Marchere should win again

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

Marchere should win again

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND. Although outnumbered more than two one by the colts and geldings, fillies seem likely to fill the first three placings in the Championship Stakes at Avondale tomorrow.

The likes of Sailing Home, Kia Marea, Young Ida and Ajasco have helped make the present season a wonderful one for fillies and mares. Marchere became the latest of her sex to take a big prize, just a week ago in the All Aged Stakes, Te Aroha.

The all-aged stakes was a mile and Marchere ran it out so well as to leave hardly a doubt that she would manage the further two furlongs she is required to go this time. Because of the wet track, ■ Marchere did not get a chance at the Great Northern Oaks, a mile and a half, but she went a very solid 10 furlongs at Awapuni last month when second to Young Ida in the Century Stakes. The Te Aroha race was her only one since and she will probably be the better for it when she runs tomorrow.

Sheralee, such a good performer during the spring, ran only moderately against Marchere in the All-Aged

Stakes. She is to meet Marchere 41b better but that is hardly a sufficient amount to get her in front of her rival in this one.

What might help Sheralee against both Marchere and Neat is a change to very soft going. Sheralee is capable enough in such conditions, Neat a bit doubtful and Marchere very uncomfortable indeed. Neat is a model of consistency and quite the most improved three-year-old filly of the season. Over a mile she downed Marchere in the South Auckland Breeders’ Plate at Ellerslie on March 4 and Yung Ida was all out to beat her in the Great Northern Oaks.

Marchere had to give Neat 51b in the Ellerslie event of March 4 and they are to meet on almost exactly the same terms.

The Great Northern Oaks was Neat’s last race. The time before she overcame a serious check to finish third in the Stars Travel Invitation Stakes at Tauranga and that was right on top of her win at Ellerslie. Allowed reasonably firm footing, Henry Tudor might well be the best of the colts and geldings. On a heavy track Aito would come into favour but it would be a surprise, under any conditions, if one of the others was successful.