Placid Victor has the background to give him victory in N.Z. Cup

Press, 10 November 1986, Page 32

Placid Victor has the background to give him victory in N.Z. Cup

By G. K. YULE

A top classic performer with racing marked by dour staying efforts, as well as displays of sheer speed, points to Placid Victor being the major contender for honours in the $275,000 Toyota New Zealand Cup at Addington Raceway tomorrow. The greatest obstacle to be overcome by the talented five-year-old before he can claim victory in the N.Z. Metropolitan Club’s feature staying test will be his wide barrier draw of No. 10, the outside of the front line. But that should not be insurmountable for a pacer of his capabilities especially as his five leadup races must have brought him to a high peak of fitness. In his favour, too, is his ability to ‘‘attack’’ in his races and fight on resolutely under extreme pressure.

Placid Victor will be driven by last season’s

leading reinsman, Maurice McKendry, formerly from Canterbury, who enjoyed a remarkable run of success in major races. The combination came out on top in the Messenger at Alexandra Park and he was a rather unlucky runner in the Auckland Cup, won by Comedy Lad, after meeting trouble inside the last 600 m. Placid Victor has shown a liking for Addington where he won the John Brandon New Zealand Derby, rating 2min 1.6 s for the mobile 2600 m. Down the track that day were Loveridge, Nardinski, Chipaluck, Master Mood and Malaz, the lastnamed pair being among his rivals tomorrow.

Sandy Purdon trains Placid Victor at Pukekohe. His brother, Roy, combines with his son, Barry, in preparing Comedy Lad and Luxury Liner for the race. Comedy Lad, raced by

colourful Aucklander, Mr Max Harvey, won "the Auckland Cup last season and his record, while perhaps not the greatest over the extreme distance, is sufficiently impressive to suggest that no matter how strong the pace, he will be right in the thick of the action over the final 200.

Comedy Lad is best served when he can be kept covered up until late in his races. He is then capable of producing a paralysing burst of speed unlikely to be matched by many of his rivals tomorrow.

And he has the draw to provide him with the run he needs. He will start from the inside of the second line and, in all probability, will track Skipper Dale throughout. Then it will be a case of whether a suitable opening comes in the straight for him to use his brilliant finishing powers to best

The record book is right against success for Camelot. or Borana, winners of the last two Cups. No horse has been successful from behind the front since Humphrey won from six yards in 1968. Two years earlier Lordship overcame a handicap of 42 yards to win. Camelot has come right back into discussions on prospects in tomorrow’s race after some highly impressive runs at trials since he was third to Skipper Dale in the Ashburton Flying Stakes on September 27. He was running on most determinedly at the Cup trials last Thursday and will strip as good in order as when he won the race in 1984.

Skipper Dale and Freightman are proven stayers right at their best and they add in no small degree to the puzzle of trying to sort out the

winner from a fairly even lot of horses. Both have had careful preparations for the event and they have come through with flying colours. Bold runs at trials last week should top off their preparations. Master Mood, so disappointing earlier in the season, showed something of the form which earned him the honour of winning the “Horse of the Year” award for last season when he won at the trials on Thursday. He really put dash into his finish and had plenty of reserve at the line. The son of Noodlum will be no forlorn chance in this line-up of open handicappers. Premiership, trained by Derek Jones and to be driven by his grandson, Anthony Butt, has kept on improving throughout the spring, as- has Borana, trained by Peter Jones. Southlanders suggest

that Malaz will be in with a big chance and if produced anywhere near his best, he could offer more than token opposition to the favourites. From Auckland there is confidence that Comedy Lad’s stablemate, Luxury Liner, unbeaten in his last two starts at Alexandra Park, will be in with a big chance.

Canterbury people have healthy respect for the prospects of Our Mana, so often beaten in the “big ones,” but never guilty of a bad race. Runner-up in the last two Cups, he looks as good as ever he has been. With a reasonable run, he will be right among the leading group over the final 200 m.

Like most in the field, he might find it hard to repulse the challenge of the Aucklanders Placid Victor and Comedy Lad, with Camelot likely to be one of the best finishers among the southerners.

Race 3 1.35 LION BROWN PACE $5500; C 3; mobile; 2600 m 1 7182 Imperial Time 1 P. Jones It Fought gamely when second to Captain Cavalla at Addington on October 24 at latest start. Expected to make a big run. 2 03 Sunset Panorama 2. . R. Cameron it Fair third to Frangelico at Oamaru on October 25. Always an upset chance. 3 0223 Floyd 3 M. de Filippi it Unlucky when third to Captain Cavalla on October 24. Racing most consistently and overdue for a win. 4 11 Mireille 4 M. Edmonds it Impressive in two wins early in the season. Has come back well and unlikely to be far away. 5 420 Mister Whippy 5 H. Skinner it Failed at Oamaru last time out. Fair efforts before that. However, will be well tested in this. 6 43 Montana Star 6 R. May It Third to Emcee in fast time at Oamaru on October 27. Good run at Ashburton trials last Wednesday. Must go close. 7 551 Enticing 7 T. Butt It Beat a fair field at Oamaru last time out. This will be harder. 8 0421 Southern Raider 8 D. Moore • It Won at Waikouaiti on November 1. Will find this much harder. 9 4345 Fergus Mclvor 9 .... J. Smolensk! it Racing most consistently. Speedy and looks ready to make a bold showing. 10 411 Star King 10 J. Curtin it Won easily at Addington on October 15. Speedy and cannot be left out. 11 14 Sycamore 11 B. Kerr It Fourth to Captain Cavalla on October 24. Racing well and should be one of the better chances. 12 0903 Menteith 12 C. Ryder It Good third in close finish at Methven on September 20 at latest start. Makes little appeal in this type of race. 13 6106 Tattle 13 A. Butt It Paces the occasional good race. With luck could get into the finish. 14 3951 Iffy Tryax 14 B. Borcoskie It Game win over mile on October 24. Seldom goes a bad race and has to be respected. 15 0163 Rich and Dark 15 J. Hay It Third to Captain Cavalla on October 24, putting in a sound effort. Speedy and must be considered.

16 4210 Light Foyle 16 K. O’Reilly It Has had little luck recently, although impressive when he won two starts back. Good enough to get into the finish. Emergencies: Sunset Panorama, Menteith. Race 4 T 2.15 QUINNS FASHIONS HANDICAP $12,000; OC; trotters; 2000 m 1 8341 Spangled Pride 1 F. Fletcher It Won against moderate opposition at Oamaru. Upset chance at best. 2 01 Front Up 2 G. Court It Game effort when he won on October 1 at latest start. Speedy and could be close up. 3 33 Firm Offer 3 B. Clark it Bold run for third to Tussle when she broke a record for 2000 m on September 12. Must be a top chance on that run. 5 21 Melvander 5 J. Smolensk! It Decisive winner in slow time at Ashburton in September. Trotting generously and looks ready to make a bold bid. 6 9061 Globe Pride 6 H. Skinner it Won from 50m at Invercargill on Tuesday. This will be harder, but could be a place prospect. 7 0309 Wee Mull 7 It Others preferred.

8 2126 Jamie Higgins 8 .. . .M. de Filippi it Trotted well earlier in the season. Rough chance of reaching a place. 9 3185 Simon Katz 9. .. . .R. Prendergast It Seldom guilty of a bad run, but would be preferred over more ground. Capable of a big run all the same. 10 0306 Lady Sadie 10 A. Butt It Hard to recommend. 11 2786 Landora’s Pride 11.... J. Langdon It Has trotted useful races in the Auckland district this season. Should be close to her best and expected to go well. 12 7795 Mendelspride 12 S. Miller It Useful fifth to Tussle over 3200 m on October 24. Racing fairly, but will need luck. 13 2060 Jenner UR J. Carmichael It Has trotted hi? best races on this course. Too good to leave out. 14 409 Basil Dean 1 K. O’Reilly 10 Latest two starts rather disappointing. Went well enough at recent trials to be considered a top chance. 15 8112 Admiral Soanai 2 B. Gleeson 10 Bold run for second to Mairo Sultan on October 21. Top trotter entitled to respect even though he would be preferred over greater 16 1257 Wedgewood 3 C. de Filippi 10 Latest efforts a shade disappointing. Looks to have freshened well and has to be considered. Scratched: Mairo Sultan. Race 5 T 2.55 FAY, RICHWHITE SIRES’ STAKES SERIES (SIXTH HEAT) $7700; three-year-olds; mobile; one.mile 1 399 Speedy Cheval 1.... C. de Filippi it Disappointing in two latest starts. Showed talent earlier and cannot be left out from this draw. 2 002 Lone Eagle 2 M. Butt It Fair second ’ in maiden event at Waikouaiti on November 1. Will need luck, although draw looks favourable. 3 0541 Megatrend 3 J. Carmichael It Won in the mud at Kaikoura a week ago. Rise in class here, but should manage that without too much difficulty.

4 9322 Morns Fella 4 J. Smolensk! it In open and did well for second to Spangled Chance at Invercargill last Tuesday. Looks the likely winner. 6 054 Personality Pete 6 it Fair fourth at Kaikoura last Monday. Upset chance at best. 7 43 Catarina 7 R. May It Bold finish for third to Race Ruler on October 24. In form and looks one of the best chances. » 1 8 37 Snowy River 8 P. Jones It Disappointing when seventh to Hayden Bromac on October 15. Capable of better in this. 9 8373 Yannick 9 B. Kerr It Just a fair third to Megatrend at Kaikoura. Will appreciate firmer footing and must be respected. 10 Petite Glamour 10 P. Black It Showed promise last season, but will have to be taken on trust in what is her first start since March. 11 0092 Armanat 11 A. Butt It Fast finish for second to Anchorman at Waikouaiti. Should be a sound prospect. 13 0 Brilliant Lord 13 G. Court It Disappointed at Forbury Park last month. Hard to recommend. 14 634 Campano 14 P. Davis it Useful race when fourth at Invercargill last Tuesday. Rough chance. Emergencies: Petite Glamour, Brilliant Lord. Scratched: Kelrina, Spangled Chance. Race 6 0, TF 3.40 TOYOTA NEW ZEALAND CUP $275,000; OC; 3200 m .1 3111 Skipper Dale 1.. . P. O’Reilly, jun. It Unbeaten in last three starts. Proven over the distance and looks close to his peak. Sure to be close up all the way and looks a leading chance. 2 587 Master Mood 2 . .. . .K. Williams It Rather disappointing in three starts this season. Bounced back with fine win at Cup trials last Thursday. Must be respected on that run. 3 9211 Luxury Liner 3 B. Mangos It Most impressive in two wins over 2700 m at Alexandra Park last month. In form and on that score alone must be respected. 4 2762 Premiership 4 A. Butt It Has improved with every race this spring, finishing gamely to beat all but Skipper Dale at Oamaru on October 27. Could be one for odds. 5 005 Mighty Me 5 R. Cameron It Fifth was in the mud at Kaikoura. Would still have to improve immensely to be a threat. 6 2416 Freightman 6 M. de Filippi it Unlucky in this race 12 months ago. Has had a searching preparation and is very fit. Stout stayer certain to be in the thick of the finish. 7 1000 Malaz 7 .A. Hunter It Disappointing in three latest starts, but has been going well at trials in the south. Grand stayer on his day and could surprise. 8 1845 Our Mana 8 C. de Filippi It Runner-up in last two Cups. Has raced splendidly this spring and looks ready for another big effort. Sure to be among the leaders. 9 9021 Diamond Moose 9 M. Butt It Won well in fast time at Forbury Park on October 18. Has kept improving and by no means the forlorn chance his nine years might suggest. 10 7213 Placid Victor 10 ... M. McKendry It Has come through a grand preparation in fine style. Rugged staying type expected to be one of the leading chances. 11 1332 Comedy Lad 11 A. Herlihy It Another northerner with fine form in his lead-up racing. Unlucky in this race last year and should be the hardest to beat. 12 4386 Smarty Pants 12 I. Cameron It Good efforts early in the spring, but not so impressive lately. Hard to recommend. 13 4301 Spry Joker 13 J. Carmichael It Easy Kaikoura Cup winner. Looks well and will only have to begin cleanly to be an outside chance. 14 7535 Borana 1 P. Jones 10 Won the race last year. Has come up well and not far from his best. Too good to leave out of calculations.

15 0593 Camelot 2 R. Butt 10 Has not raced since third to Skipper Dale at Ashburton in September. Efforts at trials have been impressive and by no means out of this. Race 7 4.20 PICKABERRY HANDICAP $5250; three-year-olds; 2600 m 1 2314 Kinda Smooth 1 R. Brosnan it

FIRESTONE EUROSTEELS FREE-FOR-ALL $25,000; C 8; mobile; 2600 m 1 4583 Ruthless 1 R. Nyhan It Battled on for third in Kaikoura Cup. Could cause an upset. 3 9774 Lord Louie 3 J. Smolensk! It Most disappointing in his latest racing. Big drop in class in this field might help him return to form. 4 8663 Sir Alba 4 M. de Filippi It Ran on for third to Skipper Dale at Oamaru on October 27. Classy young pacer expected to go close to winning. 5 0 Regal Maina 5 A. Robb It Coming back to form, but could still need a race. 6 0214 Chipaluck 6 K. O’Reilly It Battled away for fourth to Skipper Dale at Oamaru. Grand mare expected to go close to winning. 7 9742 Soxygen 7 P. Jones It . Fair second to Spry Joker in Kaikoura Cup. Rough chance in this type of race. 8 6002 Loveridge 8 R. Brosnan It Game run for second to Chipaluck on October 24. In spite of wide draw looks the one to beat. 9 9 Hondo’s Dream UR . ... E. Cowie It Failed at Addington on October 24 when making a fresh start. Hard to recommend. Scratched: Mighty Me.

Race 1 12.15 VARE PACE mobile; 2000m 1 ill HORNBY HARD\ $6500; C4 and C5; Emcee 1 . . . . H. Skinner It 2 0249 Trieh Mist 2. . . . . . . .G. McEwan It 3 351 Cuddle Me Do 3 . . . . . R. Brosnan it 5 9133 Shipmate 5 . . . . . . J. Carmichael It 62111 Captain Cavalla 6 J. Hay it 7 622 Missed Again 7. . D. Kerr It 9 7284 Maddie 9 . ... G. O’Reilly It 10 31 MacButt 10 . . . . G. Lee It 11 1357 Lochout 11 . . . . G. Hope It 12 1045 Kerry Counsel 12. . P. O’Reilly, jun. it 13 6160 Friendly Lord 13 . . ... L. O’Reilly It 14 1931 Crackerash 14 . . G. Archer It 15 11 Bronze Tiger 15 . G. Dunn It 16 424 Late Lustre 16 . . R. Dunn It Scratched: Microscopic, Thornlea. Race 2 12.55 CHUNG WAH RESTARUANT HANDICAP $5500: C3; trotters; 3200m 1 0818 Dark Image 1 . . . G. Shand It 2 6157 Prima Host 2 . . . . .R. Prendergast It 3 2121 Game Pat 3... . . . . M. Hamilton It 4 33 Tobago 4 . P. O’Reilly, jun. It 6 7311 Milford Ace 6. . . I. Cowie It 7 4151 Bulla Mattari 7 . . .... M. Rennie It 8 4422 Westham 1 . . . . S. Miller 10 9 313 Ono’a Pride 2. . . A. Milne 10 10 5573 Four Leaf 3 . . . . . . .M. Smolensk! 10 11 1220 Linda Ellen 4 . . . . . . . M. Howard 10 12 1260 Fidelis 1 ... C. de Filippi 20 13 8371 Cracker 2 R. Butt 20 14 5002 Sheltoe 3 . . . . R. Brosnan 20 15 2347 Troppo 4 . . .M. de Filippi 20 16 20 Joe Junior UR . . P. Jones 20 Scratched: Dancing Armbro.

2 4735 Le Marais 2 .... . 3 2155 Festive Heir 3. . . . . . ,F. Newfield R. May It It 4 0 Brilliant Lord 4 . . . G. Court It 5 2 Innocent Guy 5. . . R. Dunn It 6 0340 All The Rage 6 . . . T. May it 7 7776 Twilight Time 7. . . . .M. de Filippi it 8 13 Princess Halsey 8 . B. Court it 9 1 Ankorman 9 , F. Bebbington it 12 5 Admiral Luca 12 . . ... .A. Hunter It 14 21 Pizza Man 14 ... . B. Kerr it 15 Dainty Smooth 15 . It 16 1457 That’s Incredible 1 . S. Little 10 Scratched: Zola Bay, Society Boy, Campano. Race 6 1 D 5.5

Race 9 5.40 ZM-ZB PACE $5000; C2; mobile; 2600m 1 0918 Scotch On Rocks 1 . . . . . S. Little It 2 314 Overlap 2 .... R. Butt It 3 1225 Butch Hackett 3 . . . . . A. Herlihy It 4 5292 Olympic Medal 4 . . . . . R. Brosnan It 5 6632 Rob Roy McGregor 5 J. Carmichael It 6 7011 Deputy 6 . . K. O’Reilly It 7 2530 Smirk Jones 7 . . . . it 8 15 Bright Fella 8 .... A. Robb It 9 4327 Menorlue 9 J. Hay It 10 1533 Snow Bo 10 . . . P. Shand It 11 1 Guard of Honour 11 . . . . . R. May It 12 11 Farm Maid 12 . .R. Gillespie It 13 2318 Brimstone 13 ... I. Walker It 14 6210 Falcon Hanover 14 . . . . J. Versteeg It 16 0235 Viewfield Prince 16 . . . I. Cameron It Emergency: Smirk Jones. Scratched: Young Countess. Race 10 6.15 SHIPLEYS VISION AND SOUND HANDICAP $7250; C5; 2600m 2 Rotary Motor 2 . . . . . . . N. Benny It 4 0 Radiant King 4 ... . . . . S. Miller It 5 90 General Jones 5 . . . It 6 1846 Michele Bromac 1 . . . C. de Filippi It 7 1105 Horizon 2 .M. Filippi 10 8 1180 Lordic 3 . ... A. Butt 10 9 0289 Dream Lustre 4. . . . . . . R. Alfeld It 10 3211 Brutus Hanover 5. . . M. McKendry It 12 0732 Andronicus 2 20 13 3 Titan Chip 3 . . R. Brosnan 20 14 7555 El Victory 4 . . . . R. Butt 20 15 851 Laser Lad 5 . . . ,P. Jones 20 16 1391 Trident 6 J. Hay 20 Scratched: Caragh’s Bret, Jack Hammer, Frangelico.