Rondel taken to beat high-class field

Press, 12 April 1979, Page 23

Rondel taken to beat high-class field

\ return to invitation racing must surely give the Benson and Hedges Inter-Dominion Championship (hand Final winner, Rondel, a big adx antage oxer Sapling and other proven stayers in the Lion Brown Faster L'up at Addington Raceway on Saturday.

Rondel comes in on the front in the $20,0W) race >ter 3200 m. a distance ahich will suit him better Sian the majority of his tivals. all of which have remarkably strong form backgrounds. Rondel won his 3200 m ieat last month in 4min Ils. I seating Michael Frost, off; |om, by three lengths, with more than a length to Sapl-: ma. off 15m. On Saturday Sapling has to try and give a start of I'lrn to Rondel. The task Fight not he beyond the ipo.-dr southerner, but he Kill need more than a little luck in the running to with-

stand the dour finishing run !of the tradesmanlike Rondel, i which is certain to be handy to the pace all the way. Wee Win. with placings in the last two New Zealand Cups to his credit, was considered rather unlucky not to have paid a dividend in the Grand Final last month and there was much merit in his fourth placing. He is expected to appreciate the

extra distance in this test ( and his handicap of 10m is I unlikely to worry him. He [ could prove a big threat to I Rondel, especially if he can i be kept covered up until the straight entrance before t challenging. J A win for Miss Pert . I would be just reward for 'I honest effort. She was late | working clear in the Grand | i Final and dashed into third; I!place. She is a dour stayer; and won the New Brighton! tiCup earlier in the autumn,. i!as well as finished third to! i Sapling and Regal Light in j i.this race 12 months ago. She could easily come out on[ ! top.

I Trusty Scot and Sapling must be two leading j chances, while Majestic I Charger entered calculations with his fine second behind Westburn Vue last Friday. Then there are Bad Luck, Rocky Tryax, Scottish Heath and Belmer’s Image, all with fine records over the distance and some splendid (form in recent starts. [ Ostrava. Trojan and Matai 'Dreamer are the three exilpected to fight out the finish to the second leg, the ! Metropolitan Three-year-old !Stakes, a race in which Sovereign, Seafield Rose, West , [Street and Wing Commander! 'will all have supporters.

By

G. K. Yule