TROTTING Cuddle Doon In Line For Rangiora Cup Win

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30626, 17 December 1964, Page 5

TROTTING Cuddle Doon In Line For Rangiora Cup Win

Cuddle Doon should gain his fourth win for the season when he contests the Rangiora Cup, the first leg of the TA.B. double at the Rangiora Trotting Club’s summer meeting on Saturday. His effort for third behind Forbid and Patter in the Geraldine Cup at his most recent start was a particularly fine effort and one which should be the fore-runner of a most successful campaign during the holidays.

Cuddle Doon had little in his favour after starting from 36 yards in the Geraldine Cup. He had to cover extra ground to get close to the leading bunch and he fought on most determinedly for his placing. He recorded 4min 19 3-ssec for the two miles, the fastest time recorded on the track, which was rather rough. Cuddle Doon comes in on the front this week and with average luck he should win. Mitcham redeemed himself when he won over two miles at the New Brighton meeting on December 5, following on a disappointing showing in the Geraldine Cup.

Mitcham is one of the most highly-regarded horses in his class. The Brahman four-year-old can sprint and stay and he looks certain to graduate to a tight assessment before long. Gay Gordon is a problem horse. He has won at his last three starts, in which he has begun from behind the limit. He has drawn No. 10 on the front line and he could get away smoothly. He won with a lot in hand in the Waimate Cup last Saturday after pacing the two miles in 4min 22 3-ssec, a splendid effort on a rough track. A repeat performance would give him a great chance of extending his record . These three horses by no means exhaust the possibilities in a capacity field. Bellajily was a winner over two miles at Forbury Park earlier in the season. If C. C. Devine can keep her covered up until the straight entrance, she could figure in the finish. When favoured with such a run she has a fine finishing burst.

Black Treasure paced an encouraging race when fifth over 13 furlongs at Addington Raceway on November 21. He is not always too reliable, but he looks to have improved lately and could surprise. Cloudage was a shade disappointing at the cup meeting, although he did not pace a really bad race. One of his peak efforts would entitle him to consideration.

Flying Over is a dour stayer entitled to some consideration in spite of three rather disappointing efforts since he won a sprint race at Methven in September. The Kaikoura Cup winner, Fury River, and Sirretta are two others capable of adding interest to the finish. Second Leg

Cloudy Bay, which bungled the start of his race and finished near the tail of the field at Orari on November 28, could make amends in the Rangiora Challenge Stakes, the second leg of this double. Cloudy Bay had a solid run at the Methven trials on Tuesday and he is certain to be improved as a result. Cloudy Bay finished third behind Balcairn and Admire in this race last season. Night Rocket showed something of his true form when he won over 13 furlongs in 3min 31 3-ssec at the recent Addington trials. He was a sound second to Heriot over 13 furlongs at Addington Raceway two starts ago and at his most recent appearance

he was pulled up after being checked. The Garrison Hanover gelding has great speed and he could easily upset calculations in this race. La Garrison, after being tailed off early, showed amazing speed to finish sixth in the race won by Sir Echo at Waimate last Saturday. If he begins cleanly, he could be the pick of the three-year-olds in this race. Compromise, which has had a third, a fourth and a fifth in her three starts this season, is another in this age group entitled to respect. She made up ground to dead-heat for third in the New Zealand Oaks last time out. She is still on the improve and could give a good account of herself.

King Gypsy, a useful third in the Orari Challenge Stakes won by Mister Chips, has been disappointing this season. He has seldom paced a bad race and has a number of worth-while placings to his credit. He is overdue for a win, which could well come in his next start or two.

Sonny Jim, Queensway and Royal Fame are other speedy three-year-olds, while Don Caesar could do best of a rather weak lot of four-year-olds on 12 yards.