Rain opens up list of possibilities

Press, 23 October 1989, Page 24

Rain opens up list of possibilities

By

DAVID McCARTHY

Rain has made an already open North Canterbury Cup even more difficult to assess at the club’s meeting at Rangiora today.

The track was officially soft yesterday and with little prospect of drying weather is unlikely to be much better.

That will affect the chances of some leading chances, notably Peach Melba, which will be trying to give Mick Murfitt his third successive training win in the race.

Peach Melba, last year’s winner following Eye Full’s success the previous year, was not disgraced in her season debut over 1400 m at Riccarton, but has performed best on tracks no worse than easy.

Proven wet track performers such as Diamond Annie, Dogwood and possibly Honour Bright, will come into stronger contention with the weather change, but the hardest to beat could still be the Bruce Marsh representative, Sir Nova, to be ridden by an in-form Larry Cassidy. Sir Nova is a much improved horse this season and seems to have thrived on a busy campaign. He was a winner over 1600 m at Levin in August on a firm track, repeating the dose, with a substantial claim, over 1400 m at Taranaki. He could not foot it with Dogwood on level weights at Hawke’s Bay and was then tried against top company in the Honda Metric Mile, beating eight home including Injustice, a rival today, Satisfy and Go Bush.

Sir Nova returned to the winning list over 1400 m at Taranaki on September 30, under 57kg, and completed another double on the first day at Woodville next time out. He has been freshened since running fourth over a sprint distance on the second day. Sir Nova prefers reasonable footing and has a wide draw to contend with, but is still capable of giving Cassidy victory in a race in which he rode Robinski to a narrow defeat last year. Dogwood thrives on wet tracks and comes in nicely at the weights here. Diamond Annie, a smart metric miler which, rather surprisingly, has not previously raced on her home track, and Reykjavik are two others who will not mind the conditions. Palastone has not done a lot of racing at this distance, but is in such fine form he must be considered on a track where, in the past, he has won an Amberley Cup. Benji could be the hardest to beat in the second leg, the Rangiora Printing Handicap. A handy sort in wet conditions, and one which likes to run close to the pace, he could take best advantage of the conditions. Innocent Victim has run well against stronger opposition, while Mr Fletcher, Kuz and Nicinda also make appeal.

Race 7 D 3.30 DB DRAUGHT NORTH CANTERBURY CUP HANDICAP $13,000; Cl; no allowances; 1600 m 1 St James 14 58 Scratched 2 40-13 Palastone 3 57 G Davison Two fine runs on this campaign to date. Prefers firm tracks, but can handle soft. On short list for Hong Kong Cup and bold run expected. 3 228-6 Honour Bright 7 56 R Bruce Resumed at Timaru over 1200 m. Might need another race, but conditions suit him and he could be in the money. 4 05-68 Robinski 15 55 A Poblete Faded from near pace on the turn at Riccarton in second start back this time. Likes this track and second in this last year, third-up. Prefers firm footing. 5 2-713 Biko 9 54.5 L Cook (a) Being tried at a middle distance for first time. Previous winner here at 1200 m and likes to roll along in front. Prefers firm footing. 6 -2814 Diamond Annie 17 54.5 S McCann Good mare which handles soft ground and this her best distance. Rated win chance although best form has been on tracks with longer straights. 7 700-0 Peach Melba 11 54 C Johnson Got out of her ground last week and made sound progress after rocky run. Has won twice here. Including this race (with 52kg) last year. Track could trip her, but respected. 8 -9084 Zelazny 16 54 J Jamieson Veteran handily placed at the weights, but soft track against. 9 162-0 Reykjavik 6 53.5 R J McCann Slow then rushed up over 1400 m in season debut. Good record here and handles wet tracks. Not the worst. 10 69114 Sir Nova 13 53.5 L Cassidy Well tried this spring and has responded more often than not. Last start fourth over sprint distance. Hard to beat. 11 87-00 Injustice 12 53 C O’Brien (a) Former topliner looking for rejuvenated form. Last failure was in Honda Metric Mile, finishing behind Sir Nova and Dogwood. 12 7529- Pericolini 5 52.5 L Didham Former Great Easter winner resuming. Smart run at the trials recently and should be forward. Beat all but Peach Melba in Race Images Stakes, this trip, at Easter. Wet ground againsL 13 66240 Red Hawk 8 52.5 P Falvey Only moderate response in race not run to suit last week. Will be running on, but take on trust this trip. ■ 14 31130 Dogwood 1 52 D Wadley Pulled hard and expended before the turn at Riccarton last week. Should suit this trip better and dangerously placed at the weights. 15 0-309 Regent Diamond 4 51.5 P Den Hertog (a) Smart galloper, but preferred over less ground. 16 Walk Up 2 51 Scratched 17 7908- Adio* King 10 50 Hard to see.

Jetbet: 7 Race 1 11.55 RICCARTON TURF CLUB WELTER $4750: C4 and jumpers; no allowances; 1600m 1 Sandwich 7 62.5 Scratched 2 000-0 Avlonter 1 62 R J McCann 3 210-5 Vain Flight 12 61.5 S McCann 4 6-351 Delightful Dame 4 61 C Johnson 5 90-00 TeTangaroa6 61 P Falvey 8 8-023 Anchorbar 9 60.5 G Davison 7 Kaoru Brave 3 60.5 Scratched 8 1-250 Kuriwao 10 60.5 R Bruce 9 000-0 Prince Avari 11 59.5 L Dldham 10 -8009 Eureka Lad 2 59 R Fraser(a) 11 00-00 Guide Book 5 59 C Pemberton 12 -6499 Gunner 8 59 A Poblete Race 2 12.30 COUPLANDS BAKERIES MAIDEN $4250; 1200m 1 4460- Amadera 13 55 R Bruce 2 3444 Canaletto5 55 T Marshall (4.5) 3 037-6 Classy Lass 6 55 D Browne (4.5) 4 39-0 Demetrius Nicholas 14 55 S McCann 5 Exotic Goddess 9 55 Scratched 6 07- Heavens Forbid 15 55 J Jamieson 7 488 Indian Ridge 16 55 M Brown (3) 8 8837- Margin Call 3 55 G Davison 9 4 Piranha 12 55 L Cassidy 10 4898- Prinsil 18 55 K Kenyon 11 7 Ptero 10 55 C Johnson 12 Red Fanton 8 55 L Didham 13 Truly Forever 17 55 R Fraser(3) 14 -0809 Wattie’s Wonder 11 55 P Falvey 15 Arbour Day 1 55 H Malcolm 16 0- Folding Money 2 55 17 00- Mr Ringo 7 55 P Den Hertog 18 095-0 Sun Dance 4 55 Emergencies: Folding Money, Mr Ringo, Sun Dance. Race 3 1.05 SPRING FESTIVAL JUVENILE $4750; two-year-olds; no allowances; 1000m 1 Brandon Bay 6 55 Scratched 2 Broadway Lad 7 55 M Smillie (a) 3 Chatham Lord 3 55 P Falvey 4 04 Djamena2 55 S McCann 5 36 Murray Mac 5 55 G Davison 6 68 Pace The Jug 9 55 C Johnson

7 6 Power Play 8 55 P Den Hertog (a) 8 Toy Boy 10 55 Scratched 9 7 Jungle Bunny 11 55 K Kenyon 10 25 Panjie 1 53 M Brown (a) 11 Treacherous 4 53 R Bruce Race 4 1.40 KINGS MOWERS MAIDEN $4250; 1200m 1 34-23 Amanda Hall 13 55 R Bruce 2 588-0 Blue Ripple 12 55 C Johnson 3 9 Chancellor Way 14 55 P Falvey 4 52280 Coniston Water 9 55 M Brown (3) 5 0-60 Eighteen Twelve 16 55 D Wadley 6 30-39 Fiduciary 10 55 C O'Brien (2.5) 7 In The Black 5 55 Scratched 8 Laudy 1 55 Scratched 9 6000Ollie Onion 8 55 D Hancock (a) 10 0890Paleface Jack 3 55 D Browne (4.5) 11 Pringle Street 17 55 Scratched 12 00-40 Queen’s Beau 11 55 K Kenyon 13 Stanmarric 15 55 L Cassidy 14 70-00 Swept By 4 55 L Cook (1.5) 15 0-070 Mighty Son 2 55 R Fraser(3) 16 Zepher Isle 7 55 Scratched 17 0 Fountain Lass 6 55 M Smillle (2.5) Race 5 2.15 BURKES CATERERS MAIDEN $4250; 1600m 1 23335 Bijou Leigh 14 55 P Falvey 2 Chief Orderly 11 55 K Kenyon 3 046-0 Diarmsro2 55 R Bruce 4 06 Frame 17 55 R J McCann 5 Gay Minarco 20 55 Scratched 6 640-0 Hope and Glory 4 55 P Den Hertog (2.5) 7 03903 Macho Comacho 3 55 L Cassidy 8 9600Manor Lad 12 55 S McCann 9 6-7-7 Me Pat Malone 15 55 J Jamieson 10 0-253 Pallette 10 55 L Oldham 11 96426 Playing Around 1 55 C Johnson 12 50-20 Star Tracer 19 55 G Davison 13 63-70 Sweet Spot 13 55 D Wadley 14 06700 Trail Flyer 9 55 M Brown (3) 15 Balmoral Castle 8 55 Scratched 16 It’s Freezing 18 55 L Cook (1.5) 17 53099 Lickofice 7 55 18 Slinky Lady 16 55 Scratched 19 080-5 Princely Row 5 55 20 8850Ruakiri 6 55 Emergencies: Lickofice, Princely Row, Ruakiri. Race 6 2.50 BEEFEATER GIN CANTERBURY 1600 $17,500; three-year-olds; no allowances; 1600m 1 52-11 Associates 55 G Davison 2 92 Daybreak Dancer 9 55 R J McCann 3 -0498 Irish King 6 55 P Den Hertog (a) 4 09-80 MinstralBoy5 55 J Jamieson 5 073-1 Sim Boh Road 10 55 L Oldham 6 63606 Vincent Terranova 2 55 P Falvey 7 -3533 Chamelon 11 53 R Bruce 8 -5630 Golden Showers 7 53 C O’Brien (a) 9 15 Jade Gate 4 53 C Johnson 10 22 Seamist 1 53 S McCann 11 33-87 Yankee Zephyr 3 53 L Cassidy

THE ACCOLADE LODGE $4750; C4;1200m 1 35471 Gypsy Tap 9 55 R Bruce 2 7-726 He’s Blushing 20 55 G Davison 3 015-0 Imperatrix 19 55 CJohnson 4 2400- Kikkoman 12 55 L Cassidy 5 0-317 Ladenza 17 55 RJ McCann 6 Lady Evergreen 16 55 Scratched 7 1848- Mellaysia 7 55 L Didham S 30-00 Noble Daunt 1 55 J Jamieson 9 Our Formation 10 55 Scratched 10 -2325 Pet Richall 18 55 G Davison 11 3-186 Pompeii 8 55 S McCann 12 2971- Rambling Man 3 55 T Marshall (4.5) 13 -0130 Raucous 13 55 M Brown (3) 14 081-0 Toodlepip 11 55 S McCann 15 Kaiaua King 14 55 Scratched 16 10-67 Adamo 2 55 M Smillie (2.5) 17 799-7 Beaufort Dee 15 55 18 Wayward Lad 5 55 Scratched 19 0669- Old Scroll 4 55 L Cook (1.5) 20 6950- Livin Doll 6 55 Emergencies: Beautfort Dee, Old Scroll, Livin Doll. Race 9 D. T 4.40 RANGIORA PRINTING SERVICES HANDICAP $6500: C2; no allowances; 2080m 1 Stormy Weather 8 57 Scratched 2 Martinet 1 56 Scratched 3 Nanu 12 56 Scratched 4 21405 Benii 13 55.5 R J McCann Useful run at Riccarton and could have been closer with more luck. Likes wet tracks. Include. 5 28486 Innocent Victim 5 55.5 G Davison Fair runs lately, but below best. Heavier track will suit and class here easier. Worth another chance. 6 0-345 Comparable 9 55 C O’Brien (a) Racing generously this time in. Bold effort two starts back in Cl at Riccarton and again useful at Timaru. Fifth, 2000m, Gore, Saturday. Consider. 7 80-05 Kuz3 55 L Didham Useful on his day and could be well suited here if allowed own rules. Upsetter. 8 6-034 Mr Fletcher 2 55 M Smillie (a) Good wet track performer meeting easier field than last week. Must be a leading chance.

9 i -6617 Nicinda 15 55 R Bruce Won well at Ashburton two starts back, but disappointing in better company over 2300m at Wingatui. Handy in the wet. L Cassidy 10 -0000 Star Pride 7 55 Hard to like on recent form. 11 898-9 Four Figures 14 54.5 D Wadley Out of class last time. Useful in the wet. Place show. 12 42160 Manicure 6 54.5 L Cook (a) Disappointing last start at Riccarton. Handles soft tracks. Place chances preferred, but could upset. 13 -4988 Rakau Tender 16 54.5 S McCann Has been battling in tougher company. Place preferred. Scratched 14 Black Comet 11 54 15 70-07 Master Raj 4 53 P Den Hertog (a) Form ordinary and would have to improve. 16 0-559 Traffic Dancer 10 53 C Johnson Better run than it looked last week and useful time before. Likes this track and consider at least for multiples. Race 10 T 5.15 PLOUGH HOTEL HANDICAP $5500: C3:1200m 1 Bolshoi Star 17 57 Scratched 2 1212- Nicolai Queen 11 56 J Jamieson 3 35481 Schweppes. Ahead 1 55 L Cook (1.5) 4 100-0 Triana 19 55 M Smillie (2.5) 5 44-07 Extra Plush 7 54.5 M Brown (3) 6 Castletown 9 54 Scratched 7 56804 Count Nicolai 14 54 S McCann 8 Lady Gail 10 54 Scratched 9 052-3 Marty 3 54 C Johnson 10 -4794 St Pierre 15 54 P Den Hertog (2.5) 11 -9070 Wave 'N Go 20 54 R J McCann 12 022-1 Woodsreef 13 54 R Bruce 13 39-18 Deer Game 12 53.5 R Fraser(3) 14 339-9 Runvs5 53.5 D Wadley 15 8837- Outrages 53 16 9-652 Ambala Way 16 52.5 P Falvey 17 6547- Reigndale 18 52.5 K Kenyon 18 -4300 Silver Scholar 4 52.5 19 3000- High Power 2 52 20 690-0 Irish Ace 6 51.5 Emergencies: Silver Scholar, High Power, Irish Ace.