RACING Roseair-Solus Picked For Invercargill

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 4

RACING Roseair-Solus Picked For Invercargill

“The Press** Special Service 9 INVERCARGILL, November 17. ’ Roseair and Solus will be a strongly fancied combination for the T.A.B. double at Invercargill tomorrow. It will be run at the Southland Racing Club’s spring meeting on the City and Taramoa Handicaps. The popular fancies in the respective legs of the on-course double, which will be on the Kew Hack Hurdles and the Takitimu Hack Handicap, will be The Tartar and Rifleman.

Solus, which will be ridden by R. J. Skelton, could be the one to beat in the Taramoa Handicap. Solus failed at his last appearance at Wyndham last month but was plated in his two previous starts at Gore. The first day he finished third to the C.J.C. Stewards’ winner, Bellarook, and Le Cheval and on the second day was fourth behind Le Cheval, Andalusia and Sabin.

Shangri-La has not raced since August, when she made ground for fifth in the Selwyn Handicap at Riccarton. She has the steadier of 9-6 and lacks recent racing, but her class could carry her through. There is no doubt about her brilliance and she has also proved herself over middle distances. Osman is making a fresh start, having been off the scene since Easter, but Antarctic Flight returned to winning form at Wairio last week. It was a very average field that she beat and after being well clear inside the furlong she was hard pressed to hold off Blue Haven by a head. Antarctic Flight may be on the way back to her smart two-year-old form. She is certainly carrying more condition than for some time.

Andalusia was runner-up to Le Cheval at Gore and at her only start since finishing fifth at Wyndham after making ground. She was a better-than-average three-year-old last term and would not be without a chance.

Panel has not raced for some time and Bold Venture, unbeaten at his last two starts, will be having his first race since April. He was a hack sprinter of some worth and has worked in his best style at Wingatui. Grey Jacket, although still eligible for hack events, has been a winner in open sprint company. At Gore last month he was a fast-finishing second behind Gay Fox. a win-

ner at Riccarton last Saturday, and on the strength of that placing he will be expected to make a bold showing. Blue Haven’s good run for second behind Antarctic Flight at Wairio—beaten by half a head—was in keeping with her best form. She will be ridden by W. D. Skelton tomorrow. Heart’s Pride has been disappointing in her latest racing, but is a good deal better than form suggests. Astra has failed in recent racing over middle distances, but back to sprinting he could be a different proposition. He was a smart three-year-old last season.

First Leg Roseair has yet to win a race this season but her latest efforts have been full of promise and suggest that she is ready to return to her good form of last season when she won five races, three at successive starts. The Panair mare made up a lot of ground for fifth in the Fendalton Handicap at Riccarton last Wednesday week after being one of the tail-ender® to the half-mile. On the strength of that run she will be difficult to beat in the City Handicap. Roseair is a competent stayer and the class she will meet will be much below that she raced against at Riccarton. Sabin, which heads the weights, has been placed at his last three starts. His best form, however, has been as a sprinter, but in a race run to suit him he could contest the finish. He finished second to Vamoose in this race a year ago. Barrister made a promising start for the season when she finished second to a capable galloper in Carbonett at Gore. She has failed in her two appearances since but is capable of much better.

Melotone. which was a useful hack stayer last term, indicated at Wyndham when he finished third behind Becharre and McGregor, that he was back to his best. Matlock’s fifth at Wyndham at his last start was his best recent effort but Brown Watch has not made much impression in three starts this term. The same can be said of Attribute and Ranganui. The form of Aquinas, Ops and Indian Ocean, all at the tail of the handicap, would need to improve sharply. There was heavy rain last night and again this morning. The track will be easy. Selections:—

Noon.—Kew Hack Hurdles: The Tartar, Savoury, Garrob. 12.35 p.m—Roslyn Trial No. I: Flving Trix, Silver Diane, Star Quality. 1.10 p.m.—Takitimu Hack Handicap: Rifleman, Fair Note. Kruden Dhu. 1.45 p.m.—Roslyn Trial No. 2: Royal News Never Late. British Pride. 2.20 p.m.—City Handicap: Roseair. Barrister. Melotone. 3.5 p.m.—Myross Hack Handicap: Chattel, Extra Piece, Magic Casement.

3.50 p.m.—Taramoa Handicap: Solus. Bold Venture. Grev Jacket. 4.25 p.m.—Stewart Island Handicap: Geysel, Desperation, Doune