Blue Sage might test Papabois tomorrow

Press, 14 January 1982, Page 15

Blue Sage might test Papabois tomorrow

Bv

J. J. BOYLE

If she gets firm footing Blue Sage should be a formidable rival for Papabois as the northerner goes for his third successive win on the West Coast circuit tomorrow. Blue Sage will make her only appearance on the circuit in the Radio Scenicland Handicap, first leg of the Greymouth Jockey Club's T.A.B. double. She showed she had freshened well in the last week or two by sprinting brilliantly on the' trial grass at Riccarton yesterday. Ridden by Barry Pelling. a highweight jockey. Blue Sage was going comfortably just ahead of The Crofter finishing 800 m in 49.85. She quickened impressively for the last 600 m in 35.85.

Maurice. Thornley, who rode The Crofter in yesterday’s gallop, was quick to snap up the ride on Blue Sage for tomorrow’s race. Thornley accepted for both Amatrice and The Crofter in the feature race at Greymouth. but both are on the list of reserves. Blue Sage has been out of a place in her two most recent starts, at Waikouaiti and Washdyke, but was unable to gallop with any confidence on shifting surfaces. If the track is firm, tomorrow Blue Sage could prove the value of her third behind The Twinkle and Joyarty at weight-for-age in the Canterbury 'Jockey Club’s D.B. Galaxy Stakes last ' month. Fields and form for the T.A.B. double:— Hokitika Cup. Consistent, and looks one of biggest threats to Papabois. 11 0454 Maunday Money 6 52.0 Newcomer on circuit. Fast finisher for 4th 1200 m Kurow last time. 12 3323 Cara Dee 2 51.5 One of obvious chances after placed runs earlier on circuit. Only one to«put up a show against Papabois in Kumara Nuggets. 13 1712 Frontline 15 51.0 Surprise winner at Reefton. but ran up to that form when second to Papabois at Hokitika. 14 9846 Jonboy Hunt 3 51.0 Finsihed in middle in Hokitika Cup and would have to improve to win this. 15 5123 Just a Rebell4 51.0 Over 10 lengths from winner. Papabois. when 3rd in Kumara Nuggets. Close second in Waikouaiti Cup the time before. Worth a second thought. 16 1211 Amatrice 18 50.5 Has looked pretty useful with recent wins in lower grades. Two most recent wins were at 1600rh. Unlikely runner.

Race 6 3.45 T.A.B. CODE GY T.A.B. DOUBLE T.A.B. QUINELLA RADIO SCENICLAND HANDICAP $8000: 2000 m 1 0621 Miles Better 16 57.5 Easy winner Invercargill Gold’ Cup with 54 January 2. 2 0348 Brutus 11 57.0 Failed on heavy lack at Kumara. Having a battle to regain best form of other seasons. 3 2211 Papabois 5 57.0 North Islander unbeaten in last two starts on circuit. Won at Reefton and Kumara with 52 and capable of handling extra weight in his present form. P. Smith 4 3997 Ernest 7 56.0 Veteran of the field. Found class too strong in Auckland, but has good form on West Coast courses. 5 9300 Blue Sage 13 54.0 Last-start failure was in Waikouaiti Cup. No good on soft track at Timaru the time before. Placed behind The Twinkle and Joyarty when she had ground to suit her three starts back. 6 7034 Star Order 10 53.5 Rates place chance at least on his two latest runs, at Timaru and Kumara meetings. 7 86 Rosie's Boy 9 52.5 Back to something like his best distance after two winding-up. runs against the sprinters. Not the worst. 8 8399 Sir James 8 52.5 Hard-wearing veteran with recent placed performances at Washdyke and Reefton. Not so good at Hokitika on Monday. 9' 0038 Tarrion 17 52.5 Ran himself out pacernaking in Hokitika Cup. Should be more seasoned for this one. 10 3264 Josie 4 52.0 Sound run for 4th in

17 0007 Dolmar 1 50.5 Out of form. 18 2211 The Crofter 12 50 Newcomer on circuit. Last two wins were at this distance, the latest at Waikouaiati. Unlikely ruhner. Race 8 5.5 T.A.B. DOUBLE T.A.B. TREBLE T.A.B. QUINELLA CORUBA HANDICAP $3440. 1400 m 1 2212 Sharebroker 7 58 5 Just caught by Pompous Prince 1200 m Hokitika. Monday. 2 82i3 Gold Retrain 6 57 Kumara winner and another solid run for third at Hokitika. 3 2214 Napiat 2 53 5 Easy winer this distance at Reefton. Fair run 1200 m Hokitika. 4 4909 Timax 9 53.5 Faded after trailing over 1200 m at Hokitika. Could still be improving and respected on earlier form. 5 3441 Pompous Prince 5 52.0 Improved sound record with win at Hokitika. 6 06 Lover Boy 1 51.0 Weak finisher when resuming at Kumara. and again at Hokitika. Might be worth another chance. 7 0735 Peck 3 51 Third at Kumara was best run for some time. 8 1066 Double March 8 50.0 Has not shown enough in last two starts to earn favouritism, but should be helped bv this distance. 9 5680 All Smiles 4 49.0 ’ Would have to improve a lot to beat this field. 10 0556 Frontiniac 11 49.0 Did not show enough at Hokitika to warrant a second thought for this. 11 98 Influential 10 49.0 Veteran with nothing to commend him.