Great Adios Wins Trial At Epsom

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31595, 5 February 1968, Page 7

Great Adios Wins Trial At Epsom

“The Press’* Special Service

AUGKLAND.

Great Adios beat some of his main InterDominion Championship rivals at the Kumeu Trotting Club’s matinee meeting at Alexandra Park on Saturday and gave his trainer-driver, R. P. Norton, an agreeable surprise.

“He had had only three hoppled work-outs since he won the Flying Mile at Cambridge early last month, and he needed a good run,” said Norton. “I would have thought he was doing well if he had run fifth.”

The crowd of 7000 was in an uproar when Great Adios joined the pace-maker, Lordship, near the home turn. It seemed the pair would have a stirring battle, but Great Adios mastered the South Island champion with surprising ease.

As Lordship fell away. Great Adios appeared set for an easy win. Tobias, Morris Scot and Governor Frost then finished at a hectic rate and Great Adios had to be shaken up to win by half a length Tobias took second by a head from Morris Scot and Governor Frost was half a head away fourth. The fastfinishing Julie Hanover was a close fifth, clear of Lordship, Amend, Full Sovereign, Viking Water, James, and Mister Chips. James lost a lot of ground at the start. Great Adios began to loaf once he was well in front, according to Norton. “I will hobble him on Tuesday and Thursday, for a mile and a half probably,” Norton said “He should be at his peak next Saturday.” Lordship’s failure did not worry his trainer-driver, D. G. Nyhan. “He pulled very hard in front, which is unusual for him, and he has had a cold." said Nyhan. “I did not push him after Great Adios went past.”

Tobias’s trainer-driver, J. Butcher, was delighted by his horse’s showing. “I was giving the leaders a big start at the half-mile, and had to go wide at the home turn,” Butcher said. “If onlv he keeps sound. . . .”

Morris Scot and Governor Frost performed splendid trials and Julie Hanover also shaped impressively. But Full Sovereign, whose third to Lordship and Morris Scot at Tauranga a week before had indicated that he was regaining form, weakened badly. Sound Pace Lordship took the lead at the end of three furlongs and carried the field along at a solid clip. Great Adios-'s time for the 13 furlongs was a good 3:28 4-5, the last mile in 2:5 1-5, the half in 1:1 and the quarter in 30 1-5. The other pacing free-for-all was won by Lochgair in 3:34 2-5. This was because of a very slack pace for the first mile. The last half-mile was done in 1:1, and the last quarter in 31 1-5. Lochgair was making his first appearance at Alexandra Park since he joined P. Stewart’s stables at Papatoetoe in November. Stewart is a brother of Mrs S. A. Lowe, of Ashburton, who races Lochgair.

Lochgair won by only half a head from Kiwi Express, but his performance was impressive. He was on the outside without a trail most of the way and was eased twice. Kiwi Express and Aka Eden (third) came home well and Vista Abbey was a close fourth. Next were Abbey Frost, Bosun, Adios Dale, Lord Setay and Kildare Kate, which had made most of the pace. There was a smash with about two furlongs to go. Vista Abbey skipped and clipped the sulky wheel of another horse. She broke and checked Superior Chief, which also tangled. Single Cash, a member of P. T. Wolfenden’s team, earned a big following for the trotting section of the

championships ' when he scored a runaway win in the Trotters’ Free-For-All.

He took charge with about seven furlongs to go and, after rounding the home turn with a handy lead, won as he liked by four lengths from Apollo. Belle Serene was a length and a half back third, just in front of Eastern Star. Mighty Hanover and Scotty Dillon did best of the others. Mountain Pride, which is regarded as one of the main New Zealand hopes at the championships, finished eighth. He was well back early, but improved at a great rate after passing the half-mile. Mountain Pride reached third in a furlong, but he broke leaving the back straight and propped out. Stylish wins by the brilliant young Christchurch pacers, Lords and General Frost, were highlights of the minor races.

Lords, off 24 yards, made short work of some of the best northern three-year-olds

in the Kumeu Handicap. He ran away over the final stages and won by four lengths from Arabond. Spare Parts was a good third, clear of Captain Frost. Abbey Nelson, from Christchurch, broke twice and finished well back. General Frost beat Ike’s Medal comfortably in the D.B.

Mile. Ike’s Medal had beaten him the last time they met, at Cambridge on January 9.