Eight pay late

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33062, 1 November 1972, Page 9

Eight pay late

The connections of eight horses have paid a $5OO late entry fee in an endeavour to obtain a start in the 1972 New Zealand Derby Stakes, winch will be run at Addington Raceway on November 18.

A total of 23 horses, including the eight late entries, made the final payment yesterday. However, some look to have been left in the field in expectation of being eliminated and so recouping the payments made on their behalf.

The eight horses for which the late entry fee has been paid are Young Quinn, Why Bill, Final Decision, Scottish Foil, Hardcraft, Willie Win, Rolon Waitaki and Lord Gregory. The others remaining in the field are Kotare Scott, Toru Hana, Unique Chase, Armbro Jodie, Dauntless, Pegus, Infallible, Patton, Vince, Holmfield, Donover, Free Chase, Flying Eagle, Optimist and Speedy Guest.

It is expected that the stake for the race will be about $17,000, a record for a classic race for pacers in Australia er New Zealand. The club will pay $6060 and there will be the payments made by owners, including the late entry fees. In addition, it is expected that there will be a grant from the stakes subsidy fund of the New Zealandßacing’Authority, This was

approved at a meeting of the authority last week, but the amount has not yet been announced.

Last year the stake for the derby was $12,155 and that in 1970 was $ll,OOO. The club last year allowed 14 horses to start in the derby, but many felt that this was too great. However, it is expected that the field will number from 12 to 14.

The winners among the 23 to make the final payment are Kotare Scott, Young Quinn, Why Bill, Dauntless, Final Decision. Scottish Foil, Donover, Free Chase, Flying Eagle, Hardcraft. Willie Win, Speedy Guest and Lord Gregory. Most of the derby entrants will race in the Riccarton Stakes on Tuesday and Friday of next week. Performances then could Influence the programme to include place-getters from those events instead of some with wins to their credit but rather bleak form background in recent weeks.

The composition of the derby field will be announced at noon on November 15.