GOOD RACING AT EPSOM

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24905, 19 June 1946, Page 4

GOOD RACING AT EPSOM

TROTTING

PRELIMINARIES FOR SATURDAY A matinee trotting meeting held by the Auckland Owners’ and Breeders' Association at Epsom on Saturday provided keen contests and close finishes, and the form shown should be a reliable guide to the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting, which will be held on Saturday. The course proper, with the trestles out about 30 feet, was used, and as the ground was heavy, times were slow. The Gudsell Handicap, a 3min 29sec class, saw a thrilling finish. A furlong from the post Sura Wave was just leading Caledonian Gold, Red Ace, Whanako, and Sandstone. Red Ace was squeezed for room and broke, allowing Sandstone, which finished fast, to get up and beat Sura Wave by a head, with Caledonian Gold another head away in third place. After losing a good deal of ground at the start of the 3min 33sec class Epsom Handicap, Indian Star gave a fine display to get up and shade the leader. Auto Era, right on the line. Silver Flash, Sonny Jewel, and Ihi Ihi were handy to Auto Era three furlongs from home, but they could not go with the first and second horses over the final stages. The three-year-old, Marshall Ney, which had not raced since early in the season, won the First Barker Handicap, of one mile and a-quarter, by a neck from Andy’s Pal; but his margin could have been much larger as he waited until well into the straight before making his run. Lanoma was close up third, followed by Frances Bel, which showed encouraging form. Driven by J. Munro, Sure Rey looked the winner of the Second Barker Handicap when he headed Peter Pointer with half a furlong to go; but Fly High finished very fast on the extreme outside to win by a head. Ann McGregor, Marion Direct, and Tiny Tot were prominent, for a mile, after which only the place-getters were in the picture. Sandstone, Indian Star, Sura Wave, Fly High, Auto Era, Caledonian Gold, Sabre, Wharekawa, and Eaton are engaged at the meeting on Saturday, and as they handled the going satisfactorily they should have bright prospects as the track, even with fine weather in the meantime, will be holding. Jottings

Dandy Grattan led all the way in a work-out With Jervis Bay and Golden Game over a mile and a half at Addington yesterday morning. Golden Game is a three-year-old filly by Gold Bar from Playtime, and, a winner at her last two starts, she appeals as being one of the best of her age at Addington. Olympus, a half-brother to a good trotter in Great Mountain, was too slow away to have any chance in the Longbeach Handicap at Ashburton. Betty Ducrow showed some Improvement on her recent efforts when she finished close to the place-getters in the Trial Handicap at Ashburton. Lou Hall lost ground at the start of the All Aged Stakes, and then showed some speed to be prominent for over a mile. After a slow beginning in the Acton Handicap, Lyndale gradually reduced his handicap, and if he had been favoured by luck in the running when the straight was reached, he would have taken part in the finish.

As in his previous races, Likely was slow away in the Sapling Stakes. A speedy youngster, he only needs to begin correctly to win races.

Mourne Spring, which was driven by A. Bryce in, the President’s Handicap at the Cambridge Trotting Club’s meeting on June 8, appeared likely to take part in the finish, but she received a check at a critical stage of the race, and was beaten out of the money. A six-year-old - mare by Jack Potts from Kewpie’s Guy, she finished- brilEantly to win the Hillcrest Handicap at the Waikato-Thames Combined meeting on May 4, and a repetition of that form should find her in a place at the Auckland meeting this week. Disappointed

». Saha . ra Queen, the favourite for the New Zealand Sapling Stakes at Ashburton on Saturday, disappointed her admirers when she failed to reveal the speed which had characterised her two winning efforts, being beaten into fourth place. At the end of the first furlong, she had County Antrim, D.arkie Grattan, On Approval, Pirouette, and Shamus O’Brien in front of her and three furlongs from home the order was fetill the same. R. Donald improved his position with Sahara Queen approaching the straight, but in a good finish she was beaten into fourth place by On Approval, Darkie Grattan, and Free Fight. Although she was beaten, Sahara Queen is a high-class filly, and her appearance in the classics next season will be awaited with interest. Likes the Course

Driven by her owner-trainer, D. R. V. Manson, Maximum won her first race for the season when she took charge with a furlong to go in the Mitcham Handicap at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting on Boxing Day and hung on to beat Noble & J hree l en gths. She gave another solid display on the same course on Saturday when, after always being in the first three, she finished a neck behind Royal the Mayfield Handicap. Trained ; S ha ™ erls hy her owner, Maximum by Maxegin from a Jingle mare. She should continue to pay her way in her present class. Should Win Again

Capably handled by the young New Brighton reinsman, A. Motz, Mountain Hall led practically all the way in the Oamaru Trotting Handicap at the Oamaru Jockey Clubs meeting on Saturday to win, easing up, by three lengths from Special Effort. Owned and trained by H Robinson, this five-year-old gelding bv Dillon Hall from Mountain Jewel is a smart pacer, and his record of a win and three minor placings in six starts this season indicates that he is above the average. Useful Type

favourite for the Tinwald Hanw ca 4+*’ T J iea J >€lle had only Moneymate and Veritas in front of her with half a mile to go, and she appeared to be going comfortably as she followed these pacers into the straight A furlong from home, Theabelle was still prominent, but News Agent and Ace of Diamonds proved too good for her in the sprint home, and she was beaten into third place. A useful type, Theabelle is a five-year-old mare by Sandydale from Princess Thea, and she may develop into a smart, performer. Cheviot Trotting Club Nominations for all events at the Cheviot Trotting Club’s meeting, to be held at Rangiora on Saturday, July 6th, will close on Friday, June 21st, 1946, at 5 p.m., at the office of Byrne and Co., 193 Cashel street, Christchurch. —Advt.