RACING Winning prospects in North Island teams

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33609, 10 August 1974, Page 8

RACING Winning prospects in North Island teams

Even if North Island stables win the card at Riccarton today, the one hundredth Grand National meeting will be remembered mainlx as the one in which the gems went south.

The winning deeds of < Loch Linnhe, Dandyman and Nip O' Scotch on the first two days of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting have given the south refreshing confidence, and the promise of further success. Loch Linnhe. easy winner of the Grand National Steeplechase, looks hard to beat from his place in the weights in the $5200 Grand National Hurdles, and Dandyman. convincing winner of the Winter Cup. faces easier company and a longer distance in the Islington Handicap. Loch Linnhe is one of four South Island gallopers in the hurdles; the north have a numerical advantage of three. A South Island galloper seems certain to make off with the Islington Handicap, for the north have only Brad

engag"d, and he seems hard pressed at times even to make the place money. The nonh have no show in the $3OOO Koral Steeplechase; the five acceptors are all southern horses. AWAPI’M TALENT Where the North Island stables do look good is in the minor races, in which Ajanta, Flight Tracer and Centre Point should score “doubles’’ for the meeting. All are trained at Awa-

puni by one of the club’s most loyal supporters, W. G. Ivil. He also has Miss Flirt engaged in the Styx Hurdles; a top chance, too, after safe jumping and smart running between fences earned her second place behind Kerry Star in the hurdles on Tuesday. The other North Island prospect is Special Son, which looks a great bet after his spirited late burst Ito beat all but Dandyman in the Winter Cup, and his generous third on Tuesday behind Nip O’ Scotch and ; Sudden Change. This time he will be ridden by N. G. Harris. The weather in Christchurch yesterday was fine, but the track is certain to be heavy. At Matamata, where the forecast is for showers, the track will be heavy.

At Hastings, the track will be soft; at Oamaru the track is reported to be good, and at Alexandra Park, where the Franklin trots are being held, the track will also be good.