ON THE IMPROVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1943, Page 6

ON THE IMPROVE

BELFAST JACK ENGAGED

(By "Binocular.")

Now an eight-year-old, Belfast Jack, who is off the front in the Summer Handicap at Trentham on Saturday, has travelled far for his modest winnings, ttiough he has shown great promise on occasion. Last season his only placing was at his first start, in the Goldfields Cup, at Thames, when Te Roto and Double Peter-beat him home over the two miles. He has shown, improvement this term, being second behind Parrish Lad at Auckland and Recluse in the Lyttelton Handicap at Aldington, and unplaced in four races between. A turn of fortune came on the second day at Addington when he scored over a mile and five furlongs in the Middleton Handicap, followed home by Tokalon and Conflagrate, a stable-mate of the winner. Now that he has struck winning form he should be a prospect iin the Summer Handicap on Saturday. Early Promise.—A bright future appeared to lie ahead of Loyal Friend when he won the Improvers' Handicap at Ashburton at his first start in the 1940-41 season, and second to Ronald Logan at the South Canterbury Racing Club's Meeting. At a later visit to Ashburton he was beaten into fourth over a mile and a quarter, but. wound up the season with two wins. He had a restricted career last season, but in three outings scored two firsts and a second. However, in the tighter classes he has found it difficult to win, and this season has had to be content with place-money. However, the fact that he beat all but Warfield, a surprise winner, in the Prebbleton Handicap at Canterbury Park on January 2, hints to his coming back to form. On that occasion he was off 24 yards in a 3.27 class and ran the mile and a half in 3.16 3-5. On Saturday he is off the front in- the Summer Handicap, and if he repeats the effort he will be difficult to beat.

Improvers. —With such likely improvers as Flying Scott, Rival Chief, and Teddy Gregg in the Kaitoke Handicap, a race for trotters at Trentham on Saturday, the back-markers may find it difficult. Of those further back, the U. Scott mare Safari was a winner on the Taranaki circuit last season, but has failed mis term. However, Twice Worthy, who is off 72yds, won on a dead track at Auckland in October off 24yds, the class being the same as on Saturday, and he has been twice third off 72yds since. Judged or* that form the Worthy Bingen gelding should play a part in, the,finish at Trentham, although Flying Scott has only to do it right to be difficult to head off.

Well-named.— The owner of a two-year-old gelding by Dillon Hall from Seaworthy has selected, the. name Acropolis for his youngster. The meaning of Acropolis, a word of Greek origin.

is edifice! With the Hall in Dillon Hall and the worthy from Seaworthy, a neat piece of nomenclature has been arrived at. Other owners of trotters and pacers might seek to emulate that owner, for too frequently the names selected are too cumbersome and meaningless. • • Consistent.—Shadow Maid, who followed up her Auckland Cup success by running second in the Dunedin Cup and the Flying Handicap at Forbury on Saturday, has now brought her stake-winnings to £2150: The Red Shadow mare has had 13 starts and has been out of the. money only twice.