KILAT TOO GOOD IN STAKES

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32800, 28 December 1971, Page 7

KILAT TOO GOOD IN STAKES

Kilat, an unlucky eighth in the New Brighton Stakes on December 4, gained compensation when he outstayed his rivals in the New Zealand Champion Stakes yesterday at Ashburton.

Kilat is raced by Mrs L. J. Woods, of Pleasant Valley, near Geraldine, and he is trained at Kerrytown by J. J. Brosnan, whose son, Richard, drove him. It was Brosnan’s most important training success for more than 20 years, while it was his son’s biggest win as a reinsman.

Kilat is a strong gelding by Local Light, sire of the 1964 Champion Stakes winner, Golden Oriole, and he is out of Becoming, the dam also of Local Rose and Waycom. Kilat was the best beginner, but after two furlongs Armbro Free took over, to be

passed soon after by Golden Guest. The pace was not strong and the first two halfmiles each took about 1:7. Kilat moved up to follow Golden Guest into the final furlong, with Armbro Free, Johnny Kirk, Robin’s Sister and Hilton Highway handy.

Kilat was seen soon in control and he came on to win by two lengths from Golden Guest. Johnny Kirk fought on for third, a little more than a length away, with the same distance to Armbro Free. Robin’s Sister went a useful race for fifth, shading Individual which tangled in the back straight and did well to finish so close. Then there was a long break to Hilton Highway. The win favourite, Stroll Away, broke at the start and was never a chance, finishing twelfth. Ar Miss had to be scratched because of injuries received when she got down in the float on the way to the meeting.