Mr Chicken George picked at Ellerslie

Press, 24 January 1986, Page 22

Mr Chicken George picked at Ellerslie

Special correspondent Auckland Even with Trocane missing a good race is promised in the W. S. Spence Handicap at Ellerslie tomorrow, with Mr Chicken George now the likely favourite for the first leg of the Auckland Racing Club’s T.A.B. double. Bruce McLeod, the trainer of Trocane, said yesterday she would be kept for Monday because of her wide barrier draw. Trocane drew No. 14 for the 2000 m event. ' “She pulls very hard and with only a short run to the first turn just would not get a smother,” he explained. Mr Chicken George, from Peter Macken’s stable, won a highweight at Ellerslie on December 28 and finished solidly for second at Pukekohe last Saturday. Indeed, Mr Chicken George rarely runs poorly and his work yesterday suggested he was as well as ever.

There will be particular interest in the performance of the topweight, Laud Eulogy. His form to 1600 m has been most attractive and he nearly always has run his races out truly. Laud Eulogy’s nine attempts this season have yielded four firsts and four minor placings. A last-start seventh came in far stronger company than this, the Flag Inns Trophy on January 2. Lord Amber is almost certain to make the, pace,

especially as he has drawn No. 2 and he could be very hard to catch. Lord Amber has had a chance to freshen since fading to 11th in the Queen Elizabeth Handicap on Boxing Day. That lapse has been his only one this season and the two wins his other six starts have produced were at Ellerslie and Riccarton. Others with prospects include Etilanya and Teseres. Etilanya won, or was first past the post, in her two races at Thames on soft tracks, but fast footing does not trouble her, as she showed at Te Awamutu just before Christmas. On that occasion, she led home Sirex, Oakvue and Lord Amber in a 2000 m. Teseres’ latest form has been mixed. An effort such as he put up. to win the Auckland Gateway

Lodge Handicap on January 2 would be good enough again. Infinite Secret, like Lord Amber a member of Frank Ritchie’s team, looks the toughest to beat in the New Zealand Infantry Battalion Handicap, which completes the T.A.B. double. He seems unable to take many races close together but will be on the fresh side this time, not having raced since finishing a close third at Ellerslie on December 28. His previous three starts this season brought in wins, at Ellerslie and Avondale, and a second. Blue Kingdom, Silverello, One Pound Foolish and Alvator look to be his main dangers.