Stanley Rio being readied for debut

Press, 28 July 1976, Page 20

Stanley Rio being readied for debut

Stanley Rio has thrived during the 10 days that ■lie has been back at Yaldhurst since his successful campaign in New South Wales and Queensland. All going well he will make his debut under invitation conditions at the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s national meeting at Addington Raceway next month. “He had an easy time fori four weeks after racing in Brisbane, and has come up pretty quickly,” said his trainer, George Noble, yesterday. Stanley Rio had nine starts in Australia for four (wins, three pricings and jslightly more than $lB,OOO (in stakes. He also had a

I [profitable innings in New (Zealand where he had 17 starts for, six wins, seven pricings and $17,240 inj stakes. His main success in Australia was in the final of the 'Southern Cross Stakes at Harold Park. “If it hadn’t been for bad barrier draws in Sydney and Brisbane, he could easily have won the Derby finals in both prices,” said Noble. Stanley Rio will further his preparation for the national meeting with racing at 'trials, starting next Wednesday. He looks to be carrying a little surplus condition at the moment, but it is unlikely it will be long before he is in top racing condition once more. H i s successes in I Australia earned him an I open class rating, something i achieved most, infrequently

Iby three-year-olds. His first attempts under invitation ■ conditions against the top ■ pacers will create much interest in view of his fine form in restricted age events this season. In New Zealand he was rated little inferior to Bolton Byrd, Wee Win, Main Adios, Trusty Scott and other top performers in that age group. If he has made the progress expected, he should measure up under invitation conditions.

As well as Stanley Rio, Noble will also probably be represented by Spangled Key, Quite Regal, Helen of Tara and Michael’s Advice. Noble has a team of more than 30 in work at present, including about eight rising two-year-olds in the early stages of their education. He anticipates having a sizeable team racing by mid-spring.