John Peel top prospect for Ashburton Cup

Press, 7 September 1982, Page 26

John Peel top prospect for Ashburton Cup

By

J. J. BOYLE

John Peel and Jim Cassidy will be a combination to respect in the Ashburton Cup today.

The powerful son of Sovereign Edition looked and acted one race short of his peak when fourth over 1600 m on the first day of the Ashburton meeting on Saturday. This time he will be back to something more like his best distance in a race his Ashburton trainer, Jim Lalor, took sure aim at with Robanna in 1977 and again with Sir James in 1978. John Peel will have some durable veterans in the lineup against him in the first leg of today’s T.A.B. double. One is Sweeney Todd, the Ashburton Cup winner two years ago. and winner of his

last two races as a hurdler as well as running second in the Grand National Hurdles as an eight-year-old this season. Firpo. the topweight, is nine, and Good Way, second topweight, is seven. Good Way was runner-up to Sweeney Todd in this race two years ago. and to Lady Creosote last year, but it is doubtful if he is capable of anything better while the tracks remain firm. Black Rule from Washdyke. and Damazam. from Riccarton. are others capable of lifting their form when the tracks ease, but on firm ground, almost certain for today, both might be

unable to match Handsome' Heir, a courageous winner in a lower-graded 1600 m race last Saturday. Handsome Heir was shaping as if he w’ould be promising material for a race like the Wellington Derby until he had a setback soon after he won over 2000 m at Riccarton. Ron McCann, who will ride Handsome Heir today, has waved away the ride on Auchentoshan in the John Grigg Stakes, second leg of today's T.A.B. double and treble. McCann will partner Clansman, an impressive maiden winner in his hands last Saturday.

Clansman has scope and size, and showed easy mastery of the John Grigg Stakes distance in winning by four lengths on Saturday. Charles Beaufort, a second form runner for Dave Kerr's Riccarton stable, will be ridden by the Wingatui jockey. Russell McAra. He started his three-year-old racing with a second in the Canterbury Jockey Club's Cashmere Plate, then won the Aylesbury (1200 m by two lengths on the third day of the Grand National meeting. On that fcfm he should set problems for the best of the others.