Master Mood will be hard to beat

Press, 25 May 1984, Page 20

Master Mood will be hard to beat

Special correspondent Auckland Master Mood heads a formidable southern challenge for major honours in the inaugural $lOO,OOO Image International Sires Stakes Final, first leg of the T.A.B. double at the Franklin Trotting Club’s meeting at Alexandra Park tomorrow night. Master Mood, holder of the New Zealand record for a two-year-old' of 1:59.5 for the mobile mile, has been a little disappointing in his recent racing. Should he, however, reproduce the same brilliance he revealed on his last trip north and in his subsequent racing back in the South Island, he will undoubtedly be very hard to beat. Loveridge, another visitor from Canterbury, is a close relation to the fine juvenile pacer of a few years back, Fouroux. Loveridge has a best mile time of 2:2.4 and has been most consistent this season. He finished a solid fifth at his last start in the New Zealand Sires Produce Final at Addington Raceway on May 9. Malaz, trained by Hamish Hunter at Ryal Bush, near Invercargill, has looked impressive since he first stepped on to the racetrack. Malaz will not be the least of chances in the Final and should not be overlooked. Folie Bergere and Westburn King have proved over the last week or so that the right-handed way of going will pose no problems to them whatsoever after fine performances at the Rowe Cup meeting. They will need luck, though, from their respective barrier positions, on the second line.

Billbob and Lady Alba look the best of the northern runners.

Billbob has looked impressive in his latest racing but has his weaknesses and will have to pull out all stops to hold off this strong southern challenge.

Lady Alba has proved more than a match for the colts and geldings to date, and her scintillating win on the middle night of the Rowe Cup meeting brought her right into calculations to take top honours here. Nardinski, a beautifully

bred colt, needs two scratchings to get back into the field, and, should he achieve this, will be hard to beat.

Direct Kiwi, an outstanding third behind Norton and Ben in the Easter Cup last month, may return to peak form with a win in the Hoskings Memorial Handicap, second leg of the T.A.B. double. Direct Kiwi was a fine fourth to Comedy Lad last Saturday and the run should have improved him. He will be hard to peg

back should the breaks go his way. His handicap of 20m is not insurmountable over 3200 m.

Slugger, one of the most rugged horses in commission, appeals as a strong stayer and is unlikely to be troubled by the distance.

Tabor fell with 600 m to run at Alexandra Park last week. His form is better than it looks and he should be in the thick of the finish. Barbara Jover, Kiwi Rein, Never Bend and Gene Evander look the best of the remainder.