Open look about Wingatui sprint

Press, 16 August 1984, Page 28

Open look about Wingatui sprint

By

ALEX McMILLAN

The decision of the Balcairn trainer, John Parsons, to withdraw the promising four-year-old, Tirana, from the Brown’s Real Estate Handicap, the second leg of the Otago Racing Club’s T.A.B. double at Wingatui tomorrow, has given the 1200 m event a very open appearance. Parsons said last evening that Tirana, twice successful from just three starts last season before being sidelined as the result of a bone-chip operation, would resume in the 1200 m Big Softie Handicap at Oamaru on Monday, where it seems certain that the ground will be firmer than at Wingatui, where a heavy track seems inevitable. Graikos and McLean, two other members of the Parsons team, will still go to Wingatui, however. All Robinson will partner Graikos, while Tane Matthews has been engaged for McLean. In Tirana’s absence, the Michael Pitman-trained pair, Mighty Million and Auk Princess, seem likely to be among the best-backed candidates, along with the Mosgiel-trained vrinsk. Mighty Million demonstrated his appreciation for the heavy Wingatui ground at Queen’s Birthday weekend and may prove a better proposition than his stablemate, which scored impressively over 1400 m at Riccarton last Saturday when tried in blinkers.

Vrinsk, which may start as favourite tomorrow, raced consistently at the Grand National carnival and although he will be reverting to a sprint journey after racing over 2000 m last Saturday, he must be accorded a big chance. The first leg of the T.A.B. double, the Noble Car Handicap, has attracted a very

ordinary line-up, with perhaps the top weight, Paddle, Sandeeno, and Proud Leigh, twice successful over hurdles at the Grand National meeting, the best credentialled runners. EARLY SELECTIONS 11Lord Venture, Silver Guard, Flag Lieutenant. 11.45: Mill Creek, Dawn Alert, Rome. 1225: Wapiti, Karayarkin, Politician. 1: Sandsting, You Rang Sir, Noble Ella. 1.35: Pasqua, Tudor Flower, Decieboy. 2.15: Paddle, Sandeeno, Proud Leigh. 2.50: Fijian Devil, Colonel George, Cellarmaster. 325: Mighty Million, Vrinsk, Auk Princess. 4: Rhett’s Mate, Rampart, Double Bank. 4.40: Zaneglenn, Hwyl, McLean. Race 6 2.15 TAB. DOUBLE TAB. QUINELLA NOBLE CAR HANDICAP $4000; 2200 m 1 5346 Paddlo 6 57.0 Two good runs in stronger fields at Riccarton make her one of the better chances for this. K. Scott 2 4060 Anbanda 11 55.5 Former northerner with ability on winter tracks, and likely to get ground to suit here. C. Johnson. 3 0711 Proud Leigh 4 55.5 Latest two wins were as hurdler. Showed ability on flat earlier, and will be well seasoned for this. A. Robinson. 4 2115 Lord Venture 1 55.0 Not starting. 5 3668 Cee Low 10 54.5 Failed to make the grade at Grand National meeting, but has to be respected on southern form. J. Collett 6 0907 Keiietan 7 54.0 Ran himself out pacemaking in only start at Grand National meeting. Could be all the better for that one. P. Van Wanrooy. 7 1247 Sandeeno 5 53.5 Failed on firmish

track at Riccarton last week. Form near end of old season was useful. G. Davison. 8 4370 Rhubarb 3 52.5 Weak finisher 2000 m Riccarton last week. M. Burnett 9 7000 Concordia 8 52.0 Veteran. Has done latest racing as hurdler. A. Robertson. 10 7080 Marotiri 9 51.5 Has had his moments as a mudlark, but will surprise if he beats younger rivals here. 11 0404 Indian Idol 2 51.0 First start since 'autumn. S. Turner. Race 8 3.25 TAB. DOUBLE TAB. QUINELLA BROWN’S HANDICAP $4000; 1200 m 1 2100 Native Satin 6 57.0 First start since autumn. T. Kennedy. 2 5608 Follow On 3 54.5 Form earlier in winter not encouraging. S. Allen. 3 4009 Manila 4 54.5 Latest run was as hurdler. L. Didham. 4 4325 Vrinak 1 54.5 Won in the wet at Trentham, and has since raced well at Riccarton. J. Dowling. 5 0901 Auk PrincMi 5 54.0 Reacted well to use of blinkers to win 1400 m at Riccarton last week. 6 6187 Mighty Million 7 54.0 Wilted after pacemaking 1400 m at Riccarton last week, but should be brighter chance this distance. J. Collett 7 2858 Alert 2 53.0 Has shown her best form over more ground. S. Turner. 8 121 Tirana 10 52.0 Not starting. 9 57 Barrow Boy 9 51.5 First start since autumn. Others preferred. R. Mongtomery. 10 4537 Rompart 11 51.5 Placed run two starts back was over 1400 m at Riccarton. 11 6000 Irish Note 8 51.0 Form weak. H. Goscomb.