TROTTING Highland Air Gains Good Win At Forbury

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28263, 29 April 1957, Page 4

TROTTING Highland Air Gains Good Win At Forbury

Highland Air won his way nearer New Zealand Cup class when he outstayed his field in the Winter Handicap, the main race and first leg of the double on the opening day of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday.

Driven by D. Mangos, Highland Air was sent to the lead with just less than one mile to run. He had the field well covered all the way up the straight and he won convincingly by a length from his stablemate, La Mignon, with the favourite, Derive, right up third. A five-year-old stallion by U. Scott from Airflow, Highland Air is trained by G. B. Noble for Mr R. A. McKenzie, of Wellington. He had not won since he was successful twice at the Addington August meeting early in the' sesison. He should have little difficulty taking the final step to cup class before next November. The Gore-owned and trained three-year-old, Gentry, made amends for his unlucky third in the New Zealand Pacing Stakes at Addington on April 13 with an easy win in the Beach Handicap, the second leg of the double. The Dillon Hall colt began well and was in the first four throughout. He settled the issue in a few strides about the furlong post and cartie on to win stylishly from the consistent Next Time and Aksarben. The Highland Air (bracketed with La Mignon)-Gentry doubles combination returned £l6 14s 6d for £l. The meeting was held in fine weather before a good attendance. The track was in perfect order. Totalisator investments amounted to £72.325, including £7038 10s on the double, compared with £82,252 last year. Winter Handicap Highland Air took the lead with seven and a half furlongs to run in the Winter Handicap, and he came on to gain a decisive win. La Mignon was first out, but Derive took over at the end of two furlongs. The field bunched racing to the straight with Highland Air showing the way to Spring Walk, Light Nurse, La Mignon, Count Grattan, Derive (rails), Lady Shona, Marshall Foi, Dresden Lady, and Invicta. Highland Air did not look like surrendering his lead and he won comfortably by a length. La Mignon, which was bracketed witli Highland Air, received a great run throughout the race. She attempted to come through on the inside of her stablemate, but could make no impression. Derive, the favourite, made up ground in the straight to finish third, a neck from La Mignon, with a similar distance back to Spring Walk, which was always well up. Marshall Foi was close up, fifth, just shading Count Grattan, Light Nurse, Lady Shona, and Dresden Lady, which were almost in line. Te Koi and Invicta wer right up next, clear of Direct Hall. Direct Hall, Dresden Lady, Marshall Foi, and Light Nurse lost ground at the start. Win for Gentry Gentry recorded a grand effort to win the Beach Handicap. He was handy throughout and when asked for an effort came away to win with something in hand. Bonny Venture and Aksarben forced most of the pace. They still had control approaching the home turn, with Gentry next on the outside of En Avant, followed by Next Time, Dalene, Marchons and Girl Brigade. Gentry was pulled out to challenge Aksarben about the furlong post and he soon settled the issue. He was kept up to his work, but did not look like being caught. Next Time added to his long list of placings by getting up for second. He had every chance and was a short length in front of Aksarben, which was one out most of the way. Girl Brigade finished strongly for fourth, a neck back, just ahead of Bonny Venture, with three lengths to Marchons, Achates, En Avant and Auditor. Mooloo, Rey Derby, Catamaran, Shantung, Achates and Auditor gave ground at the start. Derive Makes Amends Derive, an unlucky third in the Winter Handicap earlier in the day. returned to form with a good win in the Flying Handicap, which was a very rough race. Direct T|all took the lead about the mile post, but Derive, which was handy throughout, raced past him with just under three furlongs to run. He put a break on the field racing to the straight and was three lengths in front of Don Hall on straightening up. Lady Shona was next, followed by Light Nurse, Direct Hall, Count Grattan and Dresden Lady. Derive did not look like being caught and he won convincingly. Don Hall paced an improved race to finish second. He gave trouble at the start, but was handy for most of the way. He was two lengths in front of the unlucky Light Nurse, which was knocked back to the rear of the field with just less than one mile and a quarer to run when Spring Walk appeared to come back on Paia Royal. She finished brilliantly for her placing, two lengths in front of Lady Shona, with Direct

Hall a fair fifth, just ahead of Mighty Fine and Count Grattan, with Excelsa and Dresden Lady next. Count Grattan, Don Hall an( i Dresden/ Lady gave a few lengths at the start. Results:— BAYFIELD HANDICAP, Of £400; troters; 3min 53sec claw one mile and five furlongs. 3. 2—Miss E. Moody and K. E Wilson’s SERENELLI (13) by Baffelan—Lottie De syrs 24 N. L. Berkett 1 6. 6—A. G. Laidlaw’s Garadale (3) scr D. J. Townley 2 7. B—Mrs R. E. and C. M. Laing's Nirvana (11) 24 C. M. Laing 3 11, 9 Sheffield’s Beauty; 4, 3 Whirlwind; 13, 14 Front Rank; 9, io Happy Haven; 1, 1 Indianna; 5, 5 Kilmartin; 14, 15 Sandy's Gift 12, 12 Young Atlas; ll Mercury Light* 2, 4 Crisette; 15,12. Jean Able alat> started. Twelve lengths; four. fndiann* was fourth. Times—3min 38sec, SPttta 43sec, 3min 42sec. Winner trained y’ Berkett, Weedons. Dividends.—Win: £lO 3s. £2 15s 6d, £3 13s, £5 7s 6d. J DOMAIN HANDICAP, Of £550; 3min 52sec class; one mile and five furlongs. First Division 2. I—W. B. Grade’s FOURTH EDITION (5) by Fourth Brigade—Scoteen 4yrs scr R. Young 1 3. 3—W. Grant’s Banquier (1) scr S. D. Edge 2 15. 15—Mrs and S. N. S. Pollard’s This Time (11) scr J. W. Miller 3 13, 13 Buckaloo; 4, 5 Commander Spangle; 16, 16 El Misti; 7, 9 Horatio; 1,2 Indian Derby; 5, 4 Keff; 9, 7 Ladyship: 12, 11 Native Lad; 6. 6 Tonga; 11, 10 Triad; 8, 8 Vinola’s Luck also started. Four lengths; three. Keff was fourth. Times—3min 36sec, 3min 36 l-ssec, 3min 38 2-ssec. Winner trained by R. Young, Halswell. Dividends.—Win: £2 Is 6d. Places: £1 7s 6d, £1 16s 6d. Second Division 1. 2—H. Dunlea and E. Rooney’s JOHNNY GUITAR (7A) by U. Scott—Windemere 3yrs scr D. C. Watts 1 10. 12—R. J. Kerr’s Mighty Loyal (18) 24 Owner 3 15. 15—N. W. and C. H. Cook’s Timber Miller (12A) scr G. D. Shand 3 3, 3 Blue Emperor; 2, 1 General Advance; 5, 4 Kokomo; 12, 11 Rimu Lass; 14, 14 Scrooge; 11, 10 Twill also started. Length and a half each way. General Advance was fourth. Times—3min 36 2-ssec, 3min 34 2-ssec, 3min 36 3-ssec. Winner trained by C. R. Berkett, Templeton. Dividends.—Win: £1 17s. Places: £1 9s 6d, £6. Brackets: Indian Derby and Johnny Guitar, Fourth Edition and General Advance, Banquier and Blue Emperor. ST. CLAIR HANDICAP, Of £800; 4min 36sec class; two miles. 8. B—P. G. O’Reilly’s QUO VADIS (10) by U. ScottGold Cross syrs 12 Owner 1 1. i—Mrs L. E. Padget's Parable (4) scr J. B. Pringle 2 2. 6—W. G. Botting’s Blue Jay (1) scr H. W. Skinner 3 13, 13 Bude; 3,2 Responsive; 8. 4 Victory Hall; 12, 12 Albert Hall; 9. IQ Fiona; 4, 3 Upward; 5. 5 Air Command; 11, 9 Arriba 14> 14 Nipala® 7. 7 Stylish George; 10. 11 BetWII also started. , Nose each way. Air Command was fourth. Times—4min 24 4-ssec, 4mm 25sec, 4min 26 l-ssec. Winner trained by P. G. and K. M. O’Reilly, Highbank. * Dividends.—Win: £2O 15s. Places: £5 17s, £1 13s 6d, £2 15s 6d. WINTER HANDICAP Of £1000; 3min 36sec class; one mile and five furlongs. 2. 2—R. A. McKenzie’s HIGHLAND AIR (4A) by U. Scott— Airflow syrs 12 D. Mangos 1 2. 2—R. A. McKenzie’s La Mianon (4) scr G. B. Noble 2 1. I—H. S. Barry’s Derive (8) 12 M. Holmes 3 10, 9 Count Grattan; 4, 4 Dresden Lady; 5, 5 Marshall Foi; 8, 8 Spring Walk; 11, 11 Direct Hall; 6. 6 Invicta; 9. 10 Lady Shona 7, 7 Te Koi; 2, 3 Light Nurse also started. Length; neck. Spring Walk was fourth. Times—3min 32sec, 3min 32 l-ssec, 3min 33 2-ssec. Winner trained by G. B. Noble, Yaldhurst. Dividends.—Win: £5 4s. Places: £3 19s, £1 10s 6d. _ Bracket: Mignon and Highland AiF ‘ DUNEDIN HANDICAP, Of £500; trotters; 3min 51sec class; one mile and five furlongs. 2. I—C. R. Berkett and F. P. Ryan’s MEDETTA (9) by Medoro—Sandyetta syrs 24 D. C. Watts 1 5. 5—L. S. Smart’s Supervise (16) 36 W. R. Butt 3 4. 4—H. M. Kerr and T. Farrell's Native Cora (10) M , 10, 9 Fiery Cross; 13, 13 Larry JO; 12, 12 Lawsuit; 8, 8 Little Dictator; 6, 6 Beechdale Queen; 11, 11 Sandfly; 3,2 Shiann; 9, 7 Swiss Admiral; 1,2 Willowdale; 14, 14 Honora’s Last; 5, 5 White Wings; 7, 10 Fifth Brigade also started. , .. Length and a half; one length. Fiery Cross was fourth. Times—3min 37 2-ssec, 3min 36 3-ssec, 3min 38 l-ssec. Winner trained by C. R. Berkett, Templeton. w Dividends.—Win: £4 14s. Places. £1 Ils, £2 13s, £2 7S. Bracket: Supervise and white Wings. BEACH HANDICAP, Of £5OO. 3min 29sec class. One mile and a half. 1. I—G. Youngson’s GENTRY (J) by Dillon Hall—Scottish Lady 3yrs scr .. D. M. Kerr * 2. 2—Miss D. A. Rushton'aNM* Time (16) 12 .. .¥■ 10. 9—A. B. HolmesWAksi* b s n _ (2) scr .. 3. 3 Achates; 4. s*. Auditor; 12. M Bonny Venture>-11, 13 9, 14 Dalene; 6, 6 Golden Hero; 15. 15 Marchons; 14, 11 Mooloo; 7, 7 Rey Derby; -5, 4 Shantung; 8, 8 En Avant, 13, 10 Girl Brigade also started. “ Length and a half ; three-quarters. Girl Brigade was fourth. Times—3min 16 l-ssec, 3min 15 2-ssec, 3min 16 4-ssec. Winner trained by D. M. Kerr, Gore. Dividends.—Win: £3. Places: £1 13s, £1 19s 6d, £9 15s 6d. RENOWN HANDICAP, Of £6OO. 3min 6sec class. One mile and a quarter. 4. 4—W. G. Bolting’s BLUE JAY (1) by Great Blaze—Princess Sheila syrs scr H. W. Skinner 1 8. 10—H. L. Dobbs’s Scottish Fair (18) 36 .. H. S. Donaldson 2 1. 2—L. E. and F. G. Kirkpatrick’s Suzendy (9) scr F. E. Newfield <3 5, 5 Colossal Queen; 2, 1 Dame Sybil; 3, 3 Parable; 11, 8 Peace Pipe; . 10, 11 Responsive; 12, 12 Vierosa; 7. 7 Welsh Heir; 13. 13 Dalise; 9. 9 Stylish George; 14. 14 Tee Drift; 6, 6 Rola Veyor also started. Head; neck. Parable was fourth. Times—3min 1 4-ssec, 2min 59sec, 3min 2 l-ssec. Winner trained by A. W. Skinner, Hedgehope. Dividends.—Win: £5 19s6d. Places: £2 5s 6d, £6 Is 6d. £1 16s 6d. FLYING HANDICAP, Of £BOO. 3min 2sec class. One mile and three furlongs. 1. I—H. S. Barry’s DERIVE (11) by Dillon Hall—Acora aged 12 M. Holmes 1 3. 3—R. D. Teahen’s Don Hall (4) scr . Owner 2 5. 4—C. R. Berkett and T. S. Harrison’s Light Nurse (14) 12 $ 12. 11 Count Grattan: 11. 10 Direct Hall; 2,2 Dresden Ladv; 7. 8 Lady Shona; 8. 7 Mighty Fine; 6, 6 Spring Walk; 4. 5 Excelsa: 10. 12 Paia Royal; 9, 9 Te Koi also started. Three lengths; two. Lady Shona was fourth. Times—2min 57sec. 2min 58 2-ssec, 2min 58 4-ssec. Winner trained by M. Holmes. Yaldhurst. Dividends.—Win: £2 9s6d. PlacW; £1 Ils 6d, £2 7s 6d. £2 9s 6d.