RACING Apollo Eleven shades Ribaldo in Auckland Cup

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33113, 2 January 1973, Page 6

RACING Apollo Eleven shades Ribaldo in Auckland Cup

from Our Own Reporter j AUCKLAND. The Riccarton stayer Ribaldo was inched away from victory by Apollo Eleven in the last two strides of New Zealand’s richest race, the $45,000 Auckland Cup, at Ellerslie yesterday.

‘’But wait for Trentham and the Wellington Cup—he'll he even better on a roomier course there.” the rider of Ribaldo, J. P. Riordan, said later.

The race was run on a firm, fast track before a large, colourful crowd in the picturesque Ellerslie setting. If Ribaldo had his traffic problems they were nothing compared with those of 'he Wingatui entry. Golden Sam. which was the top weight and second favourite. Golden Sam was virtually knocked out of the race when First Edition, one of a good number of non-stayers in the field, stopped in a stride less than half a mile from home. Golden Sam’s big run to come from a distant rails position in the last two furlongs was a bright feature of the race. Apollo Eleven was being tubbed for a foot injury by his Takanim trainer, K. W T. Foster, until after midnight on the night before the race, and his victory in the hands of the light-weight, B. F. Andrews, was a great reward for hours of devoted attention. The norse is owned by Mr J. D. Foote, whose fortunes as the owner of the Oee Lodge Stud have had more low* than highs. The sire of Apollo Eleven. Cyrus, which was bought in England by rhe Svdney trainer. T. J. Smith, and brought to New Zealand for stud duties, was found to be a shv foal-getter, and 'he studv finallv quit him. But a mating of Cyrus with I adv Rizzto. a daughter of T’-oasure Hunt, was responsible for Apo'lo Eleven. Earlier Ladv Rizzio had left Royal Dee. a sprinter of qualify with a win in the Auckland Newmarket Handicap to his credit. Anollo Eleven was the thirteenth live foal from his dam. and he was having his thirteenth start for the *ea-

son when he won yesterday. Also at Mr Foote’s stud until his premature death was Better Honey, which sired Simon de Montfort, the surprise winner of the Welling- • ton Cup almost a year ago. i Steady run Andrews rode ApolloEleven with every confidence! in the horse’s ability to run out two miles in fast time.' He brought Apollo Eleven, forward on a steady run from the ruck, and the turning

point of the race in his favour came when Ribaldo shifted ground under extreme pressure close to the post. The race time of 3.20 is a second outside the race record set by II Tempo when he won for the second time three years ago. They ran the last mile in 1.40, the last half in 50. and the final three furlongs in 38. Andrews had never ridden an Auckland Cup winner before, but in 1962 he was third on Conference in the race

won by Floutulla. He recalls that race with some wryness because he passed over the ride on Floutulla to take the mount on Conference. ’Rough’ race Andrews, who is 29, described yesterday’s race as “just about as rough as they come.” Half a mile out he felt certain Golden Sam or one of another of the runners within his view would fall in the tight-running field. Ribaldo paraded for the race looking hard and fit. Racing, travelling, and summer heat had removed the amount of “lumber” he carried through much of his racing earlier in the spring, and his placed run was right in character.

He is almost incapable of running a bad race, and his I consistency at two miles I would make him a worthy Wellington Cup favourite if that is to be his mission on I January 20. Ribaldo earned $9OOO with : his second yesterday, and ■ with his win in the Queen ■ Elizabeth Handicap on Boxing Day he has $15,250 to (show for his campaign at i Ellerslie. Rustler carried the colours of Mr J. C. Fletcher, a former president of the club, and Mrs Fletcher into third place.