Agrinion looks ready to win at Methven

Press, 23 September 1983, Page 10

Agrinion looks ready to win at Methven

JEFF SCOTT

Agrinion appears ready to make a winning return to form against a strong line-up in the Methven Cup, the first leg of the T.A.B. double, at the Methven Trotting Club’s meeting tomorrow.

The talented daughter of Boyden Hanover and Bravine has had three starts in this campaign for two thirds and a last-start second, beaten by a nose by Diamond Moose at Addington last Friday. She has improved with each of those outings and must take beating here. She was a winner over 3200 m on grass in the Hororata Cup last season.

Ansett has not raced up to her best in three starts this term but has been to the fore at trials and workouts in recent weeks. She has a great record at the extreme distance, having won five at 3200 m including last season’s Canterbury Park Winter Cup. This type of race suits her more than most. The backmarkers, Entersrise5 rise and Stortford Lodge light Bower is unlikely to get a start), will be looking to bridge the gap to open company if they can win this.

Both have been nearing their peaks in recent starts and are genuine stayers, which are likely to make their presence felt with luck in the running. Bionic Adios, which set

three track records on grass last season, and the ultraconsistent Double Cove, are talented stayers resuming and are both sure to be well forward. It would not surprise if either turned in a winning run. Amaze, a fine third to Hands Down and Stampede in the Imperial Hotel Free-for-all at Addington last Friday, has won twice on the course and at the distance and a repeat of last week’s run would see him

go close here. Joy Boy has done everything that has been asked of him of late and is not without a chance, while Capri has been in top form apart from a last-start failure in her first start in the top grade. Kind Nature, Lopez Mac Faber and Glen Lustre are others which are capable of figuring in the finish with peak efforts.

The promising Willowby

pacer, True Charles, will be a warm favourite for the second leg, the Avonmore Handicap. The True Averil five-year-old overcame an early check to win in style at Addington last week and would need to improve little to win again. Local Hanover, which has looked forward at trials, the consistent Muricata Miss, Redeemer, Scotty Del and Hoss, are others with strong form claims.