BLAYDON SHOULD IMPROVE

Southland Times, Issue 23930, 23 September 1939, Page 8

BLAYDON SHOULD IMPROVE

F. J. SMITH’S TEAM FOR HUTT PARK JOSEDALE GRATTAN HIGHLY RATED Big fields have been entered for the Methven meeting next Saturday. Fancied Blaydon has done well since his recent race at New Brighton, and he promises to parade in good order for his engagement in the Railway Handicap at Hutt Park today. He is highly regarded. At Wellington . Allworthy, trained by J. Young, won so well at' the recent New Brighton meeting that off the 48yds mark he looks almost sure to finish in the money at Hutt Park. Allworthy has been converted from the pacing gait. Cup Horses

Indianapolis has not done any fast work for some time, and Grand Mogul has a long way to go before reaching his best form. Bonny Azure is pacing up to her best standard and should be fit and well for important races in October and November. She has settled down and is working well. King’s Warrior bears a robust appearance. He has got through a series of strong tasks, and is ready to receive the final touches to his preparation. Graham Direct looks all the better for the race he had at New Brighton. He has had an easy time since that meeting, and is bright and healthy to do the required speed work to fit him for big events later on. A Classic Race

The Wellington Stakes will be the first classic race of the season, and the majority will later on be called on to race in the New Zealand Derby at Addington, states a Christchurch writer. The consistent form of Three Tens entitles him to favouritism. He was second to Sir Julien in both the Riccarton and Sapling Stakes, and with his victor out of the way Three Tens looks a distinct possibility. Several will have improved, and this number includes Durability, Shady Glen, Imperial Jade, and Gallant Chief, while if Highland Scott is produced he may dispute favouritism with Three Tens.

Hambletonian Winner A firm favourite in Peter Astra won the Hambletonian Stakes at Goshen, New York, recently. This race is for three-year-old trotters, and is the richest light harness race in the world. The race has done much to promote the trotting sport in America, and from a galaxy of talent that appears each year there invariably emerges a number of horses which trains on to good class. The attendance was 40,000, and Peter Astra won the first two heats. A week before the contest the issue was considered to be between Nibble Hanover and Peter Astra, but Nibble Hanover was withdrawn on the eve of the carnival, and Peter Astra was made a solid favourite. Peter Astra had previously built up a record that left few doubts that he was destined to greatness. As a two-year-old he carried all before him, his victories including the Rainy Day Sweepstakes, the Harrinan Cup, the Review Futurity and the Horseman Stakes. Those successes took him to the top of the two-year-old stake-winners. F. J. Smith’s Team

The Takanini trainer, F. J. Smith, has previously made successful invasions on Hutt Park and he will be represented today by Josedale Grattan, Neon Oro, and Josette. Josedale Grattan has won convincingly at each of his last two appearances, and his future prospects are regarded very optimistically. No line can be gained upon his speed, as he has raced on a soft track in each of his appearances, but there is no doubt regarding his ability. He will be meeting much stronger opposition in the Railway Handicap, but it will be surprising if he does not take a power of beating. Josette is the only Auck-land-owned candidate in the Wellington Stakes, and she would have to improve considerably to win. She is bred on very sound lines, which suggest she will develop with age, but until she learns to behave correctly at the barrier she will have to be taken on trust. . Neon Oro has yet to break her maiden status, but the first time she begins correctly she will add interest to the finish of any race she contests. In her training she exhibits speed much above the ordinary, and her times compare more than favourably with better-class performers in the stable. Still, until she learns to control her gait she is not a good proposition.

DEFAULTER’S FUTURE TO BE DECIDED ON MONDAY (Received September 23, 1.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, September 22. A decision will be made by Monday whether Defaulter is returning to New Zealand forthwith. Unless he resumes solid training by Monday he will be scratched from all spring engagements.