Rizzio Fancied For Easter At Ellerslie

Wanganui Chronicle, 14 April 1949, Page 2

Rizzio Fancied For Easter At Ellerslie

| AUCKLAND. Last Night (OC).— |The reduction of the Auckland Easter jHandicap field by half has by no n’.eans made the solution of the find-the-winner problem any easier, but it has helped to make possibilities stand out a bit; more. Demonic, a dual Trentham victor, was early on the scene for his Ellerslie engagements, naving arrived last week in company with Precedency and Outlook. The last-named will come in on the later days of the fixture. Demonic needs no introduction Ito Ellerslie and in his present form he may be the really difficult horse for the three-year-olds to beat. The battery of three-year-olds remaining in the Easter is still a most formidable one. It is some time now since one of this age won the big mile. 'but this seems to be the year when the long string of outs comes to an end. Rizzio and Chubin are young horses expected to shine, and trainer Smith has Regalny, and Gollen. Tauloch’s engagement was not gone on with, although it is expected to get him to the post for the Sl Leger next Monday. With an even getaway Rizzio is the pick of the three-year-olds and there may not be much between the TakaInini trio, other than that Coonbridge ■ 'did not meet with the best of luck when finishing filth just behind Regality at the end of the seven furlongs at headquarters last month. Gollen may be better suited by the Ellerslie track than by Trentham

i Chubin was allowed to drop out of the Great Northern Oaks and the preference shown for the Easter Handicap indicates that, the stable must have ideas of winning. This filly won easily enough last month, but she nowmeets Rizzio, Regality and Coonbridge 101 b worse over the addit.onal furlong. It is an intriguing position, with Gollen thrown in to add to th'e confusion. I No mistake should be made with Sleepy Fox. He seems to be as good as ever, for he is galloping just as brilliantly and he has gone several smart races without being lucky at all in some. King’s Sansom is not favoured in what promises to be a sprint all the way. Super Vaals should go well, for lie raced right up to form al Trentham. Swanee and Star Performer do not appeal at the distance, although if the track is wet Star Performer can race like a champion.

Hunting Rua is a good prospect- for he is a vastly improved horse. Lord Revel. Tiger Tan and Dougal are all good milers, and should make their presence felt. For all that Rizzio appears the right horse if Hughes can get him away at barrier-rise.