Gunsynd surpasses Tulloch

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33060, 30 October 1972, Page 8

Gunsynd surpasses Tulloch

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent)

MELBOURNE.

Gunsynd was the centre of attention at Moonee Valley on Saturday after his W. S. Cox Plate victory made him the greatest Australian winner, but to astute race observers it was the New Zealand mare, Magnifique, which made the run of the race. With hardly anything in favour, Magnifique finished an excellent third, only threequarters of a length and a length behind the winner. The trainer, E. Temperton, and the jockey, R. B. Marsh, were overjoyed by the run of Magnifique. Magnifique had only four horses behind her in the middle stages of the race, but Marsh made a strong run round the field at the final bend. At the top of the straight, Magnifique loomed up on the outside of AU Shot and Gunsynd, which was disputing the lead with Longfella. Gunsynd finished too strongly for All Shot and Magnifique, but Magnifique went to the line strongly. Bookmakers were impressed by Magnifique’s run and reacted by cutting her Cup quote from 7 to 1 to 4 to 1. She now threatens Sobar as the Cup favourite. VIRTUALLY UNBEATABLE As good as Magnifique’s run was, however, nothing could detract from the performance of Gunsynd. At weight-for-age over a middle distance, he is virtually unbeatable in Australia. He is a true "iron horse,” for the outing was the sixth successive Saturday appearance of his present campaign, yet he retains the bloom and condition of a three-year-old. His win took his total prize money to $235,815 and was his twenty-fifth win in 44 starts. Tulloch, the previous record-holder, won $220,247. However It has been calculated that if Tulloch were racing today winning the same races would have earned him $450,000. DERBY TRIAL Longfella, having his first outing since suffering a leg injury, ran an excellent Derby trial and his clash with Sobar will be very interesting. Not much could be said for the others. Altai Khan battled into fifth, the closest he ever got, and last years Caulfield Cup winner, Gay Icarus, could manage only sixth and pulled up lame. Jan’s Beau was one of the pacemakers, but G. R. Edge could not keep him going and he faded to tenth, one place in front of Triton. For Triton, troubled with crumbling hooves, it was the first time he had finished out of the prize money in his career, and his trainer, S. A. Brown, said after the race that it was probably Triton’s final appearance before he returned to New Zealand for stud duties at the Fairdale Stud, Longburn. Turbino finished last after making the early pace. FOOR RUNS The New Zealand horses, Baghdad Note and Laurel Oaks, gave dismal displays in the $20,000 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2600 m. and as Melbourne Cup trials their runs left much to be desired. The race was won by the local stayer, Double Irish, which made

a strong staying run to win by a length and a quarter from the South Australian, General Filou (Le Filou—Court Duchess), with another Melbourne stayer, Piping Lane, a length away third. Baghdad Note, after looking promising when he moved into fourth place passing the 600 m., weakened badly and finished tenth.

E. J. Didham, the rider of Baghdad Note, said the run was a big disappointment.

“I thought he was going to be right in the finish as he went past the 600 mark and he was moving forward, but from that point he showed me nothing,” he said. Laurel Oaks beat only two of the 15 runners. His jockey, R. Higgins, said the horse had not stretched out properly and seemed sore. Sir Trutone showed little dash and was nearest at the finish in

seventh place, about five lengths behind the winner. But if Baghdad Note. Laurel Oaks, and Sir Trutone were disappointing, the run of another New Zealand horse, Ansin, was full of merit. Ansin was a long last in the early stages, but made a strong late run which carried him into sixth place. Ansin pulled up well, and the run will stand him in good stead for the Melbourne Cup.