TROTTING Dazzling Stakes Win By Rossini

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 5

TROTTING Dazzling Stakes Win By Rossini

Rossini gave one of the most dazzling displays of speed seen from a two-year-old when he won the New Zealand Golden Slipper Stakes at Waimate on Saturday.

Rossini sped over the eight furlongs and a half in 2:14, a mile rate of about 2:6, and coasted over the final furlong to win by nine lengths from Bedazzle, a gelding which in a normal year would be acclaimed as an unusually good youngster.

The first four horses to finish were well inside the previous race record of 2:22 from a standing start, shared by Sun Chief and Jurist. Rossini's last halfmile took about 1:4. Rossini is raced in partnership by his trainer-driver. M_ Holmes, the West Melton studmaster and trainer, J. S. Dalgety, and Mr B. J. Wilks, of Christchurch, who bred him. He is a showy chestnut colt with a creamy mane and tail and is one of the first crop sired by the American-bred stallion. Bachelor Hanover/ which is located at Lantana Stud. Hay Day. the dam of Rossini, is an unraced mare by Meadow Chief from Primo.

the dam of Covent Garden. La Scala. Callas and Renata. The latter won twice recently, but went amiss after winning at Orari on November 30. Most members of the familyhave shown great speed as juveniles, but they have seldom reproduced it in their races. Rossini seems to be much more solid than most of his near relations and is a most sensible gelding. He will probably race next at Forbury Park early in February, where his meeting with Sam Tryax and other top-class youngsters is certain to be a great attraction. Good Start There was a false start to the race caused by Fantastic, Five Score and Glamour tangling. Rossini, which drew the second line, reached the front

tin the first few yards and imI mediately applied the pressure. Holmes sent him clear I by two lengths near the three furlongs and he soon raced i right away, finally winning leasing down by nine lengths. Bedazzle was sired by Good- : land, which has also been t located at Lantana Stud. Goodland has changed hands and is due to go to New South Wales before the next breeding season. A plain-looking gelding with a pronounced Roman nose, Bedazzle is a good staying type. He trailed Rossini for most of the way and was unchallenged for second, finishing two lengths and a half in front of the Van Hanover colt Fantastic. which lost ground at the start and was seventh at the six furlongs. He showed much ability, as also did Five Score, which finished another five lengths away. She was a little slow away and was then checked after a furlong and a half when Glamour broke. Sweet Leigh was an ; other to meet serious trouble. Eldonna. fairly handy for most of the way, finished a| ! close fifth, ahead of Glamlour, Jenny Belle and Blue I I Spark.