RACING Coq d’Or Selected To Win Dunedin Guineas

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28399, 4 October 1957, Page 4

RACING Coq d’Or Selected To Win Dunedin Guineas

Coq d’Or is expected to improve the good record of Riccarton-trained gallopers in the Dunedin Guineas since September 14, when he finished brilliantly for third in the John Grigg Stakes at Ashburton.

The distance of the John Gi'igg Stakes was seven furlongs and as the race was run. the distance appeared too short for Coq dOr to give his best. His run from the home turn to beat all but Del Monte and Search Warrant showed that he would be hard to beat the first time he met those of his own age at a mile or beyond.

Coq d’Or is a chestnut geldmg by Targui from Golden Link, by Finis from Indian Myth, by Bulandshar from the brilliant Gold Trail. He is a long strider, and may show to the best advantage if the ground is firm. But his chance may not deteriorate to any extent if the track is soft or heavy. He appeared to act well in soft going when he started another campaign in the Grand National meeting, and Finis and Bulandshar, the sires, respectively, of his dam and granddam have had influences in the breeding of many outstanding winter performers.

Coq d’Or, which is trained by J. C. Tomkinson for Mr D. W. J. Gould, is one of six Canterbury gallopers in a field of nine. Search Warrant, a brilliant De-faulter-Fantasy gelding owned by Mr F. J. Hobson, tried for an all-the-way win in the John Grigg Stakes. He was soundly beaten by Del Monte, which challenged

from a trailing position, but will not be opposed by that brilliant Lucky Bag filly this time. Very likely Search Warrant will attempt to make all the running again. If the ground is firm the pace will be strong, and some of the others may weary of their chase after him. Her Ex and Archway complete the Riccarton representation. Archway is owned by Mr H. D. Greenwood, for whom Defaulter and Shahwan have won the race. Archway is a gelded son of Defaulter, which was successfully represented by Rustler in 1951. Her Ex was fifth, and Archway sixth, in the John Grigg Stakes. Het Ex made ground from the turn but Archway was fading after trailing. Good Horse Over Mile At a mile, the Washdyketrained William Paul is expected to go just as well, and probably better than both of them. Mrs W. P. Pateman’s Panair colt was fourth two lengths behind Coq d’Or in the John Grigg Stakes. Last week, he had his first test beyond seven furlongs against the

hacks at the Geraldine meeting. He was win favourite for the Belfield Hack Handicap, nine furlongs. and finished fourth, a good way from the winner but only two noses from the runner-up. He started from one of the inside positions on the small track and was under pressure some way out to hold a trailing position on the inner. So his placing had some merit.

Very likely William Paul will be ridden further back off the pace tomorrow. If that is done he will probably be one of the faster finishers.

Bow Tie and Black Star, both trained at Wingatui, were good winners in their first season. They have not yet recaptured form but Bow Tie’s progress was probably affected by kidney trouble at about the time he raced at Ashburton. Mr A. Duthie’s Beaumaris colt does nothing of much account in training, and his latest racing has probably benefited him more than it would some of the others. The Dunedin Guineas was one race that narrowly eluded Beaumaris, but there is growing confidence in Otago that his son, Bow Tie, will take beating this year. Black Star disappointed in his run against the open sprinters last week, but improved work in training since then has suggested that he has not been right at his peak. Marcoette and Archway have been taken out of the Milburn Handicap, and it seems likely that there will be at least eight starters in the Guineas. The fields, with form. I'or the double races are:— GRANDSTAND HANDICAP, Of £SOO. One mile and three fur-

longs. st. lb. 2002 Loyal Chief (7), W. D. Skelton 8 10 0340 Horatius (1), F. H. Skelton 8 7 0004 Cassius (4), L. W. Hare 7 13 0000 Josudi (5), G. W. Mein 7 12 0000 King Robin (10), R. W. Gould 7 12 0043 Peril (2), H. T. Anderton 7 8 1000 Bobwood (9), R. J. Skelton 7 7 0020 Coinalot (11) 7 7 0000 Landon (8). B. P. Kennedy 7 7 0022 Smart (0), R. J. Mackie 7 7 0000 Scuppered (3), B. S. Finlayson 7 7 Bracket: Horatius and King Robin. 0013 FEDERAL HANDICAP, Of £450. Seven furlongs. Ben Ledi (1) st. lb. 9 3 2400 Kasr El Nil (7), R. J. Mackie 9 3 4014 Assembly (13), E. G. Low 8 8 2201 Persia (5), R. J. Skelton 8 7 0021 Water Boy (2), A. H. Eastwood 8 5 0032 Copperfield (3), L. W. Hare 8 5 2000 Cornflake (11) 8 3 3040 Palace (4), G. W. Mein 8 2 0002 Fair Summer (9), R. W. Gould 8 1 1000 King’s Lace (8), C. T. — Wilson 8 0 0000 Desert Cloud (10), D. N. Hadfield 7 11 2103 Winning Wave (14), B. P. Kennedy 7 8 111 Cardinal King (12), W. D. Skelton 7 7 0000 Gay Mood (6) 7 7