Cubacade likely to capture major honours at Otaki

Press, 3 October 1979, Page 24

Cubacade likely to capture major honours at Otaki

Special correspondent Wellington Cubcade, readying for a til; at the big Australian cup races, showed at the recent Marton meeting that he was close to top form and a win" for him seems likely in the Raukawa Handicap, first leg of the double at Otaki today. This will be Cubacade’s last run before leaving for Australia next Tuesday and the distance, 2270 m will suit the six-year-old, whose usual tactics are to hold in the back of the field and then produce a strong burst of i speed in the straight.

There has been some rain in the district to ease the surface further from Saturday’s fastish track and this will be in Barry Stuart’s favour. Successful at Hastings two starts back, the entire was not all that happy on the firm going on the same course in his last run, although he ran on doggedly for fourth behind Duty Point. He, too, will be favoured by the extra distance and looks a formidable rival for Cubacade.

One of the eye-catching runs on the first day on Sat-

urday came from Beric, which really “flew” the closing stages of the first leg to finish only a length behind Purple Kiwi. Beric has not taken long to work up to his best form and he looks likely to take a hand in the finish. Prince Lee and Fraxy renew rivalry in the second leg, the Ruihi Wehipeihana Handicap, and with the eased going Prince Lee gets the nod this time. Fraxy beat him in a trial at Bulls last week, but the dsitance, too, may favour the Wanganui galloper,

which has top form in both handicaps and weight-for-age events’to his credit. Then again, with two races already this campaign behind him Prince Lee must be near his peak, whereas Fraxy has had only one race outing, and that back in August when well beaten at Foxton. Gavade’s run at Marton, when beaten a length by Avonova, was a good indication that he would not, be long in picking up a second leg and the Awapuni gelding looks likely to pose a real threat.