Uncle Alex set for fourth win

Press, 7 February 1986, Page 22

Uncle Alex set for fourth win

By

G. K. YULE

The smart three-year-old, Uncle Alex, looks set to extend a promising record with win No. 4 in the City Hotel Marlborough Cup on the first day of the Marlborough Trotting Club’s summer meeting at Waterlea tomorrow.

The Buller-owned and trained youngster paced two splendid races at the Nelson meeting last weekend, making up a big stretch of ground for sixth on the first day and then beating all but World of Fame on Monday.

Uncle Alex has at times marred his displays by losing ground at the start and he will start from the second line tomorrow. That might not be against him and if he escapes trouble in the early rush for positions he should be too speedy for his older rivals. World of Fame was a dismal failure in the Nelson Cup, but showed how wrong that effort was when he won untested in useful time over 2400 m on

Monday. He has been penalised 10m as a result of his latest success and that might not be enough to keep him out of the finish.

Nelson form also points to a bold run from Lordshipman, winner of the Westport Cup five starts back. Lordshipman was a fair ninth in the Nelson Cup and went well when fourth on Monday. Art Mac Faber, so impressive when third in the Nelson Cup, disappointed on Monday. He has to be given another chance if only on the grounds of some consistent racing leading up to this circuit. His trainer, Michael de Filippi, will also be represented by a fairly consistent place-getter in Nanoose, which has drawn the second line.

Bogart Command, Omanu and Aran Blaze appeal most of the others, and a big run is also possible from Woodsey, a winner at Nelson on Monday and a newcomer to this class.