TROTTING Spaxton And Genghis Khan Back In Form

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28265, 1 May 1957, Page 4

TROTTING Spaxton And Genghis Khan Back In Form

Spaxton and Genghis Khan, which will resume racing soon, showed that they were well forward when they finished first and second respectively in the free-for-all at trials held yesterday at Methven by the Mid-Canterb'ury Trotting Owners’ and Breeders’ Association. The weather was fine, but the track, although in good order, was a little on the dead side.

Morere was slow and Magellan broke in the first furlong of the free-for-all. Spaxton and Genghis Khan began very fast, Spaxton taking over the lead. He was followed at the end of five furlongs by Genghis Khan, Albert Hall, Macklin, Magellan, Red Hackle, and Nipalong. There was little change in the order racing to the straight. Spaxton finished on very strongly and won well by a length and a half. Spaxton has some smart efforts to his credit this season, and he has won three times. When allowed to make his own rules in front, he is hard to head. He is in great order at present and should not be long winning. Genghis Khan was most impressive. He began as well as any of his opponents, and M. C.

McTigue did not ask him for a serious effort in thd straight to take second place. He stays strongly and will be a great prospect in his next few starts. Morere, after drifting to the rear early, finished strongly in the straight for third, with Macklin getting up to cut Albert Hall out of fourth place. Macklin was well back most of the way and finished very fast over the last 70 yards. He looks in line for an early win. Red Hackle and Magellan finished next, clear of Nipalong, which tired badly over .the last three furlongs. Surie Queen Wins Surie Queen, which will start in races for improving pacers in the next few weeks, pleased by the manner in which she won the 3min 52sec class pace. Chupra forced most of the pace, with Surie Queen handily placed. Surie Queen ran out the final furlong too strongly for Chupra and beat her by a length. Chupra, a big disappointment in her recent racing, has raced most generously at trials meetings. The first time she reproduces these efforts, she should win. Quare Times paced an even race for third after being near the lead throughout. He did not appear to be extended at the post. The Seaforth gelding has plenty of ability, but he has failed to strike form in his races. Siberia, which should not be long showing form, was a useful fourth, followed in by Impressario, Quite Probable, and Prometheus. Surie Queen paced the mile and five furlongs in 3min 44 l-ssec. the last half-mile in lmin 7sec. The Trotters Lothario, a member of C. J. McLaughlin’s Methven team, finished on too solidly for Wakeful to win the 3min 56sec class trot Lothario started from 60 yards, and he gradually improved his position until he was challenging Wakeful in the lead early in the run home/ Lothario finished on well to win by a neck after taking 3min 52sec for the mile and five furlongs, the last half mile in lmin lOsec. Wakeful took the lead with six furlongs to run, and held on for second. She broke twice in the last 100 yards, but each time she settled down very quickly. She is to race in the Tahuna Handicap at Forbury Park on Saturday, and from the front mark she may add interest to the finish. Ebony King, which was handily placed all the way, was a length and a half back third. He is to resume racing at Washdyke on May 18. Indian Queen, which was making her first appearance from C. C. Devine’s stables, trotted a useful race from 60 yards to finish fourth. She met trouble in the running, or she may have been closer. A seven-year-old mare by Indianapolis from Pilot Queen, she has been off the scene for more than a season. She showed useful form that term when she won three successive races. Karingal, Crookstown, and Staveley led in the remainder. Two-year-olds Zany, the top-priced filly at the 1956 yearling sales, made all the pace and held on for a good win in the two-year-old parade, which drew only five starters. A filly by Light Brigade from Admiration, she is a member of A. M Purdon’s team. She may make her first appearance in the Oamaru ' Juvenile Stakes next week. Zany paced the mile and a

quarter in 2min 55 4-ssec, the last half-mile in the useful time of lmin 6 3-ssec, and the last quarter in 33sec. Queen Rani, which was slow away, showed speed to get up for second, a head in front of Mountain Melody, with Kilkerry and Bob’s Agent five lengths back. Wimpy, which has had an exasperating run of placings, gained a good win in the 3min s.6sec class pace, after taking 3min 47sec for the mile and five furlongs, the last half mile in lmin 7 3-ssec. Wimpy was driven by R. P. Nyhan, who had him in or near the lead all the way. He finished well to hold off Darkest by a length, with half a length to Humble Pie. Darkest gave a sound display of pacing, and D. L. McGregor should not find it hard to place him to advantage in the next few weeks. Focal Point, after being a little slow early, made up ground for fourth, a length behind Humble Pie. Final Say was a good fifth, ahead of Modest, which lost almost half a furlong at the start. She showed tremendous speed once into her stride.