Highland Fling Likely To Be First Choice For To-morrow’s Trotting Cup

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26915, 29 October 1948, Page 8

Highland Fling Likely To Be First Choice For To-morrow’s Trotting Cup

SPORTING

Highland Fling has been set a task in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, to be decided at Addington to-morrow, that will probably only be accomplished by the shattering of fresh records. The Cup has only been won once from 60 yards behind, which is Highland Fling’s mark, but he has so many claims to be considered one of the greatest horses ever raced in the Dominion, that this will probably not deter backers from making him a sound favourite. A great deal, obviously, will depend on how the race is run and there are several in the field' who, on paper, at least, will make the champion’s task a difficult one. The North Island-trained Single Direct, with a world’s pacing record of 4min 11 3-ssec, has been one of the most discussed candidates, but reports from Canterbury state that he travelled badly from Auckland and has since been off his feed. This is likely to seriously prejudice his chances. Knave of Diamonds was not prominent in the Hannon Memorial, but his second in last year’s Cup and his forward running at Addington in August suggest that he may still have to be reckoned with. Aberhall has raced well at Addington, and his brilliant finishing run at Oamaru will entitle him to serious consideration. Navigate showed his best form for some time in winning the Hannon Memorial, and Sprayman, who finished a good fourth, qualified for the Cup by an outstanding win in the Louisson Handicap at the National meeting. Loyal Peter, third in last year’s Cup, must at least be regarded as a place prospect. The other events have drawn the usual select fields, and with so much recently-disclosed form, backers will not have an enviable task. Amongst those likely to be supported are:— 10.45: Victoria Handicap.— Novelda-Notus bracket, Indemnity, Proprietor. 11.28: Spring Handicap. —Bellisima, Heir Apparent, Java. 12.8 : Riccarton Stakes.— Merrymaker, Bronze Gold, "Scottish NurseRayon bracket. 12.58: New Zealand Trotting Cup.— Highland Fling, Knave of Diamonds, Aberhall. 1.43: Canterbury Handicap.— Free Fight, County Antrim, Minoru. 2.28: Avon Handicap.— Acclamation-Aerial Scott bracket, Fantom, Toushay, 3.13: Empire Handicap.— Grattan Drive, Ingle Belmer, Monagh Leagh. 3.58: Final Handicap.— Sir Vivian, Worthy Dick, Duncraig.