INDIGO IMPROVES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24906, 20 June 1946, Page 3

INDIGO IMPROVES

MAY WIN ON SATURDAY On the first day of the Ashburton Trotting Club's meeting, Indigo lost all chance when he dwelt at the start of the Improvers’ Handicap, but he showed some improvement last Saturday when, although he did not begin quickly, he finished fast in second place to Rey Potts. With four furlongs covered, he had nine horses in front of him. but he gradually improved his position, and with half a mile to go he was following Rural Lady, Abel Tasman, Harold Jinks, Rey Potts, and Glen Devon. Rey Potts outclassed his field once the straight was reached, to win by 12 lengths from Indigo, with Glen Devon another four lengths away in third place. Indigo’s next appearance will be in the Lyndhurst Trot Handicap at the Ashburton Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday, and he would need to show little improvement on his last effort to lead this field home.

Owned and trained at Methven by M. C. McTigue, Indigo is a four-year-old gelding by Jack Potts from Waress, which has already left two smart pacers in Vimy Ridge and Plunder Bar to the same sire. Like these pacers, Waress was bred by McTigue, and is by Man o’ War from Ivy Mac, by General Mac from Manuka, by Wildwood from the Young Irvington mare, Dolly. Jottings

Sypland, which has been nominated for the Lightning Handicap at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting next week, is a five-year-old geldirig by Jack Potts from Reconcile. His last success was at the Waikato Trotting Club’s meeting on December 1, where he led all the way to win the Claudelands Handicap from Our Gail.

If Worthy Robert would race up to his track, work he would win races. M B. Edwards has him in good order at present and his performance in the Longbeach Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday, where he was seventh at the finish, indicates that he should soon start paying his way.

Hal Derby is proving costly to his admirers He was well back in the early stages of the Trial Handicap at Ashburton, and never threatened danger at any part of the race. His next start will be in the Lyndhurst Trot Handicap at Ashburton oh Saturday Native Scott looked sure to take part in the finish of the All Aged Stakes at Ashburton when he was well placed with three furlongs to go. but he failed to finish on in the straight.

Promising Youngster Besides Darkie Grattan, which has earned jnore than £7OO this season, Mrs M. Becker has a promising two-year-old gelding by Desmond’s Pride from Watty s Wish. This youngster is being trained by D. Teahen, Pleasant Point, and he shows some ability at the trotting gait. Watty’s Wish, which is by Drusus from an Advocate mare, is the dam of some useful performers in Lynley de Oro. Purveyor. Rolunette and Netherby.

Useful Team „ , , The Mataura trainer, D. Todd, has arrived at Hornby with his team, which includes Copper Trail, Loyal , Nelson. Royal Gamble, and Moneymate. Moneymate is engaged in the Winchmore Trot Handicap at the Ashburton Racing Clubs meeting, and after her performance to lead most of the way in the Tinwald Handicap at Ashburton last week, she should be a possibility in the small field she will meet on Saturday. . . „ Copper Trail, the winner of the Acton Handicap last Saturday, and Loyal Nelson, which led all the way to wm the Winchester Handicap Trot from Elaine Travis at the South Canterbury Jockey Club s meeting on May 25, are both engaged at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting on June 29. Broke his Overcheck A broken overcheck accounted for Scholarship’s disappointing in the Oamaru Trot Handicap at the Oamaru Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday. Another overcheck was obtained, fut when he also broke that, his owners, Messrs A L. Matson and C. S Thomas decided that as he would be unable to do Justice to his supporters, to withdraw him from the Waikaura Handicap.

Dl Mve°“by R. Teahen, Starshell began smartlv to lead the field over the first three furlongs in the Acton Handicap, at Ashburton, but she disappointed when she failed to hold her position in the back straight. With a mile covered, she was following Scottish Lord. Dyrham Lea, and Bonny Clare, but she continued to drift and was not in the first eight to Pass the mile and a quarter peg. It would be unwise to condemn Starshell on this Performance as she showed good in the season to wm two of the first six races =he contested, and il D Teahen can persuade her to show that form again she should carry-on to good company.

B 'n a an “devour to get CulUon to leave the mark correctly at Ashburton. G. Me Kendry used a set of hopples similar to these used bv W. R. Butt recently on Loyal King Like many other h °rse? Cullion takes short strides when he is be ginning, and does not fill hopples, but once he gets warmed up he takes a much longer stride By the use of the new equipment he is controlled b ? the short hopple at the start and once on the way the extension is released and he is able to have the advantage of the longer hopple Cullion began safely in the Trial Handicap, and after being well back .n the early stages he made up some ground to be seventh to cress the line at the finish

Covered Extra Ground Sura Wave, the winner ofjthe Manukau Handicap at the Auckland Trotting Club s meeting on May 18. was forced to cover some extra ground in the Victory Handicap at the Cambridge Trotting Club’s meeting and he was left \ vithout any reserve with a furlong to go This Quite Sure—Christina’s Wave gelding, which Is now owned and trained by u. W Mackie. Remuera. is very well at present. and should race well at the Auck land Trotting. Club’s meeting this week