Even field for Canterbury Belle Stakes

Press, 30 September 1988, Page 31

Even field for Canterbury Belle Stakes

By

DAVID McCARTHY

Credits to North Island and South Island stables are even after two renewals of the Canterbury Belle Stakes and are evenly poised also for the third running of the three-year-old filly features at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Riccarton today.

Trotanoy, from the stable of Laurie Laxon at Cambridge, won the first edition of the race two years ago while Spangles evened up the score with a win for the Kerr stable, which also produced the grand mare for whom the race is named, last year. It is the Kerr stable in the limelight again .this time, with Corsicana, while two northern fillies, Imperialaire and Teleretta, probably pose the greatest danger. Teleretta, a stablemate of Solaris Star,

would be a hot favourite in case of rain. She won twice in the mud at Trentham last season and repeated on a heavy track at Wanganui two starts back. She was seventh in the Ryder Stakes and fourth in the Cavanagh Stakes at Hastings on soft and easy tracks respectively. Riccarton has been well watered but is firm which is about the only factor against Teleretta. Eskimo Queen, an impressive maiden winner at Waterlea, Fly Baby which ran a fine trial at the same meeting and an

improved Fondessa look the best of the others but the favourites look like justifying their expected support. Corsicana was the best in her age group in the south last season and resumed on an encouraging note in the Grigg Classic when she faded late to finish a close third. The Half Iced filly is not big and has a wide draw to overcome but she seems to have thrived since Ashburton and it took a good filly in Vinegar Lil to lower her colours last season.

David Walsh is usually in the limelight as a rider at Riccarton but doubles as trainer of Imperialaire which won her only start to date. That was just a maiden event at Taranaki but received added stature when Copper Wine, which finished a close second, went further north and beat a handy maiden field at Cambridge. Walsh has tried Imperialaire on firm ground in trials, where she was second to Solaris Star, and feels she will travel well on top of the ground.

Jetbet: 3 Race 1 F 11.45 WEST MELTON BRUSH HURDLES $8500; 2600 m 1 8136 Don Pedro 4 H. Pateman 63.0 2 3334 Next Lot 6 A. Cowan 62.5 3 1226 Count Claudio 5 A. Mavor6l.s 4 0831 Riwai 2 K. Scott 60.0 5 6825 Dover Castle 3 T. Belsham 59.5 6 0006 Approbation 1 D. McKenzie 59.0 Race 2 TF 12.20 THE MILLBROOK MAIDEN $5500; 1400 m 1 5004 Another Decision 20. . D. Anderton 55.0 2 48 Ballesteros 17 R. Bruce 55.0 3 7829 Beaufort Dee 10 P. Richards 55.0 4 4953 Climax 1 T. Kennedy 55.0 5 0002 Flighty Light 19 J. Jamieson 55.0 6 High Stake 11 D. Walsh 55.0 7 Just William 7 P. Johnson 55.0 8 0 La Baraka 6 H. Malcolm 55.0 9 0095 La Truce 13 E. Jillings 55.0 10 5043 Lickofice 14 R. McCann 55.0 11 0 Mr Wakefield 4 L. Didhamss.o 12 0893 Raise Your Skirts 5 . .W. Stevenson 55.0 13 0725 Reproach 3 G. Williams 55.0 14 Star Day 16 : . . . .G. Lee 55.0 15 Time Flies 8 A. Robinson 55.0 16 9963 Tolman 15 R. Hannam 55.0 17 4 Vain Flight 9 B. Hibberd 55.0 18 8 Wessex 22 G. Davison 55.0 19 Cocanada 18 55.0 20 0 War Lord 2 55.0 21 Dick Ongley 12 55.0 22 009 Krista 21 55.0 Emergencies: Cocanada, War Lord, Dick Ongley, Krista. Race 3 12.55 PRELUDE TWO-YEAR-OLD $5000; 800 m 1 Bendigo 11 G. Davison 55.0 2 Day Light 7 D. Walsh 55.0

3 Glamour Reason 9 .... R. McCann 55.0 4 Not A Lot 10 R. Hannam 55.0 5 Debutante 3 . P. Johnson 53.0 7 Pompeii 2 R. Bruce 53.0

8 Primrose Path 4 J. Jamieson 53.0 9 Royal Splendour 5 . . . .P. Richards 53.0 10 Straight Line 12 H. Malcolm 53.0 11 Wonderful 6 B. Hibberd 53.0 12 Young Achiever 1 E. Jillings 53.0 Scratched: Marista. Race 4 1.30 THE ST ALBANS $5500; C 4; 1200 m 1 960 Bayfair 14 W. Stevenson 55.0 2 7060 Decision Time 4 R. Hannam 55.0 3 0530 Essayeur 12 55.0 4 6506 Extra Plush 3 P. Johnson 55.0 5 5230 Going 5 E. Jillings 55.0 7 4600 Kero 10 B. Hibberd 55.0 8 0670 Knightly Image 1 55.0 10 8005 Miss Vogue 11 D. Anderton 55.0 112188 Regal Romp 7 D. Walsh 55.0 12 781 Replete 2 G. Lee 55.0 13 0087 Sajein 13 G. Williams 55.0 14 446 Shirley’s Pal 8 G. Davison 55.0 15 1059 Steamer 9 S. McCann 55.0 Scratched: Karaka Queen, Lady Evergreen. Race 5 T 2.05 GARDEN CITY HANDICAP $7000; C2; 1600 m 1 1433 All Counted 10 S. McCann 57.0 Solid winter form topped by dashing and unlucky third this distance, before interrupted run at Oamaru last start. Might be on the fresh side but talented galloper. 2 All Trebles 4 A. Robinson 55.0 Resuming after a long spell and should be all the better for the run. 3 463 Comparable 8 P. Johnson 55.0 Freshened since solid third to Thanks A Million in seven-horse field at Wingatui in late August. Battles a bit in this company but has good record at the distance. 4 3457 Face The Music 2 .... G. Davison 55.0 Has been running solid races without a great deal of luck. Good effort in the Ashburton Cup two starts back then compounded in Cl company at Blenheim. Best at Riccarton and would appreciate any moisture in the track. 5 3067 Great Zeal 9 J. Jamieson 54.5 Freshened since failing at Riccarton. Better placed here but chances would improve on easy track. 6 8139 Huianui 1 Lee 54.5 Has not raced for almost 12 months.. Trials winner at Ashburton recently, and smart fresh, but would need one in this company. 7 3999 Royal Rosa 3 B. Hibberd 54.5 Second-up. Dashing fresh run, for a middle-distance horse, over 1400 m at Ashburton. Place chances preferred. 8 7094 Mitchell Sage 7 R. Bruce 54.0 Second-up. Handy sprint effort at Ashburton. Looked a promising stayer last season taking on open-class fields at Trentham. Consider. 9 4708 Adios King 5 S. Reid 53.5 Showed little over 1200 m at Orari. Best on easy or soft tracks. 10 0074 Real Pronto 6 R. McCann 53.5 Improver’s fourth at Waterlea over 1410 m in third start back from lengthy spell. Has won a major race at Riccarton and could lead all the way. Boilover. Race 6 T 2.40 QUEENSPARK HANDICAP $6500; C 3; 1400 m 1 0477 Coconut Ice 11 t>. Walsh 57.0 Should be approaching peak form on this campaign. Best on firm footing and not disgraced in useful field at Hastings last start. Ran fourth in the Inglewood Stakes at Ashburton in March to Ultra Sound, Martelomeo and Red Chiffon. 2 1130 Park Ash 7 E. Jillings 55.5 . Has not raced since June when she failed at Ashburton after back to back wins in wet ground. Might need rain to win this. 3 3811 Glukue 10 . B. Hibberd 55.0 Won at both Ashburton and Orari by

getting to the front and staying there. Good run at Riccarton four starts pack but might be pressed to win again. 4 6734 Tropical Blend 9 P. Richards 54.5 Good run resuming. Place chances might be best here though. 5 5102 Galaxy Crown 2 L. Didham 54.0 Bold second to Glukus over 1400 m at Ashburton and win three starts back was over 1200 m at Riccarton. Failed at 1600 m in between those efforts. Chance. 6 9501 Argyll 13 D. Anderton 53.5 Won well at Ashburton first-up for new stable. Not set an easy task to repeat, though bred to improve with age. 7 3183 Brit 15 W. Stevenson 53.5 Game effort at Orari. Wide draw though and little success at this course to date. 8 5444 Isle Of Arran 14 G. Lee 53.5 One start back on this campaign, running solid fourth over 1400 m at Ashburton. Comes to hand quickly and might not be far away. 9 5369 Impaaha 1 R. Bruce 53.5 Needed last run her first this time in. Has a good record here and a touch of class. Upset factor. 10 1787 Newginn 6 G. Davison 53.5 S.mart mare which comes to hand without much racing. Up to better class than this and hard to exclude. 11 3805 Schomberg 3 P. Johnson 53.5 Solid run for fifth at Orari but bred to be better with the sting out of the ground and rain would help. Looks well. 12 8978 Have It Your Way 16 . .J. Jamieson 53.0 First run since the autumn though had hefty workout at trials last week. Looked well above average at times last season with a win in a four-year-old feature over Mitchell Sage and Sea War among her successes. Bad draw. 13 9566 Balmax 8 S. McCann 52.5 Blew out over 1000 m at Waterlea and should improve with that. Due to show something. 14 6890 Morning Wings 4 R. Hannam 52.5 Lost rider last start at Ashburton. Form before that disappointing but must be considered here at her best distance on favourite course. For a price. 15 0530 Essayeur 5. . . . H. Malcolm 51.5 Useful northerner with handy draw. Having first run since May and should improve with it. 16 706 Steiger 12 ; . .T. Kennedy 51.5 First start since April and had only three starts last season. Previous season ran third firstup here over 1200 to Peach Melba and later won 1800 m highweight on the track. Race 7 T, TF 3.15 CANTERBURY BELLE STAKES $10,000; set weights; three-year-old fillies; 1200 m 1 61 Brazen Birdie 16 T. Kennedy 55.0 Failed once as a two-year-old then won maiden 1000 m on heavy track, Wingatui late last month. Tested from this draw. 2 1123 Corsicana 13 G. Davison 55.0 Ran third in Grigg Classic in only start this season and would have improved with the run. Best southern juvenile last term and biggest problem here could be the wide draw. Still favoured to win. 3 18 Dan’s Double 1...... B. Hibberd 55.0 Timaru two-year-old winner over the winter but not so good next time out at Riccarton. Has ability, but tested to win. 4 01 Eskimo Queen 5 P. Johnson 55.0 Only recent run resulted in fine maiden winning effort at Waterlea. Reported to have thrived since and while this is much sterner test must be considered. 5 2003 Fly Baby 2 '. . R. Bruce 55.0 Came up with a sound trial for this with eye catching third over 1000 m at Waterlea. Has thrived since and could get in the money. 6 4022 Fondessa 7 ........ S. McCann 55.0 Has two second placings on her home

track at Wingatui this time in, to Grey Corvette (beaten half a head) over 1200 m in August and to Palatable Prince, same distance, last start beating Bright Prelude' home. Long straight here could test, but seems stronger this time in. 8 1661 Gay Ribbon 15 D. Anderton 55.0 Off the scene since winning at Waterlea in April. Useful filly last season and trials winner last week but hard to see winning. 9 1 Imperialaire 10 D. Walsh 55.0 Won only appearance to date on heavy track at Taranaki meeting. Expected to go as well on top of the ground and possible favourite. 12 15 Pretty Cocky 14 P. Richards 55.0 Won first-up at 1100 m here last March but not so good next time out at Oamaru. Beaten by Gay Ribbon at the trials last week. 13 6 Red Ku 3 . .G. Williams 55.0 Rocky run over 1000 m at Waterlea but hard to see as a winner here. 14 3 Sullom Voe 6 H. Malcolm 55.0 Running on for third in only appearance as two-year-old. Making debut from Kerr stable. 15 7614 Teleretta 12 R. Hannam 55.0 Two-year-old winner at Trentham in February and July; seventh in Ryder Stakes and fourth in Cavanagh Stakes at Hastings behind Kate’s Myth, Olga’s Pal and Bolshoi Star, following Wanganui win in heavy ground. Best form on rain-affected tracks but hard to beat. 16 90 Tudor Mint 11 R. McCann 55.0 Maiden with little chance in this company. Scratched: Four Plus Four, Lara Pinta, Midnight Melody. Race 8 D 3.50 REAL ESTATE HANDICAP $8000; Cl; 1800 m 1 3331 Eye Full 7 G. Davison 57.0 Consistent performer resuming. Will probably need the run but should not be far away. 2 0201 Polacca 2 R. Bruce 55.0 Shock winner when resuming over 1200 m at Ashburton. Has thrived since and would get into the finish again, especially if left alone in front. 3 4411 Prince Kumai 5 P. Richards 55.0 Likely to be dominating favourite after easy wins in the Ashburton Cup and subsequently at Wingatui. Prefers more ground but hard to see beaten. 4 5110 Robinski 3 D. Walsh 54.5 Last raced in May when failing in heavy ground at Awapuni. Smart metric-mile win at Riccarton before that in top company. Will improve with this but could upset if it is a sprint home. 5 2300 Native Era 3 L. Didham 53.5 Useful winter form before Winter Cup failure and last subsequently over 1200 m at Wingatui on hard track. Place chance. 8 1756 Dester 4 P. Johnson 51.5 Might not be quite up to this but has smart 1800 m record on the track and could place. Scratched: Black Arrow, Noble Lyric.

Race 9 D 4.25 HAGLEY HANDICAP $8000; Cl; 1400 m 1 7281 Palatable Prince 3 R. Bruce 56.0 Returned to best form over 1200 m at Wingatui following uncharacteristic failure, second-up at Ashburton. Classy galloper and hard to beat. 2 8850 Benedire 7 E. Jillings 54.5 Placed here over 1200 m during Easter campaign but disappointing after that. Has had one run this time in, and has gone well second-up in the past. Consider. 3 0538 Exchequer 6 . . B. Hibberd 54.5 Basically a middle-distance horse, at his best with the sting out of the ground, but has produced some useful sprints freshened in good company in the north. Not the worst. .4 8039 Hypatia 2 . D. Walsh 54.5 Good mare resuming with a trials run to tighten her up. Should go a sound race though at her best at 1600 m and beyond. Handy record fresh. 5 1013 Peach Melba 8 G. Davison 54.5 Off the scene since May but usually bold fresh. Would only improve with it though and might be one short. 6 4390 Alberjon 4 W. Stevenson 54.0 Stayer resuming. Has done plenty of lead-up work and has such a bolt sprint record first-up must be considered, at least for a place. 7 1043 Bright Prelude 5 L. Didham 54.0 Has had two starts back in this campaign for fourth at Oamaru, running on, and third, over 1200 m, to Palatable Prince at Wingatui. Might be looking for more ground now, but has higher strike rate, than most here. 8 8151 Diamond Annie 1 P. Johnson 53.0 Up and comer in more exalted company here but could get some of it. Race 10 TF 4.55 THE LION BROWN $5500; C 4; 1800 m 1 5783 Apello 19 E. Jillings 55.0 2 0008 Capable 5 H. Malcolm 55.0 3 9470 Extra Bright 2 R. Hannam 55.0 4 2331 James Garet 20 .W. Stevenson 55.0 5 2770 Lady Loretta 12 D. Waldleyss.o 6 603 Lady Rio 21 R. Bruce 55.0 7 9416 Limestone 15 J. Jamieson 55.0 8 4494 Meadow Maid 13 K. Kenyon 55.0 9 7842 Moet Miss 3 B. Hibberd 55.0 10 0006 Palatinate 22 T. Kennedy 55.0 11 3007 Serenity 16 P. Johnson 55.0 12 0050 Shine In Chine 4 R. McCann 55.0 13 5621 Southern Mac 18. .... G. Davison 55.0 14 0066 Stature 9 D. Walsh 55.0 15 9331 Swig 14 P. Falvey 55.0 16 21 Teacher’s Pal 17 P. Richards 55.0 18 0156 Wakeful Knight 10 . . . .G. Williams 55.0 19 0304 Joy Returns 6 G. Lee 55.0 20 0302 Koi Ragi 1 53.0 21 7345 Middleton Lad 8 .... D. Anderton 53.0 22 06 Kitt 7 53.0 Emergencies: Koi Ragi, Middleton Lad, Kitt. Scratched: Tune’s Image.