SIEGE GUN IMPRESSIVE AT ASHBURTON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 73, 23 September 1939, Page 23

SIEGE GUN IMPRESSIVE AT ASHBURTON

(Special from "Irvington.")

CHRISTCHURCH, September 21. With the approach of the metropolitan Spring Meetings there is increased activity on the Addington tracks, and it is worth noting that several prospects are at an advanced stage in their preparation, The improving talent is on a high plane, and many novices are attracting attention.

The consistent Nell Grattan has done well in recent waeke and is now looking in excellent order. One of the most honest pagers in commission, she will continue to pay her way well when suitable classes are presented. Black Art is among, the regular workers at Addington, and he has been k 'Ssponsible for some fair displays of late. A winner last season he Is highly regarded in certain quarters'and is expected to show to advantage at an early date, At one stage Otaua was giving indications of proving above the average, but he has failed to come up to expectations in recent outings. He is looking well, however, and track work would suggest that he will not be long in showing improvement. Devotion has done a good deal of saddle work during the past two weeks, and he is to be ridden by J. Prater in the Mount Hutt Handicap at Methven next Saturday, -This pacer shaped well in his one outing slnse joining J. B. Pringle's team and appears to be improved. He is capable of running a smart mile, and his work in saddle has been impressive. One of the easiest wins recorded for some time went ...to Siege Gun's, credit when he scored in the Rakaia Trot at the Ashburton County Racing Club's Meeting last Saturday, and this pacer can be regarded as one of the brightest propositions in sight at the moment. He was a winner last season when trained at Washdyke by R. Townley, but he was unreliable at the barrier. While still rather doubtful in this respect, he appears to have improved considerably, and he has the speed and stamina to carry him to good company under R, J. ljumphreys's guidance. STILL CONVALESCENT. G. MeKendry. who received a broken arm when Marsceres fell On the second day of the Addingtori Meeting last month, is making a good but slow recovery from his accident; The bone was broken in two places, however • and it will be SOme time before he is able to resume his calling, but it is anticipated that if he maintains his present progress he will be fit to drive again at the New Zealand Cup Meeting in November. A failure since he won at his first outing when he recorded a dividend well over a century, Chelidon has been in work for some months now at Ashburton under J. Bell, jun., without giving any indications of returning to form. It .has now been decided cO give him an opportunity as a trotter, a gait he has always favoured, and he will probably have his first outing m his new role at Methven next SaturAlthough he has not been asked fur anything outstanding in his work, the three-year-old gelding ,by Jack. Potts from Rose Logan, the dam of Windsor Lass, is making good progress in his preparation at Addington:* He plenty of size and carries himself in an attractive style. Happy Man, a novice pacer in E. J. Smith's stable, is reported to be well above the average m his private ttack essays, and more experience should find him coming into favour. He was a difficult horse t.o break in, and it will take time to settle him down from the barrier, but he is very speedy when mHaving'his first race since Joining M. B. Edwards's stable, Club King re-, corded an easy win in his outing in the Selma Trot at Ashburton last Saturday, and the manner in which he accomplished his task suggested that he will not find better company beyond him. He is a solid type with the

i speed and ability to show to furth* advantage. CHANGE OF STABLES. Until recently trained by her breeder, G. S. Smith, Formality has changed i ownership, and she is now in A. Cranston's care. Formality showed a good deal of promise when first placed oawork, but she was troubled with spluits which were constantly coming against her, with the result that she was paraded in publi conly once to this stage. Now a six-year-old, this Jack PottsErin's Lynn mare has a good deal oi speed, and now that treatment appears to have removed her complaint she should prove a useful performer.It has been announced that the committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club are making every endeavour to arrange for three Austria lian pacers in Lawn Derby, pur Glooe^ and Barney Doolan to visit Addington in November with a view to contesting the New Zealand Cup and other important handicaps. whim some difficulties in arranging the trip are being met with, it is possible that ■the club's efforts will meet with success. Lawn Derby's appearance here is regarded as almost certain. Thia. •. pacer proved a wonderful attraction . during his last visit and-With tha ' tightening of the limits for the principal handicaps his prospects would be greatly enhanced on this occasion;.., Both Our Globe and Barney Doolaa.- : who has a mile and a half record of ■ 3min 12 2-ssec, are regarded as out-., standing performers, and their* presence would lend great interest to the local meeting. -■''- ••-'->;>--:--