TROTTING Thunder Royal Wins Wellington Cup

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31269, 16 January 1967, Page 4

TROTTING Thunder Royal Wins Wellington Cup

The Avondale pacer, Thunder Royal, came back to winning form with a brilliant Win over Vista Abbey and Amend in the Wellington Trotting Cup at Hutt Park on Saturday night. Thunder Royal slashed two seconds off the track record for two miles, running 4:16 1-5.

Thunder Royal was last of a 14-horse field going down the back straight the last time. His brilliant finish brought the large crowd to their feet and he was warmly applauded when the judge posted his number.

Thunder Royal had only a head to spare over Vista Abbey, with a neck back to Amend, which also gave an amazing performance. Amend was three wide for the last two laps and ran on gamely. He was just held by Vista Abbey, which had a lovely run all the way and looked like causing a major upset until Thunder Royal came on the scene.

Port Boxer was right behind these in fourth place after a game attempt to lead throughout. He began brilliantly from wide out and dashed to the lead. He set a cracking pace and it was well inside the straight before the strain told. He battled on gamely for his fourth placing.

Another outsider, Grande Garnison. which was also handy all the way, ran a good race for fifth. He looked a distinct danger at the top of the straight but could not get a clear run.

Thunder Royal is a six-year-old dark bay horse by Thunder On from Tyrone Queen, owned by Messrs S. R. Landon and L. E. B. File. He

is trained at Avondale by Mr Landon. They bought Thunder Royal four years ago for £4OO and have now won about £6OOO. Thunder Royal was the third favourite after a good fourth to Tobias in the Flying Mile at Cambridge at his last start and other good placings earlier. The double was completed by Medico in the Thunder Handicap. The pair paid £72 3s for £l. Medico was handy all the way and after being third on the turn ran on strongly to shade the three-year-old, James. James was left one out without a trail after three furlongs, but looked to have a strong winning chance when he. shot dear in the straight. However, he had no answer to Medico’s finish. The worth of James’s performance is shown by his time, almost a second better than the course record for a three-year-old set in 1963 by Garcon d’Or. Third was Miles Gentry, two lengths further back. He was well back early and improved sharply on the last round to be fourth into line. He ran on strongly to head Calm Autumn for the minor money. Behind Calm Autumn came Morris Scott and Frontier Maid, with the others well beaten.

Port Boxer began brilliantly in the cup and led Grande Garnison, Vista Abbey, Wee Herb, Philmark, Top Copy, John Flon, Tutta Tryax, Quesnel, Gipsy Hanover, Happy

[Songster and Thunder Royal, 'which made a very tardy bei ginning. There was little change over the next round, although Phillmark had moved up to be handy to the lead and Amend had moved up about the middle of the field. With two rounds to go he was three wide outside Top Copy and Vista Abbey and they were just behind Port Boxer and Grande Garnison.

Happy Songster, John Flon and Quesnel were the closest of the others. Port Boxer led into the straight from Grande Garnison, Vista Abbey and Amend. Vista Abbey and Amend soon passed Port Boxer and looked set to fight out the finish when Thunder Royal came with a brilliant run to beat both. They were followed in order by Port Boxer, Grande Garnison, Top Copy, Happy Songster, Wee Herb, Quesnel, Gipsy Hanover, Phillmark, Rannack Song, Tutta Tryax and John Flon. Co Pilot and Maudella tangled at the start of the Thunder Handicap and Maudella lost all chance. Calm Autumn, Student and Light Polka led out, followed closely by James. , When the field settled down Henwood’s Pride led James Morris Scott, Calm Autumn, Modica, Student, Light Polka, Frontier Maid, Miles Gentry, Co Pilot and Coinsman. With a round to go the order was unchanged, except Miles Gentry was starting to move forward. On the turn he was fourth behind James, Light Silk and Medico.