Gina Rosa wins D.B. heat in 1min 59.9s

Press, 8 February 1986, Page 27

Gina Rosa wins D.B. heat in 1min 59.9s

By

G. K. YULE

Gina Rosa qualified for the rich D.B. Export Fillies Final on May 3 when she wore down the pacemaker, Ollie’s Chance, in the second heat of the series at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington Raceway last evening. Gina Rosa received a perfect trail behind Ollie’s Chance after sprinting out hard from No. 5 at the barrier. She was inside Prestwick racing to the straight, but when that runner dropped back the way was clear for Gina Rosa and she was quick to dash up to Ollie’s Chance, over the final piece she was much too good and won by a short length. Ollie’s Chance was unchallenged for second, finishing more than six lengths in front of Free’s Best, which with Laudit and French Heritage, met a check 200 m out when Michele Bromac broke for no apparent reason. Laudit, which was never travelling like a winner, battled into fourth, a nose in front of

the Cambridge-trained filly, Western Fella, which made up ground after being well back. Free’s Best, Western Fella and Michale Bromac are among those which will travel north to race in another heat at Blenheim on Monday. Gina Rosa, according to her trainer-driver, Jack Smolensk!, will receive treatment for an arthritic condition in a knee on Monday, and then, hopefully, be prepared for a heat to be run at the Hororata meeting on March 8.

By Plat du Jour from Gina Marie, Gina Rosa is raced by Mr Brian and Mrs Dorothy Smolensk! and their sons, Bob and Dennis. The same combination raced Gina Rosa’s half-brother, Nardinski, which was retired in November.

Gina Rosa paced the mile in Imia 59.95, one of few occasions in which the 2min barrier has been broken in a heat. She paced her last 800 m in a rousing 58.55. Hamy’s Pride, out of

form since winning at Greymouth in October, caused a major surprise when he held out the odds-on favourite, Quiet Touch, by half a length in the Hotel Russley Pace. Hamy’s Pride was beautifully positioned throughout by Michael de Filippi and he surged to the front early in the run home, just lasting for his win. Quiet Touch, which was paying about $1.60, was about mid-field for much of the way. She worked clear behind Hamy’s Pride starting the run home, but the winner dashed away from her by almost four lengths. Once asked for an effort 100 m out she quickly cut into his advantage, but just failed to get up. Lorfay came on steadily for third, a short length from Quiet Touch, with Mark Seven and the pacemaker, Dream Lustre, close by. Anthony Butt advanced his lead over his cousin, David, in the Maurice Holmes Trophy to six when he drove Golden Don to an easy win in the

McWilliams Casavino Pace, a race for junior horsemen. Golden Don was out by three lengths over Imperial Time at the post, with Reinemaster taking third well clear of the others. Front Up broke through for an overdue win when he beat Springfield Command and Herve in the Rawstron Real Estate Handicap. He was always trotting comfortably and won with something in hand in the respectable time of 3min 27.5 s for the 2600 m. He looks capable of further fairly rapid promotion. Show Kipp and Wishful, which covered much extra ground, fought out a desperate finish to the Sydenham Furnishers Pace, the pair being joined by Sunset Panorama over the last piece. Show Kipp gained the decision by a neck from Wishful, with a nose to Sunset Panorama. Main Point finished in great -style for fourth after being late securing a run. She deserves a win, which must come soon.