Sporting

Lake County Mail, Issue 47, 28 April 1948, Page 3

Sporting

NEWS AND VIEWS

By Old Bill

FINAL DAY AT FORBURY

Highland Fling in Free-for-All

The final day of the Forbury Park Centennial meeting will be held on Saturday when the principal event, the Otago Pacing Free-for-all, will be decided. If Emulous is fit and well on the day he may offer a serious challenge to Highland Fling, who is sure to be a hot favourite. The other races on the card contain ample material to provide interesting racing and as track conditions appear likely to be similar to those of last Saturday, horses which performed well then should again race prominently. Those likely to be most in favour include: —

11.0 a.m.: Philip Laing Handicap.— Sandy Duval, Logan Max-Suzerain bracket, Jason’s Quest. 11.50: Pioneer Handicap.—On Approval, Worthy Dick, Hall Ace. 12.40 p.m.: Otakou Handicap.—Make Believe, Duneraig, Bull’s Eye. 1,30: Otago Pacing Free-for-all."— Highland Fling, Emulous (if started), Sir Michael, Knave of Diamonds. 2.20: Goldfield’s Handicap.—Ace of Diamonds, Jackie Guy. 8.10: Anniversary Handicap.—Willie Winkie, Toushay-Belmoral bracket, Margin. 4.0: Captain Cargill Handicap.— Mountain Hall, Scholarship, Novelda. 4.50: Au Revoir Handicap. —Dragoman, Final Count, Logan Eey.

Ace of Diamonds Ace of Diamonds was well back in the Captain Cook Handicap in the early stages of the running but when asked a question with about three furlongs to run he responded gallantly and swept round the field to win going away. On this performance he looks like being a good stake-earner for his owner-trainer, Mr M. C. McTigue. He is engaged in the Goldfields Handicap, of two miles, on Saturday.

Stood on the Mark Novelda, who was made favourite for the Captain Cook Handicap on Saturday, failed to leave the mark and tailed the field all the way. There is no doubting the brilliance of this four-year-old Dillon Hall mare, but until she learns to leave the mark smoothly she is not a good betting proposition.

Smart Sprinter Dragoman was first out and first home in the Kia Ora Handicap at Forbury on Saturday and looks on the way to the best class. He is a product of Southland and must rank as one of the best pacers produced there for some considerable time.

Large Dividend Margin, a good trotter of a few seasons ago, never put a foot wrong in the Century Trotting Free-for-all and scored a very convincing win, returning her backers a handsome dividend approaching the two score mark. She was bought by her present owner, Mr W. T. Low, for 100 guineas at Easter.

Aerial Scott The backers of Aerial Scott, who was made a warm favourite for the Century Free-for-all, must have been well pleased with themselves shortly after the start of the race as he strode to the front and was trotting as if he liked it, but their hopes were short lived as after going half a mile he broke up badly and was thereafter never dangerous.

Champion Pacer Highland Fling proved himself to be one of the best pacers ever seen in the Dominion by his race on Saturday. Giving 60 yards to a field of the best pacers in training in the Dominion, he made up his ground quickly and when he joined issue with Acropolis and Plunder Bar at the straight entrance he looked all over a winner but failed only in the last 20 yards and was beaten a length by Acropolis. Highland Fling covered the two miles in 4min 23 4-ssec on a heavy track a fine performance. He will be at a short price in the Otago Pacing Free-for-all on, Saturday.

Failed to Stay Knave of Diamonds was expected to play an important part in the finish of the Centennial Cup but failed to stay on in the heavy going. He was fairly handily placed in the middle round of the race and when he raced up to join issue with Plunder Bar and Acropolis at the bend into the straight the last time round, he was hailed as the winner but his forward move was short-lived and he finished well back at the finish. If the going is firmer on Saturday he may make his presence felt in the Pacing Free-for-all.

Consistent Runner Final Count gained a fourth and a third placing at Forbury on Saturday and is racing consistently at present, suggestive of a win in the near future. He is sure to be well backed in the Au Eevoir Handicap on Saturday.

Heir Apparent The solid manner in which Heir Apparent trotted on Saturday to win the John Wickliffe Handicap from Belle Header to whom he gave a start of 3G yards, points to him taking a tighter mark before the present season "loses.

Speedy Sort Scholarship showed a lot of speed in his race last week but seems to lack the stamina necessary to win over any distance more than a mile and aquarter.

Red Hussar One of the best-looking horses paraded at Porbury Park last week was Red Hussar. He did not appear to like the heavy going and should put up a better showing when racing on a firm track.

Erratic Pacer Bel Hamed has the speed and stamina required to win races but she generally adds to her handicap by breaking during the running. The first time she paces solidly it will take a. good horse to beat her.

Centennial Cup Winner Acropolis was driven a fine race in the Cup, and he saved every inch of ground possible and when tackled by Highland Fling at the entrance to the straight he responded in splendid fashion to go on and win by a length. J. B. Pringle, the driver, played no little part in the win of Acropolis and to him must go credit for an excellent exhibition of driving.

Timaru Cup Winner Flying Control, who won the Timaru Cup on Saturday, put up an impressive performance as he led throughout the whole 11-furlong journey. By Beau Fite out of Fox Tower, he should, on breeding, win over distances longer than that of Saturday’s race.

Grill The Dunedin-owned Grill secured another second on Saturday and looks a good type to win a distance event in the near future.

Back to Form Graeme gave every indication of coming back to form by his useful third in the Timaru Cup. He should be returned a winner before the end of the present racing season.