GREAT DON WELL PLACED

Southland Times, Issue 23827, 26 May 1939, Page 10

GREAT DON WELL PLACED

U SCOTT TO REAPPEAR AT ADDINGTON J. McLENNAN’S TRANSFER TO WYNDHAM The Auckland Trotting Club’s winter meeting, which opens on Saturday, has drawn a big contingent of Canterbury horses. Returned Home Silver Laddie, who came in for solid support in his engagements at Forbury Park, was returned to his owner after the meeting. In Favour Salalon has compiled a consistent record since being transferred to Canterbury and the Adioo Guy gelding is likely to be in strong favour for the mile saddle event at Addington on Saturday. J. McLennan’s Appointment The Invercargill trainer, J. McLennan, has accepted the position of private trainer to the Wyndham owner-breeder, Mr H. Hunter, who has a big team of horses and several youngsters to be put through the educational stages.

Adioo Guy Mare for Tasmania One of the mares purchased by the Tasmanian breeder, Mr E. Tatlow, during his visit to the Dominion, is an Adioo Guy mare from the dam of Vologda, who was sold to him by Mr W. R. Jones, of Riversdale.

May Win Again Great Don is well placed off the front line of the Peninsula Handicap at Addington on Saturday and a repetition of his Washdyke form would find him again being hard to beat. When he won at the South Canterbury meeting he registered 3min 18 2-ssec for the mile and a-half and had to race on the outer of a big field over the last half mile. To Reappear

The appearance of U Scott at the Canterbury Park meeting will be followed with more than ordinary interest as it is 12 months since the American horse last raced. Lawn Derby and Van Derby have registered some sensational mile performances during the current season, but it is contended that if produced at his best U Scott will run a faster mile than either.

Experienced Three Tens, owned by Mr E. F. C. Hinds, of Harold Logan fame, has been entered for the Juvenile Stakes at Addington, and is an acceptor for the Sapling Stakes. She has had as much experience as the majority engaged, and is likely to run well. The majority has little public form to recommend, but while Highland Scott appears to be the outstanding pacer, Durability and Betty Boop may help to make a very interesting race on the big Ashburton track.

No Thin EdgeMelbourne this year plans to stage its biggest spring festival. It must necessarily include sport, so why not a night trotting meeting? The idea is one which the promoters of the festival should investigate. There are obstacles that must be overcome, but they are not insurmountable. Night trotting, except at the Royal Show, is at present illegal in Victoria, but the, Government showed that it was favourable to night trotting when it introduced a Bill (which was defeated in the Legislative Council by one vote last session) to permit the sport. Surely Parliament could be induced (says a Melbourne writer) to waive the existing legislation for, say, two nights for such a special occasion. What would be necessary would be the introduction of a special Bill that would name the venue and grant facilities for betting. During Melbourne centenary celebrations the Victorian Trotting and Racing Association played its part by staging a four days carnival which atracted the best trotting horses in Australia. Big stakes were provided, and the racing was first class. If the V.T. and R.A. had the opportunity of conducting a night meeting it would be equally generous with prize-money. Trotting meetings at present are confined to Monday—facetiously referred to by trotting men as washing day—and the result is that a big proportion of the public which would otherwise patronize the sport is unable to do so. Even the keenest supporters, those who train and drive their own horses, find it difficult to obtain leave from their employment to attend Monday meetings. Anyone who has seen night trotting in South Australia will appreciate the possibilities of such a meeting as a festival attraction. There is a wide gulf between night and day trotting as a spectacle.