METROPOLITAN TROTS

Evening Star, Issue 25566, 20 August 1945, Page 3

METROPOLITAN TROTS

GOLD BAR'S FREE-FOR-ALL GLOBE DIRECT WINS STAKES (Special.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 18. The New -Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s national meeting commenced at Addington on Saturday in line weather, before a large attendance. The track was in good order. The totalisator investments amounted to £130,754, as compared with £117,706 10s on the first day last year. Big Event. The principal event, the Winter - Handicap, was won by the Epsom 1 horse," War Guard, trained by T. Rodgers, and driven by D. C. Watts. The Claremorris-Sea Born bracket was favourite, but, although both raced in the leading division throughout, they both failed to get. amongst the dividend payers/ Sea Born went to the front 'early and led until the straight was reached, with Claremorris, Watcher, War Guard, Parrish Lad, and Knave of Diamonds handy. Watcher was in front inside the final furlong, but was passed by both War Guard and Knave of Dianionds. the verdict, in an interesting finish, going to War Guard ■from Knave of Diamonds, with Watcher and Sea Born together next, in front of Parrish Lad. Never in Danger. Highland Scott went to the front at the end of half a mile in the Speedway Handicap and was first into the straight from Scott Axworthy, _ Night Beam, Navigate, and Pre-eminence. Highland Scott was never in any danger in the run to the post and • won comfortably. Scott Axworthy finished on to beat Night Beam for second, with Navigate- three lengths away in front of Pre-eminence and Gallant Chief. Highland Scott is owned by Mr R. A. McKenzie, a son of Mr J. R, McKenzie, who is at present in the Royal Air Fovce in England. Gold Bar Comes to Light. Gold Bar made amends for a number of failures in winning the Pacing Free-For-All from end to end. He did not get a very big break on the'field at any part, but was always going v steadily, and had his opponents in trouble throughout. Josedale Grattan ran into second place entering the straight, with Dusky Sound also challenging, but neither had any chance of disputing the leader’s position. - Dusky Sound finished on to snatch • second money from Josedale Grattan on the post. Sabu and Ronald Logan were next. Telling Run. \ The Wellington-owned Globe Direct, winner of the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes, was responsible for another excellent ( performance in winning the Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes. Dandy Grattan set a solid pace Ifrom the outset, and was still_ in charge turning fon home from First Globe, Stirling Castle, Sir Michael, and Globe Direct. First Globe drew past the leader inside the final furlong, and Globe Direct then put in a telling run. He overhauled First Globe a chain from the post and won comfortably from Sir ; Michael, who. squeezed through on the fence to narrowly beat First Globe. Dandy Grattan was half a length back, : a length in front of Stirling Castle. Staunch Favourite. Mae Wyrind justified her stauncn favouritism .by winning the'lntermediate,^Handicap, .but her task was made easy by both Lee Berry and F.irewater, breaking in the straight when issuing likely challenges. . .

Easy Win. Ziugarrie, who paid over a century and a-half ifor his win in the Heath->-)U* Handicap, wag in second place to Gold Peg the start until the run home commenced, when he went to the front and won easily from Imperial Lady ' and Golden Shadow, with Jeeves, Play ' Safe, Castlebar, and Josiedell next. Cameraman's Success. Cameronian took charge with a ■round to go in the Islington Handicap, and was never in danger from that stage, ■ winning decisively .from . the favourite, Sir Raymond, who was third into tlie straignt. Elvo’s Pride was a close third, in front of Bromley Boy ...'and Emulous. - Nola Scott and-Dillon-dale broke badly at the start. Exciting Tussle. There was an exciting struggle over ■ the final stages Of the Stewards’ Handicap. Fanton "took the lead early, and was first into the straight from Forewarned, Steel King, Lady Scott, ' and Rangefinder. Steel King put in a brilliant burst nearing the post and got up to secure a nose verdict from Forwarned. Fantom was a close third, three lengths in front of Rangefinder and Sure Lady. The last-named broke up early.

Concluding events:— ■ STEWARDS’ HANDICAP, £750. Glass 3.47. lm sf. 3- Steel King ser (R. Donald) 1 1-I—Forewarned „ 24yds (F. J. Smith) 2 4- —Fantom 12 (Noble) ... ..." ... 3 All started. Nose; length. Rangefinder was fourth. Times: 3.37, 3.35 1-5, 3.36 2-5. CANTERBURY THREE-YEAR-OLD ' STAKES, £BSO. IJm. 3- Globe Direct 24yds (Hooper) 1 4- —Sir Michael scr (H. J. Smith) 2 3- —First Globe scr, bracketed - with the winner (Watts) ... 3 Scr: Balcurvie. Two lengths; neck. Dandy Grattan was fourth. Times: 3.22 4-5, 3.25, 3.25 1-5. AUGUST PACING FREE-FOR-ALL, £I,OOO. Class 2.40. ljm. 4- — Gold Bar (A. Holmes) 1 7-6—Dusky Sound (M. B. Edwards) 2 6-7—Josedale Grattan (F. J, Smith) 3 Scr: Battle Colours. Integrity. Three lengths; bead. Sabu was fourth. Times: 2.39, 2.39 3-5, 2.39 4-5.