Racing and trotting Elusive luck may return for Max Miller today

Press, 14 June 1978, Page 22

Racing and trotting Elusive luck may return for Max Miller today

From G. K YULE in Blenheim The Methven trainer. Max Miller, has enjoyecf considerable success over the scars on the Nelson-Blen-hcim circuit. So far success has eluded him on the present winter circuit, but this could change when the Marlborough Trotting Club races today. One of his top chances will be with Armbro Rhythm in the W. A Craddock Handicap, the first leg of the T A B. double. Among his other drives will be Ponderosa Gtnge in the Grandstand Handicap and Terrace Frost in the Cresswell Handicap The trotter was an unlucky fourth and Terrace Frost a desperately unlucky second at Nelson on Monday. Both should go close to winning today Honever, Armbro Rhythm could be the best chance of the three even though he will receive spirited opposition He had nothing in his I

1 favour when he finished at a great rate for second to Hunter Direct over 2400 m < on Monday. He was held up - twice by tiring horses and it • was late when he secured an - opening. He finished at a s great rate and made up » many lengths in the long t run home. He was drawn »• splendidly at number 4 and i will only need to receive a .reasonable un to come out s.on top. > Master Regal, fresh from I • a Caltex Gold Cup victory > on a heavy track at Nelson I > on Saturday, and Taringa - Bay. which returned two 1 - splendid thirds, will not be; ' set easy tasks from 10m, es-l I pecially as the race is over 1 , a sprint distance of 2000 m. ■ However, they have been; racing to such good nurposei i that they must be among the ( leading contenders. I Copper Hanover, a stablei mate of Master Regal, was, 1 allowed to miss racing at ■ Nelson on Monday, but she went fairly in conditions | , I which did not suit when '

i sixth on Saturday. The firm-1 » er footing expected at| i Waterlea tuday should help 3 her in what will probably be' t her last start in the South 11 Island — she is to go to ; i Auckland and then on to the 3 United States. ; First Encounter, a big dis-; i appointment at Nelson on' I Monday, Hydro Bryd, Butler . i Brigade and No Truant are! t others expected to add inter-i iest to the finish. ij There was much to en-> ' thuse over about the winII ning run of Lord Nugent in i! the Sportsman Filter Handi-) >'cap at Nelson on Monday: • and from No. 1 at the bar-! • I rier he should go close to ■' winning the Marlborough j Transport Handicap, also to I i be run over 2000 m. He was : in the open throughout the I ■ Nelson race and then cleared : away from the speedy Single [i Lord. Prince Nugent is rac-p ing most generously and an- i other success looks to be well within his reach. | The Blenheim-owned andp trained Gentle Tag will be'i

I among the more popular ; fancies. He beat all but] Lopez Boy in the boggy con- j ditions at Nelson on Satur-I day and was allowed to bypass Monday's meeting. He should be fresher than many which had two strength-sap-ping runs at Richmond Park. ' Flaxton won twice at Nel-i i son, both efforts being im-j (pressiye and good enough tot 1 suggest that the rise in class j iin this race should not' j worry him too much. ] Ripper’s Image, Captain I Forever, Don Cortez and Aran Hunter, a newcomer to ! the circuit, appeal most Of the others. An on-course treble will ; ibe run on the Grandstand] 'Handicap, the First Scollard 'Handicap and the Scott. 1 Handicap. Form shown at ' Nelson, especially on Mon- ( [day, should be a good guide fro prospects in all three!, races. The Blenheim track will j. be much firmer than that at ' Richmond Park and should 1 provide good footing.