Weight on Top

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 368, 31 May 1928, Page 6

Weight on Top

Severe Saddle Test TWO MILE CONTEST BILLED AT ADDINGTON The Canterbury Park Trotting Club caters well for horses who prefer to race with the weight on top and while the customary mile saddle heat finds a place on the winter card there is also on the opening day a race for weightcarriers, run over the trying distance of two miles. For a considerable number of year* the Canterbury Park Club has encouraged the saddle merchants to engage in a contest where stamina is required as well as speed, and annually at the winter campaign the Lyttelton Handicap finds a place on the schedule. While such an event is a severe test for riders as well as horses, it nevertheless is a popular item with owners and the public, and provides one of the spectacular gems of the June card. Each year the event fills w'ell, and good fields contest this strenuous two-mile bout, and during the last eight seasons sorae fine performances have been witnessed. Unfortunately at this period of the year the track is usually very heavy, militating against fast times being: register ed. Winnie Dillon’s Fine Effort However, two years ago, under favourable conditions Winnie Dillon traversed the sixteen furlongs in 4.58 4-5, which is 4 2-5 seconds outside the record in this department standing to the credit of the Australian pacer Spot. Hointalena, a good sort of saddle horse, succeeded in winning this item twice, scoring in 1924 and again the following year. Prince Burlington secured the honour in 1923 and was preceded by Grand Denver, while that solid pacer Thixendale captured the stake in 1921 when he ran 4.45. and Guy Dillon was successful in 1920. Saturday’s Prospects Last year Huon Denver, the grey son of Denver Huon, won from the 4.45 peg, taking 4.54 to compass the distance in the heavy going. He is engaged again on Saturday, being the back-marker on 4.40. There is some line material engaged in the approaching contest and the race will be brimful of interest. Dick Logan, who can stay w'ell and is in form, must play a big part, while Nihilist Junr.. is a good saddle horse. Logan King if coming back to form. Mate o’ Mine will be at home in heavy going, and Dundas Boy will have something to say in the decision.