TROTTING Lightsey is fancied in second leg tonight

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33077, 18 November 1972, Page 8

TROTTING Lightsey is fancied in second leg tonight

It might be a case of age giving way to youth in the Ollivier Handicap at Addington Raceway tonight.

Lightsey, a four-year-old with an impressive turn of speed, is certain to be on the short list of fancies for the second leg of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s T.A.B. concession double.

Although Lightsey’s temperamental behaviour at the start has at times left something to be desired, there is no doubting his ability. He was seen at his brilliant best in the Smithson Handicap on Show Day when he ran his rivals off their feet

On that occasion Lightsey was going a mile and a quarter This time he will have to cope with another three furlongs. The extra distance, provided he gets away on terms with the others, should cause no problems at all, for at the end of last Friday week’s sprint he was out on his own, just coasting and looked as if he would have gone around again without being caught If Lightsey does manage to keep his winning record intact, his second victory at the cup meeting will be thoroughly deserved. He is in a tougher class this time and, although some of the top pacers are missing from the field, the opposition is not exactly weak. Scottish Charm, Bachelor Blue and Wag, also from the limit, and Royal Ascot, from 12 yards, all have form which commands respect. So far victory has eluded Scottish Charm but she has earned top marks for con-

sistency. Her three starts at the meeting have yielded a second in the New Zealand Cup and thirds in the New Zealand Free-for-all and the Allan Matson Stakes.

For all-round consistency few would better Bachelor Blue. He capped a lengthy string of minor places with a narrow, but impressive victory against the two-milers in the Le Lievre Handicap on Tuesday night. He is capable over all distances so should not be out of it despite a rise in class.

Royal Ascot and Wag were the principals in the finish of the Allan Matson Stakes on

Tuesday night. The former won after leading for the last 6| of the 13 furlongs, and Wag, the early pacemaker, was only a length behind him at the end. This time Wag will meet his conqueror on 12 yards better terms so there should be little between them at all at the finish.

The major attraction on tonight’s programme will be the $17,020 New Zealand Derby Stakes which will be the first leg of the main double.

In an evenly-balanced field of 12 it is hard to predict the outright favourite. There

could be a four-sided tussle for that distinction, and possibly the honours too, between Willie Win, Kotare Scdtt, Scottish Foil, and Young Quinn.