TROTTING VANTAGE FANCIED FOR INTRODUCTORY STAKES

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31154, 2 September 1966, Page 4

TROTTING VANTAGE FANCIED FOR INTRODUCTORY STAKES

Vantage, the unlucky runner in the Queen Mary Handicap last Saturday evening is generally expected to make amends for that narrow defeat when he contests the Introductory Stakes at Addington Raceway tomorrow evening.

The Introductory' Stakes will be the first leg of a double for course patrons only at the New Brighton Trotting Club’s spring meeting.

Vantage is normally a good beginner, capable of taking a bandy position in the running so he is unlikely to benefit greatly from the mobile start On the other hand Co-Pilot and Chief Command, generally considered the two hardest for Vantage to beat could both be at an advantage from behind the gate. Co-Pilot did not accelerate quickly from a standing start in either of his races at the national meetings. But he still showed a high standard of fitness for this time of the year by recording a third and a first. Co-Pilot’s victory last Saturday night was in the 2-17 class Improvers’ Handicap. Although the opposition is stronger this week he should again be difficult to beat Chief Command was confi-

dently backed, at least to finish in a place, in last Saturday’s Queen Mary Handicap but he galloped off the mark and soon appeared hopeslessly out of it. However, a determined late bid enabled him to finish up sixth, a neck, half a neck and nose from the third place-getter Flying Over Flying Over will be one of form possibilities again tomorrow. So will Roydon Prince and Burns Rival which followed him home. Abbey Frost, an improver’s fourth in the event won by Co-Pilot last Saturday, is selected to win the Avon Stakes, second leg of the oncourse double. Doctor Jim, which was the best behind Abbey Frost in the Improver’s Handicap last Saturday, will also be one of the stronger fancies.

But the best backed, beside Abbey Frost, could be Lustre Scott, a very capable mare which will have her first race as a four-year-old. If victory goes Lustre Scott’s way she will have improved a good record on the course. Each of her three wins last season were at Addington Raceway.

Form from the Kurow meeting earlier in the month will have proved valuable if Major Pip, Bass Strait or Eyreton get into the finish. But the most likely improver in the field could be Inquisitive Lad. He showed a lot of speed after a slow start in the Improvers’ Handicap last Saturday. If he goes away smoothly from behind the mobile barrier he could cause an upset. The T.A.B. double will be run on the Johns and H. E. Goggin Handicaps. Bright Highland and Lusty Lad might be the successful combination. Continuing fine weather is forecast so the track will be firm and fast.