RACING Craddock Should Test Tasman Lad Today

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30741, 4 May 1965, Page 4

RACING Craddock Should Test Tasman Lad Today

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. Tasman Lad and Craddock, the best behind Royal Request on the first day, are bound to be hard to beat in the C. B. Clarke Memorial at Avondale today.

Tasman Lad has been performing well. Craddock, an excellent winter galloper, looks near peak form again.

In the Foley Memorial, the event on the first day of the meeting run over 11 furlongs, today’s course, Tasman Lad beat Craddock by half a length.

Tasman Lad gained his placing with a solid late finish, and Craddock fought on well after trailing the leaders to the home turn.

Tasman Lad’s second followed on some useful efforts over the longer journeys. He is a hardy gelding by Ocean Spray II from Flying Coronach and a most determined finisher. Craddock, a gelding by Red Mars from Night Storm, has had five starts since coming back into work —two sprints and three middle distances. In the Foley Memorial he weakened only in the last 50 yards or so. That outing should have him right at his best, which is very good in winter going. CONSISTENT Craddock, last winter, was one of the most consistent middle distance runners in the

north. Earlier this season he won the Somers Memorial, 11 furlongs, at Te Aroha from end-to-end. As well he strung together a good list of minor platings. Leawayne, after he reached the lead with half a mile to go in the Foley Memorial, faded in the run home to sixth.

Beforehand Leawayne, a local gelding, had been first and twice second in open company over middle distances.

Earl of Foxwood, which is prepared on the course by his owner, Mr L. P. Ford, and Royal Sheen, a lightweight, may do best of the others. Rainfall, a three-year-old filly and a stablemate of Craddock, and Kangaroo Town, from Rotorua, may dispute the finish of the Dominion Handicap, the second leg of the T.A.B. double.

Rainfall, at tier last start, ran gamely for fourth in the challenge Handicap, seven furlongs, at Ellerslie on April 24. The time before, after a slow beginning, she finished brilliantly for fourth in the six furlongs Bowen Handicap, also at Ellerslie. Kangaroo Town, a four-year-old by Fair’s Fair from Gay Town, was fifth, and fairly close in the Bledisloe Handicap, six furlongs, at Ellerslie at his last start. He may not have as much early speed as some of his opponents tomorrow, but he is a resolute finisher. After the rain of the week-end the going will be heavy.' Selections: 12.15 p.m. Waterview Hurdles: Danesway, Prettypeen. Paemoko. 12.50 p.m.—Hopeful Stakes: pheroz Pride, Tuam, Pharlon. 1.30 p.m —Muriwai Handicap: Kurrewa, Nukinuki, Sydney. 2 p.m.—Morningside Steeplechase: Super Luck, Summer Sun, Chef. 2.40 p.m.—C. B. Clarke Memorial: Tasman Lad, Craddock, Leawayne. 3.25 p.m.—Chevalier Handicap: Kouratane, Captain Rebel. Smoke Ring. 4.10 p.m.—Dominion Handicap: Rainfall, Kangaroo Town, Bottle Top. 4.50 p.m.—NihOtapu Handicap: Wonderbar, Misere, New Tiki. Fields with form for the T.A.B. double races are:—

2.40 p.m.— c B. CLARKE MEMORIAL, 1'1500; Ilf. st lb 0003 Craddock (12) >. 8 1 2752 Tasman Lad (2) ... 8 1 2126 Leawayne (4) .. 7 10 0767 Udare (1) .. 7 8 0462 White Strand (5) 7 3 4700 Earl of Foxwood (13) 7 2 6795 Blue Beard (8) .. 7 1 1310 Inner Circle <9) .. 7 0 1800 King’s Credit (7) .. 7 0 9000 Mexicali (3) .. 7 0 6515 Royal Sheen (101 7 0 4289 Trueman (11) ■ . . 7 0 Scratched: Calm Comet (6).

4.10 p.m.— 0130 DOMINION HANDICAP, £1000; 7f. Red Count (1) st lb 8 13 1885 Kangaroo Town (2) 7 11 8000 Count Filou (10) 7 10 0707 Firenze (8) 7 7 1220 Roganne (13) 7 7 1000 Calm Jane <6) 7 3 029 Bottle Top (12) 7 2 0077 (1) 7 0 0006 Mo-I-Rana (4) 7 0 5800 Old Spice (3) 7 0 4930 Piriaka (11) 7 0 4044 Rainfall (14) 7 0 0920 Te Awhina (5) 7 0 Scratched: First Tai (9).