TROTTING NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26026, 14 December 1945, Page 7

TROTTING NOTES

By Sentinel A Prospect Ima Grattan, who ran second to Hawich at Wairio on Saturday, is an aged gelding by Grattan Loyal from Etta Bingen, and is thus a half-brother to Worthy Addition and Scatterbrain. It was Ima Grattan's first appearance (says the Southland News) and she will not have to improve much to get on the winning list at Tapanui. Derby Winner Bonnv Bridge, who is off the front in the Gore Trotting Club Handicap, won the New Zealand Derby Stakes in 1943 and was twice third, including the Riccarton Stakes, in which he finished third to Imperial Lady and Plunder Bar. Bonny Bridge has been off the scene for two seasons, but a Christchurch report states that the Grattan Loyal gelding is rounding into first-class condition and should pay his way at the holiday meetings. He now ranks as a five-year-old. Matinee at Auckland Although only five of the two-year-olds engaged in the Great Northern Trotting Stakes in February paraded at the Epsom matinee on Saturday last, their appearance attracted attention and favourable comment. Two, a gejding by Josedale Grattan from Stenographer, and a filly by Übakim from Santa Fe. showed that they were more forward than the others when they were sprinted over four furlongs and a-half. The Santa Fc filly took the lead entering the straight, but broke and ran to the outside, leaving the Stenographer gelding, who finished straight and resolutely, to be first past the post. As was to be expected (says the New Zealand Herald) after their forward running at Ciaudelands, Parrish

Jewel and Baby Grand gained promotion to the improvers’ class by winning their respective events. Parrish Jewel scored in the First Milford Handicap from Bonnie Jack, while Baby Grand had a comfortable win from Shepherd's Brook in the Second Milford Handicap. Both Bonnie Jack and Shepherd’s Brook, who are newcomers to F J. Smith’s team, show much promise. There a surprise in the Third Milford Handicap, when Glen Parrish narrowly beat Auto Era. Noble Star, a consistent young trotter, won the Hobsonville Handicap, but had Keen Blade not broken about 60 yards from the finish Noble Star would have been second. These two outclassed the field, and they should go on to better company. The limit horses, Larry Grattan and Red Ace, were first and second in the Bayswater Handicap, with Highland Fling third. Highland Fling ran quite a good race, ar.d looks likely to regain form for the Great Northern Derby. From 168 yards behind, Volo Senwod gave a solid displav, and was not far behind the placed horses’. His time was approximately 3min 16 l-ssec. and it was a useful trial for his Auckland Trotting Cup engagement.