John Regal has narrow win

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33967, 7 October 1975, Page 8

John Regal has narrow win

John Regal gained some compensation for his third in the Methven Cup nine days earlier when he got up to shade Spry Guy in the President’s Handicap.

Wes Butt gave John Regal a splendid run three back while Brother Eden set a fairly leisurely pace. It was late in the race when John Regal was pulled out and he responded well to get up and win by half a head. Spry Guy did not give Bob Nyhan an easy drive near the tail of the nine-horse field. He moved up swiftly early in the run home and looked the likely winner until John Regal put in his claim. Ryal Ann. which had every chance, battled on gamely for third, half a length back, with Armbro Song, which received the run of the race, a close fourth, ahead of Armbro Circle. Then there was a break of five lengths to Forta Cavalla.

Cyclone Lad provided one of the features of the day when he won the Seafield Handicap after starting from 20m. Peter Jones improved quickly with him and took the lead near the 1600 m. He was not seriously tested in the run home and won easily by four lengths after pacing the 2400 m in the smart time of 3:13.4. King Tryax, the outsider of the field, fought on to shade Royal Tango for second. Then there was another break of four lengths to Scottish Chat, Junior Armbro and Whaa Hana. Cyclone Lad is an acceptor for the Forbury Park meeting on Saturday, but his trainer, Derek Jones, said he was uncertain about taking the four-year-old south. Instead he might reserve him for the Auckland meeting later in the month. AT GOOD ODDS

Nigel Craig, at surprisingly long odds of almost 9/1 considering his con-

sistent racing, won the Mount Somers Handicap. He looked to be well beaten by Cortan and Select Way inside the last 70m, but he came again and won by a nose. Select Way beat Cortan by a nose for second, with Brenda Bell fighting on for fourth, ahead of Willden. Eagle Dale, which paid $55.10 for a win, caused a major upset when he won the Elgin Handicap. Trevino and Prince Twinkle, both of which were late working clear, were cutting rapidly into his advantage at the line, but he lasted to win by a short length. Trevino shaded Prince Twinkle for second, with Sunloafer holding on for fourth, ahead of There and Back. Tiny Time brought a change of luck to his Templeton owner-trainer, Cecil Devine, when he beat Kancho by half a neck in the Hinds Handicap. Sparkling Over got up for a fair third, just ahead of Wee Win, Bushside and Hey Pronto, which received a poor run in the straight.