TROTTING Philemon’s winnings on verge of $50,000

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33381, 13 November 1973, Page 8

TROTTING Philemon’s winnings on verge of $50,000

1 he dashing win of Philemon in the Dominion Handicap last Friday points to his winning again in the New Zealand I rotting Free-for«all this evening at Addington Raceway. The winner’s share of the stake is $2600, which would advance his w innings to $50,890, the second-greatest amount won by a trotter raced solely in New Zealand.

The only trotter to have won more is Johnny Gee. which was retiredi with $64,690 to his credit. The manner in which Philemon is racing suggests that he could threaten Johnny Gee’s total before the end of the season.

All going well, Philemon will contest the Greyhound Handicap on the final night of the meeting, before being given a short spell and prepared for the Canterbury Park Cup on January 2, a race he won 12 months ago. Philemon has remained at Addington throughout the cup meeting. He was given light exercise yesterday, and looks to have thrived since his success on Friday.

Poor traveller It was intended to return him home for two days after Friday’s race, but he is such a poor traveller that it was decided to leave him in Christchurch in the care of O. J. Halliburton"A single horse trailer he was travelling in about three years ago tipped over on the way from Oamaru to a meeting at Motukarara,” said Halliburton yesterday. “Since then he has been a shocking traveller. He has had to travel on his own in a two-horse trailer, and he always has to have somebody with him. "I’ve travelled with him every time he has gone away from home in the last 14 months. I’ve got an armchair in the trailer. As long i as someone is with him. he travels quite well,” said Halliburton.

Easton Light, too, looked well when exercised yester-l day after being reshod earlier. His placing in the Domi-| mon Handicap was a worthwhile effort, and he meets all but Philemon on more favourable terms today.

11l good heart Bachelor Tom’s trainer-; driver, J. L. Ferguson, was very disappointed after his; second in Friday’! big race. “He was going easily at the straight entrance, but then he jumped something on the track, and lost two or three lengths. He really came on strongly once he got back trotting, and 1 am sure he would have made Philemon’s, task more difficult but fori hisf break.” said Ferguson. Bachelor Tom, too, is in great heart, and, with Tunza Time and Bambi, he looks ; ready to extend Philemon, j First leg Betting should be fairly' well spread in the first leg, the Allan Matson Stakes. Robalan, Ryal and Vanadium form a likely trio, but the; chances of Young Quinn, I Royal Ascot, Young' Cardigan, Rauka Lad, and Hi,' Foyle are also highly rated. Koarakau’s attempt tc

keep his winning record intact when he contests the Australasian Handicap, the first leg of the on-course double, will be a feature of the night. He will be op-

i posed by. some smart im- ! provers, and will have to 'produce a peak run to gain his fifth successive win for his Papatoetoe owner, Mr C. Woods.