Trotting at Washdyke

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21529, 16 December 1939, Page 11

Trotting at Washdyke

Anniversary Day Card

Lucky Jack to Attempt Record

A CHANGE of date, a new totalisator with dividend indicator, win and place betting, and removal of the barrier between ‘'inside” and “outside,” are innovations which should add interest to the fine programme to be presented by the limaru Trotting Club at Washdyke this afternoon. The fields are above the average in size, and include a number of very capable trotters and pacers. If the weather remains fine the track should be fast without being flintlike, the irrigation operations carried out early in the week having revived the grass and put the spring back into the surface. The first race will begin at 12.30. Trains will leave Timaru for the course at 11.7, 11.33, 12.8, and 12.40, and a special race-day timetable will operate on all lines. If conditions are suitable, Lucky Jack will engage in a trial against time at approximately 1.15, immediately after the conclusion of the second race.

Milestone's double at Methven convinced most onlookers that he is a trotter of unusual promise, and he is pretty certain to be No. 1 selection for the Claremont Handicap. Beta’s Own is tn good shape, and Washdyke will provide another strong contender in the Southland-owned Millisle, who recently won twice in one day at Invercargill. Co-director is speedy but is not stable, and Milestone may experience jnost opposition from Millisle and Beta's Own. There is no outstanding improver in the Salisbury Handicap. Petite, Rowi, Rosalind Maid and Tiny Axworthy are all likely to be supported. Tiny Axworthy gave indications of improved stamina when he won at Oamaru, and he may fight out the finish with Rosalind Maid and Rowi. There are all the ingredients for a , fine race in the John Hole Memorial Handicap. The field is of just the correct size, and there Is plenty of form to stimulate speculation. The potential favourite is the crack four-year-old Nelson Eddy, but he has yet to be tested at two miles and is not a reliable beginner. Cruiser has only to repeat his performance at Oamaru on Labour Day to be in the money, and Jackaranda is an improving pacer Silver Guy has thrown out hints that he is recapturing form, and if he has touched his peak he is capable of collecting the prize. Battlefield on 48 behind is set a big contract, but he has two recent wins to his credit, and now that the track has been freshened up the brother to Marsceres will have a strong following. Battlefield, Nelson Eddy and Jackaranda may be in th? finish, but Silver Guy is capable of upsetting calculations. The three-year-old Three Tens will encounter strong opposition in th? Levels Handicap, but he is a smart young pacer with plenty of courage. Loyal Rey and Kllrea may be those who will put him to test. There are some useful trotters in the Waimate Handicap, one (Reception) coming al! the way from Cambrldg". The visitor was runner-up to Jenny's Guy at Addington, and is reckoned to have Improved lately. The distance will suit Grade Fields, and Paddy's Harvest and Mohican must be respected. Backers may fancy Reception. Grade Fields and Jenny's Guv. Of the 16 acceptors for the Kerrytown Handicap, 11 have an earlier assignment in the Salisbury Handicap, and the running of the first race should help to simplify the problem. One of the newcomers will be Ned Worthy, who won two classics in Southland last season and acquitted himself with distinct credit in the All Aged Stakes. Ned Worthy, Otaua and Petite have prospects. The one disturbing element in the Pareora Handicap is the prospect of a congested field Battlefield is an unlikely starter, as the stable has other representatives in Token and Walter Gay; and the winner of the John Hole Handicap is fairly certain to retire from the sprint, but several othewithdrawals could be made with advantage. With 13 prospective starters on the limit, those on 12 and 24 have a long row to hoe. Token. Bill B. Lightning Lady and Waitakl Power, the 12-yarders, are a hot quartet, but they may experience a bad run. Token, as the smartest beginner, may have the best prospects of overcoming the disability. Of those on the front line, Great Don, Quest, Silver Guy and Toorak appeal. Luck is likely to be a dominant factor, and if this is on their side. Quest, Toorak and Token may survive. Another big parade, again with 13 on the limit, is in sight for the Farewell Handicap. If Three Tens is reserved for this race, he will encounter the Derby winner, Imperial Jade, and the meeting, if it eventuates, will be viewed with keen Interest. The favourites may be Coquette. Three Tens (if reserved) and Imperial Jade. Horses expected to run well include:— Claremont Handicap— Milestone, Reta’s Own, Millisle. Salisbury Handicap— Tiny Axworthy, Rosalind Maid. Rewi. Hole Memorial— Battlefield. Nelson Eddy. Jackaranda. Levels Handicap— Loyal Rey, Three Tens, Kilrea. Waimate Handicap—Reception, Grade Fields, Jenny's Guy. Kerrytown Handicap— Ned Worthy, Otaua, Petite. Pareora Handicap— Quest, Toorak, Token. Farewell Handicap— Coquette, Three . Tens, Imperial Jade.

The card is as follows: — CLAREMONT HANDICAP Of £125 (3.44); li miles.

Changes at Trots There are several novel features in connection with this year’s summer meeting of the Timaru Trotting Club. The fixture has been transferred from mid-January to December 16 (Anniversary Day), and if the number of entries is indicative of owners’ approval the change is popular. The club will for the first time operate the totalisator itself, instead of employing a contractor, and it is confidently anticipated that a substantial saving will thus be effected. Coincident with this change comes the installation of a new machine of the dividend indicator type, embodying some improvements on similar machines in use on other courses. In the train of the installation of this machine comes a swing-over to the win and place system of betting, which has only once previously been tried by the club. Perhaps the most revolutionary change of all is the removal of the dividing fence and the adoption of the one enclosure idea which is steadily growing an favour in the Dominion. With one exception all the Southland clubs have abandoned the “outside,” and nearer home the example has been followed at Oamaru and Ashburton. The new totalisator has only one indicator or face, and in the remodelling of the building this has been so placed as to throw the congregating point of the public towards the western end of the main stand. This will relieve the congestion that previously existed at the rear of the stewards’ stand and impeded the progress of people who had business to transact at the office. Admission to the course is free, but this does not give access to the totalisator. To enjoy betting facilities patrons are required to pay a flat rate of 5/- for men and 2/6 for ladies (the admission charge to the lawn formerly was 6/-). Most racegoers are by now familiar with the totalisator indicator and experience no difficulty in reading it. Those to whom it is novel will quickly become conversant with its simple operation. A yellow “ribbon” indicates the approximate progress of dividends on each horse, the place dividends being shown at the top of the yellow band and the win dividend at the bottom. The order of favouritism Is plainly indicated at each “progress report,” the first choice being that showing highest on the indicator.

Axworth scr Milestone 24 Cracksman scr Millisle 24 Co-Dircctor scr Premier 24 Fluke scr Reta’s Own 24 Lady Erie scr Patch's Appomattox 12 Discovery 36 Gaynor 12 SALISBURY HANDICAP Of £125 (2.591; 14 miles. Charles Tiny Russell scr Axworthy SCI Drumcree scr Vagabond Jerry Parrish scr King scr Macgregor scr Wee Pal scr Otaua scr Rollalong 12 Petite scr Glenholme 24 Rosalind Maid scr Labour Day 24 Row! scr Wainoni Girl 24 JOHN HOLE MEMORIAL Of £325 (4.34); 2 miles Jesse Owens scr Jackaranda 12 Nelson Eddy scr Nell Grattan 36 Red Pigeon scr Silver Guy 36 Walter Gay scr Battlefield 43 Acuity 12 Horsepower 18 Cruiser 12 LEVELS HANDICAP Of £150 (3.32); li mLes. Axspear scr Three Tens scr Devotion scr Colonel Joan Grattan Axworthy 12 Kilrea scr Loyal Rey 12 Old Faithful scr Royal Grattan 12 Palomar scr Ivy Peterson 36 Smile Again scr Battleva le 48 WAIMATE HANDICAP Of £225 (3.50) ; 13 furlongs. Paddy’s Jenny’s Guy 24 Harvest scr Parrish Guide 24 Reception scr Gyrate 36 Violet Wrack scr Mohican 36 Dark Hazard 12 Royal Sonoma King 12 Romance 84 Grade Fields 24 KERRYTOWN .I..NDICAP Of £150 (3.36); 11 miles. Charles Trireme 12 Russell scr Glenholme 24 Drumcree scr Huguenot 24 Macgregor scr Labour Day 24 Otaua scr Ned Worthy 24 Petite scr Silk King 24 Rosalind Maid scr Shadow Queen 24 Wee Pal scr Wainoni Girl 24 Rollalong 12 PAREORA HANDICAP Of £275 (2.481; U miles. Cruiser scr Walter Gay scr Great Don scr Wee Potts scr Jesse Owens scr Zincali scr Quest scr Battlefield 12 Recess scr Bill B 12 Roan Duke scr Lightning Red Pigeon scr Lady 12 Subsidy scr Token 12 Silver Guy scr Waitaki Power 12 Toorak scr Jackaranda 24 FAREWELL HANDICAP Of £150 (2.56); U miles. Axspear scr Smile Again scr Brigadier scr Three Tens scr Devotion scr Vagabond Imperial Jade scr King scr Joan Grattan scr Wainoni Girl scr Kilrea scr Colonel Labour Day scr Axworthy 12 Old Faithful scr Coquette 12 Palomar scr Royal Grattan 12 Refund scr Ivy Peterson 36