IDEAL FAVOURED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1938, Page 13

IDEAL FAVOURED

NELSON TROTTING GUP

The two-mile performances of Ideal, especially on the Nelson track, point to L. O. Thomas's candidate being very hard to beat again in the race •he won in then record time two years ago. He also made a track record in running third in the principal" event on the second day. A chapter of minor accidents kept Idealin the background for the best part of a season, and it was not until he had Superior Rank extended to beat him in the Wairarapa Cup last Boxing Day that he had shown anything approaching his form of two seasons back. Ideal should have improved since then.

Ace High, a member of M. B. Edwards's team, should see out two miles, for he is bred on staying lines. He has raced well up to a mile* and a half, and won over the distance at.the Banks Peninsula Meeting in October. Carus has done nothing of note this season, and although she is a halfsister to Plutus, stamina has"-never been her strong point. Chudic won in fair company at Rangiora and Reef ton. Ropata failed on the Auckland trip, but he is a young and improving horse with good form up to a mile and five furlongs to his credit.' Tommy Boy, who has won at both gaits, has yet to prove himself beyond a mile and a half. -■•■■'■

Two West Coasters who were in the limelight at holiday ■". meetings were Doubt and Logan Palm. .Each is bred the right way for a two-mile'journey, especially Doubt, who is. by the' Auckland Cup winner Nelson- Derby from the National Cup winner Logan Lou. Savoldi took a record of 4min 31sec when placed in a two-mile event" at Wanganui two seasons back. Sir Gowan was never noted for his stamina, and he should have better prospects in the sprints. 'Slippery Sam has won at two miles. That was in the Kaikoui-a Cup last season, when he,led home ,that good trotter Waikato Prince. This season, however, Slippery Sam is still doing the "smalls" in the South Island. Backers will no doubt follow the best disclosed form, which appears to be held by Ideal, Ace, High, and Logan Palm. ■. . ■"■ ■ .

L. O. Thomas, who is shortly leaving HUtt Park for Addington, ■•:■ has been associated with trotting for 20 years, during which time He has trained winners of many important race's. Among ,them are' Glenrossie, Bonny Azure, Succeed, Genuine, Purser (New Zealand Derby), and David McElwyn; Thomas drove Harold Logan to win the New Zealand Trotting Gold Cup in 1931.