Stormee likely to reverse placings at Tauranga

Press, 19 April 1980, Page 22

Stormee likely to reverse placings at Tauranga

r Special correspondent Auckland Stormee has a chance to turn the tables on Silver Nymph when they meet again today in Tauranga’s Japan-New Zealand International Trophy event. Only half a length and a head separated the two horses last time, in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie, Silvery Nymph' first, Stormee third, with Heidelberg in between. All three are in the Internatidnal Trophy. So are the next three finishers in the Easter, Shelter’s Gold, Anderil and Bayshore, making the field one of impressive strength, right up to that .Which contested the big one at Ellerslie. -

Usually a quick, beginner, Stormee missed the start in the Easter and her effort to get so close in the finish was remarkably good. Heidelberg might also have won the Easter Handicap except that he veered to the inside hearing the finish. He is a five-year-old with considerable ability but his form is inclined to • be patchy. Anderil was handy right through the Easter handicap, weakening only in the last 100 m, and . Bayshore also raced close to the lead. Shelter’s Gold, on the other hand, was so far back with 800 m to go as to seem almost out of the race. Of the first four he was certainly the fastest finisher. Shelter’s Gold is more ac-

customed these days to funning 2000 m or so rather than the 1600 m set him in the Easter and which he will have to go today. So the question must be whether he will raise the necessary early speed to have a chance with Stormee and Silver Nymph. Scotch Mist, a Canterbury three-year-old is always likely to win or go very close. He failed last time, over 2000 m at Riccarton on April 12, but took a 1400 m two starts back, at Riccartoon, while carrying 57kg. Starroona and Rock ‘N’ Rye are lightweights with ability and Copper Bit is at a position in the handicap, with 51kg, from where he could well make a good showing.