FRESH RECORDS ESTABLISHED

Southland Times, Issue 24153, 15 June 1940, Page 8

FRESH RECORDS ESTABLISHED

Trotting Season In

Southland

GOLD BANKS FORM CONFIRMED MANY PROMISING YOUNG PACERS The 1939-40 light harness season, which is about to be brought to a close, has been rather an important one in Southland from the point of view of time performances. The efforts of clubs to secure additional permits were unsuccessful, but under existing conditions it is probably just as well and clubs will be in a position to maintain stakes at their present level. It was very evident during the current term that young horses were raced more extensively than usual, no doubt the introduction of the Juvenile Stakes being responsible for this. The performances of Gold Bank, Rocks Ahead and Willowbank reached a standard previously unheard of in Southland, and a standard which is likely to take some maintaining.

Gold Bank’s Wyndham Cup win was doubtless the highlight of the seasons racing. The manner in which he gave a big field a start over the last half mile and won decisively—being timed to run the last half in 60 2-ssec—was one of the greatest exhibitions of speed yet witnessed in Southland. Gold Bank later repeated this performance by winning the All-Aged Stakes at Addington when he started from the same mark (48yds) as Dusky Sound, Sandusky, Pot Luck, Plutus, Marsceres, Renown’s Best, Jesse Owens, Horsepower and Lightning Lady and won like a champion. There were many people ready to doubt the merit of his last half in the Wyndham Cup but his later form convinced those who doubted this performance. Gold Bank, who also won the Southland Handicap, is entitled to be regarded as a potential New Zealand Cup candidate.

A SUCCESSFUL LINE Gold Bank, who was sired by Worthy Bond (the only Axworthy horse at the stud in New Zealand) comes from an all-Southland maternal line. His dam . Lovematch was got by Four Chimes from Bay Belle, by King Harold (by Childe Harold, the sire of Rothschild) from Black Bess, by the thoroughbred Mainsail. Lovematch is also the dam of Roselight who produced Sydney Grand, whose successes last season included the Winton Cup. Sydney Grand

promised to win his way to good company this season but he was injured in his paddock and is unlikely to race again. Another member of this family was Matchlight, who was also out of Bay Belle, the dam of Flagstart, Quickmatch, Lovematch and Dar Belle. Messrs Cross Brothers, of Otama, who bred Gold Bank and other members of this family, have Been staunch supporters of trotting in Southland for many years. Another Cup winner who showed herself to be capable of winning her way to much better company was Willowbank, who dead-heated with Iron Duke in the Gore Cup and came out and won the Winton Cup. In the latter race her time of 4min 23 2-ssec was several seconds inside the Southland

two mile record, and considering that she was required to cover extra ground the performance was a much better one than it looked on paper. Although a lightly-framed mare Willowbank has shown great speed in all her races and she is possessed of stamina as well. As a four-year-old the previous year she had won over a mile and five furlongs in 3min 38 4-ssec—a Southland record up to that time. Willowbank did very little racing after her Winton win, and as she is still assessed on a loose mark she should win good races from now on.

MILE RECORDS In recent seasons attempts have been made against the watch and several fast mile records have been established. A few years ago Harold Logan bettered 2min lOsec, being the first horse to do * su in Southlan ’. Then Logan Derby lowered these figures but at Winton Rocks Ahead, one of the best mares bred in these parts for some years, paced an exhibition mile in 2min 5 3-5 sec—figures previously unheard on Southland tracks. It was an amazing performance in every way and one which will take a great deal of bettering. Lucky Jack, twice winner of the New Zealand Cup, also paced an exhibition mile at Wyndham during the season. His time of 2min 6 2-ssec was a great effort considering -the conditions. The majority of horses to show any form in the better class races found their way to Canterbury stables before the season ended. Besides Willowbank and Gold Bank, Katene was sent to Palmerston North, while Millisle and Hatrack both joined Canterbury stables. Millisle, who won a double in the spring, later proved himself one of the best young square trotters raced in New Zealand during the season and in all he won eight races. As a four-year-old last term he gave the impression that he would be a good winner when more seasoned and in quick time he has won his way to a tight mark. It cannot be said that he is bred on outstanding lines. He was got by the Peter the Great horse, Peter Moko, who has not been a great success at the stud, while his dam Plain Dolly was a shortly-bred mare. Plain Dolly, who was in her

twenty-first mare when she foaled Millisle, was got by Young McKinney from a Blacksmith mare, and what more is known of her family appears to stop at that. She was also the dam of Desert Cloud, who has shown useful form as a pacer. KATENE’S FORM Katene has never been a generous racehorse but his form at times has been much above average. His best effort was in the Winton Cup when he finished third in 4min 28 2-ssec after being almost half a furlong behind the leaders at one. stage. Happy Locanda raced unluckily for a time. He was second to Willowbank in the Winton Cup in 4min 26 4-ssec; second to Gold Bank in the Wyndham Cup and second to. Trireme at Invercargill. He has since won twice, however, and his solidness should see him improve further. Mendel was a newcomer to the Cup ranks who impressed by his efforts and like most of Adioo Guy’s stock he has taken some time to come solid. He can both sprint and stay and his prospects in another season stand out. Although the best was not seen of her later in the season Aspirant’s early form stamped her as an outstanding young pacer, especially when she finished second to Golden Miller at Winton in 3min 35sec for a mile and five furlongs. This was the effort of a great mare but she later developed splints and was put aside for the season. Aspirant is a half-sister to Grand Mogul and Smile Again and is one of the first of Llewellyn’s stock to race in Southland. Foremost Junior was another young pacer who impressed as one likely to win in much better company before long. He has indicated that he can both sprint and stay and so far he has not done a great amount of racing. Royal Guy returned to the winning list after a long absence from racing caused by unsoundness. Solidness was quite a feature of his form and with better luck on occasions he would have improved on his record. Golden Miller set a fresh winning record for the province over a mile and five furlongs of 3min 37 2-ssec. The Jack Potts gelding has not been very solid but at the top of his form he is capable of winning in better company than he has yet met. PONTOON AN IMPROVER Although he is still loosely assessed Pontoon, another of the Adioo Guy breed, gave the impression that he will not be long in bettering his present mark. He is a hardy type of pacer and one whose prospects read as good as any in his present class. Iron Duke did not race up to the good form he showed when he dead-heated with Willowbank in the Gore Cup but in one of his races he was decidedly unlucky in the running. Among the younger pacers who attracted attention was Icilma, a speedy four-year-old by Rey de Oro from Lome Nurse, an unraced mare by Drusus from Merce Pointer, the dam of Nelson Pointer, and a member of the famous Thelma household. Icilma won two races in convincing style and there is good reason to believe that she will quickly win her way to better company from now on. Yon Yan is one who is likely to improve on anything he has yet shown while Bankstock (a four-year-old brother to Gold Bank! is an outstanding young pacer who 7 promises, to live up to the reputation of his family. He won twice during the season and is certain to improve with racing. Mention could be made of several other horses likely to carry on but the form of those mentioned was probably the most impressive. The juvenile classics at Winton and Wyndham were again responsible for a number of outstanding youngsters being seen out. The majority were sired by Rey de Oro, who stood for a couple of seasons in Southland, and whose stock have always been noted for early speed. Cheval d’Oro, who won the Winton Juvenile Stakes, is a fine stamp of pacer and his winning effort at Winton was that of a solid juvenile. He is a true-gaited pacer and one who should later develop good form as a stayer, as on his maternal side he comes from a line which has been, noted for its stamina. His dam Erin’s Princess was a good winner by Erin’s King. Rey Chimes, the Wyndham Juvenile winner, acted rather erratically in his early efforts but he showed rare gameness in his successful outing. He is built on more generous lines than the majority of his sire’s stock and he too should show up as a stayer. His dam Tuxedo Chimes is a member of an old-time family, being by Cathedral Chimes from a mare by King Tuxedo.

DEBTOR IMPRESSED A three-year-old filly who impressed greatly when she beat a field of novice pacers over a mile and five furlongs was Debtor, a member of W. Cosgrove’s team. This W’as one of the best performances of the year as the going was heavy and thoroughly tested a youthful pacer. Debtor is one with great possibilities.. Turco was expected to make a great name for himself after winning a maiden race in easy fashion. His efforts, however, were not solid and although he showed great speed on occasions he was far from dependable. He is likely to overcome this with racing and in another year he should carry on where he left off earlier in the season.

Of the other three-year-olds raced Sea Born may improve the most. He was third to Cheval d’Oro and Rey Chimes at Winton and being a big overgrown youngster he is likely to be a much better horse in another year. He is a half-brother, by Arion Axworthy to Willowbank. Two Crowns is a typical Rey de Oro, while Lustrous (a half-sister to Sunworshipper) is another of this breed who will be benefitted with racing. Oregan shaped promisingly and being by Rey de Oro from that good race mare Probationer a bright future will be held for her.

Square trotters were more numerous than they have been in previous seasons. Special Bond, Helen’s Tower, Shanghai Peggy, Ginger Guy, Geelong, Kerrwood Bingen and Gelert, Late Harvest and Gold Weed all appear capable of improving on the form they have so far shown.