RACING Terrific Could Test N.Z. Derby Rivals

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30900, 5 November 1965, Page 4

RACING Terrific Could Test N.Z. Derby Rivals

If Terrific lives up to his name and his breeding he should take beating in the New Zealand Derby at Riccarton tomorrow.

Dr. A. McGregor Grant’s long-striding Gigantic colt will try to emulate the feat of Royal Duty, another by the same sire, which won the Canterbury Jockey Club’s £3OOO classic two years ago.

Terrific does not have a record as distinguished as that of Royal Duty at the same stage of the season. But they do have one thing in common. Before attempting to win the season’s first staying classic both had won as hack milers.

Terrific, which beat a big field of milers easily at Te Rapa the last time he raced, has emerged from a sound preparation to the satisfaction of M. E. Ritchie, who brought the colt south. Ritchie has no doubts that Terrific will manager the distance if the race is true-run. Strong Front Runner With a free-goer like Kintyre engaged, it is unlikely that any in the field will have much time to loaf. This Wel-lington-owned three-year-old was responsible for much of the pace in the Harcourt Stakes and his second to Sobig at the end of a mile and three furlongs stamped him as a sound Derby prospect. It will be a matter whether Kintyre will be able to lead all the -way for a mile and a half on the testing Riccarton course.

But on Harcourt Stakes running he should match Devastation, a good type of Knight’s Romance colt with two classic wins on his record. Devastation seemed a strong Derby prospect after winning the Hawke’s Bay and ■Wellington Guineas, but left some doubts about his stamina when he could only struggle into fourth at his first test beyond a mile in the Wellington Racing Club’s weight-ier-age race.

Roman Consul, from Woodville. could strengthen the possibility of a North Island victory. Everything this Agri■cola colt in E. Rophia’s team | has done so far suggests he will eventually develop good staying form. He is not nippy, but runs his races out well. South Island Hopes Summer Magic, from Gore, and Captain’s Command, from Wingatui. will be strong South Island hopes. Both have strong form credentials close up on their records. Summer Magic, last season’s Welcome Stakes winner, showed he was again approaching peak form when he chased Eiffel Tower home at the end of a mile and a quarter in the Spring Handicap at Wyndham last Saturday. Captain’s Command also competed in the same race at Wyndham. He finished out of a place but made ground for seventh. A notable placing at his previous start was a close third to Devastation and Farmer’s Boy in the Wellington Guineas.

Middy, which shaped well in a trial with several cup horses yesterday, is another well-performed three-year-old trained in Otago. He was a dual winner at the Dunedin spring meeting. One of those victories was at the expense of Summer Magic and Cap-

tain’s Command in the Dunedin Guineas.

Sandbank, a last-start winner in high-weight class at Orari. and Certain, which beat the hack stayers at Motukarara last week, will be strong South Canterbury hopes. Quick Flight, from Ashburton. is another with sound form and Danny Kaye could be Ricearton’s best.