STAKES MIGHT BE THREE-HORSE RACE

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33869, 14 June 1975, Page 8

STAKES MIGHT BE THREE-HORSE RACE

I nless some of the unraced youngsters have undisclosed talents the issue in the fifteenth Rangiora Raceway Stakes today should be between Smokey Lopez. Congo Gold, and Tarport Tob\.

There will be strong backing for each of this trio but it is hard to predict which will he the most popular fancy for the Rangiora Trotting Cluh's feature event for two-year-old paceis.

But in the light of Sapling Stakes form, and that event i ranks highest for first-sea-on performers, the distinction might go to Smokey Lopez, which ran Olga Korbut to three parts of a length in rhe A'-hburton event a fortnight ago. For a youngster which has h «1 only two races Congo Gold has done pretty well. He made a successful debut in the Golden Slipper Stakes at Waimate hack in December and at his lone attempt smee was the runner-up to

his -tablemate. Direct Magic, iin the two-year-old event at Forburv Park the month before last. Tarport Toby, a stablemate of Smokey Lopez, does not have as strong a background ■of form but he must rate a sound chance on the strength if his Sapling Stakes sixth. LUCK NEEDED The three fancied runners vill all start from 10 metres and each will need a bit of luck in the first 100 metres to dodge some of the in-

experienced runners off the front which invariable break at the start. If any run into trouble and are put out of the race there could be an upset If that happens the best of those which have already raced at totalisator meetings might be Swift Princess. She shaped pretty well at her first attempt to finish sixth, after giving ground at the start, at Addington Racewav early last month Wichita, going for his third win in a row is strongly fancied for the Rangiora Winter Cup. first leg of the T A B , double. Ganya. Noodlum’s conqueror at Ashburton last Mondav week, will probably be a firm favourite for the North Canterbury Handicap, second leg of the double. There will be quinella betting on eight of the nine races. The exception will be ’he Rangiora Winter Cup