Attention will focus on Waverley Star today

Press, 14 March 1987, Page 30

Attention will focus on Waverley Star today

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney

Waverley Star will be the focus of attention today when opening his Sydney Autumn carnival campaign . in the sAustloo,ooo ($NZ120,000) w-f-a Chipping Norton Stakes (1600 m at Warwick Farm. After Bonecrusher’s spectacular victory in the Australian Cup on Monday, racing followers will be keen to see whether Waverley Star can show the qualities needed to turn the tables on Bonecrusher when the two meet in the Rawson Stakes on March 28. It will be their first clash since their titanic batttie in the W. S. Cox Plate last

October in Melbourne. Although installed as an early favourite for today’s race, Waverley Star and his jockey, Lance O’Sullivan, will have to overcome some tough opposition in Diamond Shower, rated Australia’s best three-year-old filly, the Tommy Smith-trained colt, Bold Sea, and the solid New Zealand campaigner, Abit Leica. The “caretaker” trainer, Paul O’Sullivan, said on Thursday that everything had gone smoothly for Waverley Star since the horse’s arrival from New Zealand on Wednesday. “He came through the trip with no problems and he’s ready to go in and

race well," he said. Abit Leica has thrilled his connections in his preparation for today’s clash, Abit Leica has settled in much better than last year when placed in two of the top w-f-a events of the Sydney Autumn carnival. , The six-year-old finished second to Tristarc in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick and third to Bonecrusher and Rant and Rave in the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill last March. “We struggled to beat the heat last year but he has settled in much better this year,” said Alan Smith, husband of the part-owner, Christine Smith.