SPORTING Starshell In Favour For Addington Meeting

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1948, Page 7

SPORTING Starshell In Favour For Addington Meeting

The presence of the champion nnhoppled trotter. Aerial Seott. amonjj the improving pacers in the Heathcote Handicap on the first day of the Now Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club s meeting at Addington on Saturday will add considerable interest to the race and he wilf be one of the favoured division, but there is a not unfounded prejudice against the square-gaiter among pacers, ami for this reason one or two of the pacers may be preferred to him. Among these may be Starshell, who won at Ashburton at her last start.

The late M. B. Edwai'ds trained Starshell for her early /aces last season, when she recorded a second and a third in four starts. On her transfer to the team of F. G. Holmes she was not an immediate success, though in several races she gave evidence of her outstanding ability. For Holmes she recorded her first placing, a fourth, to Carisbrook, Pony Express and Congo Song over a mile and five furlongs at Wellington in April, after having every chance. She then had three unplaced performances in succession followed by a good race to be second to Duncraig over a mile and five furlongs at Oamaru in May. Won at Ashburton Starshell missed again, at her next start, but she finished the season with an attractive victory in the Durbar Handicap, of two miles, at the Ashburton meeting on June 5 from National Velvet, Novelda and Scottish Brogue, and recorded 4.26. That performance suggested big prospects for the Sandydale six-year-old in the new season, and she is entitled to be well supported on Saturday. Aerial Scott is a grand trotter, a good beginner and a fine stayer, and his track work in the past few weeks has been impressive. Granted a good position early he will take a lot of beating. Baby Grand is another who will attract attention on the strength of recent track work. In .14 starts last season the Lusty Volo gelding won twice, his best performance being in winning the Australasian Handicap of a mile and a hall' at Addington last November. That was his last winning performance. Recent Winners Sandpiper, Gough’s Pride, Daisy Gold, Good Review, and Coral Princess were all winners during the latter part of last season, and Good Re-

view makes some special appeal. This Sandydale gelding (Good Review) which is owned and trained by R. H. Butterick, had only nine starts last term, for four wins, a second, a third and a fourth, and his last win was in the Wilkin Handicap of two miles at Oamaru on March 20, in which the other placed horses were Right Royal, Commotion and Pimpernel. Good Review is likely to gain quick promotion to much tighter classes. The favourites on the day may be Starshell, Good Review and Aerial Scott. PROMISING YOUNG HORSES SEEN AT RICCARTON RACES [SPECIAL TO STAR] CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. One of the most promising young horses in training at Ric|arton, Resolute, created a good impression by his win on the second day of the Grand National meeting. He, however, did not. do well after the race, and although accepted for on the third day. he was withdrawn on Friday. Resolute is a well-grown chestnut three-year-old by Robin Goodfellow from Realise, by Lackham from Moutoa Lady, by Spalpeen from Lady Moutoa, by Soult, and is one likely to be seen to advantage as a stayer later in the season. Conclusion, carrying the Chokebore colours, was expected to race prominently in the first division of the Longbeach Handicap last Saturday, but unfortunately played up at the start, and after refusing to go into his stall was left .standing at the barrier. His stablemate, Disturbance, also lost valuable ground at the start of the second division, and finished on solidly into third place after appearing to be in a hopeless position turning for home. Conclusion is a three-year-old colt by Finis from Good Passage, and Disturbance is a thi'ee-year-old filly by .Defaulter from Fracas, who won 15 races lor the Chokebore stable. Pierre’s win last Saturday emphasised the merit of Corofin s success on the first day of the meeting, as the latter decisively beat Pierre. Corofin is a three-year-old gelding, by Coronach from the Paper Money mare Financiere, a descendant ol Dame Straitlace, who won many good races and ran second in the Nev.Zealand Cup. Corofin is owned by Mr O. F. Watson, of Christchurch, who intends to give him plenty <;t time and has hopes of winning distance races with him. Australian Studniaster Bred Many Big Winners (Rec. 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The death has occurred of Mr Percy Miller, Australia’s leading thoroughbred racehorse breeder and owner of the famous Kia Ora Stud at Scone, after a long illness. Mi' Miller acquired the Kia Ora Stud about 30 vears ago and spent a fortune on English "stallions. Among the bestknown stallions he imported were Magpie. Midstream (who headed the sires’ winning list last- season). Le Grand. Due, Agincourt, Constant Son, and Double Remove. Magpie sired Windbag (Melbourne Cup winner) and Amounis (Caulfield Cup). Among other well-known performers bred at Kia Ora were Shannon. All Love, Wincona, Murray Stream. Talking, and Dashing Cavalier.