TROTTING Light Nurse, Picked To Win At Forbury Park

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28267, 3 May 1957, Page 5

TROTTING Light Nurse, Picked To Win At Forbury Park

Light Nurse, which had no luck in her two races last week, is selected to win the Queen’s Handicap, the main race and first leg of the double on the second day of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s winter meeting tomorrow.

Light Nurse was forced over extra ground in the Winter Handicap last week and, in the circumstances, she did well to finish a close seventh. Later in the day, she met interference in the Flying Handicap and was knocked back to the rear at the mile post. She put in a great run over the last five furlongs to finish third to Derive and Don Hall. More favourably placed in the running tomorrow, she should win. G. B. Noble’s bracket of Highland Air and La Mignon will be in demand. Highland Air is expected to finish in front of his stablemate again. He has been penalised 12 yards for last week's win, but he looked to have plenty in reserve at the finish last Saturday and this should not trouble him. Highland Air is in fine form at present and a bold showing is expected from him. If he wins, he will become eligible for the next New Zealand Trotting Cup. La Mignon paced a sound race for second to Highland Air last week and she could be placed again. Once again she looks handily placed on the front. Super Royal was placed in three of her four starts at the recent Addington meeting and if the track is firm, she should go close to gaining an overdue win. The Dillon Hall mare has never looked better than at present and it will be surprising if she fails to show up. Don Hall’s Prospects Don Hall paced a sound race for second to Derive in the sprint on the first day of the meeting. He must be close to winning form now and he could surprise in this race. Marshall Foi was a sound fifth in the Winter Handicap last week and he, too, must be respected. His owner-trainer, H. Stafford, won this race 12 months ago with Mighty Fine. Lady Shona, Ricochet and Invicta are other prospects, but they should be safely held by Light Nurse, Highland Air and Super Royal. Aksarben, a close third to Gentry and Next Time last week, is expected to be one of - the hardest to beat in the second leg of the double, the Peninsula Handicap. The Light Brigade-Blue Revue three-year-old had little in his favour in last week’s race and he did well to finish so close up. If he races as well tomorrow, he should just about win. Fourth Edition became eligible for this race when he gained a decisive win in a slow-class race on the first day of the meeting. He is in fine form at present and looks a great prospect.

Next Time has had four successive second placings in recent months and he is long overdue for a win. He has gone back 12 yards after his second to Gentry last week, but this extra handi cap should not stop this reliable Free Fight gelding from reaching a place again. East Dome, a speedy but unreliable pacer, could win if he raced up to his best form. He was a winner by a wide margin at Roxburgh at his most recent start.

Lord Mackworth, a winner at Greymouth on April 22, Vanity Scott, Girl Brigade and Crimson Star are entitled to respect, but Aksarben. Fourth Edition and Next Time should dispute the finish.

Suzendy, Blue Jay and Dame Sybil are a likely trio for the Pacific Handicap, which has drawn a field similar to that in the Southland Handicap earlier in the day. Suzendy was an unlucky third in a similar race last week. She did not work clear from a pocket on the rails until the race was virtually over. She was narrowly beaten and was far from disgraced. May Win Again

Blue Jay has gone back only 12 yards as a result of her narrow win last week and this may not be enough to stop her winning again. The Great Blaze mare is at the top of her form at the moment and she should extend the record of Southland horses at the meeting. Dame Sybil did not work cleai until inside the furlong last week and she was full of running at the post in fifth place. The Light Brigade mare is a smart sprinter and she may be placed. The consistent Parable should do best of the others on the front, while Air Command, Welsh Heir and Scottish Fair appeal most of those handicapped further back.

Native Cord trotted a sound race for third to Medetta and Supervise last week and he may win the Railway Handicap. The Ripcord four-year-old has not had much racing recently and he should be improved as a result of last week’s run.

Supervise finished strongly after a slow beginning for second last week and she must be given a chance to improve her record. Serenelli, a very easy winner in a slower class last week, looks handily placed on 24 yards and she could easily win again. On her day she is more than useful. Nirvana, a good third last week, and Rapuwai look handily placed on the front and they could surprise. Crisette and Fifth Brigade make most appeal of the others. Indianna may gain a well-de-served win in the Tahuna Handicap, a race for slow-class trotters. She was a sound fourth last week after losing ground early.

Most opposition to Indianna may come from Garadale, which held on for second last week after forcing most of the pace. Home Mail will be making his first appearance at the meeting. He has a good style of trotting and may surprise.

Gentle Anna, Nirvana, Native Cord and Dalmation make most appeal of the remainder.

Selections are:— 11 a.m.r— Tahuna Handicap: Indianna, Garadale, Home Mail. 11.40 a.m.—Fairfield Handicap: Muigrove, Chappelet, Banquier. 12 JO pjn.—Southland Handicap: Parable, Air Command, Slue Jay.

1.5 p.m.—Queen’s Handicap: Light Nurse, Highland Air, Super Royal.

1.55 p.m.—Railway Handicap: Native Cord, Supervise, Serenelli. 2.40 p.m.—Peninsula Handicap: Aksarben, Fourth Edition, Next Time.

3.25 p.m.—Pacific Handicap: Suzendy, Blue Jay, Dame Sybil. 4.10 p.m.—Farewell Handicap: Super Royal, Light Nurse, Don Hall. Fields, with form, for the doubles races are:—

QUEEN’S HANDICAP, Of £lOOO. 3min 36sec class. One

mile and five furlongs. 0000 Cembala (2) .. .. scr 4000 Count Grattan (6) .. scr 0002 La. Mignon (5) .. .. scr 0020 Marshall Foi (4) .. .. scr 00 Midday (3) .. .. scr 2040 Spring Walk (1) .. .. scr 0300 Direct Hall (1) .. ..12 0002 Don Hall (5) .. ..12 3100 Dresden Lady (4) ..12 0003 Ricochet (7) .. .. 12 0010 Invicta (2) .. ..12 3004 Lady Shona (6) .. .. 12 2034 Super Royal (3) .. .. 12 4301 Highland Air (1) .. .. 24 0203 Light Nurse (2) .. .. 24 0000 Te Koi (1) ' .. ..36 Brackets: La Mignon and Highland Air, Dresden Lady and Ricochet. PENINSULA HANDICAP, Of £500. 3min 29sec class. One mile

and a half. 1003 Aksarben (12) .. scr 0001 Disraeli’ (6) .. .. scr 0000 Cobina (11) .. .. scr 1000 Crimson Star (3) .. .. scr 0100 Drastic (3) .. .. scr 0241 Fourth Edition (5) .. scr 4003 Friendly Hall (1) .. ..scr 4400 Golden Hero (8) .. .. scr 2040 Lord Balfour (10) .. scr 0004 Nikova (2) .. .. scr 0000 Quite Probable (4) .. scr 0004 Vanity Scott (7) .. .. scr 0040 Amazon (2) .. ..12 0040 En Avant (1) .., ..12 0321 Lord Mackworth (3) .. 12 1001 East Dome (1) ..24 2234 Girl Brigade (2) .. ..24 2222 Next Time (3) ..24 Bracket: Aksarben and Disraeli.