PROMISING TROTTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 125, 23 November 1944, Page 10

PROMISING TROTTER

ROYAL DALE AT WAIKATO

(By "Ariki Toa.")

Although he has yet to fill a place, the encouraging showings. of itoyai Dale are noc liKeiy to oe forgotten wnen he contests ihe maiden trotters' event at the Vvaikato Meeting on Satuarday, and in all prooabiiity the Sandydale norse will start favourite. At 'rrentham he displayed botn reliability and plenty oi speed, and these attributes snuuld assure him of being m the firing-line throughout.

Likely Sort. —A good opinion is held in the north of the maiden pacer Red Ace, and he should hold bright prospects of opening nis winning account in the, novice events to be decided at the Waikato Meeting. He has already proved equal to securing place money, and would only require to have made reasonable improvement to set the opposition a difficult task. He is a weil-bred gelding by Ked Shadow from Katute, and is owned and trained by A. Bryce. Plenty of Speed.—The . Hutt-trained Bel Esprit is to make the trip north for the Waikato Meeting, where she is to contest both unhoppied events. As yet this mare has not had »a great deal of experience, but she has shown promise on occasion, and should be equal to paying expenses on the trip. Sne is a reliable beginner, and in her final outing at the Wellington Meeting was one of the leaders to the straight, but finished just outside of a place. Well Placed.—A particularly high opinion is held in tne north of Jack High, and the Gamble pacer should have an excellent opportunity of repaying some of his purchase money in the Waikato Handicap on Saturday. He is nicely placed from the front of the handicap, and as the class does not appeal as over-strong, what beats him should win. At Epsom recently he disappointed, failing to do better than a third in two starts, but it is possible that he was affected by the heavy state of the track, and he is not likely to-lose his many supporters on these efforts alone. He is one of M. Stewart's team.

Consistent. —Noble Ken, a maiden in the north/ has been to the races on three occasions, and his record to date is three minor placihgs. On each occasion he has. been in the firing-line all the way, and he is not likely to be neglected in the novice events at the Waikato Meeting this weekend. .A winning bracket for the Nobleman gelding should not be far off. Disappointing.—The failure of Indian Clipper to leave the barrier in his outings at the recent meeting at Addington was disappointing, especially in view of his encouraging work prior to the fixture. However, he is better than these displays would suggest, and the time should soon arrive when he- is. back on the winning list.

Proving: Costly.—The recent efforts of Trusty Scott have proved very costly to his supporters, and until the U. Scott pacer learns to begin with more alacrity he will continue to be treated with diffidence by backers. It is a pity that he has developed this trait, for there are few more capable stayers in commission.