About Now in form for Timaru free-for-all

Press, 7 January 1982, Page 17

About Now in form for Timaru free-for-all

By

Paul Mein

It could be a case of third time lucky for About Now when she tackles the D.B. Free-for-all, first leg of the Timaru Trotting Club’s T.A.B. double tomorrow afternoon.

Now seven, About Now first contested the free-for-all as a four-year-old and all but won the Timaru feature, pushing No Response to three-quarters of a length back in 1979.

Only eighth behind Even Speed two years ago, About Now was not among the nine starters when No Response won his second free-for-all last year, but she has a solid form background in her quest to win the $6OOO event tomorrow. From her nine starts this season she won twice — The Banks Peninsula Cup for a second time and a track record triumph at Ashburton on December 28 — as well as five placings, the latest a typically game second to McShane in the Canterbury Park Cup on Monday. Forced three and four wide from the 800 m, About Now pushed McShane to three-quarters of a length, an effort she could well improve upon tomorrow.

Scotch Tar’s return to racing after an enforced lay-off will be of interest to many. He was spelled with tendon trouble after failing at Forbury Park on October 17, but he has done plenty of work since and if anything like his old self, would be a popular choice from three at the barrier. McShane, which sat without cover for the last 1600 m yet still had ample reserves to win the'Canterbury Park Cup last Monday, Speedy Tuft, third in the same race, Israel and Sir Castleton should also add to the action. Selections: 3.10: Steve’s Chance, Summerfield, Siesta. 3.45: Jamie Ferguson, Roy Hall, Donn Rodney.

4.20: Will Rain, Griff, Madonna. 4.55: Gay Girl, Glen Stuart, Jimmy's Pride. 5.30: Now’s Your Chance, Super Byrd, Undercheck. 6.05: About now, Scotch Tar, McShane. 6.40: Knight Errant, Lopez Song, Crafty Fella. 7.15: Enterprise, Mister Wood Chips, Hilarious Guest. 7.50: La Warah, Trinity Hanover, Classical. 8.30: Magda Sorrel, Tarragon, Benjie Tara. Race 6 6.5 T.A.B. DOUBLE T.A.B. QUINELLA DB FREE-FOR-ALL $6000; OC; trotters; 2600 m. 1 3041 McShane 1 It Gallant winner of Canterbury Park Cup after sitting without cover for last 1600 m. One of best chances. W. Hill. 2 4869 Most Likely Fella 2 It Well beaten at Addington on Monday. Would have to improve on latest efforts. J. Ferguson. 3 8056 Scotch Tar 3 It Brilliant trotter having first start for nearly two months. The one to beat if he is forward enough. A. Dykman. 4 573 Speedy Tuft 4 It Improving all the time and fine third to McShane in Canterbury Park Cup on Monday. R. Brosnan. 5 9555 Brother James 5 It Game effort for fifth, Addington, Monday, after breaking. Consistent but up against it in this field. W. Keast. 6 4740 Game Pointer 6 It Every chance when fourth over 2600 m, Addington, January 1, and beaten well out in Canterbury Park Cup. 7 0200 Miradios 7 It Smart second to About Now, Ashburton, December 26, but no show in two previous starts after breaking. B. Buchanan. 8 0800 Sure Mart 8 It Spoiling chances by breaking. Grand trotter and a prospect if she trots all the way. 9 1378 Sir Castleton 9 It Feeling the effects of a virus last two starts. Top trotter having first start after brief spell. Obvious

prospect if forward enough. P. O’Reillv, jun. 10 6312 About Now 10 It Forced very wide but strong finisher for second to McShane at Addington on Monday. Set a track record when winning at Ashburton. December 28. Game and consistent. D. Townley. 11 2026 Triambro 11 It Made pace and run down late Addington, January 1, and not far from them when sixth to McShane on Monday. Draw little help. B. Gliddon. 12 Miss Castleton 12 It Away from racing since unplaced run in Ordeal Cup, September, 1980. Bound to need run here. 13 2320 Regal Flyer 3 It Broke badly and last in Canterbury Park Cup. Solid second to Adiantum, Invercargill, December 19, but field here much stronger. R. Mclntyre. 14 1187 Israel 14 It Faded closing stages after sprinting up hard in Canterbury Park Cup. Sure to be improved with run. Star graduate at N.Z. Cup meeting. R. Prendergast. 15 1318 Adiantum 15 It Impressive winner, Addington, January 1. Made some ground after breaking for eighth on Monday. Form consistent beforehand but will need luck from draw. M. Skinner. 16 0760 Game Captain 16 It Out of form. W. Fletcher. 17 0970 Maudey UR 1 It Well beaten, Addington, Monday. Others seem more likely. R. May. 18 5064 Prince Del UR 2 It Better run last start whan close up fourth in Canterbury Park Cup. 19 7340 Kate's Return UR 3 It Well beaten Addington, Monday. Useful fourth Ashburton two starts back but would need to improve on last-start run. J. Carmichael. Emergencies: Maudey, Miss Castleton, Miradios, Gaine Captain. Race 8 7.15 T.A.B. DOUBLE T.A.B. QUINELLA TIMARU CHALLENGE STAKES $5100; three-year-olds; 2000 m. 1 09 Castle Batch 1 It Maiden runner with little to recommend him.

2 1313 Triloba! 2 It Southland colt on fine run of form. Fast finishing third to Mai Mai. subsequent Addington winner, at Winton last start. G. Hamilton. 3 03 Armbro's Wisdom 3 It Maiden pacer Others preferred. K O'Reilly. 4 Bonnie Scotland 4 It First start. 5 Kenneth William 5 It First start. P. Young. 6 8623 Capri 6 It Second, run down late over 2800 m at Banks Peninsula and ran on well, though eight lengths from Enterprise, Addington, January 1. C. de Filippi. 7 2151 Mai Mai 7 It Unlucky when fifth to Enterprise but fine run to win C 4 mobile 2000 m event, Addington, Monday. 8 69 Registrar 8 It Speedy but will be up against it in this field. J. Burrows. 9 1016 Hilarious Guest 9 It Set a record for her age when she went 4min 14.5 s over 3200 m at Addington, November 13. Failed in Courier Systems Stakes next start, November 21, and has been spelled since then. Classy filly which races well fresh. P. Jones. 10 1638 Kawerau Doon 10 It Well back behind Enterprise in Mercer Mile last start. M. Skinner. 11 0311 Enterprise 11 It Classy colt in peak form. Eight lengths winner of Mercer Mile last start. Best' chance. P. Shand. 12 2645 El Sadat 12 It Useful fourth in Mercer Mile. Stuck on well for fifth in Cl mobile last start. This harder. R. Payne. 13 9007 Master Will 13 It Smart colt but has yet to repeat the form that saw him finish second to Portfolio at Addington in November, N. Gillum. 14 1232 Camelot 14 It Led chase after Enterprise in Mercer Mile last start. Has yet to run a bad race. Sure to be close up again. R. Butt. 15 1231 Mister Wood Chips 15 It Beat Mel's Boy in Cardigan Bay Stakes at Wellington. December 4. Narrowly beaten by Norton in Courier Systems Stakes at Addington on Cup day. One of top prospects. G. Court.