PROVED PACERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23404, 21 July 1939, Page 7

PROVED PACERS

THE AUGUST HANDICAP FINE ART HIGHLY RATED RISE OF COLONEL GRATTAN BY ABAYDOS Two of the most discussed horses in the August Handicap, the principal race on the first day of the Addington meeting, are Fine Art and Colonel Grattan, whose rise this season has been phenomenal. Had Kenworthy not met with the mishap which has checked his preparation, ho would also have entered seriously into the discussion of the prospects. There is a good deal in common in the fine performances of the two Southern pacers, who have shown marked ability at all distances. Both recently established a mile and a-half record of 3.12 1-5. Fino Art recorded the time to win at Addington, while Colonel Grattan made his figures at Ashburton for third place in the All Aged Stakes, a position 1 he occupied in the same race last year. Fine Art began the season on a 4.40 line, and with seven wins , and four seconds, is back to 4.27, a mark nlso reached by Colonel who early in the term was on 4.35, and has rer corded six wins and two seconds. Ohance lor Gallant Knight Another horse worthy of consideration is tho American-bred Gallant Knight, who registered three impressive wins. No imported horse can claim finer breeding, his sire being -Mr. McFlwyn, 1.59 i; his dam, Etta Day, was rated with the best. It is anticipated by his connections that next season Gallant Knight will reach the highest grade. Renown's Best, a good stake-earner last year, proved her value when she defeated such good pacers as Logan Derby and King's Play in the Louisson Handicap in November, to return 4.17 3-5, which was the two miles record for a mare, until Parisienne'lowered it to 4.15 3-5 at Forbury Park. Renown's Best is a fine 'stayer, by Grattan Loval from the Advance mare Renown, who was a good trotter. Plutus, who ran prominently for the major part of the New Zealand Cup. and won tho Ollivier Handicap, off 4.26, is well treated in retaining that mark. Off 4.25 Plutus was twice second to King's Play at Easter, and won the New Brighton and Addington Autumn Frce-For-All contests. Do Soto two years ago scored four firsts and a second in five starts and was one of the favourites for the New Zealand Cup, in which he did not start, owing to an injury. Ho won two sprint races early last season, and ran fourth in tho Cup. Ho has been off tho scene for some time, but has come up from 4.24 to a 4.26 mark. Prospects of Nervle's Last Ericus, Rocks Ahead, Roy Spec nnd War Buoy, who are on the limit, 4.28, ran unplaced off 4.26 in the New Zealand Cup, and although given several starts subsequently, they showed nothing like their form of the previous few seasons. Nervie's Last, without winning in his 17 starts, was four times second, showing fine form at the distance when second to Blair Athol in the Dominion Handicap at Hutt Park. Since that effort the free-legged pacer has been in J. Bryce's stable, and he may have prospects. Bonny Azure, after appearing to have lost her former dash, won the Denton Memorial Handicap at New Brighton, conceding starts to 48 yards. Graham Direct paraded 15 times, but ho secured only two thirds. However, it was a fino effort when he followed King's Play and Plutus home at Easter. He is now two seconds further out in tho handicap. King's Warrior, whose three starts last Augtlst produced two firsts and a third, is on 4.24, from which lino ho will "requiro to be at his best in view of the much improved form of some further out. At this stage, Fine Art, Colonel Grattan and Gallant Knight are likely to attract most attention. Smart Sprinters Numerous sprinters of the best grade are listed in the International Handicap, 2.45 class, including Lucky Jack on 2.42, who won tho race last year off tho same lino, with a limit of 2.44. Parisienne and Plutus are the backmarkers on 2.41, but they will find King's Play, 2.43, a difficult horse to beat. Of those on 2.44, Blair Athol, whose form has been remarkably good, will make a strong appeal, and his fine staying power will stand to him. Marsceres is a good all-round performer, and it was at the* same meeting last year that he scored four wins.and a second in five starts. Icevus, who won seven races, including one at Epsom, is a sprinter of exceptional merit and will take beating. Colonel Grattan, who showed brilliant form in bis Epsom races," and since won well in the South, is on the limit, and if unsuccessful in the August Handicap, may be a pronounced favourite. Fine Art is also in this event; and lias good form at the distance, although lie may be preferred at two miles. Gallant Knight, Renown's Best and Frisco Boy are all very smart, and the veteran Glenrossie raced consistently this season for six pi a rings. Ironside, recognised in some quarters as incapable of fast sprinting, won the mile and a-quarter Speedway Handicap last August, and in November was narrowly beaten by Morello at the same distance. At two miles Ironside won the National Handicap, and the Ashburton and Dimedin Cups. Such a rare stayer is always dangerous at the end of a sprint event. There is a wealth of material, but early fancies may include Colonel Grattan, Ironside, Icevus and King's Play. TROTTING BREVITIES NEWS FROM ALL QUARTERS Last season horseis trained by R. B. Berry earned £13,262, the chief contributors being Parisienne £3340 and Lucky Jack £3225. This term Berry was not so successful, his team securing £4866, of which Parisienne collected £1250 and Lucky Jack, £915. F. J. Smith continues to mako an occasional trip to Epsom. Tho pacers Ironside and King's Warrior are getting into sliapo. Tho trotting representatives, Nell Volo and Swordsman, are doing useful tasks and making steady progress. Rain yesterday morning seriously affected training at Epsom, and of tho few horses hopplod, Munga Taugi, Bingen's Best, Three Bells and Shrowdio wore the only ones to show any speed and they only reached a 2.21 gait in four-furlong sprints. Having his first hoppled task pinco coming north, Monty Chimes showed a 2.30 rato for a nulo and a-qu artor. Peggotty and Wahnooka aro tho stars in.the unhopplod trotters' ovents on tho opening day at Addington, and both are asked to give away starts ranging up to 72 yards. Over two miles this does not appear an impossible tnsk for proved stayers. C. S. Donald, who trains Wahnooka, has a very good second string in Captain Bolt, who is on 48 yards Dehind.