RACING AND TROTTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1944, Page 7

RACING AND TROTTING

MEETINGS TO COME. November 4: Napier Park. November 11: Napier Park. November 11: Avondale.

TROTTING. Nov. 4:—Metropolitan. Nov. 11:—Metropolitan.

Caithness Appeals: The appeals to the Racing Conference judges by P. Louis, H. Telford, and J. McFarlane will be heard in Wellington next Wednesday.

Melbourne Cup: The Melbourne Cup will be run on Saturday of next week. Final payments will be due nexFTuesday. Counsel, winner of the Caulfield Cup, is not expected to fulfil his engagement owing to leg trouble, and Lawrence, another wellsupported candidate, is also unlikely to start, because of lameness.

Troubled With Unsoundness: Hilda Potts has been troubled by unsoundness throughout her racing career, and she was heavily bandaged in front when worked at Addington on Tuesday afternoon. However, she. is obiously a mare with great ability, and the Smith stable makes no secret that she is expected to reach the best class over all distances providing she can be kept reasonably sound.

Cup Drivers; F. G. Holmes will drive Loyal Friend in the -New Zealand Trotting Cup. Other drivers will be: Clockwork (R. Donald), Hardy Oak (C. S. Integrity (D. C. Watts), Parshall (F. J. Smith), Shadow Maid (J. Bryce, junr.), Burt Scott (V. Alborn), Gold Bar (A. Holmes), Horse Power (H. J. Smith, Indian Clipper (M. Holmes), Countless (G. McKendry), and Haughty (O. E. Hooper). No decision has been arrived at yet as to R. B. Berry’s horses. Berry will drive one and G. B. Noble the other.

A NEW ZEALAND CUP

PACING POWER FAVOURED

[SPECIAL TO "STAR.”]

CHRISTCHURCH, November 2. The race for the £5OOO New Zealand Trotting Cup to be run at Addington on Saturday is creating interest reminiscent of the days of Author Dillon, Indianapolis and Harold Logan. The nomination of 16 horses was reduced to 14 by the defection of Bayard ’ and Loyal Rey, and the committee of the club did not consider- it necessary further to reduce the field. Handicapped as they are with only four horses on the limit and seven on the 12 yards mark the field is not unwieldy. Haughty now on GO yards will be making an attempt to win her third Cup and, now a better beginner, she is bound to be one of the favourites, especially as she will be bracketed with Hardy Oak and Clockwork. Last year she gave Pacing Power 24 yards start and a beating, but the latter, after a brilliant beginning, was badly interfered with and at the end of a furlong he was giving Haughty a start. His brilliant race after that showed him to be very unlucky and he confirmed this by a meritorious win over two miles on the following race day. He has been gradually raced into form and his sterling efforts in the trial at Addington on Tuesday showed him up in a favourable light. His stablemate, Bronze Eagle, is the most improved pacer in New Zealand and a real stayer. His preparatory work has been most impressive. Countess met interference in last year’s Cup, but that race seemed to get to the bottom of him and his form has been disappointing. Loyal Friend is in fine fettle, but he has not done anything exceptional since his double win at Auckland last Christmas. Indian Clipper, also greatly improved, is a rare stayer, and M. Holmps has him at the top of his form. Both Horse Power and Hardy Oak and in greater measure Burt Scott will have to improve a great deal to have a chance, and Gold Bar’s big chance will be in the brilliant break he gains in the early stages. He choked himself at a critical stage of last year’s race and his trainer. A. Holmes, thinks he should have won. Shadow Maid has come through a solid preparation and the Auckland horse Parshall, who made a bad beginning last year, and Integrity, who has come through the classes in fine style, have many friends. Clockwork is a newcomer to this class, but he has yet to prove himself. Favourable weather and opportunities to race have given trainers every chance and the field on Saturday is one of the most select ever paraded at Addington. It looks like being a great race, and while it would not surprise to find R. B. Berry providing two place-fillers in Pacing Power and Bronze Eagle, the public • may favour Pacing Power. Indian Clipper, Parshall and Haughty.