Marble Arch will make bold bid

Press, 15 April 1978, Page 20

Marble Arch will make bold bid

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G. K. YULE

\ handicap of 20m is not expected to keep Marble Arch from taking a prominent part in the finish to the Two-year-old Stakes at Methven today. He is the only winner in the field, with two successes to his credit, and he should be too good for most of his rivals.

Marble Arch missed the start of the New Zealand' Welcome Stakes at Addington Raceway on March 25 i and finished sixth. Back on his out today, he could ; move off much more smoothly, in which case his superior stamina should carry him to his third victor. for the season. Several horses having their first starts at a totalisator meeting will create much interest and it is from' among their ranks that most opposition will come to the l probably favourite.

Sovereign, a royally-bred j colt by Bachelor Hanover from the well-performed i Royal Belmer, is not very big, but he has plenty of ‘ability. He has drawn No. 13, buf| ; will start wide out on thei front line, which could help] a horse lacking experience. Black Gypsy and Prince Rapide have paced quite good races at times and they could be as good as any of those to have faced thei starter, although Game Girl could be a threat. Ted Lowe will parade two

I likely geldings in West, • Street (Tarport Coulter-Cor-I war) and Wing Commander (Flying Lord — Fair Alda). | Whether they are ex-i Iperienced enough yet re-i | mains to be seen. Roydon Rio, too, will I | arouse interest. He is a half-) brother to Stanley Rio. How-1 ever, he gives the impres-! sion that the best might not) be seen of him until next) season. i This race will be the final! leg of the on-course treble, I the other legs being the) Lyndhurst Handicap, for slow-class trotters, and the) First Spaxton Handicap, for;

’ Cl pacers. Kotare Flight and! Don Cortez will be two of) the more strongly-supported) candidates in the first twol legs.