Winning new-season debut likely for Roydon Scott

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 9

Winning new-season debut likely for Roydon Scott

By

G. K. YULE

Interest in the $lOO,OOO New Zealand Cup on November 11 will / quicken with the reappearance of Roydon Scott in the A. E. Laing J Free-for-all at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s twilight spring meeting /at Addington Raceway tomorrow.

Roydon Scott became one Of the early favourites for ’the 1979 Cup when he beat Trusty Scot and Lord Mod-:-ple in this race 12 months - ago, but he had to miss a '•'start in the big race because of a leg injury. Fred Fletcher by-passed the National meeting with ’Roydon Scott, which showed that he was close to top ■form when he won at recent 'trials. The son of Scottish : Hanover should be too sharp /for this field over 2000 m : even though he has drawn •rather wide at No. 7. His sternest opposition is

■ expected to come from Mack • Dougal, which heralded an ; early win when he chased ■ Hands Down home in both ; the Louisson Handicap and i the National Handicap earl- > ier in the month. Mack Dougal will start I from the outside of the front i line, but that should not I stop him going close to > gaining the one win he re- : quires to qualify for a start i in the Cup. • 'Fhe southern pair, Sapling i and Trusty Scot, are two of i the best-performed pacers in the country. The form of ; both of them was of rather

■ mixed quality towards the end of their campaigns last ; season. They have had good spells since then and have been on the active list for some weeks. Both Sapling and Trusty Scot have made forward showings when fresh. They have drawn No. 2 and No. 4 respectively and should be to the fore throughout Lordable should have benefited from his two : starts at the National meeting. He finished fourth and fifth, suggesting that he might not be long winning. He could add interest to the

9 finish, as could Game Adios t and, perhaps, Sunseeker. i Two second placings at e the National meeting suggest r that Dreamy Dragon will start favourite in the H. E. / Goggin Handicap. A fresh 1 horse in Waitoa, which fashr ioned an outstanding record 1 late last season, will be in » demand, as will Bionic Star, which won so easily last 9 Saturday. 9 The Raider, Glen Moira, - Individualist and Torle paced 1 useful races at the National » meeting and if there is to be '. a surprise, it could come s from among their ranks.