T rotting SIBELIA STILL FAVOURITE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28534, 13 March 1958, Page 4

T rotting SIBELIA STILL FAVOURITE

Inter-Dominion Final At Adelaide (New Zealand Press Association) ADELAIDE, March 12. The Sydney mare, Sibelia, is still favourite for the £10,300 InterDominion Trotting Championship final at Wayville on Saturday night. Bookmakers anticipate strong Sydney support for her on Saturday. J. D. Watts, trainer of Sibelia, said today he considered the local pacer, Radiant Venture, and Fettle, would be hardest to beat. “I was impressed by Radiant Venture’s great run in beating Fettle last Saturday night,” he said. “Fettle is handling the track at Wayville much better at each attempt, and is a very fit horse. He will be a real problem.” Fettle, second favourite, is a point longer than Sibelia, and three points shorter than the South Australian pair, Taminga and Radiant Venture —the only others under double figures. First Division and False Step are next favoured, and are quoted five points longer. Latest order of favouritism is:—Sibelia. Fettle. Tamihga, Radiant Venture. First Division, False Step. Beloro. Kiwi Dillon, Dillon Tower, Free Hall. Gentry. Para Step. CADUCEUS IN FIELD Consolation Race At Wayville (Neto Zealand Press Association) ADELAIDE, March 12. Two New Zealand pacers eliminated from the Inter-Dominion Championship are acceptors for the Second Consolation Race at Wayville on Saturday night. They are Caduceus, which lost all chance of reaching the final through a heel injury, and the New Zealandowned Bartender, which has been raced in Australia for the last year. The Consolation race field is:— SECOND CONSOLATION, of £1250; one mile and a half and 206 yards.— Chief Spring, Calender, Kodak, Gambling Raid, Miniature Bill scr; Freeling Boy, Findon Joe, Malniri, Hedonist, Crown Law, Bartender, Modulation 12; Caduceus 36. , LEPANTO AND ALERT WIN Trotting Events At Greymouth “The Press” Special Service GREYMOUTH, March 12. ■ Lepanto, which is owned in Grej’mouth, scored a very popular win in the Dobson Trot Handicap at the Greymouth Jockey Club’s meeting today. He trailed Alert until three furlongs from the finish, where he took over. Lepanto was first into line, and although stronglv challenged by Alert, he ran the race out strongly to win by half a length. Secret Star came home strongly over the final furlong to cut Matron Dale out of third place. Alert was rewarded for consistent running' at the meeting when he won the Autumn Handicap. The Christchurch-trained Dillon Hall gelding was quickest to begin from Matron Dale, but Elect Scott had taken command on entering the straight the first time from Alert, Matron Dale, Our Charles, Bestow, and Secret Star. There was no change in order until two furlongs from home, where Alert ranged up alongside the leader, with Bestow also improving his position. Alert did best in the run home, while Bestow easily beat the tiring Elect Scott for second. THE First Race at the Canterbury Trotting Owners and Breeders' Association’s Trials at Addington Today (Thursday), March 13, commences at 11 a.m. —Advt.