Venleigh likely prospect in Parliamentary today

Press, 11 July 1979, Page 21

Venleigh likely prospect in Parliamentary today

-Racing and trotting

By

W. R. CARSTON

Success has eluded Venleigh all along the line this season but a good claim can be advanced for a change in that situation when he contests the I arliamentary Handicap at Trentham today.

As open handicappers go Venleigh could, at best, be regarded as mediocre. But in ground characteristics for Trentham at this time of the year the moderates often seem able to lift their form and look very good. Venleigh is an established "mud-lark.” Today he will be going for his third win on the course and his second at 2200 metres. On Saturday Venleigh was the best of Rising Damp’s Whyte Handicap rivals. He ran that 1600 metres out in the style of a horse which would probably be seen to better advantage over more ground. Whyte Handicap form also will have proved valuable if

Master Lea wins or goes very close. The Wingatui three-year-old could well have finished closer than third in Saturday’s race if he had not been crowded and lost ground at a critical stage. Wanbin, from Cambridge, and Takanini's Princely Order are newcomers assured of solid backing. Both were last-start place-getters behind the in-form Pierree’s Order on heavy ground at the recent Avondale meeting. Of the two Princely Order might be the best Chance. He showed his competence in the brand of mud Trentham provides by finishing third to Hunting Chief and Dandeleith in this race last year.

For all his 11 years Hunting Chief might not be the least of chances again. The versatile and durable veteran has shown his mastery of the Trentham mud on several occasions. It was evident he had again reached a high standard of fitness when he ran Chandos, an open handicap winner at Hastings at his previous start, to a neck in the Trentham Hurdles on the first day of the meeting. Of the others, Flavius and Skadoot. which both have middle-distance handicap wins at Wanganui close up on their records, make most appeal. The Parliamentary Handicap is the first leg of the T.A.B. double. If first-day

form proves the best guide the issue in the second leg, the Members’ Handicap, Should be between Rising Damp and Luck Roona. Rising Damp, Bob Vance’s mount, was most impressive in winning Saturday’s Whyte Handicap with front-running tactics. Today the Hasty Cloud five-year-old will be going for his third win “on the trot.” There was also much to admire about Luck Roona’s strong finishing run on the first day. This consistent Takanini four-year-old was the best behind the brilliant Pastrol in the Stewards’ Handicap. He should be seen to better advantage over the extra 200 metres today.