Silver Wraith easily

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 27

Silver Wraith easily

NZPA Sydney Silver Wraith turned in an outstanding trial for the $120,000 Epsom Handicap with an effortless win in the Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. Ridden by Peter Cook, the favourite beat the Irish import, Warmington, by three and a half lengths but the margin would probably have been greater if Cook had pressured the six-year-old Silver Dream gelding. . Cook had Silver Wraith under a tight hold for the first 1000 m but when he gave ; the horse his bead, the classy galloper bounded 1 to the lead. .•Silver Wraith carried 58« kg in the weight-for-age Theo Marks (1400 m on Sat-

urday but comes down to 57kg for the Epsom, in which he is now 3-1 favourite. His Auckland owner, Mr Trevor Eagle, indicated after the race that Silver Wraith could be a starter for the $205,000 Caulfield Cup (2400 m on October 18, where the horse had 54kg. The trainer, Tommy Smith, said Silver Wraith would be “cherry-ripe” for the Epsom in a fortnight but would be started in the $20,000 Hill Stakes (W.F.A.) at Rosehill next week to top him off. Silver Wraith cost $3300 as a yearling and has now taken his earnings to $124,827 with 16 wins and seven placings from 39 starts.