Mile will not be easy race for Belmer’s Image

Press, 27 October 1977, Page 26

Mile will not be easy race for Belmer’s Image

Racing and trotting

By

G. K. YULE

At first glance Belmer’s Image looks a “round-the-corner prospect” in the Canterbury Park Four-year-old Flying Mile at Addington Raceway tomorrow. But winning mile races at Addington is not quite so simple, especially as Belmer’s Image could start from the outside of the front line.

And on top of that he cut a few capers in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Monday, falling after attempting to kick Doody Townley out of the sulky at the end of 500 m.

Belmer’s Image has always been a little “touchy” from behind the mobile barrier. Without doubt he is the class horse of the field and this could stand to him. Even so he will need reasonable luck to secure his third success for the season.

Worthy Lord, one of the more talented three-year-olds of last season, has drawn only a little better than Belmer's Image. He could prove capable of keeping his southern rival out for a while at least and could test him over one mile. This race has attracted great interest since it was introduced to the club’s October programme in 1973 and it has taken a top horse to win. Speedy Guest (2min Is), Master Dean (lmin 59.2), Noodlum (2min 0.95) and Trusty Scot (2min Is) have succeeded to date.

No mare has yet been successful, although Gay Rose was second in 1973, and In o- Out and Swift Princess finished third in their years. The talented Ruling Lobell could do the fair sex proud even though she has drawn the second line. She has not had the best of luck in her latest racing, but that could have brought her to a high pea’ of fitness. She looks capable of one mile in considerably below 2min and a win for her would be no surprise. Sunseeker, Lordable, Lancia, and perhaps Alonzo could add interest to the finish.

$.45 p.m.— MAZDA HANDICAP $5000; C 6; 2600 m. 1 UO9 MAJESTIC PRIDE (1) It >7 m Majestic Chance— Proudly). Has shown little of consequence this season, although she looks in great heart. Would have to improve to be much danger. W. Stapleton 2 5007 DRAGON'S DREAM (2) It (7 g Lumber Dream— Select Way). Efforts this spring have been only fair. Sharp improvement would be needed for him to have much chance. 3 SCOTTISH CHAT (3) If (7 m Scottish Hanover — Spring Chat). First start since April. Has gone quite well at trials and a forward showing would not be a complete surprise. R. Morris 4 4460 BESS HANOVER (4) If <7 m Scottish Hanover— Bright Bowi. Form rather mixed lately, failing from 10m at Oamaru last Saturday. Has speed, but will have to be taken on trust. N. Pettit 5 450 ALMETOS (5) If (6 g Lumber Dream—Senatus). Met trouble at Oamaru on Saturday. Earlier form in two starts had been most encouraging. Record on this

course not outstanding, but must be considered. L. May 6 GANYA (1) 10 (6 h Fallacy —Coronita). First start for some months, but has gone well enough at trials to be considered. Form at times last term was of a high standard. T. Thomas 7 8 LA ROUE (2) 10 (8 m Scottish Hanover—Roue). Resumed at Forbury Park on October 15 and paced an ordinary' race. Others preferred. 8 8327 KARA KARA (3) 10 (7 m Scottish Hanover — Local Lass). Disappointing at Forbury on October 15. but was second to In or Out a week earlier. Must be given another chance. R. Brosnan 9 1472 LONGFELLOW DEEDS (unruly) 10 (6 h Out to Win —Mystique). Run down by Sly Brewer at Forbury on October 15 at his latest start. Has sufficient ability to be prominent for a time at least.

R. Cameron 10 6852 LOYAL DRIFT (1) 20 (8 m Byebye Bill—Gancia). Fought on for second to Palestine in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Monday. There is a sharp drop in. class in this field and must be a leading contender. N. Edge 111 5 STEVEN STOCK (1) 30 <6 h Tempest Hanover — Light Comedy). Made a fresh start at Oamaru on Monday when he paced an improver’s race for fifth In the Hannon Mem, orial. Capable of showing up. 12 6867 NIMBLE YANKEE (unruly 1) 30 (5 g Regal Yankee —Morsel). Met trouble several times at Oamaru when looking in great heart. If he is to justify an N.Z. Cup start will have to get into the finish. F. Newfield 13 3250 WINNING SMOKE (unruly 2) 30 (6 h Out to Win —Panatela). Broke and subsequently lost driver in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru. Earlier form at Addington this spring was good enough to give him a grand winning chance. de Filippi 9.55 p.m.— JOHNNY GEE HANDICAP 52750; C 4; trotters; 2600 m. 1 4400 POINTER HANOVER (1) It (4 h Bachelor Hanover— Worthy Scott), Failed dismally at Oamaru but back at Addington it should be a different story. Looks a top chance. P. Shand 2 01 SPARTAN PRINCE (2) It )4 g Tuft—Bay Lady), Failed

when gear broke at Addington at his first start for the season, but won easily at Forbury Park on October 15 at his latest start. Looks the one to beat. D. Townlev 3 0571 QUESTION MARK (3) It (6 g Keep Away—Mary Scott). Fought on for a narrow win at Oamaru on Monday. This will be much tougher, although could be placed. J. Ferguson 4 9900 MARY DHU (4) It (7 in Tuft—Delta Marie). Has shown nothing this season, although has often been on awkward marks. Outside chance. 5 3000 VON RUE (5) It <9 g Rodney Day—Sunshine Lady). Form early in the season was quite good, but more recently has been disappointing. Must be taken on trust. J. McDonald 6 2112 POWER CUT (6) It (4 g Winterlight — Free Globe). Has been a model of consistency this season and must be one of the top chances. F. Kirk 7 0 RIP SILVER (1) 10 16 g Armbro Del—Silver Strip). Has failed in his lone start for the season. Hard to recommend.

R. Cameron 8 30 BIG POPLAR (2) 10 (7 g Tuft—Redhead) Placed at his first start and then failed to show up on September 17 at only other appearance. Good enough to be a danger. W. Butt 9 6 MARSHA DONNA (3) 10 (7 m Tuft—Double Dale). Not disgraced when sixth on September 3 when making a fresh start. Very speedv and could upset. T. McMillan 10 5089 TACMAE (4) 10 (8 m Goodland—Tactics). Failed to show up at Forbury Park earlier in the month. Hard to recommend. 11 0086 WAITAKI GAMBLE (1) 20 (7 m Waitaki Hanover— Lady Epworth). Latest racing has been in open handicaps. This will be easier, but for all that is too erratic to recommend. I. Sutherland 12 6247 LORD RODNEY (2) 20 <8 g Rodney Day—Troodos). Has gone well enough at times to be considered as he is such a fine stayer. M. Butt 13 0167 WESTERN APPROACH (3) 20 (6 g Jerry Adios— Lightlan). Raced unluckily at Grevmouth after winning the Banks Peninsula Cup. By no means a forlorn chance. M. de Filinpi 14 0099 SHARMBRO (4) 20 (6 g Armbro Del—Shy- Bess). Has failed to trot evenly lately, but would be a chance should he remain on an even keel. F. Newfield 16 3 NOW CHARLES (1) 30 <9 g Prince Calumet—When). Did

well for third in the Banks Peninsula Cup when having his first start for many months. Set a stiff task, but by no means out of it. Balloted out with right of reentry: 15 909 ANOTHER DAY (5) 20 (8 g Court Martial —Kaville). Has shown nothing this season to suggest he will have much chance in this field. R. Morris