Tomray Hastings Fancy

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32274, 17 April 1970, Page 5

Tomray Hastings Fancy

“The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON. A field full of form sets a puzzle in tomorrow’s $5OOO Hawke’s Bay Cup, with central districts horses braced for what looks a strong challenge from farther north. Tomray, which is bred to be a top middle-distance horse, is shaping like one. One of the last sons of Sabaean. he was kept to the shorter distances in his hack career, but in open class he has quickly established his staying potential. He beat a moderate field over a middle distance in Taranaki last month, then went to Auckland where he ran third in the Easter Mile and second

to Nipawdn over 11 furlongs in heavy ground. He is probably a better horse on sure footing and at this stage of his four-year-old year is prob ably improving as a middledistance runner with every start.

Mediate has lodged a belated bid for the three-year-old staying title and though he cannot now head Piko in his age group, more good form would gain ground on the rest. He was given the Great Northern St Leger at Far Time's expense after interference, but there was only a neck between them anyway.

Before that he challenged the open handicap horses at Ellerslie and finished third, half a length and a neck from Charon over 10 furlongs. There is no questioning his ability to run the Hastings distance. Red Loki is a stablemate of Tomray showing similar promise. His form is not as good, as he is a little behind Tomray in development. Two starts back he was a creditable second to Every Post in the Captain Cook Cup at Trentham. Last time out he failed because of the heavy ground.

Styleman ran Practice close last week. His autumn form was good last year and though ;the same progress this term was forestalled by an Australian trip he may be regaining ' his best form.

: Fashion Plate has an edge in weight over most of her rivals in the Havelock Flying Handicap, the second leg. As in the cup. there is plenty of form, from Shelly Burford at 9-9 down to improvers such as Golden Dane 331 b away.

Fashion Plate is fresh from an Auckland trip on which she more than paid her way without winning. Her 8-5 puts her almost in the middle of the handicap and gives her a handy pull not only on Shelly Burford but on Patrida and Bellamour.

If Shelly Burford is ridden by J. McLeod she will probably carry 9-2, but even without a claim she would be hard to stop over six furlongs. Bellamour is racing well for her new trainer. N. Eales, .and in three starts has won twice. She ran fourth at Trentham and has since had a chance to freshen, which will suit her. Selections:— 11.30 a.m.—Poukawa Maiden No. 1: Kathryn Anne, Tiromai, Mia Amore. 12.5 p.m.—Riverslea Highweight: Trovatino, Turfman, Sea Boots, 12.45 p.m.-*-Poukawa Maiden He. 2: Blue Anchor, Ave; Ranfurly Star. 1.25. p.m.—Twyford Hack Handicap: Leon, Amber Lyn, Dark Knowledge. 2.5 p.m.—Nursery Handicap. First Division: Devante, Codeene. Second Division: Red Gurkha, Red Sovereign. 2.50 p.m.—Hawke’s Bay Cup: Tomray, Mediate, Red Loki.

3.30 p.m.—Heretaunga Hack Handicap: Royal Andrew, Dunkerven, Titus.

4.10 p.m.—Havelock Flying Handicap: Fashion Plate, Shelly Burford. Bellamour.

4.50 p.m.—Oreka Handicap: Golden Music, Latin, Roses Red.

Fields, with form, for T.A.B. double:

166 Golden Dane (4) 7 4 1059 Luana (141 ..7 4 4740 Master Spy (13) 7 4

2.50 p.m.— HAWKE'S BAY CUP lb $5000; Ilf. st 5042 Johnny Cash (2) .. 8 11 1132 Tomray (3) .. .. 8 9 4802 Loofah (9) .. 8 7 0438 Pell Mell (1) .. .. 8 4 3117 Miss Harleigh (11) . . 8 1 1131 Mediate (10) .. .. 8 0 2381 Practice (4J -. .. 7 12 002 Styleman (8) .. 7 11 5003 Bluffing (12) .. .. 7 8 1428 Red Loki (7) .. .. 7 7 3085 Twitchit (6) . . .. 7 7 9930 Whiti Te Ra (5) .. 7 5 4.10 p.m.— HAVELOCK FLYING HANDICAP 7712 $2000; 6f. Shelly Burford (3) st lb ..99 4211 Patrida (6) .. 8 11 114 Beliamour (11) . . 8 10 1398 Free Pass (10) . . 8 7 1424 Fashion Plate (2) .. 8 5 3681 Brazen Lady (8) .. 7 9 3188 Hagen’s Gold (5) .. 7 8 1944 Flying Crest (12) .. 7 7 6270 Coogee (9) 7 5 0770 Blue Nile (1) ’ 7 4 1256 Count Kereru (7) .. 7 4