APA SHOULD WIN AT HASTINGS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30588, 3 November 1964, Page 4

APA SHOULD WIN AT HASTINGS

"The Press” Special Service HASTINGS, Nov. 2. Though he has not been placed in a light programme of racing this season, the Hastings specialist, Apa, has given warning in his most recent attempts that he is close to his best. He was handy for 10 furlongs of the recent Wellington Handicap, after finishing sixth in the Lowry Memorial at Hastings in September. Last autumn, Apa reaffirmed his great liking for the Hastings track, on which he has been a prolific winner, by finishing second to Elkayel in the Hawke’s Bay Cup and winning the Te Mahanga Handicap. On Wednesday he is topweight in the 11 furlongs President’s Handicap, first leg of the T.A.B. double on the opening day of the Napier Park meeting at Hastings, and he is selected to win. Apa has more class than any of his moderately performed rivals and while Red View, Money, Acapulco and Tilly Light could race well, Apa would beat them if he produced anything like his best. The field for the six furlongs City Handicap is comparatively weak and the Hawera visitor, Brenda Lee, might prove the best of an average lot. The state of the going could have a big bearing on prospects for the Napier programme. There has been a long dry spell in Hawke’s Bay but this broke at the weekend. However, it would take a lot of rain to soften the track until it became heavy. Selections:—

11.30 a.m.-—Port High-weight: Sir Robert. Harlech, Golden Dee. 12.5 p.m.—Novice Stakes No. 1: Mead, Homespun, Mira Ceti. 12.40 p.m.—County Handicap: Dalvui, Nice Peter, Hylander, 1.15 p.m.*—Debutante Handicap; Ameera, Patsy's Pride, Royal Pindi.

2 p.m.—President’s Handicap: Apa, Acapulco, Red View. 2.35 p.m.—Novice Stakes No. 2: Mini, Nahrena, Nasa Fair. 3.10 p.m.—Meeanee Handicap: princess Taiaria, Shut, Alliance. 3.55 p.m.—City Handicap: Brenda Lee, Tax Free, Humber. 4.40 p.m.—Champion Hack Handicap: Fingala, Golden Dee, Fascinate. Fields, with form, for the double are: 2 p.m.— PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP, £900; Ilf. st lb 0960 Apa (9) ..8 10 4811 Red View (13) ... 8 8 BFII Tilly Light (2) .. 8 3 1813 Vigour (3) .. ..80 1576 Money (8) .. .. 713 3243 Acapulco <l2) .. 712 4030 Gay Minga (4) .. 710 0800 Harry Lauder (16) .. 710 5604 Bagush (17) ..7 9 060 Shady (15) .. ..78 0060 Sir Barton (1) ..78 5500 African <6) ..77 7000 Athlone (5) .. ..7 7 0000 Half Nip (10) ..7 7 0068 Hello Kinfei (11) ..7 7 7880 Howe Good (14) ..77 049 Voltaire (7) ..77 3.55 p.m.— CITY HANDICAP, £650; 6f. St lb 970 Kawera (1) ..8 7 354 Brenda Lee (8) ..8 4 Tangelo (2) ..8 3 7750 Return Fare (10) .. 8 1 2258 Humber (4) ..so 9800 Carester (3) .. 713 900 Fine Time (6) ... 713 800 Red Forest (5) . 7 13 005 Tax Free (9) ~. 713 1270 Tuskar Rock (7) "... 713 English Trip For No Offence Off t (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. The owner, Mr A. Clouston. said this morning that No Offence would not be going to England for next year’s Grand National.

However, all going well, he intended to send the gelding to Britain after the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton next August. A message from London says that disappointment was expressed by the British trainer, F. T. T. Walwyn, that it was now most unlikely No Offence would be going to England.