Promising Modemate picked

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32636, 18 June 1971, Page 1 (Supplement)

Promising Modemate picked

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. Modernate, a highly promising stayer, has the sort of finishing run which can beat most fields. He might do just that to some 17 opponents tomorrow in the Winter Handicap at Awapuni.

Modemate left hacks several weeks ago with some useful performances and his last two starts, in open class, were particularly impressive.

Two races back he came from virtually last on the turn to run Ayub Khan to a

short next at Foxton. In his last start he ran a similar race at Masterton to be just behind with the major placegetters. He has not yet won in open class, which means he has only a pound above the minimum, and Awapuni will suit his style as well as either of the other tracks. Practice is improving and seems ready to win soon. He ran fifth twice at Wanganui

but has not done enough recently to get himself off the 7st 111 b minimum, so with last Saturday’s winner. Frigate, he will g- - e the trainer, T. McNeil, a strong hand. Chill went wHI enough last week for third without the best of runs in the straight. She should run 11 | furlongs as well as 10 and

has not risen in weight from the Bst 101 b she carried last week. Bardall is the top-weight with Bst 131 b. He is probably the best horse in the field but has not had a lot of recent racing. He finished out of the money in Kirrama’s Stars Travel Stakes at Tauranga on April 3 and did

not run again till June 5, when he was a most promising fifth in a mile at Ellerslie.

It seems clear he is forward, but in the hard slog of winter- conditions a horse does not want to be below his best. Tramore’s continuing good form makes him a leading hope for the second leg, the Members’ Handicap. Tramore ran second to Tantara three starts ago at Marton, improved on that by winning

at Otaki, and last week came from the back for fourth to Tassel.

Mias got a bad run last week in the sprint and, considering his sprinting had been good for weeks, he should be the biggest danger to Tramore.

Britannicus has been just as consistent. He finished very well for second to Tassel last week after giving away a good deal of ground —a luxury few horses can afford in fields of this size.

Tantara is another which has been racing well for some time. She won easily at Marton six weeks ago. and at Rotorua on May 29 finished fourth over six furlongs. She seems solid enough to run seven at this stage of the season despite the difficult ground.