Connections declined Auckland’s invitation

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33664, 14 October 1974, Page 8

Connections declined Auckland’s invitation

It is, perhaps, unfortunate that Alexandra Park patrons will not see Jillinda in action later this month. An invitation from the Auckland Trotting Club to have Mr A. R. Idiens’s good trotter contest the $ll,OOO Stars Travel Challenge Stakes there on October 30 was made after she had won the Ordeal Cup at Addington Raceway last month, but the offer was declined.

“We were pleased to re-i ceive the invitation but after consideration three factors: influenced us to turn it down,” said Jillinda’s Meth-, [ven trainer, S. M. Miller,[ after the Johnny Globe eight-year-old had beaten Cee Ar and Lessaday narrowly and eight others eas- [ ily in the Banks Peninsula! Trotting Cup at Motukarara on Saturday. “First, it would have been getting a bit close to the New Zealand Cup meeting, and I want to keep her as[ fresh as possible for the Dominion Handicap there,” said Miller. “The other factors which influenced the decision were that she has I never raced from behind the: mobile barrier arid has never [ had to race the right-handed i way around, as they do at; Alexandra Park.” But Jillinda will not be idle leading up to the Cup. carnival next month. Present intentions are to race her next at the two-night: Greymouth meeting which opens ] next week. “There is a free-for-all one!' night there and it should suit her fine,” said Miller. Of the southern contingent' which will be competing at! Auckland, Cee Ar was by far the most impressive on' Saturday. He was a fair wayil

i off the pace — set by JilJinda for the last 1700 metres — but cut quickly into the winner’s lead close to the end and failed by .only a head. Greymouth will [also be on Cee Ar's pro- ■ gramme before he goes north, and Lessaday, which trotted solidly al! the way [and was only half a neck [back third, will also have his next race at Victoria Park Raceway. Well beaten Dupreez. Edis Nova. Bachelor Tom and Philemon, the : other contestants in Saturday’s race which have been : invited to compete at Auckland, were soundly beaten. ! Dupreez, after leading for a time then receiving a perfect i trail, broke early in the run [home and finished a distant 'eight. Edis Nova, after racing on the outside and at (the leader’s rump, faded [from the straight entrance to finish sixth, more than 10 j . lengths from the principals I in the finish. Philemon, the tail-ender but one most of the way. was ninth, one place ahead of Bachelor Tom, which was never going :well on the soft track. The Cup was the first leg of the Banks Peninsula (Trotting Club’s T.A.B. double land, naturally enough after, [successive wins at her two: jprevious starts. Jillinda was' the popular fancy.

I Armbro Circle rounded off a favourites' double when he came out best in a battling [ 1 finish with Hanover Clan in' the Grand Handicap. To earn this victory, his .fifth on end. Armbro Circle was all-out in the final pinch to get there by a nose. But; in doing so, after being without a trail, being headed in the run home then rallyling again, he showed ail the iqualities of a really good: horse. On a track affected by rain and inclined to be; • puggy it was not a good day) | all-round for favourites. In I (fact, outside of the winners) of the T.A.B; double races) jhe only other popular fancy | .(to succeed was Tillringer in; [the first division of the! [Little River and Mitre I Handicap.