THE 'CHIEF' IS HEAD OF THE TRIBE

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 98, 17 December 1970, Page 5

THE 'CHIEF' IS HEAD OF THE TRIBE

(By

"Ribot")

A real champion — nobody can doubt it now. Panzer Chief asserted his right to wear the mantle of champion three-year-old with his effortless win against a top-class line-up in the big event at Paeroa last Saturday, the Queen Elizabeth Plate.

With 10 wins from only 13 starts, the Battle Waggon three-year-old has earned more than $20,000 in stakes — most of it for his present owner, Te Aroha jackpot king, Peter Moran. There is no doubt that the sport of. racing thrives on champions and any club lucky enough to feature a race with Panzer Chief on the card this season can expect bumper crowds to see the champion perform. A clash that I would travel miles to, would be between Panzer Chief and weight-for-age specialist Game In their only encounter this season Game prevailed over a mile in

the Thames Valley Stakes at Te Aroha. But one defeat is not enough to tell me that Panzer Chief is no match for the black from Hawke s Bay. I would be extremely surprised if Panzer Chief does not make amends for that defeat before the season is much older. Australasian mile recordholder Gene has been having a good season, with two seconds from a handful of starts and his turn to rejoin the winning list could come on Saturday, when he contests the A.H. Storey Stakes, under weight-for-age conditions, at the Waipa Racing Club's meeting at Te Awamutu on Saturday. Now an eight-year-old, Gene forced Game to run a track record time to win the Thames Valley Stakes at Te Aroha. Saturday 's event, over a mile and a quarter, is the first leg of the T.A.B. concession double and has attracted a quality field, including good three-year-olds Kirrama, Dare Devil, Fairview Lad and the filly, Brookby Hill. Another that appeals in this event is Skint Dip, fourth behind Panzer Chief last Saturday and winner of a great double at the Waikato Racing Club's spring meeting.

SECOND LEG Laurie Collett's speedster, Nunui, should have too many guns for the opposition in the second leg of the double, the Flying Handicap, of five and a half furlongs. Although he has not started for more than a month the Golden Plume gelding should | lead the rest of the field a merry chase in this scamper. For outsiders in this field I '11 go for Alison and Long Shot. Both have good form F credentials, but 1*11 be surprised if they don't return double figures if they happen to beat the topweight.

\Horse Racing