Third time lucky for Marie Gibbins in Stakes

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 8

Third time lucky for Marie Gibbins in Stakes

It was a case of third time lucky as far as Marie Gibbins was concerned when she won the New Zealand Standardbred ! Breeders’ Stakes at Addington Raceway last evening. The I lawera-owned-and-trained mare finished an unlucky fourth two years ago and 12 months ago she was narrowly beaten by Van Glory.

Raced in partnership by .Mr Alex Carrigan and her trainer, Doug Grantham, she was driven last night by New Zealand’s leading reinsman, Peter Wolfenden. Marie Gibbins settled on the outside in the fourth line, track-

i ing Van Glory, which receivec a cover behind Tactful. Gay Rose set the early pace but Just-a-Glow sprinted clear ai the end of the first quarter. Tact ful set out after Just-a-Glow racing to the straight, with Var Glory and Marie Gibbins showing up wider out and Lady Hodger down on the inside. Just-a-Glow had the measure ol all but Marie Gibbins some 50ir out. but near the end the Hauer? mare raced past them all and

without being pushed. shc strode away to win by three lengths. Just-a-Glow fought back gamely I and shaded Van Glory by a nose for second, with a short length to Tactful, which did well after 1 being in the open all the way. , Avon Song came on solidly 2 iwide out on the track to finish ' a close fifth, shading Lady Hod- , gen. with Gay Rose a disapf I pointing seventh. 1 Marie Gibbins paced the mile 3 in 2min o.7sec. more than a sec- • ond slower than Van Glory’s race record established last year. Lunar Chance returned the • performance of an up-and-coming j champion when he coasted past j the post in first place in the Cressy Handicap. He was a shade slow away and raced in the open for most of the way. He gathered in Noble Charles with ease inside the last 200 m and was being eased up at the line, with three lengths and a half to spare. He was i timed to pace his last 1600 m in 2min Isec. 1 Noble Charles took second i after receiving the run of the ' race, behind Noble Lord, with a ; gap to Armbro Brent, which was i followed by Chatterton and Micron. I Perfect Answer ■■ wins novice ) Perfect Answer led from start jto finish in the Novice Trotting Stakes at Addington last night. s ißannach Kid. once he held S' stride, made up a great deal of □ ground over the last 1000 metres. " Result:— J, NOVICE TROTTING STAKES, _i $500; two-year-old trotters; 2000 m. I, PERFECT ANSWER W. J. 1 Doyle’s b f by Nevele Gourmet—So Rare .It I. McLaren 1 RANNACH KID Mrs H. R. and □ G. N. Blackaby’s b g by ji Crockett—lda Ray It A. Bourne 2 i STORM DUST A. J. Perrow’s 7 1 b f by Pacific Hanover—j; Senatus It S. Henderson 3 ' Others in finishing order: Harvey Wilson, Hope Springs, Bo . i Eagle. - Five lengths, 14 lengths, head. Time: 2:56.2. Trainer: W. J. 'Doyle. Leeston.