Il Vento again?

Press, 23 April 1984, Page 18

Il Vento again?

Special correspondent Wellington The course specialist, Il Vento, was so impressive on the first day of the meeting that he should be tough to beat again when he contests the Goodbehere Memorial at the Feilding Jockey Club’s fixture today. Il Vento has now won four races on the track, three of them at today’s distance of 2000 m. On Saturday Il Vento prevailed by just a long neck over Bidston Hill, Coronal and Saddleback in a tight finish, but he always looked the winner once working into the clear 200 m out. Owned in Sydney by Albert Meo and trained near Feilding by Malcolm Smith, 11 Vento has been a very handy performer over the past three or four seasons and has collected 12

victories. Smith has plans to send the Ridan six-year-old to Brisbane in the winter months, though he will be kept to minor races during the carnival. 11 Vento jumps to 55kg today, up 2.5 kg on the first day, but he is expected to measure up again. The likely improver from the first four placegetters on the first day is Saddleback. She was caught four wide in the early rush and rider, Garry Williams, was forced to take her to the front sooner than he would have liked. She stuck on most determinedly, though, and was only a long neck, half a head and a head behind the winner. Coronal and Bidston Hill have to be highly regarded again, and Bronze Valley is a newcomer which 4eould

make quite an impact. He was a narrow winner over 1600 m at Stratford on April 13 in his open class debut. His earlier efforts were most consistent. An upset chance is Carpe Diem. He was outclassed when resuming in the weight-for-age event at Awapuni on March 24 but has a great record when fresh and could give plenty of cheek. The in-form mare, Pleading, looks the one to beat in the Wairewa Handicap, which completes the T.A.B. double. Pleading recorded a track record of Imin 22.8 s when winning a C 3 1400 m race at Waverley on April 6 and then clocked Imin 21.8 s when winning a C 3 1400 m at Feilding on the first day. This will be her first attempt in Cl but she looks up to the task.