Susan Jane is likely winner

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32541, 26 February 1971, Page 3 (Supplement)

Susan Jane is likely winner

“The Preu” Special Service AUCKLAND. The best fillies and mares it would be possible to get promise the most interesting race for a long while in the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha tomorrow afternoon.

The big event is full of possibilities, with Susan Jane, Rich Return, Tops? and AngeFs Smile perhaps the foremost.

Susan Jane. Rich Return and Topsy are three-year-olds and Angel’s Smile is four. Susan Jane, Rich Return and Topsy are, individually, thoroughly capable up to a mile or so. Together they make up a trio which would be outstanding in any year.

Susan Jane has included the Wellington Oaks, Wellington! Stakes and Southland Guineas in her successes. Rich Return, so brilliant a two-year-old, has suddenly returned to top form. And Topsy distinguished herself just last week-end with a fine win in the Lady Norrie Stakes at Te Rapa. It was no fault of Susan Jane that she did not make the platings in the Lady Norrie Stakes. Lack of room in a tight-packed field settled her chance. Usually she gets away well and has no trouble keeping near the pace, as she did even in the six-furlongs Wellington Stakes last month. Topsy lacks the same out-and-out speed. She was outpaced by Susan Jane and others in the Wellington Oaks

and it was only a strong, late run that won her the Lady Norrie Stakes. From near the outside ofl the 16 runners. Topsy will hanfly be expected to nil with Susan Jane and the] likely pacesetter, Brazen] (Lady, but she might well finish the mile — a pretty tough course at Te Arolia — better! |than any. ] Rich Return was outstanding last season, especially in the second half, when she won the Manawatu Sires* Produce Stakes, Great Northern

Champagne Stakes and WakeIfield Challenge Stakes. I In Melbourne last spring Rich Return showed nothing lof her best and it was not until home again, at Hawera. that she recovered. She has had three races meanwhile and won the last two. Angel’s Smile, a Waverley mare, seemed only a little better than ordinary when in the Waikato last spring. An indication of the improvement she has made is her three firsts, inchiding one in the Anniversary Handicap at Trentham, from her last five starts. Last time she was a close third behind Rich Return over seven furlongs at Woodville.