ADDINGTON TRIALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27166, 23 August 1949, Page 8

ADDINGTON TRIALS

GAY KNIGHT IMPRESSES LINE ON PROSPECTS FOR SATURDAY Several impressive performances were recorded at the Addington trials last week. Gay Knight won the sprint with something in hand from Globe Direct, Great Belwin and Maudeen. Gay Knight will be a warm favourite for his race on Saturday, while Globe Direct is in great order for his Louisson Handicap engagement. Gay Piper gave a line on his immediate prospects by winning a division of the 3min 40sec pace. Gay Piper was kept in behind the field for the major part of the journey, and when allowed to stretch out he came right away to win from Fortuna, Chamfer, the early pace-maker, and Starshell.

Battle On was making his first appearance from C. R. Berkett’s stables when he won the 3min 35sec pace. He had too much in reserve for the fast-finishing County Antrim, with Dillondale, Bonny Scott, Grattan Drive, and Attack next. Barrier Reef can be expected to return to the winning list at short notice as a result of his easy win in the 3min 47sec class trot after losing upwards of 60yds at the start. Barrier Reef made a good run over the last half-mile to head Rerewaka just short of the ost. They were followed in by Pardon Me, who is coming to hand well. Remlap, Air Mail, Black Diamond, ,'essie Grattan, and Piccolo won their respective races, and they should be seen to advantage in the first appearance of the season. Jottings C. R. Berkett took the two-year-old brother to Gay Knight to the Addington trials last week, and the youngster made a favourable impression. Allanah is to be tried over two r les in the President's Handicap at Claudelands on Saturday. She won two races very easily at the recent Thames meeting, and the extra few furlongs should not trouble her, especially if the track is easy. Won Last Year

Kildare, who is entered for the Wingatui Trotting Handicap at the Otago Hunt meeting next week, recorded his only success last season at the same meeting when he was successful in the first division of the Dunedin Trotting Handicap. He is a stylish pacer by Logan Fraser from Doll Dance, who left useful performers in Dancing Pirate, Passing By (the dam of Airswept), Lockheed and Quite Clever. Dame Durdin Disappoints Dame Durdin, a full-sister to Jason’s Quest, came in for solid support in her races at Thames, but she failed to make any impression on the leaders over the final bit. She broke at her first start and tired badly at the end of two miles to finish a poor fourth after having every chance at her second appearance. She should be improved by these races, and may be more prominent at Claudelands on Saturday. Waikato Prospect

Murray Grattan came with a good run over the last half-mile in the Thames Cup on August 13 to finish third behind Cultivator and Indian Game, less than half a length behind the winner. He will have a chance to improve on this in the President’s Handicap at the Waikato Trotting Club's meeting at Claudelands on Saturday, where he looks nicely placed off 24yds. He is a five-year-old gelding by the New Zealand Cup winner, Josedale Grattan, from Crocus, a useful performer herself, who left other winners in Floradale and Daphne Grattan.

Changes of Stables His Excellency is the latest addition to W, R. Butt’s team, while Pierre is now being trained by M. Holmes, who will receive Logan Scott shortly. His Excellency showed good form two seasons ago, winning two races and -recording several placings, but last season he lost form, and the best he could do was two fourths. Pierre showed good form last season when trained by R. J. Berry, and the son of Dillon Hall and Mademoiselle should add to his record this term. Lop n Scott is a promising improver by U. f cott from Pearl Logan. His best form last season was a win over Curiosity at Geraldine. Secret Mission, a three-year-old half-brother by Grattan Loyal to His Excellency, is now with M. Holmes. He will probably race in the Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes at Addington. C. H. Berkett has taken over the t./o i traight-out trotters Our Jackie and Noble Star. Our Jackie, a winner last season, is by Swordsman from Myrtle de Oro, by Rey de Oro from Myrtlene, by Peter Moko. Myrtle de Oro left other winners in Overdraft and Rayon to Übakim. Noble Star is a nine-year-old gelding by Nobleman from Marble Step.