RACING Sharda likely to give Sydney rider win at Te Rapa today

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33463, 19 February 1974, Page 9

RACING Sharda likely to give Sydney rider win at Te Rapa today

“The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND. The last international meeting at Te Rapa, just two years ago, was something to remember, and the one today promises to be no less of a racing occasion. The horses in the two big invitation events are probably the best that could be gathered, their riders the cream of Australian and New Zealand horsemen, a champion Englishman, and a leading Canadian. - ,

It was a dream result for the Waikato Racing Club last time when L. Piggott, on Sailing Home, won from R. Higgins, of Melbourne, on Game.

The two horses were undoubtedly among the top few in New Zealand at the time, and they were handled with all the skill that might have ben expected from two such accomplished riders. Neither Piggott nor Higgins seems to have been quite as lucky in the ballot for mounts in today’s International Invitation Stakes. Manchero, certainly, was the runner-up in the last Wellington Cup, and Peter Puckle has a recent middle-distance win at Ellerslie to his credit. But, under weight-for-age conditions, they will meet several opponents worse than they would in a handicap. Pick of field The best of the field are Sharda, from Otaki, Fury’s Order, from Hawera, Peg’s Pride, from Cambridge, and Kaukapakapa. from Awapuni.

An Australian, K. Langby,! of Svdnev, drew the mount; on Sharda. R. Skelton secured Fury's Order, his brother W. Skelton Kaukapakapa, and D. Peake Peg’s Pride. If I-xnrty isn’t given a good ride by Sharda. It win be right against the horse’s usual form as a sprinter and middle distance runner. He failed to get 3200 metres In the Auckland Cup but his performances otherwise during the season have been consistently good. Although now eight years old, Sharda has unusual speed. He will probably be up near the pacemaking with Kaukapakapa Peg’s Pride and Fury's Order ean be expected to get through the first 100 metres or so further back in the field YALENTED STAYER

Fur>’» Order ta the only three-year-old in the event and it a remarkably talented stayer, as be showed when winning the New Zealand Derby, three starts back at Ellerslie, from a seemingly hopeless posiUon with 800 metres to go. As a rider of stayers. R. J. Skelton Is second to none. He believes in allowing his mounts to settled comfortably into an early pace, so that Fury’s Order will perhaps again be a fair •ay back early in the race. SECOND LEG

If the weather la suitable, a track record Is near certain, and a New Zealand record la a distinct possibility in the Thibenzole International Sprint, the second leg of the double.

Several of the 12 runners are in the right form to go 1400 metres at a cracking pace, and all at some time, have shown exceptional sprinting ability. Piggott with HLBing, and L Duffy, the Canadian, who will ride An Illusion, should be pleased with their luck and S. Aitken iTashi vid L. Olsen (Lovely Hon”v • Melbourne and Syd-

ney respectively, have no cause for complaint. However, there is hardly a runner which does not merit consideration. Dee Light (B. Andrews) Pharoz Jewel (N. Harris) and Pure Luck (R. Skelton) look good chances. HI-BING IMPRESSIVE Hi-Bing won 1400 metres Impressively at Te Rapa In November. He is owned and trained by Mr T. H. Knowles, and his being ridden by Piggott might well make him the favourite.

Hi-Bing finished fifth over 1400 metres at Avondale on February 6 and the run probably improved him. as he had been given a short rest to recover from the Auckland Cup race. An Illusion, a five-year-old mare from Wanganui, had a brilliant win in the 1600 metres George Adams Handicap at Trentham on January 26, and Pheroz Jewel won the corresponding Auckland Racing Club George Adams Handicap two starts ago. An Illusion finished third in the weight-for-age Jackson Stakes, at Wanganui and Pheroz Jewell was about equal with HiBing at Avondale. SELECTIONS 12.20 p.m.—New Jersey Handicap: Yosan, Boulder Block, Brldgemlst. 1 p.m.—Melbourne Highweight: Sligo, Biloela, Murdoch. 1.45 p.m.—Sydney Handicap: Blanco Sol, Tansynd, Soma Honey. 215 p.m.—London Handicap: Heldsleck, Tauber, Career Girl. 3.15 p.m.—lnvitation Stakes: Sharda, Fury's Order, Peg's Pride. 4 p.m.—President's Handicap: Kon Krete, Ida Marla, St Peter. 4.45 p.m.—Thlbenxole International: HI-Blng, An Illusion, Pheroz Jewel. 5.30 p.m.—British Airways $3OOO. Chesslngton, Sahrano, Slips. 4.10 p.m.—Toronto Handicap-. Flewalong, All Hands, Cuban Bella. Fields are: 12.20 p.m.— NEW JERSEY HANDICAP, S18UO; two-year-olds; 1200 m— Bridgemist (14) 54; Yosan (8) 52; Boulder Block (9), Cream Puff (ID, Duskv Satchel (5), Sugar Rio (15) 51.5; Amatua (18), Taison (12) 50.5; Garbo Gold (10), Indian Ruler (1) 49.5; Rosie’s Girl (2), Sobeiski (6), Vibeke (16) 49; Finnuala (17i, La Cite (4), Mirlshka (71 48.5; Beau Volant (13), Bridie Girl (19) 48. Balloted out with right of reentry: Blue Oak (3) 48. 1 p.m.— MELBOURNE HIGH-WEIGHT, $1800; 1600m.—Dyak (2) 65.5; Sligo (8) 61; Arrant (17) 60.5; Beau Rou’e '2O) 60; Denkavit (3) 59.5; Murdoch (10) 58; Arralane 1(7), Biloela (19), Plnjarra (18), Sue Maree (11) 57.5; Dlophon (16), Harleyford (15), Our Gael (12), Shoni (2), Supreme Gift (4), Tipler (13) 57.

Balloted out in order of reentry: Lincoln Gold (221. My Comfort (9) 57; Clipton (6), Tanjle Fair (5) 57.5.

Scratched: Castle Fermoy 114), Port De Far (1).

1.45 p.m.— SYDNEY HANDICAP, $2000; 1400m.—Blanco Sol (8) 58; Tensvnd (9) 53; Floral Show (7) 51; Come In Spinner (6), Poseur (2) 50; James Angus (1), Some Honey

2.25 p.m.— LONDON HANDICAP, $1800: 1400m.—Career Girl (2) 57; El Taazl (23). Heldsleck (12), Prince Miles (20), St Stephen (22) 55; Guenvale (4) 54.5; Rangltata (15) 54; Tauber (6) 53.5; Panatella (7) 53; Armour Lad (3). Bobby Magee (16). Fare Thee Well (10), Fine Praise (19), Lord Rlzzlo (18), Rich Command (14). Showv Countess (8) Squiddly Diddlv (21) 52.5.

Balloted out In order of reentry: Primeval (1), Shellwin (5), Yennyp (13) 52. Scratched: Kaikama (17), Periphial (11), Tama’s Mate (9).

3.15 p.m.— NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL INVITATION

$20,000; weight-for-age; 2200 m. 1119 Battle Heights (16) 58.0

B. Andrews 2931 Count Kereru (10) 58.0

N. Harris 412 Harleigh Blows (9) 58.0 G. Willetts 0623 Kaukapakapa (1) 58.0

W. Skelton 1292 Sharda (6) 58.0 K. Langbv (N.S.W.) 5714 Wool Awav (3) 58.0

1,. Duffy (Can.) 0455 Baroque (4) 57.0 L. Olsen (N.S.W.) 5287 Curly Wave (14) S. Aitken (Vic.) 6220 Manchero (ID 57.0 L. Piggott (Eng ) 1304 Peter Puckle (15) 57.0 R. Higgins (Vic.) 7261 Peg's Pride (2) 55.5

D. Peake 7172 Furv's Order (8) 52.0 R. Skelton Emergencies in order of reentry:

2056 SuiZU (13) 58.0 8150 Tea 13) 58 0 1429 Kia Mala (5) 55.5 Scratched: Apollo Eleven (7). PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP, $2200; 1600m.—Ida Marie (9) 57: Kon Krete HO). St Peter (7) 55: Alclndor (4) 52.5: Gold Reward (1) 52: Gold Came (B>. Luigi (3) 51; Trend Setter (2) 49; Big Shot 75), Hi Fujln (6), Zoroaster (11) 48

4.4 S p.m.— THIBENZOLE INTERNATIONAL

SPRINT $15,000; weight-for-age; 1400 m. 8161 First Edition (10) 57.5 R. Higgins (Vic.) 2305 HI-Blng (13) 57.0 L. Piggott (Eng). 5540 Kina's Romance (16) 57.5 G. Willetts 1312 St Clspian (9) 57.5 W. Skelton 2292 Sharif 16) 57.5 D. Peake 0131 Tashi <4l 57.5 S. Aitken (Vic.) 15201 Dee-Liaht (2) 57.0 B. Andrews 8013 An Illusion i 3) 56.0 L. Duffy (Can., 0112 Lovely Honev i’s) 56.0 L. Olsen (N.S.W.) 730 Prince Shlfnal (11) 53.0 K. Langhy (N.S.W.) 2216 Pheroz Jewel (11) 51.5 N. Harris 442 Pure Luck (7) 51.5 R. Skelton Emergencies in order of reentry:

3223 Ernader (15) 55.5 Strike Again (14) 57.5 809 Mr Dan (8) 57.0 Scratched: Battle Eve (12). 5.30 p.m.— BRITISH RAILWAYS "3000", 83000; 3200m—Grandfoso (10) 56.5; Slips (13) 56; Falsetto (7) 55; Bacardi (8) 53; Chesslngton (1) 52; Quick Answer (20), Sahrano (17) 51.5; Kip Again (2), Shiran! (12) 50.5; Attain (5) 50: Ftimbler (4) 49: Arrogant Beau (16), El Torito (9) 48.5: Aborkra (15). Aureleate (6), Captain Gen-

eral (3), Open Sesame (11), Silver Threads (5), Bonnybard (19), Sldgrae (18) 48. Balloted out in order of reentry:

6.10 p.m.— TORONTO HANDICAP, $1800; 2000m.—All Hands (3) 57: Steven’s Lad (2) 56.5; Doncast (9), Flowalong (1) 53.5; Cuban Belle (7), Prince Beau (13) 53; Chav Blyth (14), Clipton (8). Ocean Monarch (4), Sasanine (12), Tanjle Fair (6) 52.5; Abercita (10), Prince Centaur (5), Yennyp (11) 52.

(5) 49.5; Weldun (3) 49; Enchanting Lady (4) 48.5.