River Pearl could shine at Te Aroha

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 25

River Pearl could shine at Te Aroha

Special correspondent Auckland Two three-year-olds, River Pearl and Stylish Officer, are likely to give the Matamata trainer, D. J. O’Sullivan, a strong hand in the June Handicap, the second leg of the T.A.B. double at the Te Aroha Jockey Club’s restricted-programme meeting today. Between them, River Pearl and Stylish Officer have managed a first (River Pearl), two second placings, and a third in their last four starts. Each has the quickness necessary in the big fields which are regular round Auckland and Waikato and they have shown themselves game finishers as well.

Valoqr will be resuming racing after a layoff since last spring, when he ran up

a first and three seconds in successive attempts. All Nite comes from Te Awamutu. where he is trained by L. L. Collett. Taken all round the candidates for the Sumey Memorial. the first leg of the T.A.B. double, lack much in the way of attractive recent form. Purple Frae i» one, though, which would only need to be at best to run the 2200 m out well. The top weight, Waihi Knight, is another worth watching closely. Alcerino. also from the O’Sullivan stable, is another good prospect, especially as he will be ridden by R. D. Vance.

Purple Frae was used a bit too much before fading before the finish in her last start on March 27. That was in a class four 3200 m event at Ellerslie.