Abit Leica top chance in Stakes

Press, 11 January 1986, Page 24

Abit Leica top chance in Stakes

Special correspondent Wellington

As the cup horses take a back seat for a day of racing in the Central Districts, the weight-for-age gallopers step into the limelight for the DB Central Breeders Stakes at the Pahiatua Racing Club’s meeting at Woodville today. Only five will run, but they include the sentimental favourite, Commissionaire, and Abit Leica, the probable favourite.

Given the presence also of the fillies, Regal Realm, French Polish and Chanson d’Armour, the race looks intriguing. For Commissionaire it

will be his fourth attempt on the race. The winner so far of 21 of his 59 races, the eight-year-old beat Suttle Knight at his first attempt in 1983. A year later he was first home over Sirtain. Last year he attempted the. hattrick, but had to bow to Burletta in a thrilling finish.

This time Commissionaire has raced four times for two seconds and two fourths. .He was fourth in the Fletcher Stakes and then second in the Lion Red, both at Awapuni. Abit Leica won the Fletcher Stakes and was a close second behind All Belles in the Clifford Plate at Ellerslie.

The efforts of the three

fillies will be watched with interest. French Polish has more claims than most. She was second in both the Bayer Classic and the Eulogy Stakes. Her sixth in the Ladies’ Mile at Ellerslie was achieved on a track that did not really suit her. The first leg of the T.A.B. double will be the Sonny Smith Handicap. Whata Beauty will take some beating in an even field. The second leg is the open sprint, the Stewards’ Handicap. The veteran, Mac’s Gamble, which won the corresponding race on .Wednesday, will have his share of support, but a lightweight, Skybiri, could show to advantage.