RACING Funny Story May Have Chance At Awapuni

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30093, 29 March 1963, Page 4

RACING Funny Story May Have Chance At Awapuni

“The Pre**" Special Service WELLINGTON, March 28. Funny Story’s second to Roodyvoo in the Hutt Handicap at Trentham is as good form as any for the Tamatete Handicap, one mile, the first leg of the Manawatu T.A.B. double on Saturday.

As is usual now in races over this distance at Awapuni, the field is large and recent form from six furlongs to two miles is well represented.

Besides ability and luck in the running to consider, there is also the present uncertain state of the weather. This will affect the chances of several of the runners, but not so much Funny Story’s.

After a short enforced letup Funny Story resumed at the Taranaki meeting, finishing seventh. Neither the track nor the distance suited her.

Next she finished fast for third to Plantation and Teachers over six furlongs, at Trentham though nearly four lengths from the winner. Her last start was in the Hutt Handicap, one mile, and she came home brilliantly for second, a short length behind Roodyvoo and ahead of Triple Countess, Winnipeg n and several other good milers. Also in the field was Gay Gavotte (eighth) which Funny Story meets again in the Tamatete Handicap. Funny Story has won twice this season, both times over six furlongs, at Waverley and at Marton, and she has been in the money 10 times in 18 starts. Cool’s Chances Top-weight with 8-6 is Cool. Apart from a win in the Levin Handicap and a good third under 9-5 in the A.R.C. Christmas Handicap, one mile, both races in December, Cool has run nowhere near the excellent form of last season when he was probably the best miler in New Zealand. Cool’s last start was in the Hutt Handicap when he was prominent till the last furlong, finishing eleventh. There was nothing in this to get enthusiastic over, but Cool left an impression that he would be a better horse next time. Straight Irish might find

the mile too ihort, though he kept close to the lead over 11 furlongs in a fast race last week and is in first-class order. Harry Lauder has not been raced at a mile in open company, but he has twice tried the distance against those of his own age—three—and he was also second in the Levin Champion Hack Handicap one mile. His best showing was in the Awapuni Stakes when, on an easy track, he was second half a length behind Gymkhana, with St. Nicholas third and Donald Dinnie fifth. Another good indication that he will get a mile successfully was his brilliant burst to win over seven furlongs at Woodville two starts back. It is not often that a horse shows such acceleration at the finish of an open sprint. Karinx should be a strong prospect. From being tailed off at the half-mile he ran on for sixth in the Suburban Handicap, seven furlongs, at Trentham at his last start. His jockey explained to the judicial stewards that he had been instructed to settle Karinx down back in the field and that the horse refused to gallop. The T.A.B. double will be on the Tamatete and Longburn Handicaps. There has been light rain at Awapuni, but the track has not been affected. Selections:— 11.15 a.m.—Karere Highweight: Count Un, The Bandit, King’s Fun. 11.55 a.m.—Autumn Plate: First Division: Benz, Top Lad. Second Division: Bright Dale, Triple Try. 12.40 p.m.—Woodhey Hack Handicap: Star of Kildare, Croydon’s Gold, Dacron. 1.20 p.m.—Stonyhurst Handicap: Dandeinee, Dane, Monetary. 2 p.m.—Tamatete Handicap: Funny Story, Karinx, Cool. 2.40 p.m.—Awapuni Gold Cup: Key, Moy, Picaroon. 3.30 p.m.—Longburn Handicap: Plantation, Donald Dinnie, For Free. 4.10 p.m.—Tematai Hack Handicap: Repair, Sir Barton, Vivid Ught. Double fields, with form, are: TAMATETE HANDICAP, £1300; Im. st. lb

Balloted out with right of reentry in the following order:— 700 Lorica (41 ..7 0 2473 Very Dry (6) ..7 0 Brackets: Fierce and Harvest Moon. Kawera and Lorica, Oceana and Shah Jahan, Very Dry and Vixen’s Pride. Scratched: Outcome. Teachers. LONGBVRN HANDICAP, £800; Of.

0900 Cool (9) . . 8 6 0103 Straight Irish (16) .. 8 2 7512 Harry Lauder (18) 8 0 5200 Acts (12) .. 7 12 3732 5508 Funny Story (20) Baloo (26) .. 7 .. 7 12 11 1248 High Disdain (3) .. 7 11 0032 Fairasaan (13) .. 7 10 4281 Damselle (25) .. 7 7 8022 Sampler (28) .. 7 7 1001 Tilka (15) Lady Lorinda (24) .. 7 7 5975 .. 7 6 2324 Fine Time (27) .. 7 5 4146 Karinx (7) .. 7 5 0420 Selwyn (22) .. 7 5 7684 Gay Gavotte (5) .. 7 3 8206 Fair Symbol (11) .. 7 2 0000 Bagush (17) .. 7 0 0800 0099 Fierce (1) Harvest Moon (21) .. 7 .. 7 0 0 8060 Oceana (8) .. 7 0 0000 Shah Jahan (2) .. 7 0 2237 Vixen’s Pride (10) .. 7 0 4799 Kawera (23) .. 7 0

st. lb 2250 Astrid (3) 9 0 0313 Home on the Range (3) 8 12 0040 Starborough (9) 8 10 3321 Plantation (2) 8 2 3004 Donald Dinnie (11) 8 0 9720 Gold Splice (3) 7 8 1110 Extra (4) 7 1 6780 For Free (7) 7 1 0660 Grazloso (13) 7 1 4880 Here Goes (13) 7 1 2110 Le Plus (14) 7 1 7107 Noranda (10) 7 1 0006 Pine Ridge (13) .. 7 1 8060 Truro (8) 7 1 0800 Waitoa (1) 7 1