Tom’s Dice good prospect today

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 27

Tom’s Dice good prospect today

Special correspondent Auckland Tom’s Dice will be one of the most interesting runners at Ellerslie this afternoon when he tackles 2000 m in the second leg of the T.A.B. double. It will be his first attempt further than 1600 m.

At best Tom’s Dice goes 1600 m as though he will eventually have no trouble with 2000 m or more, nearly always running on strongly. He is in his element with the ground heavy as it will be today. Now rising five years old, and in Bruce McLeod’s stable at Takanini, Tom’s Dice did not begin racing until early this season and he made an auspicious start, winning both his first two attempts. Since coming back from a summer spell he has had five races, the latest . for fourth over 1600 m at Pukekohe last Friday. The ability Tom’s Dice has in managing very heavy ground is natural because he is by Tiparillo, an accomplished mudlark when racing during the early 19705. Tiparillo included the Whyte Handicap, a winter 1600 m at Trentham in his wins as a three-year-old. Later, he became a useful middle-distance runner with minor placings in an A.R.C. Cornwall Stakes, the Winter

Oats and Gloaming Stakes at Trentham, and provincial wins over 2000 m and 2200 m. Royal Reprieve is one that Tom’s Dice has to beat and in the hard slog that the race represents he could be dangerous. A member of Ken Browne’s team, at Cambridge, Royal Reprieve looked a fair stayer when winning three middle distances on the heavy tracks of the early spring. He nearly always battles on solidly.

The topweights, First Sovereign and Tom Thumb, look the best prospects for the first leg, the Marist Rugby Jubilee Cup, a class two 1600 m race, although they have to give 7kg to the bottom of the handicap. First Sovereign followed a win over 1200 m at Ellerslie, on June 11, with a second placing behind Paddy O’Haub over 1300 m at Pukekohe last Friday. Tom Thumb is racing well again, and looks ready for another win.