MAORI HOME MAY WIN NATIONAL HANDICAP

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1949, Page 1 (Supplement)

MAORI HOME MAY WIN NATIONAL HANDICAP

Perpetua A Prospect At Addington

Maori Home, benefited by his race last Saturday,-may turn the tables on Attack and Commander Scott in the National Handicap, which will be decided on the second day o.t the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington tomorrow. Last season the Southland-owned Dillon Hall gelding had a lapse of form, but V. A.l born has brought him into his stride early this season, and tomorrow Maori Home will have a chance of qualifying for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Perpetua and Red Emperor hold strong claims in the Metropolitan Stakes. Highly rated, Perpetua would have a well-earned and popular success if she were first past the winning’ post tomorrow. She will probably be the favourite.

Attack, Maori Home and Commander Scott do not by any means end the list of possibilities.in the National Handicap. Knave of Diamonds, from the back mark, is one of the finest stayers in commission and O. E. Hooper’s representative would have been closer to the place-getters last Saturday, with an ounce of luck in his favour. It would not surprise if he upset the favourites tomorrow, as his 48 yards is far from being a prohibitive handicap over two miles for a horse of his class.

A fine quartet in Perpetua, Red Emperor, Star Rosa and Ascot will

supply the favourice in the Metropolitan Stakes. The former may be the favourite on the day as last season she proved herself to be well above the average. She will see out the one mile and five furlong journey better than most of her opponents. Star Rosa, from S. A. Edwards’ team at West Melton, impressed as being in the top grade among her age last season, while Red Emperoi’ is a bold pacer who only has to leave -the mark on terms with the rest of his field to be the toughest to beat. Ascot, Tradi-

tion, Bronze Gold and Black Diamond are all possibilities, but on the day the favourites may be Perpetua, Red Emperor and Star Rosa. If the Speedway Handicap were declared as Attack’s mission for the day there would be little need to look elsewhere for the favourite. However, M. Holmes, will probably depend on Globe Direct carrying the banner again in the sprint event. A dependable pacer, Globe Direct won with a shade in hand last Saturday from Gay Knight. The latter is again engaged tomorrow and a fresh horse in Captain Sandy has shown his ability to lead home the best-class sprint fields. Captain Sandy, a brilliant beginner, could more than extend the favoured division tomorrow. Integrity went a grand race on the first day, while Maudeen and Plunder Bar are much more capable pacers than their form last Saturday would suggest. Captain Sandy, Globe Direct and Gay Knight will be heavily supported on the machine.

The Winter Handicap of one mile and five furlongs brings the straightout trotters together. Pardon Me is a most dependable trotter and she will be one of the favourites. Her effort to finish second to Acclamation last Saturday was a high-class performance. Likewise, Fantom vindicated his reputation as the best trotter in the country by running out the two miles in 4.16 which could only carry him into third place. If there was a slow pace early, J. R. McKenzie’s brilliant trotter would probably have little trouble with his field in the final furlong, but this is hardly likely with such a speedster as Calumella handily placed on the 12 yard mark. Pardon Me, Calumella and Fantom are likely prospects. Gold Script s Gold Script is expected to begin his three-year-old career at Avondale in the six-furlong race. He is weighted at 8.7 (211 b above the minimum). Next highest of his age is his stablemate, Stanfred, with 7.12.