RACING Curly Wave fancied at Ellerslie

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33382, 14 November 1973, Page 8

RACING Curly Wave fancied at Ellerslie

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. Easing of the track yesterday, however slight, has greatly helped the chance of the Victorian jockey, R. Higgins, in the lATA International Stakes at Ellerslie todav.

Higgins is on Curly Wave, a good galloper at any time and an exceptional one on soft or heavy ground.

Higgins, on Game, beat, all except L. Piggot on Sailing Home when last in New Zealand, at Te Rapa nearly two years ago. His charm and obvious riding skill made a big impression and there is no doubt he would be a most popular winner this time, even over the several local favourites who will also be competing. None of the other overseas jockeys in today’s race—J. Guce (the Philippines), J. C. Desaint (France), A. Pineda (United States), and B. Taylor (England) has been to New Zealand or even Australia before but they are accomplished riders obviously, with the experience to do well even in the most unfamiliar surroundings. Curly Wave was only one of the horses beaten by a cracking pace in the Avondale Gold Cup last Saturday, and a check he received on the home turn settled any last hope he might have had of reaching the money. The previous time, in the wet at Trentham on October 22. Curly Wave won a weight-for-age 2000 m by 12 lengths, a remarkable margin even if the seven which trailed him home were mainly moderate in ability and put out by the conditions. Wiremu and Kiwi Can which seem the biggest threats to Curly Wave, will both be ridden by New Zealanders, D. Wyatt having drawn Wiremu and N. Harris Kiwi Can. Wiremu is another stayer,

inclined to get back in the early running, but Kiwi Can is such a quick gelding that he has been able to go well with the best sprinters. Except for Pineda, who is unlucky that his original mount, Montel, had to be scratched, the overseas jockeys are able to say, at least, that their horses are in good form. At their best Sharda (Guce), Master Morgan (Desaint), and Oncide (Taylor) would be well up to winning. The T.A.B. double will be on the I.A.T.A. International and the President’s Handicap.

Fields are:— 11.45 a.m.— N.Z. HOST AIRLINES HURDLES, $2450; 2760m.—Star Of Avon (9) 61.5; Paemako Prince (3) 61; Motumate (4) 60; Specialist (5) 59.5; Oio (12) 59; Bonnybard (8), Daylight (6) 58; Sharzan (7) 57.5; Friendly Pal (11), Royal Tip (2), Scottish Pardon (10) Triple Test (1) 57. 12.25 p.m.— THE QANTAS HANDICAP, $2200; 1200m.—Rishon (4) 56; Portrayal (2) 54; Gold Reward (8), Guideville (16) 53; Testamali (3) 52.5; Dardo (1), Gunpower (24) 52; Nouvelle (9), Proud Hagen (12) 51.5; Dawn Crest (17) 51; Ron Krete (13) 50.5; Angel’s Gold (11) Lord Rizzio (15), Oma’s Oak (14) 50; Elamite (5), Dallas Emm (22), Lady Ezra (19), Riff Kin (18) 49.5. Balloted out in order of reentry; Kangitata (6), Janson (23), Steady Lad (7) 49. Scratched: Lord Trustful (20), Forever Fair (21), Persian Princess (10). 1.5 p.m.— THE PHILLIPINES AIRLINES APPRENTICE HANDICAP, $2200; 1600in.—Peter Puckle (5) 58; Galley (13) 56.5; Rumba Royal (14) 55.5; Battling On (15) 55; Harleigh Blows (19) 54.5; Skite (11) 54; St Lawrence (3) 53.5; Attorney (1), Crown Hill (17) 53; Easter Boy (7) 52.5; Bonny Explorer (4), Coity Lad (6), Executive (18). Mahal (8) 52; Hosanna 10). Fille De Jour (23), My Julie (16). Victory Jim (20) 51.5. Balloted out in order of reentry: Beau Centaur (12), Hidden Gold (2) 51.5; Biloela (21), Fearless Fred (24) 51. Scratched: La Mesa (9). Brightson (22). 1.50 p.m.— UTA FRENCH AIRLINES HANDICAP, $2200; 1800m.—Ever So Bright (18) 54.5; Lord Shifnal (10), Proud Hero (17), Sanyo (15) 54; White Crest (14) 53.5; Early Born (8), Bold Devil (4) 52; Absolve (20), Castlebar (16), Quarter Arms (21) 51; Lardalette (1) 50.5; Karalli (11), Kunjarwadl (6), Kinscem (3) Courante (12), 49.5; Eastern Love (7) 48.5. Scratched: Meltona (22), Pretty Swift (9), Stipe (5), Tropic Sands (2) Analight (13). Kinscem (3), Golden Levant (19). FIRST LEG OF T.A.B. DOUBLE 2.40 p.m.— I.A.T.A. INTERNATIONAL STAKES

000 Brogue (7) 57.0 Scratched: Montel (11).

,3.25 p.m.— PACIFIC HANDICAP, $3000; 1400m.—Pheroz Jewel (5) 55.5; Captain Jason (8) 54: Tensynd (li 51; Centauri (18). Jackee (9), 49.5; Gilbert (3), King Richard (6) 49; Copen Bay (10), Indian's 'Dilemma (17), Primeval (15) 48.5; Drama Lass (13), Gay Poriko (7). Llanmarie (IB). Rich Command (4), Roussa Bibi (11) 48. Scratched: Jandell (14), Enchanting Lady (2), March On (12). SECOND LEG OF T.A.B. DOUBLE 4.5 p.m.— PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP $4000; 1200 m. 2166 Prince Amura (4) 59.0 1121 King's Romance (5) 58.0 7002 Gay Prince (8) 52.5 Shifon (6) 52.0 5422 Corrandulla (7) 49.5 St Crispian (1) 49.5 4057 Matapu (10) 48.5 13 Regal Sal (3) 48.0 9292 Solar Boy (2) 48.0 270 Uranui (9) 48.0 Scratched: Moonrock (11). 4.45 p.m.— BRITISH AIRWAYS HANDICAP, $4000; 1600 m. — Kalgoorlie (2) 58; Mr Sovereign (18) 52; Gold Realm (16) 50.5; Ballandine (22), Corroboree (12) 50; Moonlighter (17) 49.5; Dee Light (8), Ernader (14), Fair Fun (7), Nelsonian (6) 49; First Edition (5) 48.5; Cuyler (11), Kia Maia (25), Manchero (9), Norelco (10), Orcades (4) 47.5; Bonnie Honey (23), Intent (15), Mikasa (1), Gold Whistle (24) 47. Balloted out in order of reentry: King Roy (3) Tetrarch’s Gift (21), Tagerty (13). Mr Hing (26) 47. Brackets: King Roy and Tetrarch’s Gift; Tagerty and Mr Hing, Scratched: Mogador (19), Etosha (20).

$15,600; 2200m. 1780 Battle Heights (8) G. Willetts 58.5 5129 Fort Hagen (13) J. Riordan 58.5 0412 Kiwi Can (12) N. Harris 58.5 1224 Sharda (3) J. Guce 58.5 0000 Valiant Warrior (15) R. Skelton 58.5 67 Wlremu (4) D. Wyatt 58.5 417 Curly Wave (6) R. Higgins 57.0 ’ 1114 Master Morgan (10) J. C. Desaint 57.0 3120 Syndrome (14) W. Skelton 57.0. 7070 Hasty Mln (5) A. Robinson 56.0 915 Oncide (1) B. Taylor 56.0 6090 Tambellna (9) A. Pineda 56.0: 4111 Kylie Maree (2) B. Andrews 54.51 6334 Paterangi (16) M. Skelton 50.0 Balloted out with right of reentry:—