Mares could get back into cup records tomorrow

Press, 24 January 1986, Page 21

Mares could get back into cup records tomorrow

From J. J. BOYLE Wellington The records are against a win for a mare in the Wellington Cup tomorrow, but as someone observed long ago, horses don’t read record books. At least three of the females in the field for the last of the season’s major cup races tomorrow have credentials to invite the opinion that the 26-year gap to the last successful mare in the race is about to be closed this time.

Geldings and entires have had an unbroken run of successes since Jalma beat some talented stayers, including Great Sensation, in 1960. But there will be no long odds offered about Duanette’s Girl, Amloch, and Curved Air when they attempt the break-through this time.

The American-owned Duanette’s Girl has the highest weight rating of the trip with 55.5. She ran third in this race last year when the footing was all against her, and this summer she has come right back into the boom by running second in the Auckland Cup and winning the Trentham Stakes. The footing became too tricky for Duanette’s Girl in last year’s race when rain arrived to deteriorate a track that had been havily watered.

The Balmerino mare’s Matamata trainer, Jim Gibbs, was not cheered yesterday by a forecast of rain today, but quipped that he would be quick to snip the hose if the club continued watering the track too close to race day.

Amloch is also from Matamata and this stoutly bred Amyntor mare is in the right form to redeem herself for an expensive failure in the Auckland Cup.

That race was something of a jockey’s nightmare for several who hoped for early positions behind the middle of the field. Because of an absence of a true pace early there was much shuffling for positions, and Amloch was caught up in it, to become hopelessly placed.

Evidence that the Auckland Cup run might be best forgotten appeared to be offered by Amloch when she finished third in the weight-for-age Trentham Stakes last Saturday.

She was less than a length from the winner, Duanette’s Girl, with a performance that left her rider, Grant Cooksley, completely satisfied as a cup trial. Curved Air, a Hasty Cloud mare also from the Waikato, has been admirably consistent in her racing from the Laxon stable. She was a battling

second behind Twelve Gauge over 2200 m at Trentham on Monday and luckless in the running when second behind Gold Lomond at Avondale the time before.

She goes into the Wellington Cup receiving weight from those two recent conquerors and must be regarded as one of the brighter chances in the lower half of the handicap.

Kiwi and Secured Deposit, top weights with 57, carried 50.5 and 51.5 respectively in their previous victories in this ace.

Secured Deposit returned to Trentham to run second in last year’s cup with 57, that following his Auckland Cup victory. His chances of landing a second Auckland Cup this year faded with the absence of a true pace but the replacement rider, Peter Tims, could be under instructions tomorrow to make demands on the Kirrama gelding’s great store of stamina early if nothing else emerges to make it a good gallop.

Kiwi could have the same problems as Secured Deposit if it becomes a stop-go affair. But unlike Secured Deposit, Kiwi will probably embark on the last 800 m at the tail of the field, and if one or more near the

lead manage to run that sector in close to 46, Snow Lupton’s famous stayer might be denied the role of a successful cloud dropper.

Riccarton’s Samasaan, as winner of this season’s New Zealand Cup, attempts one of the most difficult of doubles, but one achieved as recently as 1981 by Koiro Trelay.

Samasaan came through his lead-up race with much credit, finishing fourth in the weight-for-age Trentham Stakes after being pushed on to the running rail when he got into cramped quarters.

Samasaan has 54, so has Twelve Gauge, which at four years, is one of the youngest in the field but could well complete a hattrick for stayers of that age, lengthening the sequence from Secured Deposit and Imaprince. Twelve Gauge’s astute Levin trainer, Walter McEwan, believes the gelding could be even better next year, but has diligently sought a start in at least one of this summer’s big cups, obviously confident he is mature enough for such a test. Twelve Gauge won handily over 2200 m at Trentham last Monday, showing steady mastery of the situation even though his rider, Tony Allan, feared he had struck the

front a shade early.

The McEwan skills in bringing a horse to its peak should assure wouldbe backers of Twelve Gauge that their hopeful will be at the sharpest edge of fitness for this toughest test yet.

Fort Cheval and Gold Lomond are other laststart winners, running for Waikato stables bearing confidence in their ability to master the cup distance. Fort Cheval battled ably for his fourth in the Auckland Cup then returned to a middle distance to win at Awapuni.

Gold Lomond has improved with each recent race for the Cambridge stable of John Winder and the chestnut goes into the race right at his peak after a rewarding lead-up middle distance programme.

24 Sneaky Spi 18 50.5 Emergencies: Royal Rebec, Makoroko, Debbie Dee, Poppa’s Pride, Sneaky Spi, Mulberry. Race 6 D, TF 3.35 EVENING POST WELLINGTON CUP HANDICAP $150,000; 3200 m 1 9575 Kiwi 8 N. Harris 57.0 Renowned stayer attempting his second win in the race. Fair run at weight-for-age over 2400 m last Saturday, making steady headway from the back for fifth. 2 2083 Secured Deposit 9 P. Tims 57.0 Won this race two years ago and went close to winning Auckland-Wellington Cups double last summer. Eighth in this year’s Auckland Cup but last start third, 2200 m under 58kg at Pukekohe has restored him to the list of fancies. 3 3016 Whitole 16 P. Johnston 56.0 Durable veteran, winner of the Manawatu Cup on rain affected track two starts back. Fair run in Marton Cup last start 4 8621 Duanette’s Girl 11 ..... D. Peake 55.5 Followed up a second in the Auckland Cup with a brilliant weight-for-age win at Trentham last Saturday. Dead-set stayer with preference for firm track, • 5 44 Imaprince 7 J. Walker 55.0 Won this race last year when he had easy track to help two fair runs over the holidays suggests he has rallied well since Melbourne spring campaign. ! 6 1103 Amloch 15 ; . .G. Cooksleys4.s Had run of race against her when she failed as favourite in Auckland Cup. Good run for third behind Duanette’s Girl in Trentham Stakes restored her to position of favour. 7 7241 Fort Cheval 21 G. Gry11554.5 Dogged run for fourth in Auckland Cup and came back well after that race for win over middle distance at Awapuni, January 15. 8 5211 Gold Lomond 13 . . .!. .E. Harrison 54.0 Has won in style at his last two starts, mastering middle distances comfortably. One of obvious chances. 9 5214 Milldewe 23 . . .G. Elliot 54.0 Impressive winner over middle distance on testing Stratford track, January 1, and followed up with a good fourth at Awapuni two weeks later. 10 0114 Samaaaan 22 i. . C. Johnson 54.0 Showed his strength of stamina in winning New Zealand Cup on home track in November. Showed he was on target for this with good fourth in weight-for-age Trentham Stakes. 111261 Twalva Gauge 10. . A . . . T. Allan 54.0 One of the youngest in the field and could be still improving more than most competent winning run over 2200 m at Trentham on Monday. 12 050 Rose and Thiatle 2 P. Mercer 53.5 Left with the pacemaking in Auckland Cup, and wound up a fair fifth. Not so good when brought back to middle distance at Awapuni on January 15. .

14 0710 Kotare Chief 5 J. Collett 52.5 Nathans Memorial winner before failing in Auckland Cup. Did not have best of running in the longer race. 15 0333 Chance for Gold 3 D. Walsh 52.0 Battling third behind Twelve Gauge 2200 m on Monday. Respected for his consistency and worth second thought from his place in weights. 16 2022 Curved Air 6 G. Childs 52.0 Outstayed by Twelve Gauge on Monday, but battled well to the end. Unlucky second behind Gold Lomond at Avondale the time before. 17 8272 Delarenne 20 G. Phillips 52 Could not test Gold Lomond when second here on Monday. 18 0008 Stylish Dude 1 J. Hayes 52.0 Form has slumped since his third in Samasaan's New Zealand Cup. 19 1119 Azapal 12 N. Tileysl.o Expensive failure here on Monday, when attempting to extend a winning sequence to six. 20 8098 Shazaam 17. G. Davison 51.0 Near veteran with little to commend him in latest form. 21 4533 Final Advance 4 50.5 Strong finisher for third in Auckland Cup that following a good third in Amloch’s Queen Elizabeth. 22 3009 Macloud 24 50.0 Veteran with patchy form. Others preferred. 23 3110 Fred’s Fortune 19 49.0 Weak .run over middle distance here last Saturday. 24 0375 Kidnapping 14 49.0 Over-all form has been moderate. Emergencies: Shazaam, Final Advance, Macloud, Kidnapping, Fred's Fortune. Scratched: Bi Noble. Race 7 T 4.15 WELLINGTON POLICE CENTENARY HANDICAP $5000; 2200 m. 1 2642 Defend 8 J. Dowling 56.5 2 2541 Fills du Monde 12 T. Allan 56.5 3 0810 Zena Girl 9 B. Hibberd 56.0 4 9242 Digby 6 G. Phillips 55.5 5 2443 Whata Beauty 3 G. Childs 55.5 6 2114 Benreoch 13 . . D. Walsh 55.0 7 3344 Jirob 1 N. Harris 53.5 8 7297 Pep Again 10 R. Hannam 53.0 9 3303 Bonn 2 D. Peake 52.0 10 7050 Koto’s Prids II 52.0 11 5973 Wharf Logger 7 G. Cooksley 52.0 12 075 Private Poppy 4 N. Tileysl.s 13 55 Crest Way 5. . . G. Grylls 51.0 Race 8 D,T 4.55 JARDEN MILE $65,000; 1600 m 1 1331 Tanalyse 3 D. Walsh 57.5 Brilliant winner of 1200 Wrightson Handicap last Saturday, coming from last in big field. One of top chances in his present form. 2 200 Magnitude 11 N. Harris 57.0 Won Epsom Handicap this distance in Sydney last spring. Failed in Wrightson Handicap but form as metric miler respected. 3 6100 Atrapar 13 M. Campbell 56.5 Never real contender in big sprint on first day of meeting. Respected on his best form. 5 6525 Greatness 20 E. Harrison 56.0 Impressive second in Flag Inns Trophy at Ellerslie two starts back. Any easing in track ' for this will help his chance no end. 61111 In the Glen 14 C. Johnson 55.5 Has struck a rich patch of form on South Island courses. Wins have included weight for the Timaru Cup at the expense of Canterbury Belle. 7 0310 Hassendean 18 55.0 Weak run against sprinters on first day. 8 0555 Pinson 10 J. Collett 54.5 Looked close to winning when fifth this distance at Ellerslie and fifth again in Wrightson Handicap last Saturday. 9 2403 Noble Note 16 G. Davison 54.0 Third start for meeting. Battling 3rd behind Harbor Flo 1400 m on Monday. 10 0114 Retsina 15 T. Allan 53.0 Top sprinter at Hawke’s Bay New Year meeting, and put some gloss on that form with good fourth in big sprint at Trentham last Saturday. 11 7141 Mishare 21 G. Childs 52.5 Successful favourite in Anniversary Handicap at this distance last Saturday. This looks tougher, but this consistent mare gets weight relief for this. 12 3103 Runneth 23 N. Tileys2.s Back to metric mile after placed run over 2000 m at Hastings. 13 5530 Silver Elm 6. ....... . D. Peake 52.5 Failed in Wrightson Handicap but this more like her best distance. Chance will brighten if track eases. 14 9189 Mac's Gamble 8 52.0 Veteran with patchy form. Others with stronger chances. 15 1626 Prince Royals 4 G. Phillips 52.0 Usual sound run when sixth in Wrightson Handicap. Runner-up to Clear Gold, 1200 m at Avondale the time before. 16 5655 Tommo’a Tornado 5 51.5 Usually gets close but has done much of his racing in weaker company than this. 17 5416 Balrani 12 50.5 Ran Flag Inns Trophy this distance in style at Ellerslie January 2, easily outfinishlng others on rain affected track. 18 0070 Shardalure 2 50.5 Latest runs have been very ordinary. 19 6263 Silver Samurai 9 T. Moseley 49.5 Determined finisher for 3rd behind Mishare this distance last Saturday. 20 4621 Harbor Flo 7 G. Grylls 49.0 Followed up second to Mishare in Anniversary with record breaking performance over 1400 m on Monday. Bright lightweight chance if she gets back into the field. 21 7319 Chuckka Khan 22 48.5 Win two starts back was on soft track over 1200 m at Thames. 22 5536 Mighty Vain 1 48.5 Weak finisher in Anniversary Handicap last Saturday. 23 7624 Royal Seal 17 48.5 Made strong headway late for fourth in Anniversary Handicap on first day. Second the time before, was over middle distance at Hastings. Emergencies: Harbor Flo, Mighty Vain, Royal Seal, Chuckka Khan. Scratched: Lacka Reason. Raes 9 T 5.35 KELBURN HANDICAP $5000; 1600 m. 1 0017 Colerina 6 B. Hibberd 56.5 2 2107 Island Magic 19 D. Peake 55.5 3 1341 Shades of Dark 15. . . .G. Cooksleyss.s 4 451 Wyuna 18 D. Walsh 55.0 5 3233 Four Ems 2 54.0 6 411 Neon Blaze 7 P. Tims 54.0 7 2322 Breaker Bay 9 N. Harris 53.5 8 2682 Vanilla Lasa 10 D. Healey 52.5 9 2802 Ellen Killeen 4 52.0 10 5533 Santaray 16 52.0 11 0710 Succinct 11 52.0 12 2000 Unique Gift 17 52.0 13 5524 Hanayome 12 ....... T. Moseley 51.5 14 7407 Queen of Queens 1 . . 51.5 15 2440 Karson 5 T. Allan 51.5 16 0409 Bandlita 13 51.0 17 0176 Inclusion 1 51.0 18 9890 Mac’s Queen 3 . 51.0 19 04 Phareef 8 G. Chillis 51.0 Emergency: Mac’s Queen. £

Jetbet: 4 Race 1 12.10 WALLACEVILLE HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP $5000; 2400m. 1 5101 Paoakalani 8 . . .K. Treweek64.0 2 0417 Kerry’s Mate 6 . . . P. Tims 63.5 3 6762 Arzante 1 . . . J. Dowling 61.5 4 2504 Garbo 13 . . . .S. Jenkins 61.0 5 3248 Domicile 9 60.5 6 0293 Bratton Woods 12 . .P. Worthington 60.0 7 3360 Stepson 14 P. Goss 60.0 8 1865 Carpentier 7 . ... G. O’Neil 59.5 9 60 Lord Azure 3 . . . . . ... J. Albert 59.5 10 9558 Arcticus 2 . . . . M. Gillies 59.0 11 9005 Goldhaven 5 G. Lord 59.0 12 3385 Romadios 4 59.0 14 5838 The Ferns 11 ... . 59.0 Scratched: Private Poppy. Race 2 12.50 FITZHERBERT HANDICAP $6000; two-year-old fillies; 1200m. 1 11 Scotch and Dry 4 . . . . . N. Harris 57.0 2 181 Indiscretion 1... . . . . . D. Walsh 56.5 3 12 Sister Loo 5 T. Allan 55.0 4 4551 Our Desire 10. . . . . ... G. Childs 53.0 5 2285 Lady Chance 11.. 52.5 6 353 Venetian Bay 8 . . . . . ,G. Cooksley52.5 7 368 Extradite 6 51.5 8 Sea Symphony 9. . . . . .J. Walker51.5 9 7 Tremor 3 . . . G. Phillips 51.5 10 8 Adora Hayes 12. . . . . . . D. Peake 50.5 11 0 Lady Amanda 2. . . . . . . G. Grylls50.5 12 9 Mayhem 1 . . . .P. Mercer 50.5 Race 3 1.30 PINEHAVEN HANDICAP $5000; 2000m. 1 2110 Top Tune 11 .... P. Tims 57.0 2 3612 Delvac 18 . . .E. Harrison 54.5 3 3521 Battle Wish 2 . . . . . . . . N. Harris 54.0 4 5501 Royal Lad 4 . . . . N. Check 54.0 5 8228 On The Town 7. . . 53.0 6 0010 Clear Path 14... . 52.5 7 2117 Firetint 5 . . . C. Johnson 52.5 8 4215 Flight to Reno 19 . . . . . D. Walsh 52.5 9 1654 Anthropology 9 . . . . . . G. Phillips 52.0 10 573 Forsyth 17 52.0 11 0300 Laroche 3 . K. Clapperton 52.0 12 2153 The Thief 13 . . .G. Cooksley52.0 13 2323 Imposeur 20 . . . G. Grylls51.5 14 4156 Beau’s Pride 1 . . . . . ... .J. Hayes 51.0 17 8574 Rivetta 16 . . . .G. Elliot 50.5 18 4300 Wee Rah 15 50.5 19 7305 Brook 8 50.0 20 0830 Estuary 10 50.0 21 9095 Illa Ma'rie 22 . . . S. Tonge 50.0 22 0074 Imperial Night 6 . . . .' 50.0 Emergencies: Wee Rah, Prince Command, Illa Marie, Estuary, Brook, Imperial Night. Scratched: Sound Lady, Prince Command. Race 4 2.10 WELLINGTON DERBY STAKES $32,200; three-year-olds; 2400m. 1 1515 Argonaut Style 7 . . . . . A. Tweedie 55.5 2 1110 Bacton Abbey 6 . . . ; . C. Johnson 55.5 3 0042 Cosworth 1 . . T. Wheeler 55.5 4 0840 Durham Light 9. . . . 55.5 5 0 Guv 5 . . .D. Healey 55.5 6 0900 Irontite 4 . . G. Phillips 55.5 7 3372 Joe Savoldi 12 ... . . . . . P. Tims 55.5 8 1576 Regimental March 11 . . . ,N. Tlley55.5 9 0009 Royal Amyn 14 ... . . ,G. Cooksley55.5 10 0712 Scaler 13 ; .E. Harrison 55.5 11 0900 Schomberg 3 ; 55.5 12 8729 Sharp Ace 10 . . . G. Childs 55.5 13 0210 Waterman 8 . M. Campbell 55.5 14 7792 Empire Rose 2 ... . ; . . D. Walsh 54.0 Race 5 2.50 TELFORDS HANDICAP $5000; 1400m. 1 2151 Lucky Dip 22 . ... D. Walsh 56.0 2 4110 Phar Habit 12 ... .P. Tims56.0 3 3851 First Charge 21... . . . . B. Griffin 55.0 4 Black Vintage 1. . . . . M. Campbell 54.0 5 121 Blazing Bernie 17 . . 54.0 6 1923 Proud Seal 13 . . . ,T. Allan54.0 7 4135 All Take 14 53.5 8 4702 Corinda Park 23 . . . 53.0 9 3 Gay Asset 20 53.0 10 7010 Prince Pep 11 . . D. Skelton 53.0 11 19 Taffera 19 . . . G. Davison 53.0 12 6 Balmarine 15 N. Tiley52.5 13 6 Grand Romance 2 . . . . . .P. Mercer 52.5 14 17 Keyano 3 52.5 15 2109 La Mimique 16 ..... . . . G. Phillips 52.5 16 0000 Oakridge Boy 4. . . . 52.5 17 3328 Silver Arch 10 . . . . 52.5 18 4801 Lucky Tango 5 . . . . .- 52.0 19 1666 Royal Rebec 24. . . . 52.0 20 7903 Makoroko 8 . . .G. Cooksley51.5 21 059 Debbie Dee 7.... . 51.0 22 020 Poppa’s Pride 9. . . . 51.0 23 9406 Mulberry 6 : . 50.5