TROTTING FORM AT NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 31 January 1939, Page 8

TROTTING FORM AT NELSON

SMART TIMES RECORDED

LOYAL AIRS IN FINE HEART SILK KING LIKELY IMPROVER < By C. E. Craig » The Nelson Trotting Club's meeting opened very successfully on Saturday, when in spite of smaller fields than usual, and a good deal of money being tied up owing to an inquiry into the running of Worthy Merit after his success in the Foxhill Trot, totalisator investiments showed the good return of £7528. only £9l below last year’s first day total. The Richmond course was in splendid order and substantial time improvements were recorded by placed horses in every race. Winning horses omproved on their handicaps as follows: Gentleman Joe. 17 3-5 secs; Misdeal, 16 1-5; Loyal Airs, 13 3-5 and 12 1-5; Worthy Merit, 12 4-5; Gold Cue, 10 3-5; Sylvan, 9 4-5; and Travisque, 7 2-5. A feature was the time of Loyal Airs, 2.47 4-5 in the 3.1 class event, which was almost two seconds faster than that of Travisque in the 2.57 class race. Loyal Airs, by Grattan Loyal—Necessity, is one of the best improvers seen for some time, and her excellent condition is a credit to the young trainer, E. Scholfield, who also drove well judged races. Her 3.21 2-5 to win the Stoke Handicap from 48 yards was a very fine effort and she will be difficult to beat in the tighter class Farewell Handicap. Accompanying Loyal Airs on the trip is a handsome two-year-old filly by U. Scott from the dam of the useful trotter Listowel. LIKELY IMPROVERS Silk King who followed Loyal Airs home in the Stoke Handicap, ran a solid race, drawing attention to his second day prospects. He finished full of running and with plenty of determination. Silk King is related to the Auckland and Wellington Cup winner, Royal Silk. Although he failed to return a dividend, the solid looking Carrageen made a splendid final dash in the Motueka Handicap to run 2.49 into third place and had he been a little better placed earlier would have bepn second although he could not have beaten Loyal Airs. Carrageen is by Wrack—Erin’s Logan, and represents good breeding. Misdeal, in losing her novice status was responsible for an attractive performance. It was her first attempt, except for a run at a matinee meeting, and the way she came home to win the Wakefield Handicap left the impression that the Jack Potts—Peggy Logan filly will extend her record. Her three-year-old companion, Falaise, by Wrack—Rey, is a smart youngster, but spoilt her chance through being barrier shy. She will improve with experience. Without reaching the money, Rough Deal ran well enough to indicate that it may not be long before he compensates his Blenheim trainer, E. A. J. Priddle. He is a big type by Jack Potts from an Author Dillon mare. The Westport horse Salute made a determined effort at the end of the Murchison Handicap, and with a little more luck in the running may have separated Berkett’s two pacers instead of only registering a third place.

NEVER IN DOUBT Never leaving the rails, which was a contrast to his tactics at Auckland on the right-handed track, the versatile Gentleman Joe did not look in danger of defeat at any stage of the Cup race. Charlie Chan and then Aqua Bond tackled W. J. Allen’s horse at the turn, but once given his head Gentleman Joe ran clean away to score a hollow victory. He is in both pacing and trotting races to-morrow and will be dangerous at either gait. Aqua Bond made a game attempt b'ut was no match for the winner over the final furlong and a half. Her form, however, suggests she will win a race before going on to the Wellington meeting. If Gentleman Joe is absent from the President’s Handicap Aqua Bond will be in most demand. Hidden Charm drifted after going a , mile and a half but came on again m the straight to cut Passport out of third place. He is a useful pacer by Nelson Derby and should derive benefit from the racing. Logan Palm, who was a late arrival for the meeting after a long trip from Karamea, did not finish on in the big race after being well placed for over a mile and a half, but the effort livened him and he made a fine finishing run for second in the Riwaka Handicap. He may be a better horse to-mor-Passport ran two creditable races, but his early pulling tendency did not assist him at the business end. He gives the impression that he Is more suited to sprinting and may be a good prospect in the Farewell Handicap. SYLVAN’S GOOD EFFORT Sylvan trotted faultlessly to win the j Brightwater Handicap from 60 yards. and from 108 yards in the Foxhill Han- ! dicap she was close behind the third i horse. Bon Haven. The sister to Pink j Lady is carrying a lot of condition and 1 may improve with racing. Worthy Merit is a speedy trotter but! erratic in his habits, lacking the solid- j ness to make him a good proposition, j He is by Worthy Bingen, as is Un-1 worthy, who ran second to Worthy j Merit in the Foxhill Handicap, after! being third in the Brightwater Trot. Unworthy, now in W. Heginbotham’s care, appears to be* more solid and may be prominent again to-morrow. Bon Haven was placed in both starts, but he is more of the plodding type. He is a Nelson Bingen product, and his pDcings completed the triumph for Bingen trotters in the two races. Sylvan and Bon Haven represented Nelson Bingen; Worthy Merit and Unworthy are by his son. Worthy Bingen, and the four trotters filled all the places in the two races. Native Leaf, by Native King, another son of Nelson Bingen, ruined any chance by refusing to go away in either race. She is a very speedy mare who 1

v J -" | only requires to go solidly to trouble the others. A trifle big. Count Parrish nevertheless ran useful races and some improvement can be expected when he parades the second day. Leo Berkett had a well deserved field day with three firsts, three seconds and two thirds. Except in the Cup race, in which Charlie Chan was his sole candidate, the local trainer started two horses in each race, and he is a fine asset to the Club. He won with Gold Cue, whom he has developed into a solid pacer, Travisque and Sylvan, the last named being driven by C. Berkett, a very capable young reinsman. Juliana, who was twice placed, may add to the stable record before the meeting ‘closes.