Malaz impresses with Forbury Park victory

Press, 27 January 1986, Page 28

Malaz impresses with Forbury Park victory

Special correspndent Dunedin Malaz, easy winner of his heat of the Anngow Motors Championship at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, should be better for the race.

"I am hopeful that he will be better as he had a letup after racing at Addington three weeks ago,” said Malaz’s trainerdriver, Hamish Hunter. “He will need to be too with Master Mood and Chipaluck in the field,” said Hunter, referring to the final of the championship next Saturday. Hunter will bypass the second night of the meeting with Malaz, which has now won 13 races and $95,665 for his Edendale breeders, Adam and Isla Hunter.

Malaz began quickly from 20m, and went to the front after 1000. Hunter allowed him more rein after passing the 400 m and he went two lengths clear. He won with something in hand by a length and three-quarters. Henry Hoover came home well from four back on the inside for second ahead of El Victory (three back) and Loveridge, which missed the start and ran

on from last. The broodmare, Hurricane Anna, was represented by the winners, Stormy Fella and Amazon Princess, both trained and driven by All Malcolmson. The pair were bred by Ray Anicich, of Lawrence. He races Stormy Fella and has Amazon Princess out on lease.

Hurricane Anna is by Holy Hal from Hurricane Zita, by Armbro Hurricane. Malcolmson controlled the pace with Amazon Princess and she sprinted ahead in the straight. He also made the pace with Stormy Fella, which just lasted after racing greenly.

“I think he will make a good horse. He was just gawking and running about,” said Malcolmson. Stormy Fella made the pace, then ran off the fence at the 1200 m and again near the finish when Ebony Mist, which trailed three back on the inner, came through to run him to a nose.

Acupuncture is given the credit for a vast improvement in the form of Whata Knight, which notched his third successive win on Saturday night Whata Knight began quickly, made the pace

and won by three lengths. Whata Knight has always shown ability but he has been hindered by a dropped hip which caused him to lose a race after he had been first past the post at Winton 12 months ago.

“We have had a lot of problems with him, especially his shoeing. As a last resort we decided to try acupuncture on the advice of Peter Williams, the vet,” said his driver, Don Mcßae, jun., who assists his father, Don, with training at Invercargill. Whata Knight received three treatments then won next time out at Winton. He followed up with a win at Washdyke. Both those races were mobile start events.

“He is a bit touchy from a stand but he can really trot,” said Don McCrae, jun. Whata Knight, which was treated again on Monday, may be back for later nights of the Forbury Park meeting but his main aim is a mobile event for C 3 to C 5 trotters at the Canterbury Park meeting on February 7. An eight-year-old gelding by Lumber Dream, Whata Knight is raced by Sandy Ruki, an Invercargill shearing contactor.