Deb’s Mate fancied at these weights

Press, 4 July 1981, Page 15

Deb’s Mate fancied at these weights

Special correspondent Auckland

In the form that he has been showing lately Deb's Mate should have the Founders' Plate at Avondale today pretty much to himself. His failure to win. or go very close at worst, would he one of the surprises of the season.

The weight-for-age conditions allow Deb’s Mate in with considerably less than he would be carrying in a handicap over the same 2200 m. His opponents, on the other hand, are all required to put up more than if the event were a handicap. As an example Deb's Mate, with his 57kg. will have 2kg less than he won with in the Air New Zealand Handicap over the same course last Saturday. And • Young Bing and Washington — sixth and fifth in the same event — are up by 6kg.

Deb's Male came up in

great shape again for last Saturday, his condition all through this last month or so has reflected the greatest credit on Harvey Wadham. who prepares him at Pukekohe.

Young Debbie Stockwell, the regular rider of Deb's Mate, has also played her part well, handling the horse always with real understanding. ”

With the opposition seemingly so weak it is quite on the cards Deb's Mate will lead all the way as he did last Saturday. Wherever his rider chooses to place him he should be doing it easily, he has so much more pace than most who have been running the middle-distance handicaps this winter. While at such a disadvantage where Deb's Mate is concerned. Young Bing should be well in the battle for the minor placings. Deino's Ruler. Breakaway and Sovereign Lady have

been showing form but in the lesser grades. While the tracks are heavy, though. Deino's Ruler is likely to make a showing whatever the company, he is such a great mudlark. The second leg of the T.A.B. double, the Alltran Handicap, a class one 1200 m event, seems much more open. Baird of Avon. Even Dollars and Uncommon promise to be quite evenly backed. Swaps and Silver March, at their best, could go well.

The Alf Bevege Steeplechase will attract special interest as a trial for Dual Purpose which, all going well, will be taken' to Trentham next week for the Riddiford Steeplechase on the third day of the Wellington winter meeting. A six-year-old in Chris de Man's stable at Takanini. Dual Purpose has been showing up well over the bigger fences. At the Great Northern meeting he was twice third, in the Greeniane Steeplechase and the McGregor Grant Steeplechase, and he won the previous lime at Pukekohe.

Dual Purpose is one of several horses in the Alf Bevege Steeplechase with speed above the average for a jumper so a very good race is in prospect.