Better luck this time for Majestic Sky?

Press, 4 December 1981, Page 20

Better luck this time for Majestic Sky?

Special correspondent Wellington Majestic Sky had no luck at all last week when he tried the Heretaunga Handicap at Trentham, but that could improve in the Discovery Handicap, the first leg of the double there tomorrow. At the line. Majestic Sky was sixth in the field of 11, but as he mounted a run in the straight it appeared he would finish a lot closer, but he was blocked for a run just outside the 250 m mark. A four-year-old, Majestic Sky had shown pretty good form before heading south. He had wins at Paeroa (2200 m Avondale (2200 m

and in a maiden 2200 m event at Rotorua. The field he faces in the Discovery Handicap (2200 m is not that strong. Weights were bumped up by a full 5.5 kg so while Majestic Sky has 52.5, the topweight is 54, shared by Banabar, Bijou Boy, Galaxy Lass and Clive Comet. Bijou Boy could be the hardest to beat. He ran on late to get seventh in the Tenderkist Cup at Wanganui and was successful the time before over 1600 m in the Kalgoorlie Handicap at Te Rapa. Bijou Boy is a tough customer on his day. Banabar. Clive Comet and Galaxy Lass are a useful

trio. Banabar. a regular Trentham visitor in recent times has been racing well enough. Galaxy Lass won three starts back at Stratford. while Clive Comet was a good fifth in the IZB. All Rounder. Diamond Ring could be the one to upset. She won three starts back over 2000 m at Hastings and since has run fourth at Woodville and fifth at Wanganui. Il Vento, from Awapuni, looms as the leading hope on the second leg of the double, the Adventure Handicap. Il Vento. from the in-form Malcolm Smith stable, has hardly been over-raced and his three runs this season

have brought two seconds and the closest of fifths. He was second last time at Woodville just over a fortnight ago and he will take beating. John Wayne, a local, will also be hard to beat. He was third over 1000 m last week, but it is certain that he will be much better suited by 1400 m of the Adventure Handicap. He won his first two starts this term on the track and has held his condition since. Standoff, which was ridden in front last week over 1600 m, could show some improvement as well. He was a good fifth over this distance in much better company at Levin last month.