Wiremu picked at Waikato

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32774, 26 November 1971, Page 1 (Supplement)

Wiremu picked at Waikato

Wiremu seems poised to complete a notable double of big staying races with the Waikato Gold Cup at Te Rapa tomorrow. Wiremu took the Avondale Gold Cup in his last race.

From his weight at Avondale Wiremu is up 81b to 8.4 but his handicap is nevertheless 101 b less than he would be carrying at weight-for-age. Skint Dip won when the same age, a four-year-old last year under 8.6.

Wiremu has thrived since he won at Avondale and, with the conditions very much his way after overnight rain, he revelled in a strong nine-fur-long gallop at Matamata yesterday morning. Wiremu won the Avondale Cup very decisively, but the finish for the fest Of the money was close, with Breathalyser, Sailing Home and Habanita close up behind Mighty Pal in the third, fourth and fifth placings. Breathalyser, Sailing Home and Habanita did sufficiently well to make certain their positions amongst the favourites for tomorrow.

Breathalyser was a trifle unlucky in not getting clear until late. Both Sailing Home and Habanita rah on well as. they do usually. In the nfeantime Habanita won easily over 10 furlongs at Dargaville last Saturday, and in spite of a rehandicap she is in the Waikato race with 61b less, 8-0. While Habanita met none as good as Wiremu, Sailing Home or Breathalyser at Dargaville her performance looked a pretty good trial for Te Rapa. Breathalyser had been a disappointment lately until

Avondale; perhaps she is on the verge form like that which made her such a good three-year-old last season. Sailing Home, for quite a while, has been one of the best stayers. Peshawar and Harleigh March, from Takanini, and Willie Can and Gazzara, from Matamata, look the best prospects for the second leg of the T.A.B. concession double, the Grandstand Handicap, with Second Chance another to be considered. Neither Peshawar, because of a wide barrier draw, nor Harleigh March, because of a sore heel, ran at Te Rapa last Saturday. Gazzara, scratched because of the heavy ground, also missed racing last week-end, but all three have trained on well this week.