Stella Frost fit for Grand Final

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32539, 24 February 1971, Page 9

Stella Frost fit for Grand Final

Stella Frost, shown above, leaving the birdcage following her third qualifying-heat win on Saturday at Addington Raceway, will do very little serious work before she contests the $40,000 Grand Final next Saturday afternoon.

“I gave her a bit of galloping and light jogging, said her trainer, D. J. Townley, of her training yesterday morning. “I’d be happy just to gallop her to keep her fit for Saturday, but I’m considering giving her a little hoppled wont on Thursday.” Townley’s track has had plenty of top on it in the last few weeks. This has done much to help Stella Frost overcome any jarring which may have followed racing on the flint-like surface at Addington. “She has really thrived in the last few days. I'm really delighted with her condition,” said Townley. Townley realises that Stella Frost will not be set an easy task from the back mark of 24 yards. “But she is such a grand race mare that I’m certain she will give a good account of herself,” he said. Stella Frost, the only runner to come through the qualifying heats unbeaten, has impressed everyone by her racing manners and her general condition. She has not had really hard races, although Townley had to ask her for a little extra to beat Friendly Forbes by a nose on the first night of the meeting. Stella Frost has improved after each race in the meantime, and there will be no fitter candidate for Saturday’s final—which will probably be her last race in New Zealand. She is booked to leave for Sydney a few days later to contest the Miracle Mile at Harold Park on March 12. In April she will be flown to New York where she will represent New Zealand in an International pacing series at Yonkers Raceway. Stella Frost has now had 21 wins for her Balclutha breeder, Mr L. H. Tilson, and with 31 other placings has won $69,805 in stakes. The winner’s share of Saturday’s richest stake for a horse race in New Zealand is $26,000, plus a gold cup valued at $6OO. The second horse will receive $BOOO, the third' horse $4OOO, and the fourth horse $2OOO.