g Bank Note—Just Margaret). Has disappointed tn his racing so far in this country. Looks speedy and could surprise. M. Holmes. 12 #o*9 GOING (1) 1* (7m Light Brigade—Circlette). Usually trots best on grass tracks and in spite of recent failures must be considered a top chance. D. Townley. 13 2231 MERRIN (2) 1* (7g Court Martial—Tat Scott). Showed that he had trained on well since his win on November ' 20 with a bold run at recent Methven trials. Looks ready to make a winning bid. L.

14 4900‘ MIGHTY CHIEF (1) 3# (llg My Chief—Gala Girl). Has had a chance to freshen since he raced disappointingly at the cup meeting. Could race prominently. R. Nyhan. It 3512 TONY BEAR (1) 34 (Uh Intangible Safe Return). Game effort when second to Merrin on November 20. Seldom guilty of a bad run and sure to be one of the top chances. W. Butt.