TROTTING Regina Chief—Robyn For Washdyke Double

Press, Volume C, Issue 29516, 18 May 1961, Page 4

TROTTING Regina Chief—Robyn For Washdyke Double

Regina Chief, a winner, and Robyn, a place-getter at Oamaru last week, could form the successful on-course double combination at the Timaru Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday. The Timaru club is one of few trotting clubs retaining an oncourse double. Saturday’s double will be run on the First Caroline Handicap and the Second Caroline Handicap, both races being for pacers which have had one win.

Regina Chief was most impressive when he won at Oamaru. He was one of the tailenders racing to the three furlongs, but sprinted round the field to take the lead inside a furlong. He raced away to a lead of five lengths near the furlong post and T. F. Thompson was easing hint down at the finish with an advantage of two lengths. Regina Chief has always shown plenty of ability, but has taken time to strike winning form. The Attack four-year-old will probably encounter similar track conditions at Washdyke as he did at Otemaru and if he races with the same dash, he could be too good for most of his rivals.

Trusted also graduated from maiden company at Oamaru and eould be one of the hardest for Regina Chief to beat. Trusted was having his first race start when he won. He showed considerable ability, being forced wide for a time in the middle stages and then coming again after being headed inside the furlong. Trusted is a solid three-year-old gelding by Meadow Chief from Special Trust. He is trained at Hinds by his part-owner, W. E. Lowe. .He has both the breeding and appearance to develop worth-while form and should be hard to beat in this field. His time for the 13 furlongs at Oamaru was 2 l-ssec faster than that returned by Regina Chief. Pacework did well to finish a close third to Local Princess and Robyn in the Papakaio Handicap, run over two miles at Oamaru. She lost a lot of ground at the start and showed courage in a hard finish. Pacework is not too reliable, but provided she does not lose too much ground, she should be capable of racing well. Disappointing Worthy Dieman, a good winner at Amberley a week earlier, was a little disappointing when he tired to a close seventh in the Papakaio Handicap at Oamaru.

The shorter distance in this race should suit him better and in spite of his awkward barrier draw of No. 16, he should be hard to beat. Meadow .Haze came home solidly for fourth over two miles at Oamaru after losing her position in the middle stages. She will again be a prospect. Dorsten, Delegate, Sedway and Dieman Dan are others capable of adding interest to the finish.

Robyn’s close second to Local Princess over two miles at Oamaru will probably result in favouritism for her in the second leg of this double. R. H. Negus has improved her considerably in recent months and a second winning run for her cannot be far off. Last Saturday Robyn was pacing like a winner 75 yards from the finish, but she just could not manage to master Local Prince. She is by U. Scott from Clever Kitty, a member of the same family as Caduceus, Highland Fling and others so it will not be surprising if she develops into a good winner. ■ Bums Rival was having only his third start when he beat some more experienced rivals in the Waikouaiti Three-year-old Stakes on April 1. He has not been produced since then, but in spite of his lack of recent

racing, he will be in demand in this field, which does not look to be particularly strong in recent form.

Worthy Flicka was pushed back towards the rear early in the Papakaio Handicap and was never able to work into a challenging position. He made up ground for ninth and was not disgraced. He could prove as sound a prospect as most in this field. Del Nuit, Din da Marie, Top Notch and El Adem look the pick of the remainder.