Start for Vanadium still in doubt

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32902, 28 April 1972, Page 1 (Supplement)

Start for Vanadium still in doubt

By

G. K. Yule

A decision on a start for Vanadium in the Queenstown Handicap tomorrow at Forbury Park will be made today. An American buyer has an option to buy the four-year-old and this will expire today. If the sale is completed, a start for Vanadium is most unlikely.

Vanadium wifi only i have to produce a peak run to be too good for this field, which emphasises the lack of depth in the class of horse remaining in intermediate company. In the absence of Vanadium, the bracket of Boy Louw and Crystal John would dominate betting. Boy Louw was a narrow but impressive winner last Saturday on the searching Methven course. He received a shocking run and came With a determined run at the end of two miles after starting from 24 yards. Crystal John was rather disappointing when sixth on Tuesday at Addington. He is much better than that run suggested and has shown fine form in the past at Forbury Park. Bachelor Blue's return to form on Tuesday was welcome, but the pace was slack until the last quarter, which enabled him to overcome the disadvantage of an unfavourable run. He is one of the

more exciting prospects in this and if he is to measure up to the top pacing company he will need to make a prominent showing. Of the others possibly Goldric will be the most likely to improve on his efforts of Tuesday, although Alpha Girl is racing gene-| rously at present and she will at least be a place chance. Morpheus and Pacific Pearl have been racing well from back marks in the last few weeks and they look much more favourably placed from No. 3 and No. 1 respectively, especially as the mobile barrier will be used for the

I Army Handicap. If they race anywhere near their best, they should dispute the finish. The second meeting within a week between Lightsey and Lottie’s Express in the Lawrence Handicap, for three-year-olds, will be a highlight of the night. Lottie’s Express beat Lightsey by a length over 13 furlongs at Methven on Saturday and tomorrow she will meet the colt on 12 yards less favourable terms. In the meantime she forced most of the pace and held on for a close second to Ar Miss in the New Zealand Oaks on Tuesday. If Lightsey can take full advantage of his start of 12 yards from the filly, he should go close to gaining an overdue win. Pippo, the winner of two similar races at the Dunedin Festival Cup meeting earlier in the year, will be another popular fancy.