Sir Castleton expected to maintain fine form

Press, 28 September 1984, Page 29

Sir Castleton expected to maintain fine form

Special correspondent Auckland Sir Castleton, this year’s Inter-Dominion Trotting champion, will be expected tonight to maintain the fine form he invariably shows at Alexandra Park. The Ashburton gelding is well drawn in the Morrinsville Trotting Club’s DB Morrinsville Trotting Cup and there seems little doubt he will be a warm favourite. The last time Sir Castleton raced at Alexandra Park he was second, beaten a nose, to Jenner in the Rowe Cup on May 19. In four, starts since, he has had a win, two seconds and a third. latest race was at Addington on September 11

when he was second to Basil Dean. Jenner has failed in two starts (both standing dispatches) since his recordbreaking Rowe Cup victory but it may be wise to ignore that form. Especially as he was on difficult marks. With a mobile start this time and an ideal barrier position, No. 2, he could be a tough proposition. His 4min J3.6S for 3200 m, beating the previous Alexandra Park record by 1.45, showed what a fine trotter he is when in form. With luck in the running, though, Cal Brydon could provide stiff opposition to Sir Castleton. Unless there is another scratching — Major Hest and Dragon’s Pride .were withdrawn yesterday •$- he

will have to start from the second row. This is a pity because his acceleration from behind the mobile barrier is quite exceptional. He showed he was in splendid form when, off 20m, he was narrowly beaten by the talented Dragon’s Pride (front) at Alexandra Park last Saturday. It will be a major surprise if any outside the “big three” wins. The highly promising four-year-old mare, Dream Drive, is bound to be at cramped odds in the Supreme Lodge Mobile Pace, the second leg of the T.A.B. double. She has had only four starts and she has won three of them. The opposition tonight looks far from

strong. Considerable attention is being focused on the Morrinsville Juvenile Stakes which, with a stake of $13,875, is easily the richest in the country for two-year-old pacers early in the season. It has drawn a splendid field, including Via Ferrari, unbeaten in two starts, some impressive winners at trials and Fancy Wally, a highly regarded Ashburton gelding. Particular interest will, be taken in Smooth Falcon, a colt by Smooth Fella from Tata Matapo, whose winning runs at trials have included a mile in 2min 6s. The stakes is the first leg of the T.A.B. treble. Nitro Nat and Traitor’s Gate are fancied for the other legs.