WELLINGTON TROTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 63, 11 September 1943, Page 8

WELLINGTON TROTS

MEETING AT TRENTHAM

Although the improvement in the weather came too late for the track to dry up, a large crowd attended the Wellington Trotting Meeting at Trentham today. Fields were good in most cases. The principal attractions were the Wellington Stakes, for three-year-olds, and the Wilford Memorial Handicap. . Following are the results of the races up to the time of going to press:—

NAENAE HANDICAP, £250; 1£ miles. 2—l—Believe Me, 12 (R. Townley). 1 s—4—Teddy Gregg, 48 (C. C. Devine) 2 4—6—Sure Lady, scr (R. Young) .. 3

Also started: 14-13 Maureen Grattan, 6-5 Silver Plane, 16-15 Bel Esprit, 9-9 Peter Abbey, 12-12 Lady Josephine, 8-8 Hop Off, 7-7 Royal Dale, 11-10 Fulwood (all on limit), 3-3 Flying Scott 36, 10-11 Redmond's Pride 36, 14-14 Worthy Audubon 48, 1-2 Worthy Addition 48, 13-12 Black Native 120. Won by a head; four lengths. Time: 3.36 4-5.

(Winner trained by R. Townley, Tinwald.)

Favourite for the Naenae Handicap, Worthy Addition failed to go off correctly, but the second-elect, Believe Me, quickly ran up to attend Silver Plane, Flying Scott, and Sure Lady before turning out of the straight. Going along the back Believe Me moved up to the front and was in charge turning across the top, and although Teddy Gregg momentarily headed her in the straight, Believe Me put in a late dab to win by a head. Sure Lady was four lengths away, with Flying Scott a close fourth. The others were well beaten.

SHARPE HANDICAP, £250; 1J miles. 7_7_May Scott, scr (G. B. Noble) 1 3—3—-Toushay, scr (L. F. Berkett) 2 I—l—Atawhero, scr (J. Bryce) .. 3

Also started: 6-5 Safety First, 12-12 David Derby, 13-16 Best Girl, 17-17 Ayisha, 10-9 Fourleaf, 15-15 Galvena, 9-11 Balalaika, 2-2 Pre-eminence, 4-4 Major Grattan, 16-13 Johnny Boy, 8-8 Max Baer, 5-6 Rivette, 14-14 Berry de Oro (all scr), 11-10 Twice Worthy 12. Won by half a length; half a length. Time, 3.1.

(Winner trained by G. B. Noble, Christchurch.)

A good dividend was posted in the Sharpe Handicap, when May Scott took the honours quite definitely from Toushay and Atawhero. Not well placed early—Rivette being the leader going down the back after making a fast run with Major Grattan, Atawhero, and Toushay well bunched— May Scott drew forward on the turn. In the straight she came fast to overtake the leaders just when Toushay and Atawhero were promising to fight out the finish. Major Grattan weakened into fourth, and Rivette was next. Safety First, after starting badly, showed a lot of speed to be up with the leaders at the straight entrance.

SIR T. WILFORD MEMORIAL

HANDICAP, £500; 2 miles. 4—4—Black Label, 24 (L. N. Vernall)

I—l—Sports Guide, scr (G. Came-

-ron) 2—2—Follow Me, 12 (W. Willetts)

Also started: 5-5 Manpower, 3-3 Gold Flight (all on limit), 7-7 Stylish Wilkes 12, 6-6 Channel Fleet-12. Won by half a length; half a length. Time, 4.44.

(Winner trained by L. N. Vernall,

Frankton.)

A. firm favourite for the Sir Thomas Wilfprd Handicap, Sports Guide went to the front within the first furlong to lead Manpower, Follow Me, Black Label, and Stylish Wilkes through the straight, -the field being bunched all the way. There was practically no change throughout—Sports Guide-tra-velling well on straightening up for home. However, he commenced to bore out, finishing alongside the stand fence. Black Label took the shorter course along the rails to win by half a length, with Follow Me three lengths back. Stylish Wilkes was fourth and Gold Flight, checked early, did well to finish fifth.