One of racing’s mysteries

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33513, 19 April 1974, Page 6

One of racing’s mysteries

If anyone had asked the connections of Cock Your Ear what had caused the filly to run so badly in the Champagne Stakes —she was last of 17 — on the first day of the meeting. they would have heen hard pressed to offer a logical explanation.

When the filly had pulled up after the race her rider. A K. Robinson, expected to find --he had got her tongue over the bit or, perhaps, had struck herself during the running. But there was no sign of distress with hei breathing and she showed no signs of lameness when trotted back to the birdcage. Some rime after the race Cock Your Ear’s Wingatui trainer. B. J. Anderton, noticed that she was sweating and seemed a bit upset but there was nothing

physical to account for her lack-lustre display. Because Cock Your Eat had eaten well and thrived since Monday, Anderton approached the stipendiary' stewards before yesterday’s; racing and told them that' although he could not account for her first-day performance. when he had considered she would go well, he was hoping she would show marked improvement in the Autumn Nursery Handicap. IMPRESSIVE WIN Cock Your Ear came right up to her trainer’s expectations and left A. K. Robinson pieasantly surprised when she led for the last 600 metres for an impressive: victory over the Riccarton youngsters. Galapan and No Decision, which battled it out in that order for second and third. Cock Your Ear. which carries the colours of Mrs B. 1. Anderton and Mr G. J. Julius, was the second of three winning rides for Robinson and the first of three winners sired by the Wingatui-based Mellay. Robinson’s first winning mount was Maling and his third was My Mellay. which lasted 200 metres a little better than the favourite. Xavier. in the Shirlev: Handicap. This Woodlandstrained six-year-old was sired bv Mellay as was Anita Kay. the Tasman , Handicap winner. t