Firpo’s fighting qualities expected to pay off

Press, 13 March 1980, Page 27

Firpo’s fighting qualities expected to pay off

By

J. J. BOYLE

Firpo, as versatile as he is brave, should be capable of giving weigh all round in the Ashburton County Handicap tomorrow.

Miles Better paid an indirect tribute to Firpo’s qualities in winning the feature race at Trentham on Tuesday. When they last met. in the Invercargill Gold Cup, Firpo gave the southerner 2kg ana. beat him by three lengths.. '.' Firpo has not raced Since his Invercargill Gold Cup victory on January 5. but was an impressive winner over a sprint distance at Riccarton race trials last week and should not find 2200 m a stumbling block in a field lacking quality.

Tom Lalor, who trains Firpo at Riccarton, must regard Sir James, a runner for the Ashburton stable of his brother, Jim, as one of the strongest opponents for Firpo.

Blue Sage, out of luck in the running in the Hororata Cup at her last start, has her limitations when the ground is wet; but will be. in with a chance if the ground dries. Sharebroker, a stablemate of Sir James, has-been bogged down on a record of minor placings so far this season, but might get a well-earned breakthrough in the Coldstream Handicap, second leg of the T.A'.B. double. Fields and form for the T.A.B. double:— RACE 6 3.10 p.m.— ASHBURTON COUNTY HANDICAP S 3000; 2200 m. 1 2041 FIRPO (8) 59 <6 g Pep— Cheri Suisse. T. Laior Riccarton). First start since

January 5, when he easily won Invercargill Gold Cup witli 56. Win would not he beyond him. though this race coiiid improve him. A. Poblete 2 1567 COLFIX (3) 54 (6 m Keekerok—Red Mit. S. Gillman, Amberley). Has shown best middle distance form ' on smaller courses, -but rates something of a chance in moderate field. G. Blair 5 0145 SIR JAMES (1) 53.5 (8 g Mellay—Allez Vite. J. Lalor, Ashburton). Veteran, but wearing well. Racing on his home course, and has strong record there. M. Mein 4 2330 BLUE SAGE (4) 53 (6 m Postillion ll—Super Sage, A. and P- Williams, Riccarton). Lost all chance when checked close to home in Hororata

I Cup. Top chance if track is firm. D. Walsh 5 9063 DEL LAN A (7) 49 ,-l m Della Porta—Side.ria, N. Beii. Riccarton). Rates chance on . last start third behind Yipp's Secret at Cromwell. 6 3500 EDEN'S BOY (2) 49 -8 g Summer Magic—Etfenisle. R. McCauley. Gore). 100 to one chance on his run in Hororata Cup. 7 3107 HI MAGIC (5) 49 (5 m ; St Pucklc— Magic Light. B. Mills. Riccarton). Failure in two starts at C.J.C. summer meeting. R. McCann 3 7006 MAIN CHANCE (6) 49 15 m Ribotlight—Chow Meine, W. Engelbrecht, Waimate). Only fair run in Hororata I Cup. This no easier. 9 0004 RUSTIQUE (9) 49 (6 h Sharivati ■ — Chinchi, R. Knight. Washdyke). Last start fourth was in weak high-weight field. RACE 8 4.15 p.m.— COLDSTREAM HANDICAP $2250: 1200 m. 1 0 LORD HYMAC (3) 54.5 16 g Darnley—Mellitus, G. Jackson, Washdyke). Resuming but not the least of the 2 Olm’sLY WINK (1) 52.5 15 m Wandering Eyes—Smashing, Mrs W. Wright, Waimate). Regained winning form at. Wingatui three starts hack.

I Could "steal'’ this froi Irpnt *nd. A. Poblet 3 0312 SHAREBROKER (5) 5 i 4 g Beaufort Sea—Lanteri ! Glow, .1. Lalor. Ashburton ■ Won this distance at Hok tika two starts back. Lar start second to Hi Roona tGreymouth. D. Wats 1377 CEE SHARP (10) 50 (4 n Beaufort Sea—Flute, J. Lalm Ashburton). .Failed twic< i against class I sprinters or I. West Coast New Year cir ! ' cuit. D. Moselei 5 0197 GOLD REFRAIN (2) 51 (5 g Queen’s Wharf—Gold View, L. Pratt, Orari). Twc most recent failures were al 1400 m. Won 1200 m in lower grade at Riccarton, February 9. 6 6100 MERKELL (6) 49.5 (5 n Aristoi—Royal Bag, N. Don aid, Ashburton). Failed this distance at Cromwell. 7 6435 PAN JET (8) 49.5 (6 g Taipan ll—Star Quest, R. Harris, Tuahiwi). Third two starts back was behind Grey Way. 1400 m, Riccarton. February 2. D. Frye 8 5090 TOM BOWLING (12) 49.5 (6 g Copenhagen 11—Messalina, Mrs J. Hay, Ashburton). Former northerner. Did not show much at. 1400 m at Hororata meeting. 9 8409 CAPITAL (9) 49 (6 g Sovereign Prince—Vinous. Mrs H- Preston. Riccarton). Has shown nothing of any account so far this time up. but sprinted well in training vesterday. 10 7949 KEEKO (11) 49 l 4 h Keekerok—Dorene, J. Bourne Riccarton). Faded after pacemaking 1400 m at Hororata. Quick enough to rate a chance at 1200 m. N. They II 0500 LATCHMI (7) 49 (4 m Diplomatic Agent — Light Court. D. anfi L. Thistoll, Riccarton). Failed in Hororata sprint. G. Blair 12 1210 LONGStN (4) 49 (5 g Aristoi—My Talei, R. McCann, Riccarton). Win two starts back was in class 3 race at Grey mouth. R. McCann