TROTTING Cardigan Bay Picked For Forbury Meeting

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 5

TROTTING Cardigan Bay Picked For Forbury Meeting

Southland stables are strongly represented on the first night of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s winter meeting tomorrow. Their best chances of success would appear to lie with Cardigan Bay, a candidate for the Renown Handicap, the second leg of the double. Cardigan Bay has had only three starts this season, recording two wins and a second. His most recent win was at Roxburgh on April 3 when he outclassed his opponents over two miles, winning easing up by more than four lengths after taking 4min 29sec.

Cardigan Bay, a member of D. Todd's Mataura team, was highly rated in Southland last season, many critics claiming that he was an equal to Blue Prince, which was one of the top-ranked three-year-olds. Unfortunately he has been a difficult horse to keep sound.

However, he has trained on satisfactorily since his win at Roxburgh and he should strip an even better horse at Forbury Park. He will be meeting stiff opposition, but if he races up to his best, he should just about win. Abu Simbel is one of the most improved pacers in Canterbury in recent weeks. He has had three wins and a third from his last four starts, his placing being in the sprint race at Methven on April 15 won by Tryst. On that occasion Abu Simbel started from 24 yards in a capacity field. He had little in his favour in the running and finished with a powerful run wide out. He was less than a length from the winner at the finish. Abu Simbel looks more favourably placed on the front in this field and another bold

showing is expected from him.

C. S. Donald, who has Zany and Gildirect in the first leg. the Winter Handicap, will be represented by two last-start winners in Medoro Star and Falsehood in this field. The combination is entitled to serious consideration. Medoro Star’s win was a most convincing one. He beat Terry Gowan and No Charge without being asked for a serious effort at the end of one mile and a half in 3min 14 3-ssec at New Brighton on March 25. Medoro Star is usually most reliable at the start and his ability to hold a handy position could ensure that he is prominent in this field. Won At Hawera Falsehood, which shares the back mark of 36 yards with Flying Note, showed brilliant speed at Hawera where he finished his campaign with a win over 10 furlongs. Falsehood has more ability than most in the race and if he makes a reasonably good start from his awkward mark, he could be in at the finish.

Flying Note, too. raced with distinction at Hawera, following up some consistent efforts with a good second to Scottish Light in the J. MeCloy Memorial Handicap at Methven on April 15. Flying Note dragged a damaged sulky wheel for about six furlongs in the Methven race so there was more than average merit in his effort. The Flying Song three-year-bld is in fine form at present and he could well upset calculations. His prospects would be enhanced on. a soft track.

Johnny Dean has had four wins and four placings from nine starts this season, his most recent win being at Winton on April 8. The Johnny Globe four-year-old is expected to develop top-class form later on and he should be capable of taking part in the finish. Awkward Marks Joylyn has been racing from awkward marks lately, but from the front, she must be given a chance. She has shown fine staying form in Southland this season. Mary Mavis raced well at Forbury Park in January. Her third in the race won by Glenoware at Addington on April 1 showed that she was back to her best again. Master Alan is a game little pacer always likely to surprise, but he should be safely held by the disappointing Meadow Scott, which has failed dismally in his last three starts. J. D. Litten should have him near his best again and he could prove too good for most in the race. The others look to be out of their class, but Gatley could be prominent as she races best at Forbury Park. WINTER HANDICAP, Of £1000; 3min 36sec class: one mile and five furlongs. 2401 Gay Baron (5) .. It. 0500 Kingsdown Patch (1) It. 6037 Light Mood (3) .. It. 2450 Mighty Loyal (71 .. It. 0298 Pacemaker (4) .. It. 4245 Queen Nsaio (6) .. It. 4002 Zenith (21 .. It. 3249 Aquaplane f2> .. 12 1900 Gildirect (5) ~12 0806 Vanity Scott (1) ■.. 12 8870 Waitaki Child <4> .. 12 3358 Zanv (3) ..12 0000 Banjo (3> .. 24 7105 Frown (2) ..24 6402 Robert Dillon (11 .. 24 5301 Highland Heath (!>'.. 36 Bracket: Gildirect and Zany. RENOWN HANDICAP, Of £650; 3min 42sec class; one mile and five furlongs. 1113 Abu Simbel (1) It. 211 Cardigan Bay (3) .. it. 0006 Fire Bell (4) .. It. 3211 Johnny Dean (11) .. It. 1130 Joylyn (9) ... It. 1634 Luck's Way (10) .. It 3463 Mary Mavis <2> .. It. 0326 Master Alan (7) .. It 4901 Medoro Star (5) .. it. 1290 Oreti (8) .. It 0070 Puma (61 .. It. 9559 Gatley (2) -.12 2000 Meadow Scott (3) .. 12 5760 Next Time (11 .. 12 1341 Falsehood (2) ..36 3212 Flying Note (1) ..36 Bracket: Medoro Star and Falsehood.