RACING Even Chance Picked For Wingatui Win

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31385, 2 June 1967, Page 4

RACING Even Chance Picked For Wingatui Win

Although several others have stronger form credentials, no one will be surprised if Even Chance improves a sound winning record at Wingatui in the Birthday Handicap tomorrow.

Even Chance will be Riccarton’s only runner and one of the proven winter performers in the first leg of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s T.A.B. double. There have been no placed runs on Even Chance's record since re resumed but two sound efforts from four starts in a fresh campaign were his fifth in the George Adams Handicap on his home course at Easter and a last-start sixth in the Amberley Cup. Even Chance confirmed that he was again close to race-winning fitness in his semi-final trains run on a rain rain affected track on Tuesday. That gallop raised hopes that he was right back to the form which gave him two consecutive wins—including the Wattle Gold Cup at Wingatui—during his spring campaign. If Beau Supreme has held the form which enabled him to come from last to second in the Waimate Cup last Saturday he will strengthen the possibility of a victory for Canterbury stables. But much will depend on whether that hard race has left its mark on this Washdyke-trained three-year-old. Otago stables are well represented. Six of the 12 runners will be racing on their home course and if recent form proves the best guide Carpenter and Middy should be the best of them. Cup Winner Carpenter, this season’s Dunedin Gold Cup winner, did not come up to expectations in the Waimate Cup last Saturday but his form leading up to that race included two winning runs 6n winter tracks. Until recently Middy had been noted mainly for his ability up to a mile. But he was switched to middle distance racing with encouraging results—he ran on strongly for fourth in the Gordon’s Gin Handicap at Winton tbe last time he raced. Although Middy is an acceptor for both legs of the main double tomorrow it seems likely that he will contest the first leg. Three scratchings are required be-

■fore he can start in the open sprint. The Gore-trained Cassbridge has a form background which entitles him to be high on the list of fancied runners but Southland’s best—if D. V. Pankhurst can produce him at peak—could be Bellbridge. Bellbridge was one of the “stars” of the last New Zea- ! land Cup meeting. His re- ’ cord in three starts at Riccar--1 ton in November Included a ' win in the Riccarton Handi--1 cap and a close second to ' Red Siren in the Metropolitan Handicap. From all accounts he, has thrived since his race in the ' Gordon’s Gin Handicap—his ' first in a fresh campaign—at Winton last month. Capacity Field Probably luck, more than ■ anything, will have a major ■ bearing on the outcome of the ■ second leg, the Miss New Zealand Handicap. This sevenl furlong event has attracted a i

field of 27 and three—lncluding Middy—are on the list of reserves. If the “breaks” in the running go the way of Fairlane she should go close to victory, even under top-weight of 8-13. This Washdyke-trained sprinter established her class in metropolitan company last winter by winning the Brabazon, Paparua and Selwyn Handicaps at Riccarton in consecutive starts. Fairlane began a fresh campaign in the sprint at Waimate last Saturday. Her solid finish for fifth—-after losing her position half-way through the race—raised hopes of a quick return to winning form. Fairlane will have several form runners to contend with tomorrow but none might be more formidable than Jester Jinks. This Riccarton-tralned sprinter—a noted "mud lark” —was an Improver’s third at Amberley the last time he raced. Ronrico and Mogambo will both be trying to improve winning records. Although they are at their best when the ground is at its worst, neither has a favourable barrier draw. Other in-form, handilydrawn runners capable of taking part in the finish if the ground is soft or heavy include Flying Trix, which is near the top of the handicap, and Combination, Etoile Este, Waitohi and Willypay, all of which are close to or on the 8-0 minimum.

Fields, with form for the T.A.B. double races are:—

4110 Waitohi (10) ..0 0 1031 Wlllypay (4) ..SO Balloted out with the right of re-entry: 0490 Argyle Boy (20) ..8 0 Brackets: Indian Briar and King Senna; Myfllou and San Saba; Waitohi and Willypay. Scratched: Middy (12), Status Symbol (24).

2.X p.m.— BIRTHDAY HANDICAP. 2700; 111. 110 Carpenter (4) . 8 11 2124 Middy (0) .. . 8 11 2124 Cassbridge HO) . 8 8 1527 Bellbridge (11) . 8 5 0596 Even Chance (8) . 7 13 4022 Beau Supreme (7) , 7 8 0009 Calvados <31 . 7 7 4179 Colden Silver <2> . 7 7 8150 Left Over (5) . 7 7 0840 Sir Athol (9) 7 7 6793 The Missionary (1) 7 7 4.10 p.m.— MISS HCW ZEALAND HANDICAP, £800; 7f. 0775 Falrlane <151 ft. lb 8 13 3292 Flying Trix (6) . 8 12 8127 BeUtana (7) . 8 6 7787 Castle Gregory (201 8 s 8036 Lisa (19) ■ 8 5 3271 Bonrico (22) .85 8651 Mogambo (23) . 8 4 1403 Jester Jinks (10) . 8 3 0797 Baal Hanan (18) . 8 2 9639 Combination 13) . 8‘ 2 1563 Etoile Este (5) . 8 2 6810 Lovely Day (11) . 8 2 2283 Belde (8) . - 8 1 0347 Lucky Son (4) . 8 1 7430 Allegretto (2) . 8 0 45o6 Donnaway (27) . 8 0 7360 Gleninorven (21) . 8 0 8090 Highland Fair <9) . 8 0 7075 Indian Briar (13) . 8 0 3107 King Senna (17) .80 357 Myfllou (1) . . 8 0 5407 San Saba (25) .30