N.Z. St. Leger Stakes At Trentham Today

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31007, 12 March 1966, Page 6

N.Z. St. Leger Stakes At Trentham Today

The meeting of Terrific with Dark Smudge and four other potential young stayers over a mile and three-quarters in the New Zealand St. Leger Stakes should be one of the major attractions at Trentham today.

Although each will have a first try at the distance Terrific is almost certain to dominate betting in this staying classic for three-year-olds on the second day of the Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting.

Terrific’s position as St. Leger favourite was consolidated as far back as last week when Peterman, which has been his main rival this season, injured himself after racing on the first day of the meeting. Nothing would have pleased Trentham patrons more than! another Terrific-Peterman battle. But they still might I not be disappointed for the Woodville-trained Dark Smudge might offer the favourite solid resistance. This will be Terrific’s first] start at the meeting. Dr. A.. McGregor Grant’s Gigantic | colt beat a strong field of open > class stayers hands down at| Te Aroha the las’ time he I raced, a fortnight ago. On the other hand Dark ] Smudge will be trying to im-j prove on a very moderate performance on the first day of ] the meeting. He was last of I nine in the North Island Challenge Stakes. But in that event he was only going seven furlongs. At his previous start he had beaten some notable open class rivals over 11 furlongs in the Woodville Cup. The President’s and Suburban Handicaps, the respective legs of the T.A.B. double, and the Wakefield Challenge Stakes, for two-year-olds, will be other major attractions today. Creolian, from Cambridge, and the Wingatui three-year-old Captain’s Command are “The Press” picks for the double. In the Wakefield Challenge Stakes Valiant Knight and Mr Mink are expected to battle it out. This race will be the I first leg of a double for course patrons only. The second leg will be the Champion Hack Handicap for which De Filou is the popular fancy. Unless there is rain to soften the ground Rohe Potae is unlikely to start in the Hutt Handicap, second leg of the main double. But Rohe Potae’s stablemate Boodle will run with N. D. Riordan a s his rider if no other suitable light-weight can be found. The forecast is for fine weather and a firm track. Fields, with riders and form comments, follow: — 1130 a.m.— RIMU HIGH-WEIGHT, £lOOO. Ilf.

Scratched: Twiggetd (1). TILLY LIGHT: Pulled hard in light-weight on first day when seventh. Likely improver SAN LEONARDO: Moderate sixth against hack stayers last week. CHESTERMAN: Lacked racing condition when ninth last Saturday. HARLECH: Distant tenth in Ngaio High-weight last week. SHUBAD: Dropped out last half mile to finish sixth in Ngaio High-weight. FALOOSE: Fifth when favourite in Ngaio High-weight. Came from tail of field and could go better here. BEN BELLA: Did not get best of runs in Ngaio High-weight in which he finished fourth FAIRWEATHER: Neck from winner Twigfield in Ngaio Highweight after attempting to lead all the way. CRAFTY QUEEN: Forced over a lot of ground in Ngaio Highweight so her third was creditable. CAYRENE: Form is moderate. JOYFUL COUNT: Weak form. THRILLER: Fourth in weaker company at Masterton. Crafty Queen Tilly Light Faloose FIRST LEG ON-COURSE DOUBLE 12.10 p.m.— WAKEFIELD CHALLENGE STAKES, £3000: 7f.

MR MINK: Unbeaten after three starts, and should be hard to peg back again. VALIANT KNIGHT: Fourth last week was improver's run after interrupted prepara tion MISS MOO: Led close to home tn Plunket Nursery Handicap. then faded to Sth. Imnrover. GOLDEN MIST: Solid finisher for win in weaker class at Hastings last week.

MARY FOFRIHS: Showed speed only for half mile in Plun- < ket Nursery. KALOTT: Ran Golden Mist to nose at Masterton. This is tougher. EXALT: Came from far back for third in Plunket Nursery Handicap. Should master seven furlongs. STYLISH MATE: Mr Mink’s only challenger in the Plunket Nursery. Possibility at the 1 weights. ROMAN GENERAL: Made ground slowly from the rear for , seventh in Plunket Nursery Handicap. This distance should suit. i Valiant Knight Mr Mink 1 Exalt ( 112.55 p.m.— N.Z. ST. LEGER STAKES, I £2500; Um.

Scratched: Truegent (1). DARK PLUNGE: Woodville Cup winner two starts back and third at weight-for age here in January. DOC: Still in hack class. Stay-ing-bred gelding from Takanini. KINTYRE: Racing beyond his best distance. Fourth after pacemaking in North Island Challenge Stakes. TERRIFIC: Has earned favouritism after seconds to Peterman in Great Northern Derby and Wellington Derby. Latest win in open handicap at Te Aroha. TWIGFIELD: High-weight winner last week. Not fancied here. BALLETA: Maiden class winner at Wairoa. Terrific Dark Smudge SECOND LEG ON-COURSE DOUBLE CHAMPION HACK HANDICAP, £1250: lim

Excite f!o> DE FILOU: Impressive winner over Ilf at Te Aroha last time out. Has shaped like a future cup horse. FAR CRY: Seldom runs badly Third in corresponding race last week. This field looks stronger. ! PUNJABI: Has won at Franklin , since running second to De Filou at Te Aroha. KIMBER: Strong finisher for win in Sllverstream Handicap Should go close again. ; IDENTIFICATION: Weak run after pacemaking at Bulls last time out. Beat Far Cry in winning at Awapuni two starts earlier. OREAMON: Unplaced at Hast- : Ings on Wednesday. CHIAVE D'ORO: Weakened to 7th tn Sllverstream Handicap. i GOLD FORT: Sound run for second behind Kimber last week. Consistent. CAPLIN: Closest at finish when Sth tn Sllverstream Handicap. GAYEMANA: Hastings form was ; not up to much. De Filou Kimber Punjabi FIRST LEG T.A.B. DOUBLE 2.2 S p.m.— PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, £3000; Hm.

Tarim (7). 1 PALISADE: Brilliant win under 9-6 over 2m. last week could have made him favourite for this shorter test. BANDON: Failed at 2m. In Chalmers Handicap, but not without a chance at a mile and a half. CREOLIAN: Good run for 9th . against milers in Thompson Handicap. Won over 11m. here in January. SAIL AWAY: Won this race a ’ year ago. Sound race for . 3rd tn Chalmers Handicap after being left in front on 1 home turn. WORTHY CHAT: Only a fair 4th in Chalmers Handicap, but . form al a middle distance commands respect. t LUCKY REBEL: Strong finisher . for 4th in Woodville Cup. won by Dark Plunge. ( CASTLE DEE: Others preferred. MAGICIAN: Form weak. < SOMETHING SPECIAL: Distant ’ Sth in Chalmers Handicap. Creolian Palisade Sail Away J.lfi p.m.— EASTBOURNE HACK HANDICAP, 4

MIXED RECEPTION: Came from the back for 4th over 7f last week. " LEANEL: Easy winner over 6f at Hastings on Wednesday. Might find a mdile as much as she can manage. D KELLOMAN: Strong finisher for 3rd over 7f last week Should run out a good made. V ON SAFARI: Disappointing, though 4th, over Ilf last week. ROYAL GUEST: Narrow winner over 7f at Masterton. This R field looks stronger. SABAEAN SUMMER: Distant 11th in Tinakori Handicap. lU

JET GIRL: Prominent to home turn in Tinakori Handicap, then dropped out to 14th. TOLUNDA: Fast-finishing 2nd to Mixed Reception over 7f al Bulls makes her a prospect. FEURIG: Win two starts back was at Hawera. Had Interrupted run at Bulls last time out. FLYING GIB: Good form leading up to his failure when drawn badly last week. MYFORT: Newcomer at meeting. Fair third in weaker class at Masterton. MANGAROA: Others preferred. MIGHTY BLUE: Not fancied. MIX UP.— Fair race for 6th after slow start last week. RAZZAMATAZZ: Form poor. Kellomau Toluuda Mixed Reception SECOND LEG T.A.B. DOUBLE 3.55 p.m.— SUBURBAN HANDICAP, £1500; 7f. st lb

HOME ON THE RANGE: Ran Captain's Command to a neck over 6f. last week. GRAND WIN: Weak run last week, but capable of much better. ROHE POTAE: Did not get best of runs when fourth last week. Prefers soft or easy ground. CAPTAIN'S COMMAND: Won oveT «f. last week with sharp, sustained finishing run. MISERE: Led until close to home in Railway Handicap, then battled it out well for third. COMBINATION: Two starts at Napier meeting produced a win and a second. This class is stronger. WAVERING: Usual sound race for fifth in Railway Handicap. JETMATE: Improvement necessary. MUKUPAI: Last-start fifth at Masterton only fair run. TRACEY: Consistent mare. Just beaten by My Call two starts back. BOODLE: Spoilt his chance in Thompson Handicap by hanging in the straight. CALLANDER'S GIFT: Weak run last week. CLASSICAL GLOW: Latest form SHILOKO: Out of form. Beat one in Railway Handicap. Devastation My Call Royal Chase 4.40 p.m.— HUTT HANDICAP,

DEVASTATION: Toyed with his rivals In North Island Challenge Stakes, and should go well again. ROYAL CHASE: Won against milers at Wanganui before his second to Devastation last week. DAMIAN'S PRIDE: Disappointing at this distance here in January. Can do better. WARFARE: Did not run within a stone of her best form in Thompson Handicap, and could have been feeling an o-ld leg injury. ROODYVOO: Third in North Island Challenge Stakes on a track to his Mking. UDARE: Won Thompson Handl-

cap narrowly but well with 81b less. PLUSH: Seldom runs badly, but finding success elusive in this class. FOXY BOY: Newcomer at meeting. Won Rangitikei Cup at his last start. PRINCESS TALARIA: Only a fair run for 6th in North Island Challenge Stakes. MY CALL: Improver’s third to Udare and Tara’s Pride in Thompson Handicap. ROGANNE: Strong finisher for 4th in Thompson Handicap

MARIA MITCHELL: Weak finish after pacemakiing in Thompson Handicap; 11th. ALKIRA: Newcomer at meeting. Strong finisher for 3rd over 7f at Hawera last time out EMPIRE KING: Not up to weight-forage ciass in North Lsiland Challenge Stakes, but a chance here at the weights if the track is firm. NARBADA: First beaten in Thompson Handicap: last. SURF BOY: Placed at this distance in January. Last-start

4th was over lim at Wanganui. SHERLOCKS: Failed in Wood ville Cup last time out. TUSKAR ROCK: Hardly likely to measure up here. Captain’s Command Boodle Rohe Potae

st. lb 6017 TtHy Light (3), R. A. Jenkins 10 8 1156 San Leonardo (11), M. J Dombroski 9 13 109 Chesterman <10). C. M McGovern 9 10 4000 Harlech (9>, N. C. Treweek 9 10 4416 Shubad (13), C. I. Goss . 9 8 9515 Faloobe (12). B. J. Clements 9 5 5144 Ben Bella (S), R. Finlay 9 4 0092 Fairweather (7), M. Griffin 9 3 0363 Crafty Queen (6), H. N Rauh.hi .92 0076 Gayrene (5) ..9 0 6566 Joyful Count (4), 9 0 64 Thriller (2), M. J. O Connor 9 0

st lb Ill Mr Mint <»>. L. K. Tinsley 8 13 3154 Valiant Knight <■*>. G F Hughes 8 g 1M5 Miss Mod <5). R J. Skelton 8 5 2311 Golden Mist (7), R. W Taylor 8 1 1140 Marv Popp'ns <10), G. L Willetts 8 0 0*52 Kalott <S». R B. Marsh 7 3513 Exalt <8». N- D. Riordan 1 7 I 6422 Stylish Mate <3>, N. Eastwood 7 5 3 7 Roman General <11. A. H Eastwood 7 2 Scratched Success Story *6)

st. lb. ,4319 Dark Smudge (6). RW Taylor 8 10 6253 Doc <5). R. . . Skelton 8 10 8914 Kintyre (4), A. T. Jones 8 10 i 3241 Terrific 43), G. F. Hughes . 8 10 0221 Twigfield (7), N. D. Riordan 8 10 9071 Balleta (2), K. J. Grylis 8 7

52 Tolunda (8) 7 12 6510 Feurig (11) 7 9 1420 Flying Gib (3), N. D. Riordan 7 8 4463 Hyfort (14), W. D. Dymond 7 8 5090 Mangaroa (4), B. S. Dodds 7 7 1208 Mighty Blue (7), K. Aitken 7 7 1306 Mix Up (10). N. Eastwood 7 7 0047 Razzamatazz (16). G. L Willetts 7 7 Scratched: Potico (2).

st lb 3161 De F:lou (8). G. F. Hughes 8 10 14723 Far Cry (2), H. N. Rauhihi 8 8 12721 Punjabi (9), N. B. Holland 8 6 ; 0021 Kimber (3). M. J. O’Connor 8 4 <0128 Identification (11) 8 1 12232 Dreamon (4), K. S. Cullen 8 0 [8517 Chiave d’Oro (7). R. J Skelton 7 11 8332 Gold Fort (5), R. N. Taylor 7 11 435 Caplin <6), R. B. Marsh 7 8 0835 Gayemana (1), N. Eastwood 7 8 Scratched: First Thought (12).

0412 Home on the Range (14). J. T Ander13 son 8 2080 Grand Win (8), L. K. Tinsley 8 12 1164 Rohe Potae (4), G. F. Hughes 8 4 3331 Captain s Command (3). R. J. Skelton 8 1 U663 Misere <1), R. W. Taylor 7 11 5671 Combination (2) 7 8 4235 Wavering (5). G. L. Willetts 7 8 4009 Jetmate (11), N. Eastwood , 7 6 0055 Mukupai (9), R. Aitken 7 5 2022 Tracey (12), K. Reggett 7 4 2088 Boodle (13) 7 2 4808 Callander’s Gift (10) 7 0 2100 Classical Glow (6). B Cullen 7 0 0080 Shiloko (15) 7 0 6027 Tumble (7). A. H. Eastwood 7 0 Scratched: Tumble (7).

st lb 0111 Palisade (11), R. J. Skelton 9 12 0630 Bandon (8), D. Foley 8 6 0819 Creolian (1), G. F. Hughes 8 2 3043 Sail Away (6), R. N. Taylor 7 13 5344 Worthy Chat (2). N. Eastwood 7 11 6724 Lucky Rebel (4), J. T. Anderson 7 9 5779 Castle Dee (10), K. Reggett 7 0 0800 Magician (5) 7 0 1358 Something Special (3). N D Riordan 7 0 Scratched: Grand Filou (»).

£1000; Im st lb 2114 Mixed Reception (1), R W Taylor 9 2 1201 Leant! <9) 8 1 06S3 Kelloman (13), G. F. Hughes 8 1 1334 On Safari (15). R. J. Skelton 8 0 1371 Royal Guest (12) 8 0 1020 Sabaean Summer (5). R a. Jenkins 8 0 3180 Jet Girl (•), R. B. Marsh 7 13

£2000; Im. st lb 6411 Devastation (11), A. T. Jones 8 13 6412 Royal Chase (2), R. W. Taylor 8 11 0030 Damian's Pride (7), G. F. Hughes 8 8 5120 Warfare <5). R. J. Skelton 8 7 2083 Roodyvoo (9), B. S. Dodds 8 6

2341 Udare (18), N. D. 8 0 Riordan 7235 Plush (17), J. T. Anderson 7 11 0701 Foxy Boy (4) 7 10 0316 Princess Talaria 3)’, R. B. Marsh 7 10 0713 My Call (8), N. Eastwood 7 8 34 Roganne (12), G. L. Willetts 7 7 9800 Maria Mitchell (6) 7 4 8803 Alkira (15). K. Aitken 7 3 0127 Empire King (14), K. Reggett 7 2 0310 Narbada (18), B. Cullen 7 2 0394 Surf Boy (13), R. Grantham 7 1 6080 Sherlocks (10). W. D. Dymond 7 0 3000 Tuskar Rock (1) 7 0