TROTTING Armbro Jodie is favoured today

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33083, 25 November 1972, Page 8

TROTTING Armbro Jodie is favoured today

Form shown by the three-year-olds which raced during the New Zealand Gup meeting at Addington indicates a close contest in the Orari Challenge Stakes at the Geraldine Trotting Club’s meeting today.

Armbro Jodie’s recordbreaking win in the First Riccarton Stakes on New Zealand Cup day was an outstanding effort and entitles her to favouritism in today’s event. Annbro Jodie, a member of f. S. Dalgety’s West Melton learn, broke the New Zealand tecord for a three-year-old aver a mile and a quarter from

a standing start. Her time of 2min 36 2-ssec beat the time set in 1960 by Jay Ar, by l-ssec. The Eagle Armbro filly lost her chance in the New Zealand Derby Stakes when she met trouble in the early stages. With a reasonable run from the 12-yard mark today she should be the hardest to beat. Lady Hodgen, which has been most unlucky not to win a race this season, made much of the pace when Armbro Jodie set the record and from the front today, with her usual good beginning, she is certain to be prominent for a

long way. Great Chase, a stablemate of the Derby winner, Willie Win, finished second to Eblouir in the Second Riccarton Stakes on Show Day. He is racing generously at present and might add to the good record of his trainer, R. H. Negus, who has had six wins this season. Eblouir, which impressed with his Addington win, and Rebel Caste, which recorded

a fast time when third in the First Canterbury Stakes, will both start from the 12-yard mark and are entitled to respect in an even field. Waitaki Star and Royal Cheval, both winners at the Kaikoura meeting, and Holmfield may be the best of the others. The Orari Challenge Stakes will be the second leg of the on-course concession double. The first leg will be on the Waihi Handicap, for which Marigold, a dual place-getter at Addington is strongly fancied.

Another three-year-old certain to attract considerable attention is Kotare Scott, the runner-up in the Derby. He is engaged in the final event, the Raukapuka Handicap, for which he will be a shortpriced favourite. Form shown by him and other three-year-olds engaged in the Orari Challenge Stakes may decide the favourites for the New Brighton Three-year-old Stakes on Saturday, an event for youngsters which have won at least one race.