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Press, Volume CX, Issue 32361, 29 July 1970, Page 4

In his bid to help Didham, Skelton has been chasing rides for the Wingatui rider, and will also be Didham’s host during his visit. Stuck on 99, Didham has a fighter’s chance of getting there. His best chance might come in the very first flat race, the Ryder Stakes for two-year-olds, when he rides His Ayr, a winner at his last two starts, but with the topweight of 9st 71b. Other Mounts Didham rides an out-of-form Banagh in the first leg, Worn Pom in the Muhunoa Maiden, Trend in the open sprint, and Fred in the hack 11 furlongs. Of these four, Trend and Fred look the best chances. No doubt that is what Didham hopes, too. The first leg of the T.A.B. double, the Levin Winter Cup, should go to Escameno, last year’s winner. This is the time of year he races best and on the strength of his two races he certainly deserves success should it come his way. He worked clear from an almost impossible position to run second behind Twitchit at Trentham and then followed this with another game effort on Saturday when he ran Ahjay to a head in the Taumarunui Cup. R. B. Marsh rode him last year and has ridden him at his last two starts. But with Marsh required for Fans, the ride has gone to R. J. Skelton. Other Form Horses In an even field, the Hawera gelding Domodossola may be the hardest for Escameno to beat. He got a poor run at Taumarunui on Saturday, but before that had run two pleasing races at Trentham and should be close to winning form. Fans and Twitchit also appeal. Fans won a couple of races impressively round Queen’s Birthday week-end, but was never really happy in the Trentham going. He is such a good galloper although he will be much happier on the firmer Riccarton track later in the week. Twitchit would not have been suited by the Te Awamutu course last week and so her big run for seventh after being well back on the turn was a good one. As wins at Hastings and Wellington show, she is right in form and, as usual, is N. Eastwood’s mount The local runner Mimi’s Boy knows the course well enough. He failed to flatter at Woodville but on the strength of his good Trentham run before, must still be a threat. Pacific Prince is an unknown quantity. He failed last time, but won at the Matamata jackpot meeting. He has made the long trip down for this race and with D. Peake, has to be respected. Whiti Te Ra If the track is heavy Whiti Te Ra could upset them all. He has not shown much since his runaway Trentham win, but with W. D. Skelton to help, could set the others a merry chase. Lucky Lin has two useful runs in weaker company to his credit and has a lightweight's chance. Whakamoa having only his second run since the Wellington Cup, may need another run. The,! others have little to recommend them, but Plain, in the right mood, looks the best prospect among them. The second leg, the Hatuma Lime Handicap is notable for a number of horses resuming. One of them, the three-year-old filly Notorious could be the hardest to beat. Notorious, a three-year-old filly by Pakistan from E. Ropiha’s stable has not raced since New Year’s Day when she finished down the track at Ellerslie, but she has plenty of brilliance and usually runs well fresh. Pep, which resumed at Woodville with a narrow third should still be fresh enough for another good sprint. The extra furlong might help him too. Not Much Luck Richman has not had much in the way of luck. He has been very close in recent outings, but has not quite managed to win one. Goldy Girl, a last-start winner at Woodville, Jindabyne and Flying Crest will have claims, while for better odds there is plenty to chose from including Trend, Shield Bearer, Gus and the three-year-old Campanile, resuming after a six-month lay-off. Selections:— Selections: 11.15 a m.—Parkin Steeplechase: Status, Dingus, Lonely Lad. 11.55 a.m. Langford Hurdles: Purakau, Moubray, Contradict. 12.40 p.m.—Ryder Stakes: Sir Dan, Swat. Messides. 1.25 p.m.—Apprentices* Handicap: Gold Tor, El Marie, Lord Meilay.