Placid Victor looks set for another profitable innings

Press, 15 August 1986, Page 24

Placid Victor looks set for another profitable innings

Special correspondent

Auckland

Placid Victor, the star four-year-old pacer in the North Island last season, looks set for another profitable innings. Certainly, his trainer, Sandy Purdon, could not be happier about the way the horse is progressing in preparation for a return to racing next month.

Purdon said at Pukekohe yesterday he was delighted with Placid Victor’s form at trials lately.

Placid Victor had his first serious run since he last raced (at Alexandra Park on February 8) at Sunday workouts at Pukekohe on August 3, and he won.

He won again at workouts there last Sunday and he made light of a 90 metre handicap at a trials meeting at the Franklin Trotting Club’s track on Wednesday. “The opposition was not very strong,” said Purdon, “but it was the way he did it that pleased me, and Maurice (McKendry, the horse’s driver) was very pleased, too.”

Placid Victor last season had six wins and a second from 11 starts for $85,125 in stakes. His grand total is $200,560.

If he shows the form expected of him, he will increase his earnings substantially this season with such rich events as the Auckland Cup, New Zea-

land Cup and interdominion championships on his programme. Placid Victor apart, main interest at the Pukekohe trials on Wednesday centred on horses engaged at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting this evening.

Miracle Man drew attention to his prospects in the Meadowset Graphics Mobile Pace when he returned fast time in winning a heat of the event for maidens.

Miracle Man, driven by Heather Steeman, recorded 3:18.6s for 2500 m from a mobile start. Lee Minbar and Mud Fever, the other heat winners, went 3:24.4 and 3:21.6 respectively.