Four-year-olds should star at Addington

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33680, 1 November 1974, Page 1 (Supplement)

Four-year-olds should star at Addington

By

G. K. Yule

Some of the most capable four-year-olds in New Zealand are engaged at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington Raceway this evening. Kotare Legend, one of the top fancies for the $50,000 New Zealand Cup on November 12, dominates the field in the Canterbury Park Four-year-old Flying Mile.

As well, four-year-olds will have a big say in the majority of the other races on the programme — particularly the Ilam Stakes, the first leg of the T.A.B. double. This age group will be represented by David Garrison, Hanover Clan, Forta Cavalla, and Golden Moose, all of which are particularly wellperformed. Other top chances among

the four-year-olds are Rebel Statesman (I. J. Wilson Handicap), Tillringer (November Stakes), and Ambleside (John Rowley Handicap). The Auckland-owned David Garrison has drawn badly in the Ilam Stakes, but that is not expected to stop him showing to advantage. He has not raced since he finished third in the Methven Cup on September 28, but he has not been idle in the meantime. He has had two wins, an unlucky fifth, and a third from

his four starts this term and is obviously a most-talented young pacer. Micron might be the pick of the older horses in this race. He came back to form with a win at Ashburton early in October, and a week later he was an unlucky third over 2800 metres from a back mark at Motukarara. He is another expected to appreciate the flying start because he is inclined to drift a little in the early part of some of his races. Hanover Clan, from G. B. Noble’s successful Yaldhurst team, was promoted to this class after a stylish if narrow win at Forbury Park a fortnight ago. He has drawn well and should be prominentlv placed throughout.

i Hanover Bay, Rolon Waitaki, Drum Major, Forta Cavalla, and Thurber Command • should also add interest to ■ proceedings. i Hal Good and Screws i Loose both showed to advan- : tage in open-class races at I Greymouth last week, and in : spite of having to give starts ; to most of their rivals in the ■ Johnny Gee Handicap,. they ! should dispute the finish. > Most opposition to them f should come from among Nevele Rodney, Indira, Now Charles, Den Hest, and Miss • Miller. ; Interest will centre in the ■ performance of the promising i four-year-old, Tough Going, i which will be having his first - start since he won twice at Alexandra Park in July.