Fine fields at Avondale

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 1 (Supplement)

Fine fields at Avondale

"The Fresi" Special Service AUCKLAND. The stage looks set for a memorable day’s racing at Avondale tomorrow. The fields are of top quality, enriched by a team of South Island gallopers. There are four doubles for oncourse betters and, as well, a triella jackpot. In short, the programme offers something which has been sadly lacking in New Zealand racing—variety. So, even the losers might leave the course happy. The Wellington Racing Club broke new ground when it ran six doubles at its last meeting in July. Apart from the TAB. double, these were "true” doubles. Both legs were bought at the same time. There is a difference tomorrow. All the Avondale doubles, and naturally the T.A.B. double, are on the exchange basis. The T.A.B. concession double will be on the C. B. Clarke Memorial and the Sheriff Handicap. Both events are crammed with interesting runners. SOUTHERN ENTRIES The Clarke Memorial’s nine runners include two from the South Island—the top-weight, Watallan, from Wingatui, and Stormy Seas,, from Invercargill. Between them they have collected 29 wins. Watallan, an eight-year-old, is on the first leg of a trip to Melbourne for bigger fish than the Clarke Memorial. Also destined for Melbourne is Skint Dip, a Te Rapa five-year-old, which might, perhaps, have the biggest following of all tomorrow.

With Melbourne on their programme, both would have to be up to running pretty well. And that, for horses of their calibre, means winning or going close. Tiromai, from Woodville, as the winner of five of his last eight attempts, would command attention on that score alone, but added to this is the fact he is trained by

S. A. Brown, who just does not send horses to far-off places for a change of scenery. He expects nothing less than the best from them, and he is seldom proved wrong. For air the strength of the southern opposition, however, the major prize might remain in the north. Beau Dee, Bevlyn and Fort Street, all impressive last-start winners and all thoroughly seasoned and proficient in heavy footing, will not be pushovers. SOLID FORM At six years, Beau Dee has come to very solid form. His fitness won him a hard mile at Ellerslie last week and the distance tomorrow should be more to his liking. His win was preceded by two middledistance placings, when he was only nearing his peak. Bevlyn won easily last time, over 11 furlongs at Ellerslie, and seems as well now as then.

Fort Street led all the way at Tauranga over 10| furlongs, and a good many victories have been achieved that way at Avondale. The second leg, the Sheriff Handicap, contains such quality gallopers as Tashi, Sheralee and Mighty Concorde, and a fleet-footed little fellow named Prince Amura.

Tashi and Prince Amura both had hard race's at Ellerslie last week when they finished first and third respectively in the Admiralty Handicap. Mighty Concorde, second to Prince Amura at Ellerslie 10 days earlier, might have the final say this time. FREAKISH Sheralee, the champion two-year-old last season, has not. raced since April 17 and she may not be quite at her best. She ought to be carefully considered all the same. Several of her performances last term were almost freakishly good. The trieila will cover the Endeavour Handicap, Clarke Handicap, and the Manderson Handicap. First and second, irrespective of order, are required in all three races, and if the pool is not struck it will carry over to the second day of the meeting tomorrow week and terminate.