Southland holds strong hand

Press, 17 September 1976, Page 7

Southland holds strong hand

By

G. K. Yule

Lunar Chance and Forte Prontezza gave Southland stables success in the Louisson and National Handicaps, principal events at the national meeting last month, and they appear to dominate the O. Hutchinson Free-for-all, the feature event at the New Brighton Club’s meeting tomorrow.

If handicaps count for anything, Lunar Chance should prove more than a match for Forto Prontezzo, even though the distance might be a shade short for the Gore pacing powerhouse. When last the pair met, in the A. E. Laing Handicap a fortnight ago, Forto Prontezza. from 20m, finished third to Speedy Guest (15m) and Palestine (10m), with Lunar Chance two lengths from him after starting from 40m.

Lunar Chance’s run was inclined to be underrated by many, but his performance was magnificent from such a long mark in a race run at a torrid pace. Re was timed to pace his last 2400 m in 2:59, showing that it was only his handicap which resulted in his failing to share in the stake.

Lunar Chance has won sprint races and includes the New Zealand Free-for-all last November among his successes over 2000 m. From No. 4 at the barrier he looks the one to beat. Forto Prontezza has been campaigned in Wellington since he gained a win, a third and a sixth at Addington at the start of his five-year-old campaign. The trip was most rewarding as he gained two wins and a second at Hutt Park. GREAT RUN His free-for-all win on Tuesday was a top run. He accelerated away quickly and set all of the pace ' over 2400 m in 3:8.4, and at no stage was he tested. He could well try for an all-the-way win once more and could go close to achieving it. Speedy Guest made a splendid return to racing with a decisive win in the A. B.

Laing Handicap a fortnight ago. He can sprint and stay, although longer distances appear to suit him best. However, after that dashing run on September 4. he must be given serious consideration. Stanley Rio was not at his best when he finished fourth in the National Handicap at his latest start. After the race it was discovered he had a high temperature. He has had a chance to freshen and is unlikely to be produced unless he is ready to give a good account of himself. He is an accomplished sprinter; as is Master Dean, which will be making his first appearance for the season. Both could be held quite safely by Palestine, which has had a third and two seconds so far this season.

Another interesting runner is Wag, which nas been off the scene for more than three years. One of the top pacers of his time, he has been in work for some months and showed to advantage at recent trials at Washdyke. However, he is 10 now, and might need some racing to bring him back to his peak. The sprint distance in the

second leg, the T. E. Johnston Handicap, should suit Smokey Lopez, but this talented four-year-old can expect spirited opposition from Waitaki

Dawn, La Roue. Kara Kara, Trevino and Gay Tennessee, which by no means exhaust the possibilities in an open field.