CASTANEA PICKED IN VILLIERS’ STAKES

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30937, 18 December 1965, Page 7

CASTANEA PICKED IN VILLIERS’ STAKES

(N.Z. Press Attn.—Copyright) SYDNEY. The top-weight Castanea Is favourite in the 11800 Villiers' Stakes, over one mile, the flrst leg of the Randwick summer double today. In the market Castanea Is close to an each-way quote, two and a half pointe shorter than the second favourite Trevors. Castanea went to the head of the market two weeks ago following a convincing win In the Festival Handicap at Rosehill. If he wins Castanea will be the first horse to win the Festival Handicap-Vllliera Stakes double. Trevors won three races In succession before finishing eighth last time out to Castanea at Rosehlll. Before that he ran fourth in the Epsom Handicap. A. Mulley got the ride on Rosie Sun yesterday when top apprentice, S. Splnke, withdrew because of a virus infection. MuHey has already won the Villiers' three times. The Brisbane entry. Todwana, is un third line of favouritism. With eight wins to bls credit and with D. Lake up, he will attract a lot of attention. Slasher could bo hard to beat. This six-year-old, who was sold for only 188 guineas at the 1981 Sydney Yearling Sales, has since won 18 races and nearly £BOO9 in stakes. A Newcastle candidate. Flotsam, with 181 b under weight-tor-ago, has attracted a lot of in-

forest tn view of his four wins, a aecond and a third from his laat seven starts.

Trainer, J. Green, who gained a dead-heat for first with the New Zealand-bred Gay Song last year, wHI be represented by Calmness. Red Heart and Trystln|, which are all at long The * Steyer, Great Life, will become favourite for the second teg of the summer double, the Summer Cup, If he wins ths 10furlong Decsmber Handicap BiGreat Life is at present equal favourite for the cup with Sky Drift. New Zealand horses racing today include the four-year-old Final CaU, which will run in the six furlong High-weight Handicap. Knight Command, a four-year-old gelding by Syntax out of Sally Fox, will bo trying for hie first win in ths ten furlong Maiden Handicap, as will the Summertime gelding. Spades.

T.A.B. Odds Paid Best

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY. ToteHsator Agency Board edda equalled or bettered bookmakero* oterUng price odds in more than 97 per cent of the racea on which the New South Wales T.A.B. operated in the last year. Thio was revealed in a report of the flrst year's operation of the board up to December 8, which was pubUehed yesterday. Punters wagered a total of 513,341,083 on 713 horse racing, trotting and greyhound racing meetings during the 12 months. Of the 5750 races operated on, T.A.B. odds wore greater than the starting price 3729 timet, and equal to the starting price 190 times. Of the £7,987,111 invested on winning beta, the T.A.B. paid hack <8,887,848 3 per cent more than starting price odds would have repaid. ... "Port sbowo that <9,537,213 was wagerod on racehorses, while the doge attracted trotten <1,771,942. The T.A.B.’s record week was Melbourne Cup week when punters gambled <719.984. and the Melbourne Cup meeting was the record mooting, taking <348,079.