Mr Hickey fancied at Poverty Bay

Press, 2 September 1981, Page 25

Mr Hickey fancied at Poverty Bay

Special correspondent Gisborne Heavy track conditions at Gisborne today are sure to be to Mr Hickey’s liking. For that reason he will probably start a firm favourite for the Dick Twistleton Handicap, first leg of the Poverty Bav Turf Club's T.A.B. double. The track has a tremendous amount of surface water lying on it and the persistent rain in the last week or so has not allowed it to drain awav.

The one saving grace from the meeting being abandoned is that the ground is still relatively firm under all the water.

Mr Hickey, which is just as much a force on the flat as he is over fences, will relish the sloppy conditions

and his obvious fitness will give him a head start on his rivals.

Castro is a lightweight assured of support after his good race at Hastings and another is Navaho Girl, which has been racing consistently without much luck lately.

Te Anga. after a couple of sprints to fit him for a return to middle distance racing, and Coruba Gold, which has not shown much form lately but has a good record on the track, will also have to be considered.

However, nothing is surer than it is going to be the fittest horse which comes out on top and in this respect it is hard to go past Mr Hickey. On the same score of fitness and race conditioning, it

wil be surprising if Proud Belle does not win the second leg, the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Handicap. The Indian Order mare has been a winner twice over the distance on the track, so the horses for courses theory will be a factor in her favour. Meed, which has won three times over 1400 m at Gisborne. will be another with plenty of followers. He had a run at New Plymouth without flattering but looked in good trim when working yesterday.

Irish Annie, a locallytrained mare with more than her fair share of ability, has not raced for some time, but will still have a solid following.