Quite Able Picked For Rangiora First Leg

Press, Volume C, Issue 29651, 23 October 1961, Page 5

Quite Able Picked For Rangiora First Leg

Quite Able was not entirely suited by the muddling pace of the President’s Handicap at Rangiora on Friday. It seems he will have conditions more to his liking in the North Canterbury Handicap, the principal event and first leg of the double, on the second day of the North Canterbury Racing Club’s annual meeting today.

If Studio takes up his usual role of pacemaker the Nor’h Canterbury Handicap will definitely be a true-run 10 furlongs. If it is, only the strongest in stamina might be able to peg this speedy Riccarton-trained lightweight back. Stamina is one of Quite Abie's strongest points. His credentials in this respect are almost certain to assure him of favouritism. Studio firmed in favour for this race after a brilliant gallop with Burgos and Quite Able s stablemate, Hand Over, another of his rivals today, tn training at Riccarton on Saturday It seems Studios recent course of schooling may have proved beneficial. Studio lacks form credentials in five races this season, but his latest campaign in the North Island has been in much more distinguished company than he will meet today. His ninth in the Wellington Handicap, after making the pace for nine furlongs, at Trentham last Saturday week was the effort of an early improver. Studio has 7-7 today, 221 b less than Quite Able. The best of the other light-weights might be Matauwhi, and Golden Howe. But there will probably be stronger backing for Valaris, the second top-weight. Valaris has 9-0, which is 61b more than he carried to victory in the Grandstand Handicap at Wingatui last

month. His campaign meantime includes one race against the sprinters at Orari last Saturday week and an unsuccessful return to middledistance racing in the Watkins Handicap at Trentham on Saturday. He will fird the Rangiora class easier to match. He was brought south on Saturday night. Unless there is rain McCool is unlikely to run in the North Canterbury Handicap. according to his Riccarton owner-trainer, Mr J. F. Turton. Abou Ben Adhem consolidated his position as favourite for the Dr. T. A. Wills Memorial Handicap, the second leg of the double, with a fast sprint in training on Saturday. But Abou Ben Adhem is unlikely to have things all his own way for he will be opposed by some well-per-formed and speedy rivals, the best of which are expected to be Hopeful. Safe Harbour and Gabelle. With the exception of the Springbank Hack Handicap, a race restricted to three-year-old fillies, the fields throughout the programme are of handy size. Although the Springbank Handicap has attracted only five runners it could still be an interesting contest. Each of the acceptors is well endowed with speed and fairly evenly matched. Continued fine weather is forecast and the track will be firm and fast.