TE HERO'S WEIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 60, 8 September 1938, Page 13

TE HERO'S WEIGHT

AVONDALE OPEN SPRINT

(Special from "Early Bird.") AUCKLAND, September 6. The handicapping of the three-year-olds in the Avdndale sprint is even more interesting than that for the corresponding event at Wanganui. At the latter centre some good youngsters were weighted, but it was left to Avondale's handicapper to deal with the outstanding North Island two-year-old of last term, Te Hero. The Heroic colt has been given 8.10, which is 101b over weight-for-age, and not many will disagree with the summing up. First-class two-year-olds have been asked to carry much more weight than this, with the company only a little less select than that at Avondale, and they have done so creditably. Te Hero is by no means weighted out of the Avondale sprint, and, although he is to be opposed by several smart ones, he has only to be a fit horse to, carry the day. As to Te Hero's condition, this remains to be shown, for reconstructibn work at the.Te Awamutu tracks during recent months has precluded the colt's being indulged in all the fast work that is so necessary for early success at three years. However, ,he has been kept going and he should be fairly forward. If he can be given sufficient work during the coming week or so he may carry all before him in the three-year-old classics. It is this shadow of doubt surrounding Te Hero that will cause the greatest interest to be centred in his opponents and their imposts in the Avondale sprint. He is asked to concede 101b to Arvakur, who is in at scale weight. Hot Box, who is in receipt of lib from Arvakur, registered some very fine efforts last season, particularly under weight, although he failed at the Auckland Autumn Meeting, when he missed a place in the Champagne Stakes and also in the handicap event the second day under 9.9. "Other three-year-olds in the Avondale sprint are Philcourt, Calorie, and Fidelis, and of the trio Philcourt may be the earliest winner, for he has already displayed rare brilliancy and will only need to run on to be a real thorn in the side of Te Hero if the latter is not thoroughly attuned. Indeed, at a difference of 241b Philcourt may prove superior to the Heroic colt unless the half-brother to Gay Blonde disappoints, and he gave more than one disappointing performance last season. Based on the speed he revealed at Ellerslie three weeks ago, Philcourt looks a really bright prospect in the short race at Avondale. Fidelis has been sprinting nicely at Ellerslie and may come to hand short-' ly, although last season he did not impress as likely to reach the top of the tree. Calorie has won her races at the right end and it is probable that she will be better suited by a middle distance. With such good three-year-olds as Te Hero, Philcourt, Arvakur, Calorie, and Fidelis likely to line up at the suburban track next week the, contest is going to be more than usually interesting. At this stage a fancy could be expressed for Philcourt on account of the fact that he reyealed a lot of speed at headquarters in his race last month and should have benefited by the outing.