JOTTINGS FROM TRACK AND STABLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 9

JOTTINGS FROM TRACK AND STABLE

BEAU VITE IMPROVED TO MEET BEAULIVRE By “Trenton” The three-year-old colt Beau Vite was on the track at Eilerslie on Friday morning doing easy pace work. He lias developed to a marked extent since last autumn, and bears a very solid appearance. The racing Beau Vite hacl in Australia tit is spring evidently proved beneficial, and his meeting with Beaulivre in the Great Northern Derby next Monday will be one of the features of the Auckland meeting. Progress of Kelly During the short time that Kelly has been in work, following a spell extending over several months, he has done exceptionally well, having fined down considerably. Recently he has had several work-outs over a sprint distance and has shown all his former speed. Kelly is entered for a couple of races on the later days of the Eilerslie meeting. Attempts On Records In addition to fine fields, with highclass pacers, in the main events at the Auckland Trotting Club’s summer carnival on December 27, 29 and 30, the attempts of Lawn Derby and Nell Volo to create new records will be features of special interest. The track at Alexandra Park.is usually in excellent order at this time of the year, and, with a continuation of fine weather, the going should be very fast.

Lawn Derby has built up a great reputation as a record-breaker and has the distinction of being the only horse outside America to pace a mile under two minutes. His 1.59 2-5 on the sixfurlong dirt track at Addington is considered by experts to compare very favourably with the American record of 1.55 put up by Billy Direct on a specially-prepared mile circuit. Lawn Derby holds many show records in Australia and his 2.3 3-5 at New Brighton and 2.2 2-5 at Claudelands are track records. His best mile at Epsom is 2.1 4-5, established last December in a match race with Van Derby, who recorded the same time. In February Van Derby reduced the grass record to 2.9 2-5. W. J. O'Shea, trainer of Lawn Derby, who states his horse is better than on his previous visits, anticipates success. Van Derby made new figures of 3.9 3-5 for a mile and a-half at Addington, and it is likely that Lawn Derby will also make an effort to lower this record. Nell Volo has some excellent performances in races, but this will be her first attempt at a record, and in endeavouring to reduce Worthy Queen’s 2.3 2-5, established at Addington in 1934. she has a stiff but not impossible task. Nell Volo has at times thrilled spectators at Epsom by rare speed displays in overhauling rivals, and on one occasion was timed to run tiie last mile in 2.5. getting up to defeat the good trotting mare Parrish Belle, who had a long lead. She has also run two miles from post to post in 4.22. That Nell Volo has regained .form was demonstrated at the last Addington meeting, and trainer F. J. Smith has her in fine order for her effort.