Smokey Lopez creates N.Z. record and wins bonus

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34041, 3 January 1976, Page 8

Smokey Lopez creates N.Z. record and wins bonus

Smokey Lopez became the first three-year-old pacer in New Zealand to win a race in better than 2min when he lasted to beat Wee Win by a head in the E. F. Mercer Mile at Addington Raceway last evening.

The winner’s share of (the stake was $1625 and he earned his veteran owner, Mr Ben Grice, a ■ bonus of SlOOO for bettering 2:00. : ■ i There was considerable 'J merit in the winner’s run as ;|he was in the open outside Royal Abbe, which trailed the !: pacemaker. Trusty Scott, for two runs into a cool easterly

wind which swept the course. A gelding by Lopez Hanover from Regality, Smokey Lopez is trained at Prebbleton by Des Grice and he was driven, as usual, by Jack Carmichael. He had raced disappointingly when seventh in the Champion Stakes at Ashburton a week earlier. The only other three-year-olds to have bettered the time of Smokey Lopez are Final Decision, which was third in

a race at Cambridge in 1:59.6, and Garcon Roux, which returned the same time in a special trial. Wee Win, which gave the winner a start of four lengths from the 400 m, put in a strong bid wide out to run him to a head, with only a neck to Bolton Byrd, which came on solidly from a handy position. Trusty Scott, which forced all of a hot pace, was only half a length away fourth, coming to the -nd of his run in the last ?om.

The first four place-getters recorded 2:00 or better.

Royal Abbe looked a prospect when he rushed for an opening along the rails inside the last 200 m, but he had to be content with fifth, ahead of Star Chance, which made up ground.

The second favourite, Main Adios, was forced wide for the first 800 m and dropped away to last.

In open class

Now Charles graduated to open class when he shaded Plumpton in the Grandstand Handicap. The big chestnut was driven by lan Cameron, who is now associated with Bill Doyle’s team at Leeston. Cameron had Now Charles handily placed on the inner until the 400 m. He then pulled him out and near the line he dashed through to hold off Plumpton by a nose. Remlap, the pacemaker, held for third a short length away and a nose in front of Lord Rodney.

The hot favourite. Alias Armbro, ran into the back of the breaking Santoza after 70m, and was eight seconds from the leader after 400 m. He put in an amazing run for seventh, only four lengths from the winner.

Illusionist came out on top in the Pumpton Stakes, one of the roughest races seen on the course for some time. Illusionist was well placed on the outside by Denis Nyhan and he finished too well for Waitaki Dawn, beating him by two lengths and a half. Times Square came fast wide out for a close third, ahead of another solid finisher in Peterson’s Pride and Armbro Pine. The favourite, Colin Kirk, ran off when leading near the 700 m. He joined the leaders again, but dropped out to finish eighth. The Invercargill-owned and trained favourite. La Roue, made no race of the Members’ Stakes. She was always prominently placed and drew out to win by three lengths from Golden Nurse, another to have every chance. Living Doll came on well for third.

ahead of Wichita and Lady Hodgen. Junior Armbro broke ifiside the last 800 m and checked Mighty Tuft. Off-course trebles betters suffered a severe blow when the hot fancy, Ganya, failed by half a head to catch Tudor Gold in the U. Scott Stakes. Ganya was doing by far the better near the end, but the post came too soon. His run was outstanding as he was last starting the final 900 m. He sprinted up four wide, and gave the winner a start of six lengths racing to the 200 m.

Doodie Townley won the race when he slipped clear by three lengths with Tudor Gold approaching the straight. She had enough in hand to last it out.

Andrew Lopez, handv all the way, held on for third four lengths away, ahead of Tempest Water, Esteban and the fast-finishing Grosvenor Lord.