WAIKATO DOUBLE

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 9

WAIKATO DOUBLE

1.55 p.m.— EVEN STEVENS HANDICAP *6000; 2100 m. 1 1080 FAGAN'S BOY (10) 53 5 Capable middle-distance runner at best but unplaced hi two attempts since tailing in the Auckland Cup. Capable of much better. 2 1922 ASCENDING (12) 53. Fast front-runner beaten last bit at latest two attempts, at Rotorua last Saturday and EUerslise on January 28. Will probably make the pace again and should be hard to run down.

P. Johnson 3 3241 GOLD DUCAT (I) 52. Robust customer which seems to be thriving on

regular racing. Won wel! at Rotorua last Saturday after sound run of minor placings. T. Williams 4 0144 TE TAKI (14) 51.5. Fair fourth at Ellerslie on January 30 and winner two starts previously at Avon dale on January 14. Has ability and any easing of the ground would probably be a help. 5 3106 HOOKER (15) 50.5. Turned in fair performance for first middle-distance when sixth behind Seren diper at Matamata on February 4. Best sprint form has been good. One to respect. D. Graham 6 1612 SERENDIPER (4) 50.5. All-the way winner two starts back in Matamata Cup and game second to Uncle Remus at Rotorua last Saturday. From favourable barrier position could well try for another end to end w In. R. Vance 7 3556 LITEN Hie ST (7) 50. Racing pretty well still and has shown form at this distance. Won this race last year. Best recent showing was third behind Hooker al Ellerslie on December 26. R. Skelton » 2235 BAHRAIN (9) 49.5. Has been a game follower of Uncle Remus these last few months. Placings include ’ seconds In Wellington Stakes, Clifford Plate and N.Z. Derby. Looks a good stayer in the making.

W. Robinson 9 1065 BRISTOL FASHION (3) 48. Form patchy but useful enough at best. Last-start fifth was in Matamata Cup Place chance always.

A. Tweedie 10 0050 CgPHEUS (16) 47.5. Showed some promise about 12 months ago but latest form not encouraging. Others preferred. 11 7039 HEARTS ARE TRUMPS (2) 47.5. Best recent performance was for third

behind Northfleet in intermediate ciass at Tauranga on December 29. Form in half a dozen starts this season otherwise disappointing. Hard to fancy.

N. Tiley 12 6847 HONEST MONCE (8) 47.5. Best form has been over 1600 m but has occasionally been handy over more distance. Won intermediate 1600 m on this course last November.

B Compton 13 9438 LADY ROSEVILLE (13) 47.5. Turns in promising races occasionally. Handy third two starts back behind Gay Juliet at Ellerslie on January 30. Well beaten meanwhile at Rotorua last Saturday.

S. Autridqe 14 4110 NOBLE MISTRESS (5) 47.5. Came through intermediate grades looking good. Handsome winner two starts back in class three 2200 m at Ellerslie on January 30. Well beaten since at Avondale. Likely to go better this time. K. Reggett 15 0009 SAN FRAN (11) 47.5. Looked good year or two back but impossible to allow much chance on recent form. Well beaten in five attempts early in season and no better since back from a let-up. M. Dunlop 16 0000 TOMMY'S PRIDE (6) 47.5. Once useful but seems to have lost form altogether. Failed to get anywhere near the money at last few attempts. Hardly likely. msn 3.15 p.m.— HI BING HANDICAP $4000: 1200 m. I KAORU PRINCE (12) 55.5. Smart Sydney sprinter which won twice at Hosehill last month over 1200 m. Has wide draw but must be considered.

R. Vance 2 3015 GAI (9) 54.5. Won

narrowly two starts back at Wairoa with this weight. Weakened to fifth on same course last start.

L. Douglas 3 4565 COPPER BIT (2) 53.5. Made ground behind Lady Beil at Rotorua last Saturday. Form over all recently a bit below his best. T. Autrldge 4 4124 EXTRA FLASH (10) 52.5. Reached top form at Trentham last month. Has to be regarded a real chance. Usually runs on solidly. S. Autrldge 5 2161 KAZINKA (3) 51. Ran on gamely for last start win at Ellerslie and successful two starts before at Thames Worth serious consideration in that form.

G. Barkla 6 0008 SEA EGGS (1) 50.5. Once well-performed mare but form lately w r ell below good standard of year or two ago. Well beaten at Wairoa in latest attempt and this is tougher.

8 4028 SILVER BOY (4) 49. Ran best recent race when second behind Kazinka at Ellerslie on January 30. Backed and beaten meantime, behind Chrisarda, at Avondale. Not too reliable.

9 047 SHAMURA (6) 48.5. Capable and had poor run before being beaten last start over 1200 m at Ellerslie. Has had chance to freshen and could well be one of hardest to beat.

J. Moody 10 00 ALY FAIR (3) 48. Well beaten at Pukekohe and Ellerslie last August. Will be resuming here after a letup and could hardly be considered. 11 5608 BELLE MAREE (5) 48. Surprise home track winner last spring but has since failed to show such form. G. Shaw IS 9207 FORECAST (7) 48. Smart two-year-old and big disappointment in his failure to “come up” this season. W. Robinson Scratched: Nippy Jim (11).