Anaconda And Underbid For Washdyke Double

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28938, 4 July 1959, Page 6

Anaconda And Underbid For Washdyke Double

Anaconda and Underbid may be the successful on-course double combination on the second day of the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s winter meeting at Washdyke today. This double will operate on the Opihi Stakes and the Otaio Handicap.

Anaconda is one of seven two-year-olds left in a capacity field of 22 for the Opihi Stakes. He has had five races to date, and his best effort was when he competed against older rivals in the Novice Stakes at Amberley in May. The weight scale for that event, in which Anaconda finished fourth, was similar to the conditions applying today. Two-year-olds have a pull in the weights of 101 b over their older opponents. Anaconda is handily drawn at the start and if he escapes bother early should be the hardest to beat.

The Washdyke-trained Brian Warwick, which made an immediate impression by finishing fourth at his first race attempt in the Winchester Handicap last Saturday, should prove to be the best of Anaconda’s older rivals. Aloment, runner-up to Le Cheval in the Juvenile Handicap last week, and Kauri, one of the fastest trialists over half a mile at Riccarton on Thursday, are expected to do best of ths other youngsters in the field.

Underbid, a first-start winner at Oamaru and runner-up to Chief General over six furlongs last week, should be better suited by the mile and 35 yards of the Otaio Handicap. The last furlong last week was his best, so more ground should not dim his galloping ability.

Badly Drawn Chief General is engaged again, but his task this week is made more difficult because of his barrier draw. He will start from the extreme outside position of 21.

Kastenea is another form runner which is badly drawn, but even from his position his recent efforts will ensure him of strong support. Kastenea was a convincing winner In maiden class at Ashburton a fortnight ago and last Saturday finished close behind the place-getters in the hack -mile at Wash dyke. Tannine, Bright Style, Robin Hood and Night Sock are others capable of adding interest to the finish.

Race Book, Highly and King

Pickle, which were three emergencies in the Opihi Stakes, did not get back into the field, but the scratchings of Mary Brown and Quotum have allowed Ratanui to re-enter the field for the Otaia Handicap. T.A.B. Double The T.A.B. double will be run on the Doncaster Handicap and the Taiko Hack Handicap. The Waimate-trained I Jesse Owens Marsana, from Washdyke, and the Riccarton stablemates. Royal Avon and Ration Time, may do best of the open milers in the first leg. Smart, Promise, Panel and Scottish King have been scratched for the Doncaster Handicap. Timely Boy is expected to begin a fresh campaign successfully against the hack sprinters in the Taiko Handicap His strongest rival* may come from among the form candidates in the corresponding event on the first day. These include King Cassock, Copper Maid, Settler and Pendennis. The scratching of King’s Lace allowed Erin’s Isle to get back into the field for the Kerrytown Hurdles put Well Cut, which was also on the waiting list did not gain re-entry. He has an alternative engagement in the Doncaster Handicap.

The weather in South Canterbury has been fine during the week and the track should be in good winter order.