Ebony Belle fancied in Cuddle Stakes

Press, 4 May 1984, Page 18

Ebony Belle fancied in Cuddle Stakes

Special correspondent Wellington Last season’s leading two-year-old, Ebony Belle, should end her three-year-old season on a winning note when she runs in the Cuddle Stakes, the second leg of the Wellington Racing Club’s T.A.B. double tomorrow.

Ebony Belle comes to Trentham fresh from a couple of good wins in top company, followed by a run of extreme ill-luck in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie. In that, she was the favourite, but was checked so badly 600 out that she was last at the finish.

Ebony Belle has her share of weight to carry, but she has won the 1400 m Bowen Handicap at Ellerslie in a record 1:22.26 and the New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes at Te Aroha.

Ebony Belle will be ridden tomorrow by David Walsh, who did so well on her stablemate, So Dandy.

Bakbar Dancer, from Takanini. is a three-year-old

filly of real promise. She won at Paeroa last time and with only 48.5 kg comes into this race pretty well. She was the first emergency but with the Woodville winner, Ballihu, a doubtful runner, a run for her tomorrow is certain.

Chantilly Belle will give the Eales stable a strong hand in the race, while the in-form Woodville trainer, Jeff Lynds has both Fidji and Our Jetty to boost his chances. Glamour Star, Call it Quits and Silveroider, bad draw and all, are among a host of worthy runners.

The first leg of the double is the Gloaming Stakes, in which Passive Prince appeals in a small but even field. A recent winner, he has raced handily at Stratford and Awapuni since.

Ballantrae and Bidston Hill head the Handicap and are form runners, but the likes of Sirtain, Greek Meer and Carpe Diem have good track records despite a lack of recent success.