Belfe stands out at Pahiatua

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 36

Belfe stands out at Pahiatua

Special correspondent Wellington The Foxton galloper, Belfe, should have too much class for her rivals when she tackles the Toparoa Handicap at the Pahiatua Racing Club’s meeting at Woodville today. Belfe is the top weight in the race with 56kg in an event that is the first leg of the T.A.B. double. She comes with good form, fresh from an excellent effort in the class 2 Salamanca Handicap at Trentham last Saturday. It took the mare a little time to get warmed up in the straight, but once in stride she stormed home and only just failed to catch the upset winner, Towtay. The English-bred mare Belfe has a win at Hastings, a third at Masterton and Saturday’s second to show

from three races this time back and a win here would help toward getting her a place in the Benson and Hedges Cup field at Riccarton next month. The New Zealand cup has been her long-term aim. A good even field has been carded and the best of the others could be Giveaway, which was only a long neck away from Belfe when third in the Salamanca. Giveaway is trained on the course by Bruce Marsh. Thanks A Lot is in good touch, while Wimsey, which missed Trentham on Monday, could be one for longer odds. She races well on the course. Medley, Tioga Mellay and Chanting Rosa make appeal as well. The Skelton brothers, Bill and Errol, look set to pro-

vide the quinella in the second leg, the Polo Prince Handicap. Bill will saddle up and ride Poetic Justice, while Errol has his flying filly, Kosha, in the race, which is to be decided over 1200 m. In the field of 15, Kosha has drawn No. 3 and with her rider, Grant Elliot, claiming will end up with 54kg, 1 kg less than Poetic Justice. The two, which work together on the track, resumed in the Riddlesworth at Awapuni two weeks ago, with Poetic Justice first and Kosha second. The field for the second leg looks strong on paper and Fiddler’s Three, which is resuming, could make matters interesting. The topweight, Timandra Bay, Kirsty Lee and Helen’s Joy are prospects as well.