Thrilling racing expected in pacing heats tomorrow

Press, Issue 32535, 19 February 1971, Page 1 (Supplement)

Thrilling racing expected in pacing heats tomorrow

By

G. K. Yule

With Stella Frost, Holy Hal and Sassenach poised to continue their unbeaten records, intriguing possibilities ensure that thrilling racing will mark the final four pacing championship heats at Addington Raceway tomorrow evening.

The 12 horses gaining the greatest number of points in the 12 heats run during the first three nights of the car* nival will be eligible for the $40,000 Grand Final tomorrow week. So far Holy Hal, Sassenach, Stella Frost (28), Junior’s Image (24), Last Flood and Manaroa (23) have sufficient points to earn a start in the final as long as they complete the course in tonight's heat; and it is probable that the same applies to Intrepid and Welcome Advice, both of which have 22 points. But Rhinegolde, Royal Count (21), Deep Court, Somerset Gold, Upper Class (19) and Berkleigh, Bramble Hall, Friendly Forbes, and Mount

Eden (18) will have to finish well up in their heats if they are to secure sufficient points to earn a place in the big race. Also, it is possible that with * win tomorrow, one of the horses with even lower totals might replace one of its rivals with a fairly high score but unfortunate enough to meet trouble and fail to complete the course. In such circumstances the first set of free-for-all heats

ever run at an Inter-Domin-ion carnival should provide patrons with enthralling racing of a standard seldom seen on the course. Stella Frost and Junior's Image will meet for the second time in the series in the first of tomorrow’s heats and they should dominate the finish. Naturally Stella Frost will be the favourite as she will meet her Western Australian rival on 12 yards more favourable terms than when she outstayed him on Wednesday. The battle for third should be disputed by Royal Count and Bramble Hall, although Scottish Charm seems to have freshened considerably and she might get into the money. Holy Hal will have his first meeting with the brilliant Western Australian champion, Mount Eden, in the second heat tomorrow. Holy Hal’s reliability and courage will probaby'ensure him of favouritism, but there will be heavy support from Australia to say Mount Eden will make amends for defeats so far in the series. He began safely on Wednesday and then was knocked to a break. Radiant Globe, another rather unlucky runner on Wednesday, might run them both fairly close. He should be improved by the race. James comes in well under the new conditions and in spite of failures so far, he might be a danger, although Rhinegolde and Chequer

Board are more strongly fancied on their efforts on Wednesday. Intrepid, Leading Light and Manaroa appeal in the third heat, in which Deep Court and Last Flood should prove worthy Australian rivals. Outside this five Valencia should do best, although smooth beginnings might land Western Ridge and Boy Friend close up. Sassenach has won his two heats so far at the meeting with what appears to

have been a minimum of effort. He should go close to making his record three successive wins in the final heat.

Welcome Advice will appreciate the shorter distance of this race compared with two miles on Wednesday. He has done as well as any of the visiting horses since his arrival and he shhould still improve Koala Frost was a shade disappointing in the twomile heat. Not an easy horse

to keep right at his peak, he has a tremendous reputation, which will not be enough to give him a win on its own. However, if he reproduces what his home state admirers claim he is capable of, he should be a leading contender in this heat. Berkleigh, Monsignor, Rain Again, and Somerset Gold should finish fairly close up, but their chances of beating the other trio cannot be highly rated.