Zebec picked to win fourth race on end

Press, 4 March 1983, Page 12

Zebec picked to win fourth race on end

By

G. K. YULE

Zebec will come in for confident support when he attempts to gain his fourth win from as many starts since being trained by Jack Smolensk! in the New Zealand Trotting Stakes at Addington Raceway this evening.

The gelding by Crockett from Zenover has to overcome a second-line barrier draw in the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s feature race, but so impressive has he been in his three wins that the'task should be well within his capabilities.

His latest success was in a race for maiden horses at Methven last week when he returned 3min 34.3 s for the 2600 m. a splendid run on such a searching grass track. Before that he returned 3min 26.85.f0r a mobile 2600 m at

Addington, where he was also successful from a standing start in January. Poor Boy, a royally-bred gelding by Armbro Del and All Alone, could hardly have made a more impressive

race debut when he beat all but Zebec on January 19. His only other start resulted in an easy win at Oamaru on February 18. He looks to be well above average in ability and from No. 1 at the barrier, he could run Zebec close. The highly-rated Lady Sa-

die will also be a popular fancy after her game finish for second, three-parts of a length from Zebec, at Addington Raceway on February 4. She should be much improved now as she has had only two starts this time up. Charlotte Wood and Surprise Wood have both shown speed and have winning form to their credit. Both are fairly reliable, a factor which could carry them into the finish.

Interest will centre in the Pukekohe filly, Landora’s

Pride, to be driven by Peter Jones. She started her career with a win, and a third has been her best effort from four subsequent starts. The Nelson filly. Kathy Glass, might not be the most reliable in the race, but she certainly has extreme speed. She is trained by Noel Berkett, who produced Chesapeake to win this event last season. If she gets her act together, she will not be a forlorn chance.

Of the others possibly Zigfield and Black Barry will fare best.