TROTTING Peerswick Certain Of Strong Opposition

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30143, 29 May 1963, Page 5

TROTTING Peerswick Certain Of Strong Opposition

Peerswick will probably be a firm favourite for the New Zealand Sapling Stakes on the first day*of the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Friday. However, his ability to handle the track conditions will decide the fate of his many admirers.

Peerswick has yet to show to advantage in-winter conditions. The track was easy at Orari in February when he was involved in an accident just after the start. It was again easy at Hutt Park on April 18 when he did not appear to be at ease in the conditions and finished fifth. That night he was not quite at his peak; nor was he on the second night of the meeting when he pulled hard and stopped on a firm track.

Before that he had equalled the race record time of 2min 41 3-ssec when he outclassed his rivals in the New Zealand Welcome Stakes at Addington on March 30.

Peerswick went close to creating, another race record when he won the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes on May 11 at his most recent start. In that race he led ’over the last seven furlongs and stayed on much too stoutly tor the others.

Peerswick so far has had seven starts for three wins and one placing worth £l2BO in stakes. He has shown more stamina than most in his age group and he should master the 12 furlongs on the searching Ashburtontrack more competently than the majority in this field. In the past, the class of many top two-year-olds has enabled them to master track conditions which have not really suited them and won the Ashburton classic. If the going is reasonably good, Peerswick should leave most of his rivals well behind. The Edendale trainer, C. C. Scott, gave Southland stables their first training success in the Sapling Stakes when he produced Flying Note to win in 1960. In 1953 he produced Scottish Brigade to finish second to Buccaneer, while 12 months ago Bubbles, a half-sister to Friday’s candidate from his stables, Cathpete, finished fourth.

Cathpete has shown considerable ability in his racing to date. He finished second to Meadowmac on a soft

track in the Timaru Nursery ’ Stakes at his first race start. Then followed three unplaced runs, which included a splendid fifth in the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes. Last Saturdt y, aided by the starting ga.e, he proved much too good for his rivals at Addington. His stamina is not suspect, while his ability on a soft track might be too good for most in the field. Falstaff will be in demand. He has won three races and £ll5O so far this season and at his most recent start he was second to Peerswick jn the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes. He had no chance with the winner that day, but fought on gamely for his placing. Falstaff has improved con- I siderably since his first win, I in the Two-year-old Stakes at Methven. If favoured with 1 a reasonable run. he should, i master the 12 furlongs and ‘

take a prominent part in the finish. Bellaijily, Kildare Kate and Patchy are others in the race with winning farm. Bellajily was successful at Orari in February, while Kildare Kate won at Wyndham and Patchy at Waimate. Bellajily looks to be well endowed with stamina and in spite of her failure to do better than tenth at Oamaru, she must be considered as a place prospect. The track was soft when Kildare Kate won at Wyndham, but she could do no better than sixth after having every chance at Oamaru at her only other start. Kildare Kate cpuld improve sufficiently to be a threat in this field.

Patchy won the New Zealand Golden Slipper Stakes at Waimate in December, but has been a little disappointing since then. He has drawn badly, but one of his peak efforts would give him a chance. Wildwood Chief, a brother to For Certain, which ran Lordship to a close decision in this race two years ago, came with a stayer’s run for a close fifth at Addington last week. Earlier in the season he was beaten narrowly by Falstaff at Methven. He is a smart colt and could take part in the finish. Hindu Prince and Tactus were second and third respectively behind Cathpete last week at Addington. Tactus was most impressive, finishing strongly from a long way back. Earlier he made ground for second to Kildare Kate at Wyndham. He is a halfbrother to Tactile, which finished a close and unlucky second to First Battle 12 months ago in this race. A scratching before 4 p.m today will be necessary before La Scala can obtain a start. He came from the tail ol the field at the two furlongs at Addington last week to finish fourth. The others in the field have little in . the way of worthwhile, recent form to recommend them and the pick of this group could be Grande Garnison, a colt by Garrison Hanover from Maid Myra He has been working most impressively lately at Adding‘on.