Weenell Could Test Rivals In Stewards’

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31830, 7 November 1968, Page 4

Weenell Could Test Rivals In Stewards’

Although Irish Note’s long-standing Riccarton record of 1:9 for six furlongs is unlikely to be disturbed, the prospect of a very fast gallop in the Stewards’ Handicap is assured provided the ground remains firm and the weather is good.

The second leg of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s T.A.B. double—the first leg is the New Zealand Cup—has attracted as good a field of open sprinters as anyone could wish to see anywhere.

If conditions ate favourable —and that seems likely—-the honours might go to the “flying filly” from Woodville, Weenell, the “midget" of S. A. Brown's team. Weenell was unbeaten in five starts up to seven furlongs as a two-year-old last season. One of her major victories was the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Welcome Stakes and another was the North Island Challenge Stakes at Trentham. Weenell experienced her first defeat in the Shorts Handicap at Trentham last month. In that race her natural brilliance kept her in front till the straight but she was not as easy on the soft track and faded in the run home. Weenell will be one of two runners Brown will run in Saturday's sprint The other will be Colorado Boy, which has run two promising fifths in a fresh campaign but is inclined to get well off the pace early in his races. Bompa, Floodlit Sharif and Zephyrus are other fast sprinters North Island trainers will saddle.

Top-Weight Although Bompa, with topweight of 8-5 will have to concede 121 b to Weenell he could still be the hardest for the Woodville filly to beat Mr B. V. Boble’s Pakistan I! gelding has been no worse than Fourth in five starts since he won the Selwyn Handicap here at the Grand National meeting. One of the most promising runs close up on his record was Ms close second—he was beaten by

a note by Fair Law—in the Short* Handicap at Trentham latt month The Shors* Sandtoap will have proved valuable Mee it Floodlit get* into the finish. He was the best of Fair Law and Bomp*'* rival* at Trentham and that placing was preceded by consecutive sprint wins at Walpukurau and on Ms home course at Hastings. Sharif, a two-year-old winner at this meeting last year, we* successful over the Stewards’ Handicap distance at Waverlsy last month. The best of hl* two race* at Trentham since was a fourth in (the Nalnal Handicap on Labour Day. Zephyrus will strengthen the ehance of a North Island victory in tMs, bis first race as a three-year-old This Final Court gelding showed much ability last season when he won three of hi* five races and was placed in the other two. Although Havering lack* recent form she is bound to

have strong NOrth Idland backing. This farm-trained mare from Marton should be ready now to show eomochlng like her boot. wMob I* very good, after two races In a treeti campaign at Trentham. ’Otago Hope Now that James Arthur |o In the doubtful ela*a—ho Med badly during the running of the sprint at Wyndham kart Saferday—Captain’s Command Is likely tob* Otago’s otrongeet hope. Thia smart Wlngstultralned sprinter was the runnerup In this race last year. He shaped a* U he will be one of the major contenders again when he contested the open sprints at Core the week-end before last and flnirhed second each time.

Southlander* win bo weitsattefied If victory goes to Bed Copy, a member of E. A. Winsloe’s stable at Gore. This speedy Bellborough gelding will be trying for Ms fourth Consecutive open sprint win on Saturday.

Riccarton trainer* will run their (hare of fast horte*. too, and if recent form prove* the best guide Red Chips, Shipmaster and Pango migM bo the pick of them. Red Chips was narrowly beaten by Bellasnour In the Nalnai Handicap at Trentham on Labour Day and If that race had been six Instead of seven furlongs he would have won. smpmaster has two open sprint win* elose up on Ms record. He was successful over seven furlongs at Wingatui last month and managed six successfully at Ashburton In September. Pango capped a useful string of minor places with an impressive victory over the Steward*’ Handicap distance st Ranglora on Labour Day.