Trotting Programme Reviewed

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 October 1948, Page 1 (Supplement)

Trotting Programme Reviewed

In assessing Indigo’s chance in the King George Handicap at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting tomorrow, it might be wise to consider the performances of the Jack Potts gelding prior to the Methven Cup rather than his comparatively disappointing effort in that event last Saturday. M. C. McTigue obviously had him in good order prior to Methven, but he raced without dash. His record of a win, a third, and a fourth in four starts this season speaks for itself, and the smaller field will be all in his favour tomorrow. Further, the carded field is not particularly strong in recent form horses.

Mountain. Hall was surprisingly well supported in the Methven Cup last week and he flattered his supporters when he took the lead two furlongs from home and led into the straight, but he faded right out. That race may have benefited him and he may be able to sustain his effort over the two miles tomorrow.

Minmi Boy was one of the leading division to the straight in his twomile engagement at New Brighton last month, but he petered out in the run home. A soft track would enhance his chance considerably.

Special Force has no recent form, and Stirling Castle has not raced since May. Quite Happy led for a mile at Methven in the main event, but showed no dash afterwards. He would have to improve a lot on that showing to have a chance. Dragoman was another Methven failure, but he

is a better horse than his form last week suggested. The favourites may be Indigo, Dragoman, and Mountain Hall. Form horses are as follows:— Bayfield Handicap.—Barrier Reef, Passive, Single Task. St Clair Handicap.—First Division: Piquant, Double Dillon, Perpetua. Second Division: Mobile Globe, Tekau, Sandy Logan. Southland Handicap.—West Point, Gay Piper, Whipster. King George Handicap.—lndigo, Dragoman, Mountain Hall. Freyberg Handicap. — Swanee River, Mamanuas, Keen Blade. Peninsula Handicap.—Bull’s Eye, Worthy Dick, On Approval. Dominion Handicap.—Scholarship, Seacraft, Magnificent. Flying Handicap.— Maudeen, Positive, Follow Me.