TROTTING Tactics will probably decide result of final

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32542, 27 February 1971, Page 8

TROTTING Tactics will probably decide result of final

(By

G. K. YULE)

Driving tactics over the first two furlongs will probably influence the outcome of the $40,000 Inter-Dominion Championship Grand Final to be run at Addington Raceway at 2.45 p.m. today.

Deep Court, generally thought to be the pick of the four Australian horses in the race, might adopt the role of pacemaker, but he is not going to get to the front the easy way.

Deep Court will again be aided by hopple shorteners,

which were last Saturday used for the first time. Whereas he had tangled away from the barrier in two earlier starts, he got away well, only to meet with two checks. In the circumstances he did well to finish second to Manaroa. His owner-trainer, R. E. Whiting, thinks Deep Court is capable of leading all the way, and rates him a tremen-

dous stayer. If he is able to get clear, he will keep the pace a strong one. Two of the other good beginners on the limit are Bramble Hall and Junior’s Image. Junior’s Image has drawn No. 3 and will start inside Deep Court, with Bramble Hall down to start from No. 6.

i If all three get away ■ reasonably well it will be a torrid first furlong and a half before one of them works to a clear advantage. A strong pace over this section will probably assist the chances of Stella Frost and Manaroa. Stella Frost is expected to have made up much of her handicap at the end of the first furlong and it will depend on how the field is running whether D. J. Townley remains at the rear of the bunch or starts to move her up on the outside. Manaroa, "The Press” selection for the race, is expected to begin cleanly from 12 yards. He is unlikely to be near the bunch after the first furlong, but if he races in his usual manner he will be with the tailenders a round from the finish.

Then, it is expected that A. M. Harrison will call on Manama’s great speed and stamina to work into a reasonably handy position by the time the field reaches the half-mile and then rely on his courage to hold off all challenges over a gruelling last furlong. Safe beginner A horse such as Holy Hal could also be seen in the role of pacemaker at some stage of the race. He is

Townley leads

D. J. Townley Is almost ! assured of the *350 to be awarded 1 to the most successful trainer in ’ all races over the three nights - and one day of the Inter-Dom- ! Inion Championship carnival. He leads in both the training and driving sections, both of which are worth *350 to the winner, but he might be headed in the driving section. After three nights Townley has 20 points among the trainers, being 10 points in front of D. Todd and J. H. Winter. Townley’s only representative today will be Stella Frost, but even if she is unplaced, it is difficult to Imagine any of the others gaining sufficient points to head him. C. & Hunter and G. B. Noble each have nine points while C. J. McLaughlin has eight. Townley also has 20 points on the list of drivers, being three in front of R. Young, who has a great chance of overhauling the leader today. Townley at this stage has only the drive behind Stella Frost, while Young’s drives include Sassenach, Merrin, Frosty Lass, Deference, Hakim, Selwyn Hanover. and Royal Deeside. K. Balloch is in third place with 10 points, followed by C. S. Hunter, with nine, and A. M. Harrison and D. Mangos, with eight. The runner-up in each of the training and driving sections will receive *lOO, while *5O will be paid to the stablehands in charge of the winners of the pacing and trotting finals. All of the awards have been made by Benson and Hedges. Junior’s Image sold ; i The West Australian pacer, Junior’s Image, has been sold , for a five-figure sum to the In- ' ternational Bloodstock Agency, of Melbourne, acting on behalf of a ; New York owner. J But Junior’s Image will still race in the interests of Mrs E. Johnson, of Wembley, near Perth, in the *40,000 Pacers’ Grand Final at Addington Raceway to- ' From his last 18 starts Junior’s ! Image has gained 14 wins and four seconds, the last three of ' those minor platings being in the three qualifying heats for today’s ■ Grand Final. \

usually a safe beginner, but he has drawn wide and he might have to take the lead to secure a reasonable run in the middle stages. However, he is not beginning quite as quickly as earlier in his career and K. Balloch may be prepared to wait until the final quarter before asking him for a serious sprint.

i Sassenach, Friendly Forbes ‘ and the others in the, race are all capable of ensuring a thrilling 13 furlongs and the horse receiving the lucky breaks over the final furlong will be the one to take the winner’s prize of $26,000 and a gold cup valued at $6OO. Stamina, too, will determine the outcome of the Trotters’ Grand Final, a race in which Light View, Johnny Gee and Retep’s Pride form a likely trio, although Geffin, the youngest horse in the field, is expected to be a major threat. Fair Play, which will be bracketed with Light View, will be driven by R. M. Cameron.