Star gallopers will add interest at Wanganui

Press, 30 August 1985, Page 23

Star gallopers will add interest at Wanganui

special correspondent Wellington

The appearance of star gallopers, Kiwi, Kingdom Bay and Abit Leica, as well as a star-studded lineup for the day’s feature, the weight-for-age Tim Rogers Stakes, will attract widespread interest at the Wanganui Jockey Club’s meeting tomorrow.

Kiwi will be having his second start back from a spell when he contests the Higgle Handicap (2000 m and against moderate opposition, it will be no surprise to see him take the honours. Kiwi won the race two years ago leading up to his Melbourne Cup success and also contested the race last year. He was not so lucky then, though, as he lost any chance of figuring in the finish when a horse fell in front of him with a round to go- _

The Blarney Kiss gelding looks to have come back better than ever and did not have much luck in his firstup sixth at Foxton. Kingdom Bay and Abit Leica will be figuring in an exhibition gallop following the Higgle as they build up for major spring campaigns. The Tim Rogers Stakes is the first leg of the T.A.B. double and the club could hardly have hoped for a better field.

The line up is headed by the glamour galloper, Axeman, which has already won the race twice. He has been troubled by unsoundness but must be rated highly if he starts.

Fourth placings in the Mr Chips Classic (1400 m and Taumarunui Cup (2000 m in his only two starts this campaign indicate he still retains plenty of dash. However the toughest to

beat could be the Fielding mare. Always Summer, which has already recorded two major successes at 1600 m this winter. She won the Whyte Handicap at Trenthani in July and last time out bolted home in the Winter Cup at Riccarton.

Both of those races were run under handicap conditions, but Always Summer has also shown she can cope with weight-for-age conditions. She chased the three-year-old Fothers home in this race last year. She has drawn badly but she normally drops to the rear anyway so should not be too inconvenienced. She has never finished out of the money in five starts on the track and should acquit herself well again. The reappearance of The Filbert will be a feature of the race. He has not raced since April and is preparing

for the Caulfield Cup next month. He is a very talented galloper and a bold fresh-up effort is expected.

Greatness has returned two solid efforts since resuming; and Fountaincourt and Mr Trick are forward for the assignment.

Fountaincourt was a recent trials winner and looked in fine shape, while Mr Trick is having his first outing since winning the Fourex Cup in Brisbane last month. He is capable of a bold 1600 m.

Purple Crown and Paul’s Gold are also very capable and could not be discounted if they ran up to their true ability. The second leg of the T.A.B. double is the Sir Douglas Clague 6000, a new event for three-year-old fillies which should provide a good lead-up to the Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings next month.