Friendly Lord picked for Westport Cup

Press, 24 December 1986, Page 22

Friendly Lord picked for Westport Cup

By

G. K. YULE

The Blenheim pacer, Friendly Lord, one of the backmarkers on 50m, could prove more than a match for a capacity field in the Westport Retailers’ Cup, the feature race on the first day of the Westport Trotting Club’s annual meeting at Patterson Park on Friday. The talented five-year-

old has raced with distinction in strong intermediate company at Addington, which suggests that he should overcome his handicap without too much difficulty. Provided he is not forced over too much extra ground when he starts to improve, he should be much too strong for his rivals.

Bye Bye Guest, the winner of two of his four

starts, was successful at Methven on December 6 at his most recent start A rugged, staying type, he is trained at Weedons by Gavin Hampton, who has a splendid record on the Westport holiday circuit. He will be driven by his son, Paul, a part-owner of the four-year-old, and a driver with a good record on the course. Legal Lea, Kotare

Pewter, Saryan, Sybil’s Dream, Go Duke and Timely Rule are others capable of adding interest to the finish. The Connors and Blackmore (Westport), Ltd, Handicap, will be the first leg of the double. Once again an open field will line up, with Dynamic Beat, Keek Up and Blue Fire Countess three of the brighter chances.

Race 6 D 4.30 CONNORS AND BLACKMORE (WESTPORT), LTD, HANDICAP $3300; Cl; 2000 m 1 5163 Rising Mood 1 A. Peters It Latest placing was at Hutt Park on December 5. Smart sprinter capable of a bold run. 2 7707 Prince Nardins 2 J. Curtin It Fair run at Rangiora last week and might not be far away. 3 6449 Dynamic Beat 3 A. Butt It Made ground late at Rangiora last week. Racing well enough to win this. 4 1230 Gittique 4 W. Forsyth It Failed at Addington on November 18, but this will be much easier. Good chance. 5 4030 Blue Fire Countess 5.. R. McNally It Failed at Addington on November 22. Form before that was reasonable and should show up. 6 Gunther 6 A. Ching It First start for season. Speedy and could show up. 7 90 Foulden Peer 7 S. Little It Has done little in two starts this season. Others preferred. 8 4821 Keek Up 8 M. Butt It Won at Addington on December 11. Useful sort expected to race prominently. 9 3090 Gillie’s Lass 9 It Disappointing lately. This will be easier and might upset. 10 1 Flossie Marie 10 L. Neal It Won at Blenheim on December 20. Rough chance. 11 0960 Scotch Fella 11 B. Borcoskie It Has paced fair races in stronger company. Cannot be left out. 12 8000 Kuini Tama 12 T. Thomas It Stopped at Rangiora, but will appreciate the drop in class. 13 6736 Besta Dean 13 P. Yeatman It Raced at Greymouth in October and went well enough to be a threat. 14 3009 Janizary 14 M. Rennie It Not consistent, but good enough to get into the finish. 15 02 La Fleur 15 B. Hill it Placed at Greymouth in October at latest start. Awkward draw to overcome. 16 5 Sir Harmony 16 R. Anderson It Others preferred. 17 9 Safecracker 17 P. O’Brien It Not noted for consistency. Hard to recommend. 18 00 Jack of Spades 18. ... B. Crothers It No appeal. Emergencies: Sir Harmony, Prince Nardins. Race 8 T, D 5.55 WESTPORT RETAILERS’ CUP $6200; C2; 3200 m 1 Polita 1 W. Hill It First start since June. No appeal. 2 9009 Lady Noodlum 2 R. McNally It Failed at Waimate meeting. Others preferred. 3 041 Legal Lea 4 J. Curtin It Won at Hastings on December 13. Looks capable of a bold showing.

5 Trumpet Call 5 F. Williams It First start for almost three years. No appeal. 6 4884 Saryan 6 R. Tatterson It Has raced well lately, finishing good fourth in sprint at Rangiora last week. Good chance. 7 3007 Timely Rule 7 W. Forsyth It Has sound record as a stayer and should be close up. 8 Craig Royston 8.. . . P. Yeatman It First start since April. Might need race. 9 1 Sybil’s Dream 9 .... . R. Asquith it Won at Washdyke in September. Useful type expected to go close. 10 0101 Bye Bye Guest 10 .. . P. Hampton It Won at Methven on December 6. Sure to be a leading contender. 11 210 Mister Groom 11 A. Neal It Failed after being checked at Addington on November 27. Has shown good form at trials and might not be far away. 12 5692 Kotare Pewter 12 R. Negus It Bold run for second to Trifecta in sprint at Rangiora last week. Sure to be improved and must be respected. 13 1000 Deputy 13 M. Heenan It Form background weak. Good on her day and might not be far away. 14 8059 Penta 14 R. McNally It Form background weak and might be tested over this distance. 15 2269 Go Duke 1 T. Thomas 20 Has good record on this course, especially if the track becomes heavy. Stays well and could at least be placed. 16 0900 Gold Row 2 .... D. Van Der Werf 20 Best chance would be on a heavy track. 17 7 Special Miss 3 F. Williams 20 Failed at Addington on November 14 at lone start for season. Better than that and could surprise. 18 0000 Delwyn Lass 4 M. Rennie 20 Others preferred. 19 1500 Friendly Lord 1 D. Cleal 50 Class horse in field. With average run should win. 20 0080 Friendly Lord 2 M. Perriton 50 Out of form, and hard to recommend, although will meet a big drop in class. Emergencies: Craig Royston, Lady Noodlum, Polita. Scratched: Mack’s Edition.