Luck may be needed

Press, 29 June 1985, Page 26

Luck may be needed

By STEVE WILSON The very promising youngster, Merely Magic, seems likely to be installed as favourite for the final of the Lucky Petfood Garden City Classic at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Monday. He has performed with distinction among the top class greyhounds in New Zealand and should find this much easier. Winning his heat by five lengths, he showed the class that has taken him quickly through the grades. However, he has not drawn favourably in box No. 8 and may require early luck in the running. If Merely Magic does meet trouble Kiwi Prince may take some catching. He has been performing well in recent weeks and has the advantage of drawing box No. 2. However, strong opposition can be expected from the Invercargill pair. Boy Talk and Talking Star, which both would have benefited greatly from their first runs on the track in the qualifying races. The Garden City Classic is the first leg of the T.A.B.

double and also the T.A.B. trifecta event. The Roneo Laurels, the second leg of the double, has an even if unspectacular look about it. Heat winners, Laurel’s Best and Lockup Rose, appear drawn to advantage. The Prebbleton-trained Laurel Rock—Serene Silk bitch, Laurel’s Best, has at times been inconsistent, but now appears to have come back to form. Her No. 1 box draw should present her with an interference-free run. Lockup Rose has also drawn well and should be right up with the pace and must be the main danger. Betting is sure to be widespread with Matagouri Rose, Lee Moran and speak Up Girl also coming in for support. The double legs are: Race 6 2.20 T.A.B. DOUBLE T.A.B. TRIFECTA LUCKY PETFOOD GARDEN CITY CLASSIC $400; rest age dogs; 560 m 1 3664 Janie’s Boy 1 Form rather ordinary but drawn to show improvement. 2 7112 Kiwi Prince 2 Stylish heat winner and will take some catching. 3 1235 Honda Silver 3 Weak effort behind Lady Tiree last time out. Rough chance only. 4 2123 McPete 4 Talented dog and could be at good odds, despite draw. Winner at the last T.A.B. meeting here. 5 1142 Boy Talk 5 Badly drawn but capable of bold showing with luck in running. 6 3164 Talking Star 6 Should be improved since heat run and will be finishing better than most. 7 8285 Hondo Ben 7 Form has fallen away since heat and ap_pea:'s safely held here.

8 1151 Merely Magic 8 4 Won heat by five J lengths in fastest time. 3 Will only need luck draw to win this. 9 2553 Cracker My Son Struggling to find form and should be held at -4 this distance. =* 10 5353 Black Trustee Should struggle in,, this company. Unlikely to < get a start. * Emergencies: Cracker My Son, Black Trustee. 1 t Race 7 2.451 T.A.B. DOUBLE J RONEO LAURELS -( $400; rest age bitches; 560 m '1 1 2412 Laurel’s Best 1 3 Won heat easily from-! Speak Up Girl and Mata-2 gouri Rose. Drawn to gou close. « 2 6121 Lockup Rose 2 Another heat winner and has ability. Sure to prominent. -■* 3 4322 Speak Up Girl 3 Should have im-„ proved since heat, June B,x when coming with powerful finish. Respect. * 4 525 Another Houdini 2 Draw no help and,'' should be safely held here. 5 3413 Matagouri Rose 5 4 Game run for third A behind Galactic Gain lasQ start. Will appreciate drop in class but will need luck -a in running. Could be at ‘ good odds. ’1 6 7334 Smokeway 6 , Capable of a better ! effort than her form sug- ’ gests. Respected. % 7 1324 Lee Moran 7 -< Talented bitch cap-JJ able of winning with dear j run. Prefers to be in front, t 8 1134 Charmed Flight 8 ” Has some ability but 4 likely to struggle in this i company. 9 1157 Stadium Lass * Form has slipped and. 4 not fancied. Emergency: Stadium Las§, * T