DRIVERS ENGAGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 9

DRIVERS ENGAGED

TROTTING CUP HORSES GOOD EFFORTS AT OAMARU GALLANT KNIGHT IN FAVOUR [BY TELEGHAI'H —OWN CORRESPONDENT] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday It. B. Berry will drive Lucky Jack in tho New Zealand Trotting Cup and D. C. Watts will pilot I'arisienne. It is reported that M. Holmes will handle Marsceres, but, as lie has both Pot Luck and Renown's Best engaged, these horses will have to bo scratched if ho is to liavo tho drive, and this is probable. The form of Pot Luck and Renown's Best has not been encouraging and it would not surprise to find both missing from the list of final acceptors. On his running at Oamaru, King's Warrior appears to be far from his best. Ho and Cantata, who ran a fair raco at Oamaru, may also bo missing from the list of final acceptors. Tho appearanco of somo of tho Now Zealand Cup horses at Oamaru was watched with tho greatest interest, and there is a tendency for Oiallant Knight and Fine Art to advance in favour. Gallant Knight was not 0110 of tho early leaders, but over tho last two furlongs ho put in great work and ran past tho cracks to win in tho excellent time of 12.39 for a milo and a-quarter. Fast Pace Set Howover, Fine Art really impressed moro by his performance, for. although ho was not actually the Quickest to begin, he soon reached the front and sot a pace that only champions could be expected to maintain. Ho ran tho first half-mile in 1.4, six furlongs in 1.10, and tho last half-mile in (SO JS-os. Fine Art was still going strongly a furlong from home, when ho was challenged by Colonel Grattan, -whom ho disposed of aftor a short, sharp tussle. No sooner had ho done this than he was tackled by the brilliant Windsor Lass, who put up a hard battle, and just when it appeared that Fine Art had victory within his grasp. Gallant Knight flashed up to beat him on the post. Tho win of Gallant Knight was impressive, but Fine Art had all tho worst of tho deal and on his performance may be accounted a really good- racehorse. Another battle with Gallant Knight will bo eagerly awaited by trotting enthusiasts, for both horses at their next meeting should be at tho top of their form. King's Play Disappoints A disappointment of tho race was King's Play, who, until recently, was one of tho favourites. Like Plutus, ho was at an outsido price, but both were giving away long starts and either would need to have established a New Zealand record to win. Plutus appeared to be in ideal condition for this tiino of the year and with the work he will get in the meantime ho should bo at the top of his form by Cup Day. Plutus is the bestrunnnered horse racing at present and is well fancied by his connections. Recent racing points to Fine Art, Gallant Knight. Lucky Jack and Plutus all having good chances in the Cup. In his last two starts, Southern Chief has so completely outclassed his fields as to raise the question as to how good ho really is. In his last four starts on grass tracks he has shown the form of a champion and, if he can reproduce his best at Addington, it will not bo long before ho is racing nmong the best horses in New Zealand. Southern Chief Brilliant When first ho went with R. B. Berry's stable it seemed to bo a question as to who should be master, the horse or the trainer. In at least two races, Southern Chief seemed to have tho advantage, but this was not tho way it appealed to Berry, who showed at the next outing that horso and driver had a perfect understanding as to what was required. , „ .. At the Methven meeting in June, Southern Chief won the President's Handicap by six lengths .in 4.25 4-3 from a 4.38 mark, and two days later won tho Acton Handicap of two miles at Ashburton in 4.21 from a 4.35 mark. At the Methven meeting on September 30, ho mado an exhibition of tho field in winning by 12 lengths in 4.26 1-5. His latest victory in 4.20 1-5 shows Soutnern Chief as a good stayer and one worthy of entry in tho Now Zealand Cup. King's Play sweated freely before his race at Oamaru and did not show the brilliance expected. His trainer, S. A. Edwards, has hardly had him long enough to learn his peculiarities, which were perfectly understood by his previous trainer. M. C. Mo: Tiguo. " RECORD ENTRIES f MATINEE meeting BEST .NOVICES ENGAGED With a total of 01. including 11 in the two-year-old parade, tho Auckland Trotting Owners, Trainers and . Breeders' Association has received record entries for tho matinee meeting at Alexandra Park, Epsom, pn November 4. The only race which failed to draw a good response is tho Three-year-old Trial Stakes and, as there was an overabundance of horses in the other maiden ovents, tho four-year-olds have been transferred to the Trial Stakes. A few novice horses have been penalised in accordance with tho Rules of Racing for earning £7O in place money, and these will race from the marks assessed by tho North Island handicapper. Mr. A. Tronson. Handicaps for the Six-furlong Saddle, women riders, Exhibition Raco and tho Exhibition Handicap, for novice drivers and registered stablemen. will be framed by tho association's handicappers, Messrs. J. T. Paul and J. Gee. Details: — F. C. KNIGHT MEMORIAL, maiden pacers; IY, miles.—Bingen's Best, Bold Boy, Bonnie Jowel, Bronze King. Del Potts, Gipsy Light, Josedalo Dawn. Lady Muriel Northern Smith, Princess Linnett, Repose, Ringstone, Scotty Direct, Sequoia. Torpedo King, Winning Post, b m by Marble Star—Lady Stepney, limit-. Great Travis. 12yds bhd; Kewpie's Bingen, 24. TRIAL STAKES, three and four-year-olds; V/ miles.—Auto Lad, Barbara Scott, Bonniedene, Charles Rex, Rockfal (thrcc-year-olds). Honey Pot, Kinawley. Magic Task, Princess Linnett. Shining Link, Silver Plane, ch g by Ringtrue—lntaglio. WAITEMATA CUP. trotters; 1 »/ a miles.— Golden Journey, Golden Surprise, Golden Wattle, Joscdale Dictator, Lena Worthy, Might Surpriso, Port Chalmers. Wharelcawa. Wiri Bingen, ch m by Worthy Bingen— Rothschild mare, limit: Margin, 12yds bhd. WAIKATO PLATE, maiden pacers; l'A miles.—Blue Crest. Bold Boy, Bonnie Jowel, Bronze King, Gipsy Light, Northern Smilo, Princess Linnett, Repose. Ringstone, Scotty Direct, Sequoia-, Shining Link, Silver Plane, Sweet Aloes, Wilbur's Heiress, limit; Clay Pot, Great Travis, Parishioner, 12yds bhd. SADDLE EVENT, women riders; about 0 fur.—Bold Boy, Charteris Bay (T.), Clay Pot. Free Logan, Gipsy Light, Hori Bingen. King's Knight, McGlnsky. Sir Frank. NOVICE DRIVERS AND REGISTERED STABLEMEN'S EXHIBITION; V/, miles.— Artist's Gem, Bingen's Best, Del Polls. Don Acron. Luminale, Monty Chimes, Royal Palm (T.). Sequoia, Silver Watch. Television, Torpedo King. TWO-YEAR-OLD PARADE.—EarI's Pride, Hippomenes, Parrish Boy, b f by Tsana— Cyone, blk g by Jewel Pointer—Ada Vale, b g by Jewel Pointer —Trustworthy ch f by Nelson Tasker —Black Pearl, b f by Rcy do Oro—Pearl Parrish. ch f by Kewpic's Crest— Lizzio Bond, b f by Jewel Pointer —Bonnio Bingen. b g by Jack Potts—Kowpio's Guy. AUCKLAND PACERS LEAVING FOR SOUTH Tho Auckland pacers. Bayard, Paraurl and Llanvabon will leave to-day for Wellington to fulfil their engagements at IJiitt Park on Saturday. As the result of racing over tho week-end, the three aro in good shapo and should run prominently. The Waikato representatives, Scotty Direct, Reception and Flash Bye went south yesterday. Scotty Direct was placed at the last Wellington meeting, and, if feeling no illeffects from his fall at Epsom last Saturday. has useful prospects. Although a back-marker in tho trotting events, Reception is closer to the limit horses than for some time and is likely to give a good account of herself. Flash Bye. who did not win as a trotter, will make her initial appearance as a pacer, at which gait her half-brother, King Oro. has proved very successful in Australia. After competing at Hntt Park Reception and Flash Bye will go on to Christchurch, where their owner-trainer, W. J. Wheeler, will make his headquarters for some time. F. .7. Smith will return from Wellington and next week will send Ironside, Nell Volo, Josedalo Grattan. Sandusky and Parauri to Addington for the New Zealand Cup meeting.

IIIVETTE'S NEXT RACE (Received October 25. 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE. Oct. 25 Tho Caulficld Cup winner Hivetto is to run in the Mooneo Valley Gold Cup on Saturday and will be ridden by E. Preston. Respirator did paco work to-day and it looks as if lie is unlikely to race again beforo tiie Melbourne Cup. Marmiste has arrived from Adolaido. Catalogue covered a mile and 20 yards in .1.45% at Meutono to-day, the last five furlongs taking 1.0. His track work suggests that Cataloguo is a better horse than ho was last year.