Young Neen Trotted Splendidly At Matinee Meeting

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 October 1948, Page 7

Young Neen Trotted Splendidly At Matinee Meeting

Young Neen, Sandbird, and Victory Peel were impressive winners at the trials conducted by the West Coast Owners’ and Breeders’ Association at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon. The track was in good order, though not fast, and there was a good attendance. All four races provided plenty of interest, though the finishes in each case were confined to two contestants.

Young Neen was particularly impressive in winning the uphoppled trotters’ event from Barbara Woods, and it appeared that the winning margin of half a length could have been increased if the driver of Young Neen, W. J. Davidson, had asked his charge for her best. ' Barbara Woods also trotted solidly all the way, and showed improvement on recent track essays. These two had the race to themselves, the other contestants, Wager, Globe Queen, and Hardy Annual, taking little real part in the contest. Wager swung round at the start and refused to leave. Hardy Annual started off pacing and was always well back. Globe Queen was too unsteady, but showed improvement. Decisive Victory The principal event for pacers, the Victoria Park Handicap, was won decisively by Sandbird, off the limit. He set •his own pace out in front from the start, and while Motto threatened his place with half a mile to go, Sandbird stuck to his- task and came home a comfortable winner from Motto, who was not unduly pressed in the straight. Patti Dale finished on for third, but was never in a challenging position. Motto looked as if he could have done better. The time wa f s not fast, but Sandbird finished well and revelled in his task throughout. The other two contestants, Dawn Patrol and Hardy Annual, were well beaten. G. Nelson produced Victory Peal in his best order for the final event, which he won handsomely from Knight Bar, who again paced a fine race after winning the maiden event earlier in the day and being rehandicapped 24 yards for the final event. Victory Peal produced a great burst of speed in the back straight the last time to take over the lead from the pacemaker, Golden Pye, but he was followed all the way by Knight Bar, and these two had a good tussle in the straight. Victory Peal stayed on to win decisively by half a length from Knight'Bar, with. Golden Pye, who tired badly, 25 lengths away. None of the others in the'field ever threatened danger. Knight Bar’s Win

The opening event, for novices, was won nicely by Knight Bar from Hazard Queen. Knight Bar began slowly but safely, and though he lost ground when he broke three furlongs from home, he came on again and won well in a hard finish with Hazard Queen, who was always well placed. The pacemaker, Tolan, was third, and then came Great Artist. The meeting was excellently conducted and there was a good attendance. A collection was taken up and this ensured the financial success of the trials. A course commentary was given by Mr B. Steel. The results were as follows:— BLAKETO.WN HANDICAP, 2.23 class; nine furlongs:— : Knight Bar, scr (T.' Gardyne) .. 1 Hazard Queen, scr (L. Stewart) 2 Tolan, scr (A. McNamara) .. 3 Also started: Golden Pye (J. C. McClure), Lady Kilwinning (H. Kennedy), Pounanu (P. J. Russell), Sir Charles (R. Reid), all scr; Great Artist 12yds (G. Kirk). Won by half a length.; five lengths. Great Artist was fourth. Times: 2.40 3-5, 2.41 3-5, 2.47 4-5.

VICTORIA PARK HANDICAP, 3.53 class; ohe mile and five furlongs:— Sandbird, scr (L. Stewart) .. 1 Motto, 48yds (D. H. Manderson) 2 Patti Dale, 60 yds (J. C. McClure) 3 Also started: Dawn Patrol 12yds (R. Reid), Hardy Annual 36yds (H. Kennedy),. Won by three lengths; 12 lengths. Times: 3.57 2-.5, 3.54 2-5, 4.2.

COBDEN TROT, 4.0 class; one mile and five furlongs:— Young Neen, scr (W. J. Davidson) 1

Barbara Woods, scr (H. Kennedy) 2 Globe Queen, scr (G. Nelson) .. 3 Also started: Wager scr (G. Kirk), Hardy Annual 48yds (L. Stewart). Won by half a length: 100 yards. Times: 3.58,. 3.58 1-5. KARORO HANDICAP, 2.5.6 class; one mile and: three furlongs:— Victory Peal, scr (G. Nelson) . . 1 Knight. Bar, 24yds, inc. 24yds pen. (T. Gardyne) * Golden Pye, scr (J. C. McClure) 3 — Also started: June Axworth (D. H. Manderson), Skyhook (H. Kennedy), Lady Kilwinning (L. Stewart). Won ‘by a length; 25 lengths. Times: 3.14 1-5, 3.12 2-5. •