Eye Full looks best in open line-up

Press, 15 February 1989, Page 48

Eye Full looks best in open line-up

By

DAVID McCARTHY

That the Dunedin Gold Cup is the most open race on the card at Wingatui today is underlined by the run of statistics which can be dredged up to support the case of at least eight runners.

Eye Full, Miss Madonna and Southern Sapphire, the three leading female contenders, have the history books right in their favour. In the last 10 seasons mares have filled fifteen of the thirty dividendbearing placings in the race, the highest ratio in any major handicap in the country.

She has to carry 57kg but this race has been kinder to weight carriers than some. She lumped 58kg in a top performance in the Breeders’ Stakes first-up and her outstanding second-up record disperses worries on that score. Her trial run on Sunday is best forgotten being on

Six of those races have been won by mares (Wyella, Firefly, Mary Wake, War Lass, Million Joys and Sea Swift) and for good measure the 1977 winner was Show Gate.

hard ground with dust clouds swirling in her face. She took 57kg to an outstanding run in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup in November, then ran second in the New Zealand Cup, and is probably the best mare at this distance in the south.

Four-year-olds have won three of the last five contests which points to the chances of Reykjavik, the only one of that age in the race, while Riccarton horseman, Chris Johnson, has won two of the last four Cups and been placed in the other two suggesting Exchequer will be guided by a man well attuned to the track.

Noble Pal seems to have got his act together recently and deserves a high rating. When he turns on his best he is a classy animal and he will be formidable here on his home track.

Miss Madonna is the likely favourite and an outstanding mare well worth support.

Russell McAra adds to Miss Madonna’s hopes shooting for his second straight victory after 11. Comandante’s win last year. Il Comandante was trained by Les and Arthur Didham and Les rides Noble Pal for his brother, Mick, in today’s race which also is a more than casual pointer.

Mr Milson, from the north, went a fine race in the 2300 m Manawatu Cup, finishing sixth, and being by Zamazaan from a Fraxinus mare he has no stamina worries.

Advocate is bred to stay and so is Reykjavik while Southern Sapphire may be in strong demand. She has no weight but plenty of class and but for an untimely injury would probably be near the top of the scale for today’s race rather than close to the minimum.

The Didham family have won five of the last 25 Dunedin Cups and Mickey Didham has had Noble Pal pointed at the race for some time. His fourth last year suggests the horse so often a “bridesman” in major handicaps could have his turn today.

Eye Full is set a huge task but she just keeps achieving them and would be a deserving winner.

Then there is Advocate, unbeaten on the course, to consider and also the proposition that Rex Cochrane has been off the winning list of trainers in this race so long Star Rapier may conceivably turn his luck.

Zilla’s speed should be too much for the others over 1200 m in the second leg, the Black Douglas but Shy Di and Biko (especially with a claim and the first-day run under his belt) will be dangerous and Nonesuch worth a second look.

But after all the angles are taken into account Eye Full still deserves favouritism even if she may not attain it.

Race 7 D, TF 6.20 SPEIGHTS DUNEDIN GOLD CUP HANDICAP $30,000; Cl; 2400 m. 1 1422 Eye Full 6 R. Bruce 57.0 Gallant second to Classic Walk under 58kg last start, her first since New Zealand Cup. Bold and unlucky fourth in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup last November (2500 m under 57kg may be good guide here. Top chance. 2 2300 Chance For Gold 5 ... J. Dowling 55.5 Not suited by 1600 m here the first day or by the track conditions in Wellington Cup. Big effort in Invercargill Gold Cup (2600 m last month and Great Autumn (2500 m winner last season. Consider. 3 4123 Noble Pal 14 L. Didham 55.5 Highly regarded gelding which just misses out on the big ones. Produced bold run for fourth in this last year under 52.5 kg and recent racing suggests he will be stronger this time. Hard to overlook. 4 5144 Exchequer 10....... . C. Johnson 55.0 Big late charge for fourth at Riccarton. Proven over the distance and another bright hope. Rain would bring him further into favour. 5 1014 Mias Madonna 11 R. McAra 53.0 Not happy in ground in Breeders’ Stakes at Riccarton. Talented mare which likes this track. Failed (reported to be in season) in Invercargill Cup (2600 m and fourth in 2500 m Blenheim Road Plate at Riccarton in November beaten half a length and two heads. Bright chance. 6 1345 Joe Ninety 1 S. Allen 52.0 Very consistent performer but may find one or two too strong here. 7 6693 Peach Melba 15 52.0 Talented mare and good third in Breeders’ Stakes in first start since November. Set stiff task here just the same. 8 2257 Star Rapier 17 R. Saxton 51.5 Consistent but best form in provincial company. 9 5671 Advocate 2 P. Falvey 51.0 Overdue return to form in soft conditions at Riccarton last week. Good record this track and bred to get the trip. Place chance. 10 5218 Marc 16 S. McCann 51.0 Failed to fire at Riccarton last week. Better than that but hard to have here. 11 1221 Reykjavik 4 J. Jamieson 51.0 Talented galloper, just the sort to produce big effort at this trip. Bred to get the 12 3422 Mr Milson 9 P. Richards 50.5 Sixth in Manawatu Cup in December; second Ashhurst Cup; third Wairarapa Cup. Won three races last season including one at this distance. Must be considered. 13 5510 Vamos A Beber 7 S. Reid 50.5 Useful galloper but should be held in this field. 14 9211 Southern Sapphire 13 .T. Kennedy 49.0 Lightly raced but highly regarded mare. Won rich "hack” race at Gore last start and yet to go a bad one. Best of the lightweights. 15 3083 Galloping Gourmet 8 . . .T. Phillips 48.0 Useful, but held here. 16 6050 Thanks A Million 3 .... C. Waiter 48.0 Hard to see winning. 17 4136 Yafta 12 D. Anderton 48.0 Racing out of his class and others preferred. Race 8 D 6.55 BLACK DOUGLAS HANDICAP ' $12,000; Cl; 1200 m. 2 0767 Seve 12 P. Richards 55.0 Failed to fire first-up at Riccarton. Worth another chance especially for a place.

3 5129 Admiral’s Flight 5- 54.5 Failed against top southern company over 1600 m last start. More formidable at this distance and just beaten by Knight Invader previous outing.a 4 2710 Picable 7 S. Reid 54.5 Returned to winning form at Hokitika two starts back but never likely at Omoto next time. 5 2111 Zilla 13 G. Davison 54.5 Very fast over short courses and the one to beat. 6 3731 Shy Di 4 C. Johnson 53.5 Too strong over this distance on the first day and hard to beat again. 7 6804 Biko 6 J. Collis 52.5 Faded to fourth in first start back from let-up on the first day. Has a claim here and should improve with first day run. 8 0133 Nonesuch 11 R. Bruce 52.5 Flashed home for third on the first day, this distance, and bold third in open company at Wyndham start before. Consider. 10 0558 Seconder 10 D. Anderton 52.0 Outclassed in open company over 1600 m at Invercargill. Better run before that (Cl) at Omakau. Place chance. 11 5803 Dear Sir 3 B. Black 51.5 Beaten over 2000 m last start and might find this on the short side at this stage. 13 4790 San Vito 9 T. Kennedy 51.0 Recent form moderate. Scratched: Chook A Rook, Princess Adder, Fondessa.

Jetbet: 7 Race 1 TF 2.50 MORNINGTON TAVERN HURDLE HANDICAP $7000; 2800m 1 19 Beau Bandy 2 H. Pateman 65.0 2 9 Again and Again 7 . . . 64.5 3 4680 Double Acre 3 . T. Hazlett 64.5 4 595 King Dollar 5 . B. Pelling64.0 5 4720 Beau Geste 9 . A. Cowan 63.0 6 0806 Chatton Lad 8 . A. Mavor62.0 7 7 Napoleon Bonaparte 1 . S. Anderton 62.0 8 3400 Wee Bee 6 T. Belsham 62.0

Race 2 3.25 ROYAL TAVERN HANDICAP $7500; Two-Year-Olds ; 1000m 2 3212 Marista 5 . T. Kennedy 56.0 3 62 Louisa Mary 2 ..... . J. Jamieson 54.0 4 4337 Anderson 1 . P. Richards 53.5 .5 503 Alfrente 9 . . . .S. Cook 53.0 6 473 Araby 6 53.0 8 5 Lara Jane 8 . . C. Wright 53.0 9 8 Rumderlyn 10 . . . R. Bruce 53.0 10 Walk Tail 4 . G. Davison 53.0 Scratched: Ingresea, Lady Graemel. Race 3 4.00 GEORGES TAVERN WELTER $7000; 2200m 1 4229 Joy Returns 7 . G. Williams 61.5 2 1042 Slick Bart 5 . .C. Johnson 61.0 3 4831 Another Day 12 .... . .S. McCann 60.5 4 7289 Groomsman 8 . . B. Pelling60.5 5 9871 Jordana 3 . P. Richards 60.5 6 6620 Matt’s Choice 2 5... . .L. Didham 60.5 7 3186 Star Day 1 . . N. Ridley 60.5 8 4160 Arana Angel 13 . . . R. Bruce 60.0 9 6892 Kilcarnie’s Boy 6. . . . . S. Anderton 60.0 11 9530 Ditanya 10 . H. Pateman 59.0 12 777 Flo’s Beau 4 59.0 13 0 Hot Sterling 9 Scratched: Modigliani. . T. Belsham 59.0 Race 4 T 4.35 OTAGO MANNEQUIN STAKES $12,000; Three-Year-Old Fillies; 1600m 1 1014 Avens 4 . T. Kennedy 55.0 2 9121 Cidermite 1 . G. Davison 55.0 3 973 Favola 10 . . M. Ritchie 55.0 4 7344 Fleet Belle 2 . . . S. Allen 55.0 S 4131 Fly Baby 6 . . . R. Bruce 55.0 6 8112 Jazz Baby 7 . . R. Saxton 55.0 7 0612 Ladysmith 3 . . P. Falvey55.0 8 2442 Lara Pinta 8 . ,L. Didham 55.0 9 2233 Soundoration 9. . . . . .C. Johnson 55.0 10 2906 Trail Flyer 5 . A. Hunsche 55.0 Race 5 T 5.10 CROFTERS ARMS HOTEL HANDICAP $7000; Apprentice Riders; 1400m 1 2 Cabaret 2 2 5432 The Mission 1 3 8319 Coronga Lass 11. . . . 4 30 Gay Ellery 9 5 2406 Kelly’s Gold 3 6 103 Ned Lean 8 7 3415 Philandon 10 9 1408 Wanna 6 10 Fair Request 13 ... . 11 4 Gem Again 4 12 6903 Nickle Nearco 7 ... . 13 7058 Another Time 5 . . . . 14 5509 The Rullah 12 Scratched: Quality Lass. .D. Anderton 57.0 . D. Hancock 56. . J. Jamieson 56.0 . . . B. Black 56.0 . . R. Saxton 56.0 . . . J. Collis 56.0 . . C. Walter 56.0 . T. Stephens 55.5 . . T. Hazlett 55.5 . . . G. Smith 55.0 . . M. Brown 54.5 . . T. Phillips 54.5 Race 6 T 5.45 THE HOTEL TAIERI $7500; 2200m 1 7269 Golden Time 3 56.0 2 6811 Stature 17 . D. Wadley 56.0 3 3370 The Sport 1 A. Robinson 56.0 4 6057 Three Guys 8 D. Anderton 56.0 5 4796 Turf Cruiser 9 . C. Walter 56.0 6 3562 Wee Jimmy 6 . . L. Boake 56.0 7 8103 Albert Neri 11 . R. McAra 53.5 8 1225 Canterbury Star 15 . . . .C. Johnson 53.5 9 6114 False Image 10 . . R. Bruce 53.5 11 0298 My Friend Henry 13. . . .S. McCann 53.5 12 3329 Nicinda 5 G. Davison 53.5 13 6843 Oraka Lad 12 . . . S. Cook 53.5 14 4124 Our Greatest 16 . R. Saxton 53.5 15 1149 Park In The Dark 14 . . T. Kennedy 53.5 16 0537 The Beau 4 . T. Phillips 53.5 17 3432 The Butcher 2 Scratched: Itelya. P. Richards 53.5

Race 9 7.30 VALLEY LODGE MOTOR HOTEL MAIDEN $7000; 1400m 1 0849 Acushla 7 . J. Jamieson 55.0 2 9 Another Bijou 10. . . . . P. Richards 55.0 3 0272 Bettamac 5 . . . .S. Cook 55. 5 8302 Careless Whisper 9 . . . G. Williams 55.0 6 2323 Dancing Devil 1 . . . . .D. Anderton 55.0 7 7654 Gold Imp 13 . .L. Didham 55.0 8 5245 Imperial Eric 2 . . . R. Bruce 55.0 9 6475 Jane’s Pride 4 ..... . T. Kennedy 55.0 10 3333 La Baraka 6 . G. Davison 55.0 11 4024 Living Is Fun 16 ... . . .C. Johnson 55.0' 12 7649 Maggie Michelle 22 . . . . R. McAra 55.0 14 8280 No Drums 18 . . . S. Allen 55.0 15 0732 Pevrac 3 . .J. Dowling 55.0 16 4744 Regal Manor 11 .... 55.0 17 40 Studebaker 17 . . C. Wright 55.0 18 533 Winter White 15 ... . . . M. Ritchie 55.0 21 90 The Son 19 .A. Robinson55.0 22 079 Rakau Diamond 21 . . . .S. McCann 55.0 Scratched: Bryn, Magneto, Financiere, Through The Tulips. Race 10 TF 8.05: THE SHORELINE MOTOR HOTEL $7500; 1400m 1 83 Allez Era 2 . P. Richards 56.0 2 2411 Coldwells 3 . . R. Saxton 56.0 3 00 Kyolic 10 . . M. Ritchie 56.0 4 556 The Stropper 9 . .C. Johnson 56.0 5 500 Wreck The Tote 7. . . . G. Davison 56.0 6 7075 Bridget Beaufort 8. . . .D. Anderton 53.5 7 9626 Clinger 1 8 0589 Flair Princess 5 . . . B. Black 53.5 9 1084 Imperial Audi 4 . A. Robinson 53.5 10 Miss Penelope 6. . . . 53.5 11 5242 Nearly Summer 11. . . . . . T. Phillips 53.5