Main Star favoured for small first leg tonight

Press, 22 February 1978, Page 21

Main Star favoured for small first leg tonight

Special correspondent Wellington In a field depleted somewhat by scratchings, Main Star, from the South Island, and Gold Rand from the North, should dispute the finish of the Capital Classic Handicap, first leg of the Hutt Park double tonight.

* The Capital Classic is one of the two leadup races to ’he major event of this tjlree-night February meeting, the Cardigan Bay Stakes and while that race is a free-for-all from a stand, both tonight’s Capital Classic and the Inter-Island, run on Saturday, are run under handicap conditions.

’ For this reason, the leading three-year-olds tend to nuss either the first, second or both these nights and wait for the Cardigan Bay Stakes. This appears to be the case this time, with Lord Module, Roydon Scott and Jayex among the probable runners for luesday. Tonight, Gold Rand, a Weil-performed colt from Te Kauwhata, starts from 40m behind and Main Star, from Methven from 20m behind and over 2000 m. this may tend to swing the issue towards Main Star. A fine pacer, Main Star wiil not be favourite by virtue of his handicap alone. He was third to Lord Module over a mile at Addington on Saturday night, but before that he went to Alexandra Park and against the best three-year-olds, he was, without doubt, the best of his age. He beat Jawa Boy and High Quality in the second Great Northern Derby trial, but his major success came in the Great Northern Derby itself when he beat Jayex, with Gold Rand, Motu Prince and Lord Module all struggling in his wake. He ran that 2700 m in 3min 26.85, which was the fastest

recorded by a three-year-old for the distance, beating Captain Harcourt's 1974 time of 3min 25.85. Main Star has his handicap to overcome, but he has only four ahead of him on the front and High Quality on 10m. Behind is Gold Rand on 40. Gold Rand looks the best of the Northern three-year-old crop this season. He was second to Wenona Scott in his Great Northern Derby Trial and then was third, though some distance, from Main Star and Jayex, in the Great Northern Derby. I’hougb he starts from 40m, I he is a good beginner, and the small field will help his chances. While Main Star and Gold Rand seem to dominate proceedings, there will be support for High Quality. He was third in the class 3 Stratford Cup on the grass last Saturday and his form this season has been sound. Timely Robin, sixth at Addington on Saturday, was seventh in the Great Northern Derby, but was handicapped that time by a punctured sulky tyre. Best of the others could be Bishop’s Command, which despite being only a class 1 pacer, has shown a good deal of promise. In spite of his poor draw, the very promising Mark Lobell colt San Mario could be the one to beat in the Moera Handicap, the second leg of the double. San Mario has only been to the races three times for trainer John Langdon. He

was fourth on the grass in his debut at Tauranga, but last week raced well at Palmerston North to take out a double. Two pacers with front-row draws, also look to have useful chances. Glen Butler, trained at Palmerston North by Sam Pluck raced well for two placings at his local meeting last week and his good draw will help him tonight.,Jean Chance, a laststart fifth at Palmerston North, could also improve from a good draw.

The Holmes-Butler duo of Our Win and Master Roseland, both recent winners, have to be respected as well, while one for longer odds could be Ralute, twice successful on the course. Marshall Fields, in the first leg, Golden Keel, in the second and High Quality, if he runs, could be a possible T.A.B. treble combination. Selections:— 6.35 p.m.—First Lyall Bay Pace: Jover Byrd, Jafradel. Mayne Charles. IS p.m.—Second Lyall Bay Pace: Towering Inferno. Lady Lords, Charming Pride. 7.35 p.m.—York Bay Handicap: Precocious Lad, Edesrepus, Paid's Pride. 8.5 p.m.—First Worser Bay Pace: Marshall Fields, Master Regal, Zen Armbro. 8.40 p.m.—Capital Classic Handicap: Main Star, Gold Rand. 9.10 p.m.—Woburn Handicap: Golden Keel, Young Nick, Mary Dhu. 9.40 p.m.—Moera Pace: San Mario, Glen Butler, Jean Chance. 10 p.m.—Second Worser Bay Pace: Calgary, Chiquilla, Master Lobell. 10.40 p.m —Evans Bay Pace: High Quality, Roamaway, Quick Hanover.

I RACE 4 1 ’ T.A.B. TREBLE 8.5 p.m.WORSE R BAY PACE No. 81800 ; Cl; mobile: 2000m. I 7835 Last Secret (1) It 2 1094 Lady Orleigh (2) It 3 090 Tudor Spark (3) It 4 3393 Nandina Trust (4) It 5 2013 Joe's Prestige (5) It 6 0006 Hasty Beau (6) It 7 0572 Marshall Fields (7) It 9 9090 Lord Emory >9) It 10 4334 The Trade Mark (10) It 12 6201 Zen Armbro (12) It 14 3043 Pakowhai (14) It 15 50 Lhasa (15) It 16 4902 Fleeting Anne (16) It Balloted out with right of -eentry. 11 1 Master Regal (11) It Scratched: Wyandra. Gunn Tartan, Dining Out. - ! T.A.B. DOUBLE 8.40 p.m CAPITAL CLASSIC HANDICAP $3000; three-year-olds; 2000m. 1 2376 Timely Robin (1) it

2 14 Hand On <2; It 3 3913 Phinneas Finn (3; It 4 2125 Bishop's Command (4) It 7 2363 High Quality fl) 10 8 3113 Main Star (1) 20 9 6523 Gold Rand (1) 40 Scratched: Sir Robin. Garrison Lopez, Lord Module. ■ n T.A.B. TREBLE 9.10 p.m. WOBURN HANDICAP 52800; C4; trotters; 2400m, 1 9002 Mutu (1) It 6061 Golden Keel (2) It 4 3774 1905 Tana Wood (4) It 7 Mary Dhu (3) 1.0 8 6780 Clifton Lodge (4) 10 9 0700 Reapevarsder (5) 10 10 4311 Kairanga Lass (6) 10 11 9037 Young Nick (7' 10 12 9602 Bonnie Loch (11 20 13 7 Noble Day (1) 30 Scratched: Peter Pawn. Come Here. Manollto. 11 ea “ ■ . ' T.A.B. DOUBLE 9.40 p.m —— 82100 MOERA PACE C2; mobile; 2000m. 2 5005 Jean Chance (2) It 3 2710 Our Win (3) It 4 8007 Fleetwood (4) It 5 4423 G.’n Butler (5) It 6 00(77 Ralute (6) It 7 068 Mighty Lion (7) It 8 8080 Imlah's Dream <81 It 9 0700 Moorfield Lad ,9) It 10 0099 Count Tryax (10) It 12 3110 Master Roseland (12) It 13 411 San Mario (13) It 14 5506 Miss Supreme (14) It 16 8030 Keystone (16) It Balloted out with right of re« entry: 1 0900 Sly Nedra <1) It Scratched: Tara Drive. Mount Lambie. T.A.B. TREBLE 10.40 p.m.— EVANS BAY PACE $2500 C3; mobile; 2400m. 1 8700 Quick Hanover (1) It 2 0227 Roamaway (2) It 4 2363 High Quality (4) It 6 7068 Gypsy Reign (6) It 7 0899 Lee Nandina <7) It 8 fOOO Merry On (8) It 9 0570 Blue Toreador (9) it 10 0019 My Beau (10) it Scratched: Westburn Vue. Butler’s Lady.