Hano Direct leaves it late

Press, 23 April 1979, Page 18

Hano Direct leaves it late

Special correspondent Dunedin [ The diminutive four-year-old Hano Direct. wore down the big ten-year-old 1 Santoza. in the last few strides to win the Dunedin Trotting Cup at Forbury Park on Saturday night. Hano Direct. whose trainer-driver. Doody Townley. had an anxious mo-] ment after 2000 m. clearing the breaking Pointer Hanover, trailed Santoza in the lead Townley waited until' inside the final 200 m before: he lodged his challenge. But' Santoza. which had set a strong pace, fought on re-i solutely and Hano Direct, which simply "flew" the last] few strides, just got her head in front on the line. i Hano Direct, which has now won eight races for] Townley’s wife, Audrey, and; Mr Fergie Girdler. of Ti-| maru, will take a C 6 assessment as the result of her win on Saturday night. She will still be handicapped to start off the front in invitation races for trotters. She is off 10m in the Air Force Handicap, at Addington on Wednesday. Townley is to make a study of the programme for the Auckland meeting next month before making a decision on a start for Hano Direct in the 825,000 Rowe Memorial Cup.

I Cool Cat made a belated [run for third in a gap of 'three lengths and a half after standing the leadei (several lengths at the 800 m. 'Our One was half a length tback, fourth. She was soon .handy after starting from :15m but she was hampered by About Now in the ftna ■lap. Trusty Scot gained a conivincing win in the G. J. Ban 'ton Memorial Handicap, causing his trainer and part/owner. Henderson Hunter, t< 'reconsider plans to spell him. ' “I might just go to Auck[land now. I will go honu and think about it.” sain | Hunter after Trusty Scot’i jw’in. It was Trusty Scot’t fifth win this season anc I took his stake earnings foi the same period to $74,520. The six-year-old Scottish [Command-Fledgling entire ' whose preceding win was ithe New Zealand Free-for-all last November, has alsc gained five minor placings in 18 starts. Trusty Scot began quicklj from 15m and trailed ir fourth place until the hom< turn, when Hunter angled him wide. Trusty Scot cams on generously and wot going away by half a lengtt from Miss Pert, which trailed handy on the outer. Rocky Tryax was never i$ Ithe clear after trailing threi iback on the inside.