TROTTING Lordship Will Require Luck For Oamaru Win

Press, Volume C, Issue 29510, 11 May 1961, Page 4

TROTTING Lordship Will Require Luck For Oamaru Win

Lordship will be a firm fancy to gain his fifth win for the season when he contests the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes at the Oamaru Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday.

His task has been increased as a result of his barrier draw of 16, which will require him to start from the second line. Two scratchings will be necessary before he can start from the outside of the front line.

Lordship will need plenty of luck to avoid trouble if he is to start from the second line. The field includes a large number of inexperienced horses, many of which are certain to be hesitant at the start. Provided he receives a reasonably clear run, Lordship should run out a decisive winner.

The Johnny Globe colt had his most recent start in the Two-year-old Stakes at Meth ven. He gave away starts of up to 36 yards and finished fourth after being checked twice in the first furlong and covering extra ground approaching the straight. Only a top-class colt could have returned such an outstanding effort, one which deserved a better result.

Belroy, winner of the Two-year-old Stakes at Methven at his only race start, will again be in demand. However, he will find it hard to beat Lordship at his disadvantage of 36 yards as compared with Methven. A new driver will have to be found for Belroy at Oamaru. D. J. Townley, who drove him at Methven, trains and will have to drive Kelso Lady at Oamaru.

Belroy’s winning run at Methven was most convincing. He begpn safely and showed gameness when asked for an effort inside the furlong. He-is obviously a smart youngster and should be capable of a bold showing from his handy barrier position of No. 4.

Methven Placing

The Masterpiece colt, Rembrandt, finished a good second to Belroy at Methven. That was only his second start and he had improved considerably as a result of his other appearance. That was in the Timaru Nursery Stakes in which he finished fifth. Rembrandt was one of the leaders throughout the Methven race and it was not until inside the furlong that he was mastered by Belroy. He is a smart young pacer and most reliable, which is more than can be said for most in the Oamaru race. If he be-

gins as well as usual, he should be one of the leaders all the way and earn some of the stake. Adioson was a big disappointment at Methven where he finished eleventh. He showed outstanding promise earlier in the season, but has been a little disappointing lately. His Methven effort could have been only a temporary lapse and it will not surprise if he does better in this field as he is obviously a most capable pacer. Avante has failed in two starts since he finished second at two other starts. He was very slow away at the start of the Meth ven Two-year-old Stakes and made up ground for ninth. He has drawn No. 1 at the barrier and with a smooth beginning, could be a hard horse to beat. For Certain, a Meadow Chief filly in W. R. Butt’s team, showed improvement when she finished third to Belroy and Rembrandt at Methven. She has always shown speed, but has not always run on as well as at Methven. The Oamaru track is not as searching as Methven and she could again be prominent. The former Pukekohe pacer, Southern Smoke, has shown sound form in the North Island. He is a good type of pacer capable of a bold showing.

Won At Hawera

Snell, a stablemate of last season’s New Zealand Sapling Stakes winner. Flying Note, was a winner at Hawera last month. He was a little disappointing at Methven where

he finished sixth after having every chance. He is a splendid type of young pacer and if he can overcome the disadvantage of starting from the second line, he could be prominent. Strip and Wee Mike have shown ability in their racing and at trial meetings. Unfortunately they have drawn the second line, which could affect their chances.

Kelso Lady, Otikirama Boy, Roa Roa and Untrue will be having their first starts at a totalisator meeting. Kelso Lady has shown considerable promise at trials for D. J. Townley. She is a speedy filly by Light Brigade from a grand race mare in Ada Scott, the dam also of Tiaho. She is not too reliable at the start, but provided she does not lose too much ground; could be prominent.

Otikirama Boy is a member of J C. Purdue’s Invercargill team. He is by Garrison Hanover from Barbette, by Dillon Hall from Sans Peur, the dam also of Polish Lady, Curiosity, and High Class. A high opinion is held of him in Southland. Roa Roa, a member of R. Caskey's Washdyke team, is a gelding by Stormyway from Torchy. Untrue, a member of the team prepared at Springston by R. T. Court, jun„ is a gelding by Fallacy from Free Gen, by Free Fight. However, if Lordsjiip, Belroy, and Rembrandt receive reasonable luck in the running, they should dispute the finish.