Straight Wins Impressively

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32235, 2 March 1970, Page 4

Straight Wins Impressively

"The Press 1 * Special Service HASTINGS. The ease with which Straight outclassed his opposition in the Napier Gold Cup at Hastings on Saturday ensured him of favouritism again when he tackles the Leopard Gold Cup run over the same distance of 11 furlongs on Wednesday, even though he will have the Rotorua Cup winner. Backfire, and the Rangi-: tikei Cup winner, Red Loki, against him. Straight ran sixth in the! Rangitikei Cup, but obviously needed the race, and his trainer, M. Andrews, paraded him a much sharper horse on Saturday His jockey, J. Messent, who had enjoyed much success with Straight, had him a handy fifth into line, and at the furlong they had the race won. After contesting the Leopard Cup at Hastings on Wednesday, Straight will race at Waipukurau and then tackle the Captain Cook Gold Cup on the second day of the

Trentham autumn meeting. Straight’s owner, Mr A. Me-! Kenzie, who also bred the Follow Suit—Strike four-year- i old, said on Saturday that! after Trentham, Straight would probably go out for a spell. Strike, the dam of Straight, iis a well-bred mare by Red Marlin from Sagati, which was bred in England by Trukhan from Seed by Solario from the Phalaris mare Mira-! wala. Sagati was imported to this

country by Mr R. Holden, who> bred and raced the brilliant] fillies Sweet Nymph and' Sweet Spray. I Highbrow hit the front soon after entering the home stretch in the Napier Cup. but was easily disposed of by Straight. It is doubtful whether he will prove up to turning the tables on Wednesday, but he should be in the money again. Little Annie, a hack graduate which raced honestly in the [lower grade, won third place in a close struggle with Cresta Dore. Both are Likely to improve. Another improver could be Bluffing, which swept to third place crossing the top. then weakened to fifth. With the benefit of that outing he could make his presence felt at Trentham. Relampago, an interesting entrant for the Thompson Handicap at Trentham, led to the home turn, then weakened to sixth; a mile at Trentham might suit him. He is brilliant and : very fit at present. Chill was a big disappointiment. She was never going I well, and according to her !rider, T. Whittington, was not 1 herself. She sweated profusely and at no stage galloped, kindly.

Game Hunter was another disJ appointment, finishing alongside Chill. I Astrella'B impressive win in :the seven furlongs McWilliams; Handicap drew attention to her 1 Trentham prospects. She im--1 proved steadily after requiring 5 a little time to find her feet, ■ then ran past Togo in the last 1 furlong to beat him by two ’ lengths. 1 Astrella has now won four races this season—the Napier ) Park City Handicap, the Eulogy ) Stakes, the Awapunl Stakes and s the McWilliams Wines Handicap i —and she has earned $6070. • Besides her wins she has had . six placings. s Togo ran a bold race, and I he will be a threat in the sixi furlong Railway Handicap at ! Trentham. I Miss Harleigh ran a sound - race for third without appearing likely to trouble the two - ahead, and she will have to be • taken strongly into account for i the Stewards’ Handicap at Hast- > Ings on Wednesday. ] Hostage was a handy fourth, 1 a marked improvement on his shewing at Gisborne, and he • may not be long doing better. ’ Fifth was Tudor Lady, and like • Tosh, which was seventh, would 1 have been much happier on r softer ground. When tracks I iease these two could come • quickly into form.