Yale picked for Otaki first leg

Press, 14 November 1984, Page 42

Yale picked for Otaki first leg

Special correspondent Wellington

The talented mare Yale has disappointed in her last couple, of starts yet she could bounce back to form in the Gressier Lodge Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.13. double at Otaki today. Yale, after winning over 1600 metres on the track in September, was sent to Trentham for rich mile events but found the opposition a little too rich.

She is nevertheless a capable mare and well up to testing this field. She is stepping up to 2000 metres but should not have any trouble with the extra distance.

She was placed over 2060 metres at Wanganui in July and her family is better known for its staying attributes. Yale has shown a preference for soft going and she has been helped a little, in this regard with rain in Otaki on Monday night. 1

Yale, which will be ridden by the in-form Garry Phillips, has been freshened since racing in Trentham and has always raced well in this condition.

The main danger is likely to be Kapelle Lady. She is a very honest performer and scored a thoroughly deserved win on the track on October 3 when resuming. She then raced moderately at Trentham but returned a good third behind First Sovereign and Always Summer at Hastings last start. She has a liking for the Otaki track and should be close up. The Taupo visitor Brazanna could be an improver. She showed little in her first start back from a spell at Rotorua on October 27 but should be benefited considerably from the run. She looked extra smart earlier this year when she won four races in succession in the Central Districts.

Her trainer Roger McGlade has made several successful raids down to

this end of the island and Brazanna could be one to show up at useful odds. Paratrooper will be another improved by recent racing and should be just about ready to show form while Crucible stepped up to 2000 metres for the first time last start and was not disgraced. His earlier form was very sound and has the services of Debbie Healey today. Kingston has always looked the makings of a top galloper though he would need to improve on his recent efforts.

The locally-trained Rebecca could take some heading off in the Woodleigh Stud Handicap, the second leg. She resumed with a solid third over 1200 metres on Saturday and though she is being asked to back up quickly, she has the ability to win.

Blazing Path has shown considerable promise in a handful of starts, while Shady News and Bar Doll are recent winners which must be respected.