Form runners abound in Geraldine event

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 8

Form runners abound in Geraldine event

If recent form proves the best guide picking winners of most of the races at Orari today should be no trouble at all. But the race which might pose all sorts of problems is the Raukapuka Handicap, the last event on the card.

The problem for patrons will not arise from a lack of form runners.

Instead, they are likely to find too many to

choose from in what should be one of the Geraldine Trotting Chib’s best betting events.

The Raukapuka Handicap attracted a field of 16, of which no less than six were

last-start winners. In addition to these, more than half of the others have winning form close up on their records. One of the last-start winners bound to be high on the list of fancied runners is Heather Royal. She made a big impression when successful on the final night of the cup meeting at Addington Raceway last Saturday. The prospects for Agnostic, Mary Sirrah, Philandering, Royal Lee, and Samaion

must also be highly rated but they might not have much stronger backing than Excellence, Fantastic, Goodvan, Ladies* Pride, Russley John, or Sherwood Em, which have all performed very promisingly at times this season. The Geraldine Cup lost one of its strongest form runners yesterday when Stereo Light dropped out of the field. But he was not the only talented two-miler in the first leg of the T.A.B. concession double.

If Vanadium runs up to his best form the cup should be little more than a one-horse event. But if this very good four-year-old makes one of his tardy beginnings the chances are that victory will go to Pacific Pearl or one ot the Orari stablemates, Dee Pee or Young Trouble. If winning form proves the best form in the second leg, the President’s Handicap, the honours should go to Totara Jack. But he is unlikely to have things all his own way if Hobart Lord and Tom Hanover come up with peak runs.

Bay Star and Ar Miss will be a popular combination for the on-course concession double, which will be run on the Waihi Improvers’ Handicap and the Orari Challenge Stakes.