Baldevic looks top chance at Levin tomorrow

Press, 9 August 1985, Page 23

Baldevic looks top chance at Levin tomorrow

Special correspondent Wellington

Baldevic looked a bit above himself when he gave Bill Skelton a hair-raising final day at Hawera last week, but on his home course he could be the top chance in the Downing Mazda Handicap, the first leg of the Levin Racing Club's meeting tomorrow.

Baldevic, whose form is pretty good, has drawn handily, a big advantage at the 1600 m start and with his pace he should be able to race handy for most of the way.

Diamond Raider, impressive at Awapuni last month and at Hastings last week, looks a big threat, though he does have a job ahead of him with 58kg to carry.

Hilo Bay (at Levin last month) and Blackie’s Mate (at Trentham) are both recent winners. Other leading chances look to be Kim Heir, fourth on the first day at Hastings, and Brannigan, fourth at Te Rapa a month back.

The second leg, the Skaggs Industries Handicap, has five last-start winners, but the best chance could be Nevada Prince, whose long list of platings was broken three starts back by a win at Hastings in a maiden race. He has been placed since at Awapuni and Hastings in better company. The Calder-trained galloper, Lindo Chaval, looks above average and the best of the others could be Fairfield Lad, a winner at Hawera.