CLASSIC RACES JUSTIFIED

Southland Times, Issue 23840, 10 June 1939, Page 10

CLASSIC RACES JUSTIFIED

ADDITIONAL PERMITS SOUGHT REQUESTS OF GORE AND WINTON CLUBS Reta’s Own, who won a double at the Methven meeting, is one of the best-bred young square-trotters in the country. Her sire Native King (by Nelson Bingen from the imported mare Norice) was a Dominion Handicap winner while her dam, Reta Peter, was the champion trotter of her time and she twice defeated fields of pacers in winning two New Zealand Cups. More Racing Sought The decision of the Gore and Winton Trotting Clubs each to apply for another day’s racing during the coming season is evidence that the clubs are still hopeful of obtaining further permits. For some years past Southland clubs have applied for additional days, but their requests appear to receive little consideration. Although requests have been made by the two Southland clubs named, the stewards of the clubs probably realize that their applications will meet with the fate of those made in earlier years. Som: months ago there was hope of a commission being set up to investigate the affairs of racing and trotting, and the hope was entertained by Southland administrators, that Southland would receive its share if extra permits, which seemed possible at the time, were distributed. The commission, however, has yet to . sit and there is no guarantee that it J will, according to recent announce- ; ments.

Against Time Mr E. Tatlow, owner of the grass track record holder, Van Derby, 2min 0 2-ssec, has cabled his trainer to offer to give an exhibition with Van Derby at the benefit trotting meeting to be held at Addington today. It is Mr Tatlow’s intention to send Van Derby after fresh records with a view to enhancing his value for stud purposes. Van Derby has already shown great speed in his attempts on grass track records, and his effort to establish a new record over a mile and a-half will create considerable interest. In his private trials, Van Derby has shown that he is capable of pacing 12 furlongs in the region of the world’s record of 3min 2sec, which is at present held by Greyhound. The present record for New Zealand is held by Fine Art, 3min 12 l-ssec, when he won the Winter Handicap, at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington last month.

Successful Introduction A review of the closing trotting season in Southland would not be complete without reference to institution of the classic races on the programmes of the Winton and Wyndham clubs. The inclusion of these events for three-year-olds gave a great fillip to the sport in the province as many more young horses than previously were placed in work and while all did not get to the post in either of the classics, their presence will be noticed among novice fields in another year. The fields that the Winton and Wyndham races attracted were exceptional ones and if fields of similar strength are available in another year the two clubs will have nothing to complain of. Ned Worthy, who won both classics, is an outstanding juvenile pacer and an idea of his worth was given when he finished fourth in the All Aged Stakes at Ashburton when the majority of champion pacers in commission met. On this occasion Ned Worthy did not get a clear run in the straight or otherwise he would have finished closer up in a record run race —Nelson Eddy’s time of 3min 15sec for the one mile and a-half representing fresh figures for a three-year-old. Ned Worthy, who is bred on excellent lines, being a half-brother by Worthy Bond to Nell Grattan, Rocks Ahead and others, is certain to win his way to a tight mark in the handicaps. While Ned Worthy won both classics his task would have been made much more difficult had Icilima been as seasoned as Ned Worthy. Icilma, a Rey de Oro filly from Lome Nurse, a half-sister to Nelson Pointer, is a youngster of great promise. In both her races she displayed brilliant speed and stayed on well with it. In the writer’s opinion she has the brilliance to develop into a leading handicap winner later on. Icilma tangled at the start of her race at Wyndham but this was chiefly caused by the field being started in the open and advantage not being taken of the rails. The other three-year-olds may not have been up to the same class as Ned Worthy and Icilma, but Aidus, Lochiel’s Pride, Brown Cloud, Jack Bond, Reyburn and others are likely to race prominently in maiden events in the new season.

A Doubtful Claim In the All-Aged Stakes at Ashburton, Colonel Grattan, in running third, registered 3min 12 l-ssec for a mile and a-half, equalling the record established by Fine Art in the Winter Handicap at the recent Canterbury Park meeting. In certain quarters Fine Art’s performance was claimed as a world’s record; but this is disputed (says The Press) in a cable message received in Christchurch from the Snowtown Trotting Club, in South Australia. The message is as follows: “Snowtown Trotting Cup, 12 furlongs, run February 7, Barney Doolan winning from 30yds bhd, actual rate 3min 11 9-10 sec barrier start. Does Fine Art hold world’s record?” A reference to the Australian Trotting Record of February 15 shows that Barnev Doolan, a six-year-old gelding by Cobber o’ Mine—-Something Honest, owned by Mr L. B. Horton, won the Snowtown Trotting Cup in 3min 14 2-ssec. The handicap was on a 2min 18sec basis, and

the time is given as 3min 14 2-ssec. Apparently handicapping in Adelaide is based on 10 yards to the second, and not on 12 yards, as in New Zealand, in which case, allowing three seconds for the 30 yards handicap, Barney Doolan registered 3min 11 2-ssec. Barney Doolan is evidently a good pacer, for including the Snowtown Cup of £5OO, he has won eight races this season.