Hi Foyle appeals in Stakes

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33656, 4 October 1974, Page 1 (Supplement)

Hi Foyle appeals in Stakes

By

G. K. Yule

Hi Foyle’s runaway free-for-all win at Addington Raceway on September 21 entitles him to be among the more strongly-supported candidates in an open field of 15 in the Ashburton Flying Stakes tomorrow.

Ten of the runners are already eligible for the $50,000 glamour race on November 12, and their numbers include Hi Foyle, Speedy Guest, Why Bill, Kotare Legend, and Robalan, five of the more fancied runners for the big race at this stage of spring racing. Of the five horses striving to qualify for the New Zealand Cup, Marie Gibbins will probably command most respect in tomorrow’s race, but last Saturday’s Methven Cup winner, Armbro Brent, will have many admirers. Marie Gibbins needs but one win to earn a start in the cup, but the other four all need two.

Hi Foyle, one of the hardiest pacers in New Zealand today, was elevated to be among the early favourites for the cup when he outclassed his rivals under free-for-all conditions last month. Not only did he win, but he equalled the New Zealand record for 2000 m. Had any of his rivals been able to keep near him, he would have created new figures for the distance by quite a substantial margin. If P. C. Gallagher can produce him anywhere near his fitness of September 21, he will be extremely hard to head tomorrow.

He is capable of a brilliant 2400 m and will not be one of the lesser chances in this field. Newcomer Why Bill and Speedy Guest appeal most of the other cup eligibles, but they are unlikely to be quite as well supported as Marie Gibbins, a comparative newcomer to the Templeton team of C. C. Devine, for whom she will be having her first start tomorrow. Marie Gibbins has had two runs at trials and has been most impressive. She looks in great heart, but whether she will be quite ready to manage a fast-run 2400 m remains to be seen. She is much too good to leave out of calculations in this field and could easily win. Eclipse could not handle the track conditions in the Methven Cup, but he should be given another chance in the President’s Handicap, a race in which Kawarau Gold. Fuse and Thurber Command are entitled to solid support