VANDERFORD SHOULD BE FAVOURITE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 4

VANDERFORD SHOULD BE FAVOURITE

Cardigan Bay, On Back Mark, Draws Respect

Strong support from all parts of New Zealand will brobably result in Vanderford starting a dominating favourite in the New Zealand Cup at Addington today. It is expected that he will be at little better than even money.

Off-course support for Cardigan Bay is also expected to be heavy and there is little doubt that he will be second favourite at odds quite a bit better than those on offer about Vanderford.

The bracket of King Hal and Dandy Briar, from C. S. Donald’s Belfast stables, will probably start third favourite at odds of close to 10 to 1, while the remainder of the field will most likely be at double-figure odds. Most owners and trainers in Canterbury have followed Vanderford’s racing this season with admiration; and few of them expect him to be beaten today. However, all have healthy respect for the brilliance and courage of Cardigan Bay, the backmarker on 54 yards.

Most opposition to the two favourites is expected to come from Master Alan, the King Hal bracket, Robin Dundee, Sun Chief, Urrall and Blue Prince, all of wtuch wdl be solidly supported on the place totalisator. The New Zealand Cup is the first leg of the double, the second being the Spring Handicap. M. Holmes, who will handle Vanderford in the cup, will probably drive Lsjkeda in the second leg. Lakeda looked most unlucky when third in the race won by Adios Heather at Forbury Park last month at her most recent start. If she receives a reasonable run. she will be the hardest to beat. Chiffon and Marquess are form runners from F. E. Newfield's team and the bracket is assured of strong support. Chiffon was second in the race won by Adios Heather at Forbury Park, while Marquess was a decisive winner in a slower class the same night.

I Antonius has paced outstanding races from long I marks at his two most recent starts. He has trained on well in the meantime and looks ready to extend bis ! record. Safe Return and Van Rush i have the best form of the (others on the front, but ■lnglemead and Ahumai are ■others entitled to consideraj tion. Trade Fair. Adios Heather (and Avante are three smart pacers on 12 yards. All three have raced with distinction iin recent months and they should be capable of adding interest to the finish. Strong Field One of the strongest fields tod iy will be that in the Worthy Queen Handicap, a sprint race for the top trotters. The Addington trainer. R. Young, has a formidable ! bracket of Mighty Hanover ■ and Our Jimmy. They have ‘ not raced this season, but

made forward showings at trials recently. Bo;b are very well and they should take heading. Flaming Way has seldom trotted a bad race during the last 12 months and he should be a sound place prospect. He. too, went well at the recent trials. Reprimand s splendid form ait Auckland recently entitles him to consideration, especially as he looks so favourably placed on the front. He does not seem to be pulling as hard now as he did earlier in his career. If he races as kindly today as he worked on Sunday, he should go close to extending his record. Gay Jillian, Harbour Light, Wairau King and With You are smart trotters engaged on the limit, while Min Scott, Our Own. Pohutukaiwa and Resistor, on 12 yards, are all capable of showing to advantage. Moon Boy, the backmarker on 24

I yards, is one of the best horses of his gait in commission and if forward j enough he will not be without a chance. The appearance of Peersi wick. Falstaff and other fine ; three-year-olds in the Riccarton Stakes will be one of the highlights of the day. They will start from 36 yards along with the Auckland gelding, Full Sovereign, and will need plenty of luck to win in a fairly big field. The bracket of La Scala and Forbid will probably be a dominating favourite, with La Scala appealing most of the pair. Wildwood Chief, winner of the New Zealand Sapling Stakes at Ashburton I last May, did well at the I trials recently and he could | make a bold showing in spite of his long absence from racing. Lottery Song, Bellajily Grande Garnison and L<x:hgair will have to race prominently if they are to have any chance in subsequent races at the meeting. Fine weather is forecast and the track will be in good order.