Elusive Chick, the capable 3yr-old filly of last season, indicated she was forward to resume racing with a trial win at Addington yesterday.
Elusive Chick finished a neck in front of stablemate Motu Prince Of Peru after 1950m (mobile) in 2.29.1, the last 800m in 58.6.
Elusive Chick has not raced since she finished second to O Baby in the Harness Jewels at Cambridge in June.
She won four races including a Sires' Stakes heat in 1.56.7 at Ashburton from 13 starts last season. She was runner-up on seven occasions including the Sires' Stakes Final and the New South Wales Oaks.
Smolda, who has not raced since he equalled the New Zealand mile record of 1.52.1 at the Jewels, also won a trial yesterday.
• Trainers Barry Purdon (Pembrook Benny) and Steven Reid (Gold Ace) have taken the drives on their charges in the Louisson Handicap at Addington tomorrow night. The usual drivers Zac Butcher (Pembrook Benny) and Tony Herlihy have commitments at Alexandra Park. Ken Barron is the new driver for Sir Lincoln.
The Louisson Handicap is the final race for candidates for the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday week.
The Louisson Handicap was the main race on the first day of the National meeting at Addington in August between 1948 and 1984. Hands Down, trained by Derek Jones and driven by son Peter, won the race four times from 1980, the year he won the New Zealand Cup.
Lunar Chance, trained and driven by Keith Lawlor, then of Gore, won in 1975 (the year of his New Zealand Cup win) and 1976.
Other Louisson winners to succeed in the Cup are Van Dieman (1951), Mobile Globe (1952), Adorian (1953), Our Roger (1955) and Thunder (1956).
Van Dieman and Thunder were both trained and driven by Cecil Devine, the most successful driver in the New Zealand Cup with six wins. He also won the New Zealand Cup with False Step (three times from 1958) and Lord Module (1979).
Charles Louisson was the second president of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club from 1906-24. A Christchurch transport business operator, he helped secure the site for Addington raceway.
His son, Dr Maurice Louisson, was elected a steward of the club in 1926 and he was vice-president from 1945-48.
