Ruling Lobell outclasses rivals

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34120, 5 April 1976, Page 8

Ruling Lobell outclasses rivals

Ruling Lobell broke through for a ridiculously easy first success in the Graduation Stakes at Addington Raceway on Saturday. As a result she looks a! top chance in the New ■ Zealand Welcome Stakes | on the final day of the meeting. Ruling Lobell made one of her speediest beginnings and was always well placed, not far from the pacemaker, Brad’s Song. Ivan Schwamm moved Ruling Lobell up to Brad’s Song with ease at the straight entrance and she cruised away to win by six lengths. As a Rule and Our Location, two lightly-supported candidates, dead-heated for second, two lengths in front of Dusky Sound, which showed speed after a poor start. Dusky Sound came to the end of his run 30m out. Yukon John shaded Kitland for fifth, with Gianna next. Brad’s Song was ninth, ahead of Watbro Trick and Fancy Dick, neither of which really flattered.

' Raced by Mr Ben Grice and trained by his son, Des, Ruling Lobell is by Mark Lobell from Ruling Caste. She has the breeding .and the ability to be a top-class winner. . Narrow win ' Regal Belmont, owned and trained by Colin McDonald at Rangiora, shaded Kiwi Kid in a close finish to the First Three-year-old Stakes. Kiwi Kid, after being hampered a little after 400 m, raced up to be handy over the last 1600 m. He quickly mastered the leader, No Truant, early in the run home, but close to the line Regal Belmont, whose driver was later warned about the manner in which he used his whip, did slightly the better and won by half a head. Tintern Abbey, another to meet trouble early, made ground late for a close third, just ahead of Glenwood, which led early. Lord Moose paced a fair race for fifth, ahead of True Pine, with the others, headed by Tarport Toby, beaten off. Regal Belmont, a colt by Garrison Hanover from

’Maida’s Fortune, has always looked to be above average, but it has taken longer than expected for him to gain that first success. One of the most impressive wins of the night was that of the three-year-old, Wee Win, in the Rattray Stakes. Wes Butt sent him to the front with 600 m left and he held off a brilliant late challenge from Ganya by a neck. Sly Brewer, which received a poor run, did well to take third a length away, just ahead of Trusty Scott, which raced in the open on the outer for a time and looked a big threat on the home turn. However, his finishing run was not quite as strong as expected. Swift Princess, after a slow start, was bandy over the last 1600 m, but it was not surprising that she dropped out

to fifth, ahead of a bold fini-' sher in Grosvenor Lord. Waitaki Dawn, after being awkwardly placed three back on the inside, came with a strong late run to catch Helen of Tara on the line and beat her by half a head in the Bryndwr Stakes. He returned 2:33.3 for the 2000 m. Helen of Tara was! not disgraced as she was; hotly challenged for the lead; over the last 600 m and fought off Kara Kara, which f.aished sixth. Keep Out made a late bid for a fairly close third, a head in front of Living Doll and Classiebawn. Saucy Jack outstayed the field in the Air New Zealand Stakes, winning by a. short length from Tempest Water, which had her chance. Rigid put in a strong late run for third, a length away, with half a neck to Quite Regal.

The favourite, Patchwood, led after 200 m, but dropped out when challenged in the home straight. Saucy Jack was driven by Ross Payne, who is assorted with Des Grice's team at Templeton. Show Day gained an overdue win over Lord Burlington in the Fendalton Handicap. Royal Vacation came on well for third, with Golmak and Gordon Lyn, an early breaker, next. Dreamy Love received a shocking run and finished ninth. Sharagheen was always handily placed in the Spreydon Handicap and he finished too well for Temple Bar, winning by half a length. Plumpton finished powerfully for a close third, just ahead of Mini Hostess, which led early and trailed when Santoza took over at the 1900 m.