Steven John impresses

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 46

Steven John impresses

By

Jeff Scott

The West Coast marvel, Steven John, extended his winning sequence to six in the El Patron Handicap at Waterlea on Monday but it was close.

“That was his hardest run ever,” a relieved but delighted owner-trainer-driver, John Rogers, said after Steven John had paced round the field, led at the 2000 m, was taken on, surrendered the lead at the 1500 m, was in the open again at the 900 m and got up in the last few strides to win by a head.

The enormity of Steven John’s performance can be gauged by his time for the 3200 m of 4min 13.85, being privately timed to

run that post to post in 4min 10.25, his last mile in 2min 3.65, and his last 800 m in 58.65. His time was 0.3 s outside the track record set by El Rana in 1982. Being niggled at before the turn, Steven John was still a head in arrears of World of Fame (which led from the 1000 m) with 50m to go but again displayed his great will to win to take the decision just short of the line. “I thought he would get there 100 m out but it wasn’t until about two strides past the post that I was sure he had got there. I turned round and said I gotcha beat Gavin.”

Rogers was undecided whether to take the Arm-

bro Del Maelynne Gelding to Addington for the second night for the New Brighton meeting on Saturday.

“He’s had six hard races now and might need a let-up, but I won’t make any firm decision until the next day or two,” said Rogers.

The win extended Steven John’s earnings to $28,160 this season.

World of Fame was gallant in defeat after appearing to have the upper hand for most of the way up the straight. Jovial Jan, handy on the outer mostly, fought on for third, two and a half lengths back, with three lengths to Bogart Command, running on at the head of a well-beaten remainder.