Wide draw should not stop win today

Press, 13 June 1986, Page 23

Wide draw should not stop win today

Special correspondent Auckland Catering King’s wide barrier position will not keep him from being a warm favourite at Avondale today when he goes for his fourth win from five starts. It was Catering King’s bad luck to draw the outside but two for the 1200 m Marshall Handicap at the Avondale Jockey Club’s meeting, specially as two of his bestqualified opponents, Sir Gerald and Country Lover, fared so much better. Catering King is due to start from No. 14 in the 16horse field, Country Lover from No. 3, and Sir Gerald from No. 5. A chestnut gelding, Catering King burst into racing almost exactly 12 months ago when winning his first, race, a two-year-old maiden, at Te Aroha with impressive ease. He ran away with the second, a month later, but then suffered a setback that kept him sidelined through the spring and summer. Not so surprisingly, because he took on several more seasoned opponents, over 2000 m, Catering King failed in his return to racing at Avondale last April. In one race meanwhile he looked more like his best, winning a 1200 m at Matamata so well. Country Lover and Sir Gerald, if not as spectacular as Catering King, also showed up well when two-year-olds last season. Country Lover, in particular, with wins during the winter in his only two starts. After failing to show up in a couple of attempts last spring, Country Lover, then put aside for a time, has just lately regained winning form, evidently appreciating real winter going. Sir Gerald is also doing well again — first then second during the last few weeks in his only two starts since back from a fair let-up. Form at the Great Northern carnival points to Lord Reims and Saci for the first leg of the T.A.B. double, the Marshall Handicap. The 2000 m will be the longest distance yet set the two horses; Lord Reims, a four-year-old, and Saci, three. It should be within their scope as they run 1600 m out solidly. Saci was a game winner going that distance at Ellerslie on Nescafe Steeplechase day; Lord Reims a third placegetter the following Saturday.