Abe’s Order looks ready for Wanganui success

Press, 5 July 1983, Page 32

Abe’s Order looks ready for Wanganui success

Special correspondent Wellington The talented winter galloper, Abe’s Order, looks set to complete a successful comeback when he contests the Simmons Handicap at Wanganui today.

The Simmons Handicap is the first leg of the EgmontWanganui Hunt Club’s T.A.B. double and Abe’s Order heads the weights with 54.5 kg. This is far from prohibitive for the Indian Order gelding which numbers a Winter Cup among his successes.

Off the scene for 20 months, Abe’s Order resumed at Awapuni on June 11 and not surprisingly dropped away after being handy to the turn. He showed the benefit of that outing with a bold run at his latest start though, finishing second to Sweet Nell over 1400 metres at Hastings 10 days ago. But for being held up on the turn he could well have pressed the winner much harder.

The Wanganui track is expected to be soft today and should suit Abe’s Order, which is a previous winner on the course. He will need a little luck at the start from a wide draw but should still acquit himself well.

The main danger appears likely to be Black Minx, which has compiled a wonderful record on the track. She has won here three times and two starts at Queen’s Birthday week-end produced a third and a sixth.

She has been allowed to freshen since then and she has often gone her

best races that way. Stanley Frank is a very promising type whose record is hard to fault. From a career tally of 13 starts, he has won four and been placed six times. He has had just four starts on his current campaign, winning his last two at Hawera and Awapuni. He steps up in class here but looks well up to the task and will have the services of leading rider, David Peake. Jarnell has not been disgraced in two starts back from a spell and is another to go well at Wanganui while Emphatic and Longmore are capable on their day. Longmore is certain to ensure a true pace and will be improved by recent outings.

Gaimoss appeals as a fine prospect for the second leg, the Waverley Handicap. She is not long back from a spell but indicated she was close to form when fifth in the open handicap at Hastings 10 days ago. She had led soon after turning into the straight but her condition gave out in the final 300 m. Improved by the run she should be tougher this time. Really True and Cashelmara appear to be the main dangers. Really True recorded a win and a second at the Wanganui Queen’s Birthday fixture and his only start since produced a fine win at Rotorua last

Friday. That win has seen him rehandicapped 2kg to 59kg for today’s race but with apprentice, Caroline Woods, in the saddle again, he will drop back 4.5 kg to 54.5 kg. Cashelmara disappointed slightly in her open class debut at Wanganui on Queen’s Birthday, but had won her previous two including the first day at Wanganui, beating Really True. Allowed to freshen she should make a bold bid.

One of the features today will be the Egmont-Wan-ganui Hunt Steeples in which five contenders for Saturday’s Wellington Steeples — Region, Sparkling Brew, Sovereign Step, Bally Trail and Syndream — will be competing. While Region, Sparkling Brew and Sovereign Step appear as strong contenders, they may have to bow to the two topweights, Grey Culate and Foaming Henri.

Foaming Henri has been racing most consistently and deserves a win. He chased Lord Hymac home in the Wanganui Steeples at Queen’s Birthday week-end then ran second to Treghan in the Manawatu Steeples and fourth in the Hawke’s Bay Steeples. Grey Culate is also in fine form with two wins from his last four starts. He ran fourth in the Wanganui Steeples last time.