Balgove should complete double

Press, 26 August 1977, Page 19

Balgove should complete double

Uy

G. K. Yule

The last horse to complete the Lottisson-Naltonal Thtmlicaps double was Lunar Chance in 1975, and it was 22 years earlier that Adorian v>on the same Imo races in the

one season.

Lunar Chance and Adorian both followed up their double successes in August with wins in the New Zealand Cup the following vemberThose who saw Balgove

win the Louisson Handicap last Saturday expect that his extra handicapping penalty of five metres will be insufficient to stop him beating a similar field in the j National Handicap tomorrow. And. unless his form falls right away, he will retain his position as early favourite for the New Zealand Cup. Balgove was up in the open for the last round of the Louisson Handicap and,; when hotly challenged over I the last 50m by Helen of Tara, he responded in great style for his narrow win. He had a fairly hard race in

’ | what w-as his first appear-; ' ancc since April, and if that; ' [ has not left him a, shade 'Jaded, it is hard to see him. [ [ beaten. .' Eclipse came in for solid I [support last week as a re-; /suit of some sound racing at [trials. He was handily placed until near the 1200 m when ;he put a foot through the . back of the sulky of Win- [ ning Smoke, both horses; .being pulled up. ; Eclipse looks in great I ' heart at the moment and if he is to pay anything to- - wards expenses he should do 'sc in this race. il

Commissioner should be at improved horse this week. He pulled too bad for his own good ir the role of pacemaker last Saturday. That race could help set lie him and he could be more relaxed if left ir . front again. He is a grand pacer on his day and could prove more than a matet for his rivals. I Helen of Tara must be i [leading chance after her fine second a week ago, and along with Trusty Scot anc Final Curtain, both of which received rocky' runs, she appeals most of the others. Top trotters The meeting betweer Nigel Craig, Now and Alias Armbro in the Wintet Handicap should be a highlight of the night. They finished in the first three

placings in the corresponding race last Saturday, Alias Armbro lasting it out best [ over Now. i Nigel Craig had little in; his favour as he was wide over the final 1200 m. He fought on resolutely and finished less than a length from Alias Armbro. I Now is expected to show marked improvement. on what was her second start in more than a season; while A.ias Armbro, too, should be | a fitter horse. However, he; has aeen penalised 10m for this win of last Saturday.' [That might not be enough to. [keep him out of the finish. [ Be Free, Waipounamu and Mighty Lee are three others capable of showing up. tak ing a line through first-night performances-