INTER-DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP

Press, Volume C, Issue 29436, 11 February 1961, Page 6

INTER-DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP

QUEST FOR POINTS TODAY AT

CHAMPIONSHIP HEATS Only Four Horses Assured Of Reaching Final

Eleven horses earned points on the opening day of the InterDominion Championship series on Wednesday, but only four of them could be regarded with any certainty as having a chance of reaching the 12-horse field to contest the £lO,OOO Grand Final next Saturday.

All the horses which gained points on Wednesday will contest the second series of heats to be run over 10 furlongs at Addington today. Horses winning heats are almost assured of reaching the final, as the winner receives four points, which could be the minimum number required to qualify for the richest event on the trotting calendar in New Zealand.

Robert Dillon with five and a half points heads the list of point-earners on Wednesday, with False Step next with five, and Diamond Hanover and Teryman, with four each. Those four look almost assured of a place in the final, even if they earn no more points.

False Step is expected to be a firm favourite . for the Sixth Championship Qualifying Heat today. He could win, but he should at least finish in the first four and gain fastest time, adding three points to his total.

Robert Dillon, at present on four points, and Smokeaway, on two, are expected to be False Step’s sternest rivals. Smokeaway requires at least the two points from a second placing to ensure that he gains a place in the final. He won two sprint races at Auckland in December against weaker opposition. None of the -others in this heat earned points on Wednesday, and they will have to gain at least four points by the end of the qualifying heats next Wednesday to earn a place in the championship field. One capable of achieving this could be the New South Wales horse. Redwin, which finished fourth on Wednesday with a fine staying run. His connexions are satisfied with his progress as a result of that run and he could cause a surprise. Teryman, with four points

as a result of his ■win, is the only horse in the Fourth Championship Qualifying Heat with a great chance of contesting the final. He has drawn No. 1 at the barrier, and if he begins as well as on Wednesday, he should be han to beat.

Scottish Command and Gentry will probably dispute favouritism for this heat. Scottish Command earned one point when third on Wednesday. and he will have to earn at least another three points to reach the final. He is a grand sprinter with a record of 2min 35 3-ssec for 10 furlongs. If he equals that time he should be prominent at the finish.

Gentry has to concede Scottish Command 12 yards. He has improved considerably as a result of his race on Wednesday. He is a top-class sprinter and he should be in the finish. If he finishes in the first four, he should just about gain fastest time and another three points, which would assure him of a place in the final.

Massacre earned one point from his third placing on Wednesday. He does not appeal as a sprint prospect as he usually gives ground at the start. He should be safely held by Rustic Lad and Holy Smoke, while it is difficult to see him proving much of a threat to First Kiss, the pick of the Australian horses in this heat. First Kiss is not noted for his deeds beyond 13 furlongs, and if he fails to gain sufficient points to reach the final in this heat, he will have little chance in the two-mile heats next Wednesday. First Kiss could be the horse most likely to trouble the probable favourites. Diamond Hanover will be a commanding favourite for the Fifth Championship Qualifying Heat. His ability to begin smartly and set a solid pace should ensure him a troublefree run. His front-running

tactics won for him on Wednesday and he could repeat that effort and bring dis points to eight.

Guiseppe and Lady Belmer are the only other horses in this heat to have earned points. Guiseppe received two points when he beat all but Robert Dillon in his heat on Wednesday. Lady Belmer finished fourth in the same heat and received one point and a half when she shared fastest time with the winner. Guiseppe could be a better prospect than Lady Belmer over 10 furlongs, although Lady Belmer has raced with distinction in free-for-all company as strong, if not stronger, than that in this field.

Arania is a noted sprinting four-year-old. If G. B. Noble can keep her covered up instead of being forced into the open as on Wednesday, she may show how wrong her form in that heat was. She won the Dunedin Cup over 11 furlongs in dashing style and it was difficult to reconcile that effort with her failure on Wednesday. Three Aces, Auditor and Waitaki Child could add interest to this finish. Showery weather is expected today but unless there Jis heavy rain the track should be in good order. The double will be run on the Fourth and Fifth Championship Qualifying Heats.