Olga Korbut fancied in Stakes

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34031, 20 December 1975, Page 8

Olga Korbut fancied in Stakes

If the result follows betting trends Olga Korbut and Stanley Rio should dominate the finish of the North Canterbury Stakes at Rangiora today.

Both of these highlypromising three-year-olds will be on the short list of fancies and only a mistake at the start or bad luck in the running is likely to keep them out of the finish.

I Although this season has (not been as rewarding for the connections of Olga Kori but, one of the top-ranked : two-year-olds last term, she . left no-one in doubt about her exceptional ability with i a brilliant winning run in the November Stakes at the ■ New Zealand Cup meeting last month. The younger half-sister to the brilliant Noodlum has been a bit disappointing in her two subsequent races but one of her peak runs today would be adequate to enable her to give away starts of up to 20 metres and a beating to her 15 rivals.

Whereas Olga Korbut has ruined her chances on a number of occasions by galloping, either at the start or during the running, Stanley Rio, on the other hand, has been a pretty solid performer all-round. Since winning the Second Riccarton Stakes on Show Day Stanley Rio has had three starts for a fifth and two minor placings. He will probably need a little luck from the 10-metre mark today but if the “breaks” go his way in the early running he should quickly work his way into a challenging position. ON-COURSE TREBLE The North Canterbury Stakes will be the third leg of the Rangiora Trotting Club’s on-course treble. The issue in the first treble race, the Cheviot Handicap, should be between Western Approach and Harvey Wilson and it will be costly for most if Rigid gets beaten in the First Grandstand Handicap, the second leg of the treble.

Bound to Be and Hey Pronto will be a popular combination for the T.A.B. double, which will be run on the Rangiora Cup and the President’s Handicap.