Geffin big drawcard

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32565, 26 March 1971, Page 4 (Supplement)

Geffin big drawcard

The appearance of Geffin (shown below) in the Australian Handicap, and the meeting between the two topranked two-year-old fillies, Barbara Del and Roydon Roux, in the Two-year-old Stakes, will be the highlights of the first night of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s autumn meeting tomorrow.

Geffin stands out among the trotters to have raced this season, and he confirmed this ranking when he overcame difficulties to win the Trotting Grand Final at Addington Raceway on February 27. Since then he has won his three races with a minimum of effort, the latest being at Auckland on March 13 when he had an advantage of half a length over Frosty Lass. Geffin, only a four-year-old has had seven wins this season. Altogether he has had 12 wins and six placing for $19,260 in stakes. In some ways he looks to be harshly

handicapped on‘ 30 yards, being in receipt of only six yards from Johnny Gee, the winner of $52,900. However, he will be on a luxury mark when he reverts to open handicap racing as he is assessed at 2min 13sec, the accepted limit for such races as the Dominion Handicap and the Rowe Cup. Everything points to him having some fine pickings next season.

In his present form Geffin should be untroubled to win the Australian Handicap even at his disadvantage in the handicaps. The last time he won on the course he beat Beau Winter, Paula and Precocious, all of which are among his rivals in tomorrow’s race.

Paula will meet him on 12 yards more favourable terms and the other two will be 30 yards better off. Even so it is unlikely they will be able to master their younger rival.

Three months ago Roydop Roux was accepted as the top two-year-old of the season, but since then she has hot gone so well in standing start races and - there are many prepared to rate Barbara Del as her superior. -

Those who saw Barbara Del win the Leonard Memorial Stakes at Rangiora last Saturday think she might have the edge on Roydon Roux as far as speed is concerned, and it certainly appears as though her racing manners are superior. The two fillies Will start from 12 yards tomorrow, with Barbara Del probably starting favourite after her win in the Welcome Stakes, followed by her success at the Cheviot meeting. But there will be strong off-course support for Roydon Roux as a result? of her mobile start success at Auckland last week, her 2min 6 2-ssec for the mile being a most imppressive run. The pick of the colts and geldings will probably be Kilat, a rather unlucky third in the Welcome Stakes and an impressive winner at the Ashburton trials on Tuesday, while Bachelor Star, Individual, Mile Hanover and Regal Garrison should make a bold bid to take part in the finish. Carimia is another filly expected to race prominently, but Barbara Del should again hold her safely even with her disadvantage of 12 yards in the handicaps.