Highland Fling Is Likely Favourite For N.Z. Trotting Cup

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 October 1948, Page 7

Highland Fling Is Likely Favourite For N.Z. Trotting Cup

Carrying a stake of £7500, the New Zealand Trotting Cup, to be run at Addington today 4 is second only to the Auckland Cup in stake-money, and it must rank as one of the most richly endowed trotting events in the world. That fact is an indication of the high standard attained by trotting in the Canterbury centre and also further proof of the value of the totalisator in the provision of stakemoney for owners supporting the light-harness sport. With a field of fourteen high-class performers engaged, the race should provide a thrilling spectacle, and it should certainly set a high standard for the remainder of the four-day meeting of the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club. Highland Fling won the big twomile event last year with the greatest ease from the 12yds mark. Today he is back to 60yds, but even that handicap could be overcome by one who is regarded as the most brilliant pacer ever to pull a sulkv in New Zealand. Harold Logan was successful from this mark, and Highland Fling has the credentials for the task. He was a winner at Addington at the National meeting last Saturday, where he was hampered by having to drag a punctured tyre for some distance, he will probably be the elect of the public again today. After winning brilliantly at Forbury Park last month, Emulous was expected to have prospects of extending Highland Fling, but he failed to go off correctly at Oamaru, and there is not much chance for a horse to make a mistake in a race like the N.Z. Cup. However, at his best he would be difficult to beat. The Auckland champion Single Direct is reported to have travelled badly, and in any case [Auckland form is generally rated at a little below Addington. Aberhall is reported to be at the top of his form, and Plunder Bar and Sprayman are a pair with good two-mile performances to their credit. Loyal Nurse is another with good chances, but the chances of Highland Fling, Emulous and Single Direct may make most appeal. The supporting events are well endowed, though dwarfed by the Cup prize. They have drawn good fields of high-class pacers, and the prospects of the following may appeal to investors:—

Victoria Handicap.—Proprietor, Tam o’Shanter, Indemnity. Spring Handicap.—Bellissima, Java, Excalibur. Riccarton Stakes.—Scottish Nurse,

Bright Horizon, Merrymaker. New Zealand Cup.—Highland Fling, Emulous, Single Direct. Canterbury Handicap.—County Antrim, Minoru, Lyndale. Avon Handicap. —Bellissima, Toushay, Aerial Scott. Empire Handicap.—Grattan Drive, Monagh Leagh, Pre-Eminence. Final Handicap.—Scholarship, Silverlight, Worthy Dick. The acceptors are:— 10.45

VICTORIA HANDICA8 (Of 11(100; 4.3: Bay Machine .... Ser Tam o’ Shanter .. 12 Loyal Nelson .... Scr Water Ranger .. Pimpernel Ser Bonny Scott 24 Indemnity 12 Democrat 24 Novelda 12 Mount Mellick . 24 Notus 12 Proprietor 24 Starshell 12 11.28— SPRING IANDICAP (Of £750; 3.4G class; 1 mile, 5 furlongs' Belle Header .. . Scr Jimmy Dillon .... 24 Blackdale Scr Natioialjst 24 Gold Weed Scr Paul Parrish .... ’*4 Teddy Gregg .... Scr Vindictive Lady 24 Excalibur 12 Bancor 36 Heir Apparent .... 12 Bellisima 36 Jimmv Scott .... 12 Frank Scott 36 Kildonnin 12 Jason’s Quest .... 36 Java 24 Keen Blade 36 12.8— RICCARTON STAKES <Of £750; 1£ miles). Star Rosa .... .. Lt Rayon Lt Merrymaker Lt Sphere Lt Acrogard Lt Sir Leonard Lt Spring Fancy .. Helei Grattai .. Lt Croughton Lt Monty Frisco .. Lt Bright Horizon .. Lt Bronze Gold Lt Night Raider .. . Lt Direct Chief .... 1 ■ Scottish Nurse .. Lt Sailor’s Globe .. It. 12.58— N.Z. TROTTING CUP (Of £7500; 4.21 class; 2 miles'. Aberhall Scr Single Direct .... 12 Dundee Sandy .. Scr Countless 04 Loyal Peter Scr Knave of Nyallo Scott Scr Diamonds 24 Plunder Bar Scr Loyal Nurse 36 Sprayman Scr Emulous 48 In the Mood 12 Navigate 12 Highland Fling .. 60 1.43— CANTERBURY HANDICAP (Of £1175; 4.3 class; 2 miles). Lyndale Scr Commander Scot! 94 Quite Happy Scr County Antrim .. 24 Lady Averll .. .. Scr Gold Sheik 24 Boniy Clare ... 12 Johnnie Lawn .. 94 Captain Sandy .. 12 Make Believe .... 94 Golden Shadow .. 12 Right Royal 24 Indigo 12 Dllondale 36 Sand Piper . .. 12 Free Fight 3G Caledonian Gold 24 Minoru 36 Caudray 24 2.28— AVON HANDICAP (Of 1250; 2,51 class; li miles). Acclamation 12 Pardon Me Scr Bellisima Scr Rcrewaka Scr Belmoral Scr Toushay Scr Castigate Scr Willie Winkle .... Scr Flying Scott Scr Aerial Scntt Great. Venture .. Scr Casablanca , r 1 Margin Scr Fantom .... 12 Mine Host Scr Mislydalc Scr Belly Ma.xegln .. 24 3.13— EMPIRE IANDICAP (Of £1;>(K); 4.36 class; 2 miles). Final Count Scr Local Gold 24 Gamble King .... Scr Logan Roy . . .. l Jackie Guy Scr Monagh Loagli .. 24 Pre-Eminence .... Scr Grattan Drive .. 3G Bel Hamed 12 Luckv Loyal . .. 36 Medical Student 12 Cameronian 4s Checkmate 24 Ingle Behncr .... 4S Gold Peg 24 Trusty Scott 48 Jacky’s Son .... 24 3 58— FINAL HANDICAP (Of £750; 2.48 •lass; 1 miles'. Carisbrook Scr Trustee Scr Doonholme Scr Battle On 12 Duncraig Scr Bay Machine .... Likely Scr Indemnity 12 Loval Chief Scr Loval Nelson .... National Velvet Scr Notus 12 Premier Royal .. Scr Rcmlap . . 12 Scottish Brogue .. Scr Tam 0’ Shanter 12 Silverlight Scr Democrat 24 Sir Vivian . . .. Scr Sea Craft . . 24 Worthy Dick .... Scr Marshall Ney ..