Change of driver for Dreamy Dragon today

Press, 17 June 1980, Page 30

Change of driver for Dreamy Dragon today

From

G. K. YULE

in Nelson

Michael de Filippi will have a great chance of gaming his first suecess at the meeting when he drives Dreamy Dragon in the Baaz Handicap first leg of the T.A.B. double at Richmond Park today.

-Michael . will“j replace -his brother, ■-Colin, who has driven the three-year-pld to three successive-victories, including the Caltex Gold Cup on Saturday. Colin has Cousteau, .a member? of his own team engaged in today’s first leg. He was a winner in a C2 race at Rangiora last week and is expected to go well in the improved conditions today. . ..., On Saturday, Michael drove Follow Up in the Gold Cup, but that horsfe’s trainer, Trevor Thomas, is booked to travel south to attend today’s meeting, leaving de Filippi free to take the drive on the probable favourite. Dreamy Dragon will need to receive no bad luck in the running to come out on top once more, with strong opposition likely to come from My Star ahd Okere, as well:' as Lord ’ Brigade, Gilnbckie Tower and Cousteau.

Royal Tempo’s decisive win in the Second Marac Handicap on. Saturday sug-gested-that the . rise in. class in the Jack Cameron Handicap will not be beyond-her. The Palmerston-owned and trained- mare has drawn favourably and looks almost certain to extend her record on the circuit. The Cameron Handicap is the final leg of the T.A.B. treble and betting should be reasonably spread among a number of horses which went fair races on Saturday. Bemsay and Elite Del, second and fourth to Royal Scotch on Saturday, should be two of the better chances, while Gikama Dee has come into favour after her sixth on the first day. She was a long way back early after starting from the second line and made ground steadily in the run home. She has drawn much more

favourably this time and should get into the finish. Gikama Dee is the only drive Wes Butt has had. on the trip. The Stan Lowe Memorial, the first leg of ' the T.A.B. treble, is one-. ofthe most open races on the programme. Light Craft, Lord Derek and Take Aim all raced .well enough on Saturday to be considerd as winning chances, while bold runs are likely from ’ Nashville, Rosewood Charger, Gypsy Averil and Aviemore now that the prospects are for firmer footing. Trotters usually hold their form well on Nelson-Blen-heim circuits suggesting that Hookey Hanover, Wendonside and Ney Koy will be three of the leading chances in the middle leg, the Kirbys Handicap. Outlook and Crockett Wood will also deserve consideration.

Selections

10.45. a.m.—Dairy Handicap: Goldcoast Lady, -Metro Star, Looking Glass? •ll.2aa.rn.—Wakatu Handicap: Moorbank Seottie, Merry Gee, Gay. Louisiana. 11.55 a.m.—Champion Stakes: Crimson Charmer, Tempest Rule, Carteret. 12.30 p.m.—First Coffee Handicap: Cap Duhaine, Tribute, Span Out. 1.5 p.m.—Sfan Lowe Memorial: Light Craft, Lord Derek, Take Aim. 1.40 p.m.—Baaz Watch Handicap: Dreamy Dragon, My Star, Okere. 2.20 p.m.—Kirby's Handicap: Hookey Hanover, Wendonside, Ney KO. 255 p.m.—Sportsman Handicap: Dundas, Bonnie Lass, Capinsay. 3.30 p.m.—Second Coffee Handicap: Mister Dei, Checkmate, Cap Duhaine. 4.5 p.m.—Cameron Handicap: Royal Temp, Bernsay, Gikama Dee.