Palestine promoted to first in Kaikoura Cup

Press, 1 November 1977, Page 29

Palestine promoted to first in Kaikoura Cup

By*

G. K. YULE

Nimble Yankee was first east the post in the Kaikoura Cup yesterday, but after an inquiry he was relegated to third, Palestine and Bolton Byrd being promoted to fill the first two placings. The race was roughly run and the inquiry was concerned with Nimble Yankee running out and affecting the chances of Bolton Byrd in the run home. The task of the stewards in deciding the inquiry would have been made easier had a film of the race been available. However, the Kaikoura Club is one of the last in New Zealand to set

round to installing a film patrol. After about 300 m Waitaki Dawn broke and checked Final Curtain and Sly Brewer, which had broken at the start. Then, with about 1200 m left Loyal Drift and Captain Harcourt were involved in a skirmish, Captain Harcourt breaking and losing all chance. Palestine, after hesitating at the start, improved sharply to take the lead from Nimble Yankee with about 1200 m left. He carried on at a smart clip and was travelling comfortably against the rails soon after straightening. Then he began to loaf and Nimble Yankee

and Bolton Byrd challenged wide out on the track. Nimble Yankee kept moving out and pushing Bolton Byrd almost against the outside fence. However, Nimble Yankee responded well and won by three-parts of a length from Palestine. Bolton Byrd was half a neck back third, with two lengths to Sole Command. In Or Out came on fairly well for fifth, ahead of Sly Brewer, Rocky Tryax, which was travelling well on the turn until almost knocked off-stride, and Final Curtain, which received a rocky run. ‘Til just give him a bit of quiet work between now and

the Cup" said Terry May, the trainer-driver of Palestine. "I couldn’t get him any better than he is at present.” May was delighted with Palestine’s run, especially when told that the leaders had paced their last 1600 m in 2min. 2sec., with the last 800 m in 60sec. ‘‘He didn’t see those two horses away on the outside when they closed on him and was loafing near the end,” he said. ‘‘But for that I’m sure he would have won handily. He felt as though he had quite a bit left at the end.”

Jim Dalgety, too, was pleased with Bolton Byrd’s placing. ‘‘He went really well and I’m hoping that run will bring him on sufficiently for the Cup,” he said.

Smart Doll brought a change of luck to his owner, Mr Peter Van der Looy, and his trainer-driver, Kevin Williams, when she won the Stewards’ Handicap. After being first out, she settled in to trail Bradleigh from the 1800 m.

Seafield Majesty challenged Bradleigh early in the run home, but Smart Doll, which scrambled on the turn, came between them and got in the deciding stride by half a head. Bradleigh fought back strongly and held second by half a length from Lauraine Hanover, with Seafield Majesty half a neck away. Then there was a break to the favourite, Jaunty Hanover, which was forced wide on the turn and just battled. Abbe Gold, Babrow and Quick Hanover broke at the start.