Plain Fancied In Awapuni First Leg

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32321, 12 June 1970, Page 6 (Supplement)

Plain Fancied In Awapuni First Leg

“The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON. Plain, a winner of two of his last four starts, should win the Manawatu Winter Handicap, first leg of the T.A.B. double at the Manawatu Racing Club’s meeting tomorrow.

After beating Cresta Dore and Prince Hagen at Marton at the end of April, Plain was a creditable fifth to Prince Hagen in the Foxton Anniversary Cup.

At his next start he accounted for Decimal Coin and Fans before failing behind the latter at Wanganui when he choked on the bit. A six-year-old gelding by Red Jester, Plain has proved in the past he can handle wet conditions, and he should not be troubled with his 8-2, which is only 31b more than he carried to victory at Masterton.

His main rival looks to be Decimal Coin , a last-start third to Black Charm on the first day of the meeting in conditions which are expected to be similar tomorrow.

After taking the lead into the straight, Decimal Coin fought on strongly, but could not keep the winner out. Although tomorrow’s race is a furlong further this should not affect him greatly, and another bold showing is expected. Place Chance Ramlegh ran a true stayer’s race for fifth to Black Charm after being near the rear early. He looks to be improving and should go close to filling, one of the minor placings. The best of the others looks to be Dark Song, a last-start winner by eight lengths in heavy going at Rotorua. The top-weight, Escameno, disappointed last week at Manawatu, but he should be given another chance. His rider, J. A. Messent, who has been replced by R. B. Marsh, failed to secure a rails run, and / Escameno understandably faded in the run home. The winner of the corresponding race on the first day, Black Charm must again be given serious consideration. She has gone up 81b for her win, but this may not be enough to stop her. Last week she could not have been more impressive when she finished strongly to beat Decimal Coin by two lengths and a half.

Second Leg After being in or handy to the lead Tudor Lad faded slightly in the run home to finish third behind the strongly supported Dasheen in the corresponding event last week. He should make amends tomorrow in the Members’ Handicap, which is the main sprint. Tudor Lad has drawn the rails and with a more even run than he received last Saturday he should win.

Dasheen, which made no race of it over the final furlong last Saturday, has a hard task in front of her with a rise of 81b and barrier No. 15. . '

Chill ran a bold race for second last week and she may well be the hardest to beat. R. B. Marsh gave her an easy run along the rails, and she was beginning to improve when she received a bad check caused by Rose of Italy falling with about three furlongs to run. Marsh’s mount today is the top-weight, Bellamour, which looks to be the main danger of the others. At her last start, more than a month ago, she finished strongly for second to Cote d’Azur at Woodville, Good Form Sharda showed good form before failing at Wanganui on Queen’s Birthday. He was slow away that day and had to be used up early to gain a challenging position. With more luck tomorrow he might surprise although his barrier draw is not the best Aeolian would be a threat if the track were to dry out considerably, which seemed unlikely earlier in the week. The Sapling Stakes, which is the second leg of the oncourse double, seems certain to have a capacity field of 24, which is likely to affect the chances of several of the more fancied runners.

Royalite finished on strong, ly for fourth at Wanganui on Queen’s Birthday at his last start. He won his previous start at Masterton on a heavy track in impressive style.

He looks to have the better of his . main rival, Rahgatn, which will need all the luck in the running to win from his barrier, No. 22. Swat has been placed at his last three starts, but like Rahgam he will have to overcome a wide barrier draw.

Of the others, Extra Fair, Origin and Karate are most strongly fancied.

Selections:— „ U -J* a.m.—Hgata Hack Hurdles: Squall, Legatus, Rommell. 11.50 a.m.—Highbury Plate: Ascona, El Fox, Whitlock. 12.30 p.m.—Sapling Stakes: Royallte, Rahgam, Swat. P-m—Suburban Hack Handicap: Jet Plane, Mr Sovereign, Sir Cullus. 1.50 p.m. — Manawatu Steeple: Victory Prince, Mystery Man, Just Sam. 2.30 p.m.—Winter Handicap: Plain, Decimal Coin, Ramlegh. 3.S p.m.—Awapuni Hurdle: Kelloman, Gun, Sea Boots. 3.00 p.m.—Members* Handicap: Tudor t-ad, Dasheen, Chill. 0.15 p.m.—Farewell Hack Handicap: Foxel, Turf Pal, Walk Along.